Helmet adapter for pile drivers

A method of driving a pile defining a pile axis, comprising the steps of:

• operatively supporting a base assembly relative to a drive member;
• operatively supporting a skirt member relative to a plate member, where the skirt member defines a skirt chamber;
• arranging the pile within the skirt chamber such that a drive axis is substantially aligned with the pile axis;
• applying a drive force to the drive member along the drive axis such that the drive force is transmitted from the drive member to the pile through the base assembly and the plate member;
• and
• substantially isolating the skirt member from the plate member as the drive force is transmitted to the pile.

An adapter assembly for transmitting a drive force from a pile is driving system defining a drive axis to a pile defining a pile axis, comprising:

• a base assembly operatively supported such that the drive force is transmitted to the base assembly;
• and
• an adapter assembly comprising
• a plate member,
• a skirt member defining a skirt chamber, and
• an adapter connector configured to support the skirt member relative to the base assembly, the plate member, and the pile member;
• whereby
• the adapter assembly substantially aligns the drive axis with the pile axis;
• the drive force is transmitted from the base assembly to the plate member;
• the pile is received within the skirt chamber such that the drive force is transmitted from the plate member to the pile;
• and
• the skirt member is substantially isolated from the drive force.