Vibratory systems for driving elongate members into the earth in inaccessible areas

A system for driving an elongate member to a desired position in the earth, comprising:

• vibratory means for generating a vibratory force;
• clamp means for fixing at least a portion of the vibratory means to an upper end of the elongate member such that the elongate member solely supports the vibratory means;
• a support assembly;
• a bracing assembly adapted to engage the elongate member;
• a connecting assembly adapted to mount the bracing assembly onto the support assembly to form a structural assembly, where the connecting assembly moves the bracing assembly relative to the support assembly;
• and
• leveling means for moving the support assembly relative to the ground;
• wherein
• when the bracing assembly engages the elongate member, the structural assembly initially engages a lower portion of the elongate member and completely supports the elongate member with the vibratory device attached thereto;
• the connecting assembly and leveling means move the bracing assembly to maintain the elongate member in a desired orientation as the elongate member is driven into the ground;
• the vibratory means drives the elongate member into the ground with the structural assembly supporting the elongate member and vibratory means in the desired orientation;
• and
• when the ground is capable of supporting the elongate member and vibratory means in the desired orientation, the bracing assembly is disengaged from the elongate member and the vibratory means drives the elongate member into the desired position.

A system for driving an elongate member into the earth, comprising:

• vibratory means for generating a vibratory force;
• clamp means for fixing at least a portion of the vibratory means to the elongate member;
• a structural assembly comprising a support assembly and a bracing assembly;
• a ground engaging assembly for spacing the structural assembly from the earth;
• and
• a connecting assembly for securely attaching the bracing assembly onto the support assembly wherein
• the bracing assembly engages the elongate member to maintain the elongate member in a desired orientation as the vibratory forces are applied thereto;
• and
• the connecting assembly further comprises:
• a plurality of first flange members each defining a first pin opening, where the first flange members are rigidly attached to one of the structural assembly and the support assembly;
• a plurality of second flange members each defining a second pin opening, where the second flange members are rigidly attached to the other of the structural assembly and the support assembly;
• and
• a plurality of pins each sized and dimensioned to be snugly received within the first and second pin openings;
• wherein
• each of the first flange members is associated with one of the second flange members;
• and
• when the pins extend into the associated pairs of flange members, the axes of the pins are arranged such that movement between the structural assembly and the fixed portion of the support assembly is prevented.