US 12,222,327 B2 · Devices, systems, and methods for installing and load testing earth anchor foundations

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for installing earth anchor foundations and/or conducting load tension tests on earth anchors used to secure structures, such as solar platforms, trellises, tents, decking, bleachers, telephone poles, powerlines, construction scaffolding, and the like. In one example, the device includes a base plate, a plurality of elongate telescoping members extending from the base plate and containing a crank mechanism. A drive shaft on the upper member is coupled to the crank mechanism to raise and lower the upper member relative to the base plate. A support arm or shelf is provided on the upper member for raising a frame during installation of the structure, and a testing hook is provided on the upper member for conducting a load tension test on one or more earth anchors used to secure the structure using a load measurement device coupled to the hook and the earth anchor(s).

Claims20

Dependent claims

A device for installing and/or testing earth anchors for securing a structure, comprising:

a base plate defining an upper surface;
an elongate first member including a lower end mounted to the upper surface of the base plate along an axis extending from the upper surface;
an elongate second member telescopingly mounted to the first member such that the second member is moveable up and down on the first member along the axis;
an actuator on the second member coupled to a mechanism on one or both of the first and second members to selectively raise the second member up the first member along the axis away from the base plate when the actuator is actuated;
and
a testing hook attached to the second member such that the hook moves up along the axis with the second member when the actuator is actuated to raise the second member for conducting a load tension test on an earth anchor coupled to the hook.

3 more elements

A method for conducting a load tension test on one or more earth anchors used to secure a structure, each earth anchor deployed into the ground adjacent the structure such that an exposed end of the earth anchor extends from the ground, the method comprising:

providing an installation device comprising a base plate defining an upper surface, an elongate first member including a lower end mounted to the base plate along an axis extending from the upper surface, an elongate second member movably mounted to the first member such that the second member is moveable up and down on the first member along the axis, an actuator on the second member coupled to a mechanism on one or both of the first and second members to selectively move the second member along the axis towards or away from the base plate, and a testing hook on the second member for conducting a load tension test on an earth anchor coupled to the hook;
b) placing the base plate adjacent the exposed end;
c) coupling the exposed end to the hook;
d) actuating the actuator to raise the second member and the hook relative to the first member along the axis to apply a desired tensile force between the exposed end and the anchor and conduct a load tension test;
e) removing the device;
and
f) securing the exposed end to the structure to secure the structure relative to the ground at the installation site.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Devices, systems, and methods for installing and load testing earth anchor foundations

Life of this patent

Devices, systems, and methods for installing and load testing earth anchor foundations

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20