Rotary drive machine for helical pile installation and method of use
OwnerTerry Paun, Rebecca Pauninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rotary drive machine for the installation of helical pile sections through installation openings in a slab floor inside of a building perimeter. A vertical frame having an upper end and an open lower end is positioned over an installation opening through which it is desired to rotationally install a helical pile section, and the vertical frame anchored to the slab floor. A rotary power means, attached to the helical pile section moves along a vertical movement guide and is driven by a vertical actuator to rotationally and vertically drive the helical section into the ground. A method of use is also disclosed.
Claims29
A machine for the installation of helical piles from inside a perimeter of a building foundation having a slab floor therein, the machine comprising:
- a frame having an upper end and an open lower end for positioning over an installation opening in the slab floor through which an installation section of ground is exposed to rotationally install at least one helical pile section;
- a motor configured to apply power in the installation of the at least one helical pile section through the open lower end of the frame;
- a generally vertical movement guide slidably engaging the motor and configured to retain and guide the motor therealong;
- a vertical actuator operatively attached to the motor, and configured to power movement of the motor along the generally vertical movement guide;
- and
- a slab anchor configured to engage and retain the generally vertical frame and the lower end thereof in relation to the installation opening in the slab floor,
- wherein the slab anchor comprises at least one anchoring tab extendable from the open lower end of the frame and configured to extend underneath the perimeter of the installation opening in the slab floor, to retain the machine in relation to the installation opening in the slab floor and facilitate application of downward pressure on the motor by the vertical actuator in operation.
A machine for the installation of helical piles from inside a perimeter of a building foundation having a slab floor therein, the machine comprising:
- a frame having an upper end and an open lower end for positioning over an installation opening in the slab floor through which an installation section of ground is exposed to rotationally install at least one helical pile section;
- a motor configured to apply power in the installation of the at least one helical pile section through the open lower end of the frame;
- a generally vertical movement guide slidably engaging the motor and configured to retain and guide the motor therealong;
- a vertical actuator operatively attached to the motor, and configured to power movement of the motor along the generally vertical movement guide;
- and
- a slab anchor configured to engage and retain the generally vertical frame and the lower end thereof in relation to the installation opening in the slab floor,
- wherein an angle of the generally vertical movement guide is adjustable.
A method for installation of a helical pile from an interior of a building foundation having a slab floor therein with an installation opening in the slab floor exposing an installation area of the ground thereunder in close proximity to the desired installation location for the helical pile, the method carried out utilizing a machine comprising:
- a frame having an upper end and an open lower end for positioning over an installation opening in the slab floor through which an installation section of ground is exposed to rotationally install at least one helical pile section;
- a motor configured to apply power in the installation of the at least one helical pile section through the open lower end of the frame;
- a generally vertical movement guide slidably engaging the motor and configured to retain and guide the motor therealong;
- a vertical actuator operatively attached to the motor, and configured to power movement of the motor along the generally vertical movement guide;
- and
- a slab anchor configured to engage and retain the generally vertical frame and the lower end thereof in relation to the installation opening in the slab floor,
- the method comprising:
- positioning the open lower end of the frame over top of the installation opening in the slab;
- anchoring the machine to the outer perimeter of the installation opening using the slab anchor;
- positioning a helical pile section within the frame, engaging the ground therebeneath;
- attaching an upper end of the helical pile section to the motor;
- actuating the motor, causing the helical pile section to rotate and screw it into the ground;
- utilizing the vertical actuator to drive the motor and the helical pile section into the ground;
- and
- detaching the motor therefrom after the helical pile section is installed in the ground.
A rotary drive machine for the installation of helical piles from inside a perimeter of a building foundation having a slab floor therein, said machine comprising:
- a vertical frame having an upper end and an open lower end for positioning over an installation opening in the slab floor through which an installation section of ground is exposed for rotational installation of at least one helical pile section;
- a rotary power drive releasably attachable to the helical pile section for applying rotary power to rotate the at least one helical pile section and install the at least one helical pile section through the open lower end of the frame and into the ground;
- a vertical movement guide slidably engaging the rotary power means, to facilitate retention and guidance of the rotary power drive therealong;
- a vertical actuator operatively attached to the rotary power means and configured to move the rotary power drive along the vertical movement guide;
- and
- at least one anchor for releasably engaging and retaining the vertical frame and the lower end thereof in relation to the installation opening in the slab floor.
A method for installation of a helical pile from an interior of a building foundation having a slab floor therein with an installation opening in the slab floor exposing an installation area of the ground thereunder in close proximity to the desired installation location for the helical pile, said method using a rotary drive machine, the method comprising:
- manipulating an open bottom end of a frame into a position over top of the installation opening in the slab;
- anchoring the rotary drive machine to the slab floor;
- positioning a helical pile section within the frame, engaging the ground therebeneath;
- releasably attaching an upper end of the helical pile section to a rotary power drive of the rotary drive machine;
- actuating the rotary power drive to rotate the helical pile section and screw it into the ground;
- driving the rotary power drive downwardly along a vertical movement guide into the ground utilizing a vertical actuator operatively attached to the rotary power drive;
- and
- after the helical pile section is completely rotationally installed into the ground beneath the slab, detaching the rotary power drive therefrom and disengaging the anchor from the slab floor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.