Vibrator having a rotating and oscillating housing

An apparatus for inserting flexible members downwardly into underlying earth, said apparatus including:

• an articulatable mast to be arranged above underlying earth;
• an elongated earth penetrating mandrel carried by said mast for guided movement therealong and for receiving a flexible member for movement with said mandrel to insert flexible members in underlying earth;
• a mandrel drive mounted on said mast and engaged with said mandrel for driving said mandrel into and out of underlying earth;
• a vibrator mounted for imparting vibrations to said mandrel to assist movement of said mandrel in underlying earth when said vibrator is energized;
• the improvement comprising said vibrator having a rotary housing for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said mast, at least two rotary eccentric masses mounted at equally spaced intervals in said housing about said housing axis and mounted for rotation on respective axes which are parallel to said housing axis, a rotary drive connected for simultaneously rotating said eccentric masses in the same direction and in synchronism such that all masses are directed simultaneously to their innermost and their outermost positions of movement relative to said housing axis whereby a force moment is generated about said housing axis which rotatably oscillates said housing, a circular gear coupled to and rotatably driven by said housing for alternating rotation therewith, said gear meshed with a gear rack on said mandrel for imparting vibrations to said mandrel through said gear.