# US 2009/0166092 A1 · Pile driving

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- Number: US 2009/0166092 A1
- Document ID: US20090166092A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/096,171
- Filed: 2006-12-01
- Published: 2009-07-02
- Earliest claimed: 2005-12-06
- Assignees: Fast Frames (UK) Limited
- Inventors: Clive Jones
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090166092A1

## CPC

- E02D 13/04: Guide devices; Guide frames {(as parts of the driver scaffold E02D7/16)}
- E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)}

## Abstract

A system for aligning a pile during pile driving, comprising: a pile (16) having a laterally protruding coupling (20) for a tether; and a pile guide (10) for supporting the pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising a base frame (12) and a pile guide member (14) mounted on the base frame (12), the pile guide member (14) having in its periphery a slot (24) which is configured to allow the laterally protruding coupling (20) to pass therealong as the pile (16) passes through the pile guide; wherein the pile and pile guide member comprise two pairs of slidably interfitting profiles (52, 86) which are configured to resist gaping in the slot (24) of the pile guide member (14) as the pile (16) is driven therethrough into the substrate.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for aligning a pile during pile driving, comprising: a pile having a laterally protruding coupling for a tether; and a pile guide for supporting the pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising a base frame and a pile guide member mounted on the base frame, characterised in that the pile guide member has in its periphery a slot which is configured to allow the laterally protruding coupling to pass therealong as the pile is guided through the pile guide; and in that the pile and pile guide member comprise two pairs of slidably interfitting profiles which are configured to resist gaping in the slot of the pile guide member as the pile is driven therethrough into the substrate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A system according to claim 1, in which each pair of interfitting profiles comprises a first part provided on the pile and a second part provided on the pile guide member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A system according to claim 2, in which the first parts comprise a pair of elongate plates mounted on the pile, the elongate plates being angularly spaced apart and aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pile.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

A system according to claim 2, in which the first parts are spaced away from a leading end of the pile, towards the laterally protruding coupling.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A system according to claim 2, in which the first parts are disposed substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of the laterally protruding coupling.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

A system according to claims 2, in which the first parts are angularly spaced apart by about 120° relative to the longitudinal axis of the pile.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

A system according to claim 2, in which the second parts each define a surface aligned parallel to and facing away from the slot.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A system according to claim 7, in which the second parts comprise a flange or groove provided on the inner periphery of the pile guide member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

A system according to claim 7, in which the surfaces are disposed substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of the slot, with an angular spacing between the surfaces of about 120° relative to a central axis of the pile guide member.

### Claim 10

A pile for driving into a substrate, comprising: an elongate body with a longitudinal axis, a leading end and a trailing end; a laterally protruding coupling for a tether, the coupling being located towards the trailing end; and a pair of elongate plates mounted on the elongate body towards the trailing end, wherein the elongate plates are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body, are disposed substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of the laterally projecting coupling, and are angularly spaced by about 120° relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.