# US 10,246,845 B2 · Pile repair apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,845 B2 - Document ID: US10246845B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/782,460 - Filed: 2017-10-12 - Published: 2018-05-10 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-11 - Assignees: 4D Tech Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: 4D Tech Solutions, Inc. - Inventors: Bradley G. Deroos; Kirill Speransky; Patrick Donovan; Lester J. Thompson; Alain D. Kennedy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246845B2 ## CPC - E02D 5/64: Repairing piles - E02D 5/226: {Protecting piles (piles with protecting cases E02D5/60)} - E02D 37/00: Repair of damaged foundations or foundation structures {(renewing piles E02D5/64; roads E01C11/005; bridges E01D22/00; repairing buildings E04G23/02)} - E02D 5/28: made of steel {or other metals (E02D5/52 takes precedence)} - E02D 5/30: made of concrete or reinforced concrete or made of steel and concrete {(E02D5/50 takes precedence; assembled from segments E02D5/523; prestressed concrete E02D5/58)} - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract A pile repair apparatus includes a metal clamp having left and right brackets connected by a hinge member. A friction surface is positioned along an inner surface of the metal clamp to improve the connection of the apparatus to a pile to be repaired. A platform is connected to a top surface of the metal clamp, and a means for providing buoyancy to the pile repair apparatus can be secured to the platform. The buoyancy of the apparatus allows a diver to move and to submerse the apparatus easily and to position the apparatus around a pile to be repaired by opening and closing the apparatus about the hinge member. The apparatus is secured to the pile by inserting a bolt through corresponding apertures in the left and right brackets of the apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pile repair apparatus, comprising: a clamp for securing the pile repair apparatus to a pile to be repaired; a friction member positioned along an inner surface of the clamp; a platform connected to and extending across a top surface of the clamp; and a flotation member secured to a top surface of the platform, wherein the flotation member is compressible. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pile repair apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises left and right brackets. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The pile repair apparatus of claim 2, wherein the left and right brackets of the clamp are secured to one another by a hinge member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The pile repair apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the left and right brackets comprises an aperture adapted for receiving a bolt. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The pile repair apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flotation member has overlapping corners that are not secured to the platform and which are in slidable communication with one another. ### Claim 6 A pile repair apparatus, comprising: a clamp comprising left and right brackets connected by a hinge member; a friction member positioned along an inner surface of the metal clamp; a platform connected to and extending across a top surface of the metal clamp; a flotation member secured to a top surface of the platform, wherein the flotation member is compressible; a jacket configured to be positioned on top of the flotation member and around a pile to be repaired. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The pile repair apparatus of claim 6, further comprising one or more tensioning members secured to the jacket and the clamp. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The pile repair apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more tensioning members is selected from the group consisting of a ratchet strap, a turnbuckle, and block and tackle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The pile repair apparatus of claim 6, further comprising one or more tensioning members secured to the jacket and the platform. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The pile repair apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more tensioning members is selected from the group consisting of a ratchet strap, a turnbuckle, and block and tackle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The pile repair apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the left and right brackets comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and one or more ribs extending vertically between the top surface and bottom surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The pile repair apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of the left and right brackets comprises an aperture adapted for receiving a bolt. ### Claim 13 A method for repairing a pile, comprising: placing a clamp around the pile, wherein the clamp comprises: left and right brackets connected by a hinge member, a friction member positioned along an inner surface of the metal clamp, a platform connected to and extending across a top surface of the metal clamp, and a flotation member secured to a top surface of the platform, wherein the flotation member is compressible; and positioning a jacket on top of the flotation member and around the pile to be repaired, wherein the jacket and flotation member form a seal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising securing one or more tensioning members to the jacket and the clamp or to the jacket and the platform, and tightening the one or more tensioning members to enhance the seal between the jacket and the flotation member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the flotation member is made from compressible foam. ### Claim 16 A pile repair apparatus, comprising: a clamp comprising left and right brackets; a friction member positioned along an inner surface of the clamp; a platform connected to a top surface of the clamp; and a flotation member secured to a top surface of the platform, wherein the flotation member is compressible; wherein the left and right brackets of the clamp each comprise a top surface with one or more holes corresponding to holes in the platform and adapted for connecting the platform to the clamp. ### Claim 17 A pile repair apparatus, comprising: a clamp comprising left and right brackets connected by a hinge member; a friction member positioned along an inner surface of the metal clamp; a platform connected to a top surface of the metal clamp; a flotation member secured to a top surface of the platform, wherein the flotation member is compressible; and a jacket configured to be positioned on top of the flotation member and around a pile to be repaired; wherein the top surface of the brackets comprises one or more holes corresponding to holes in the platform and adapted for connecting the platform to the clamp.