Pile guide for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate and the method of using the same
AssigneeFast Frames (UK) Limited
InventorClive Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pile guide (1) has an open-ended tubular guide member (3), supported on base frame (2), which is adapted slidingly to receive a pile (7) to be driven into the seabed (9) by a hammer (6). The tubular guide member (3) comprises two parts (4) which are held together in the operative position by a latch (14). As the pile (7) is driven into the seabed (9), latch trigger (8) disengages the latch (14) causing the parts (4) to rotate under gravity about points (12) away from the pile (7). As soon as the parts (4) are remote from the pile (7), the pile (7) may be driven fully into the seabed without the hammer fouling the guide member (3).
Claims19
A pile guide for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising:
- a guide member comprising a first part and a second part, the parts being movable between an operative position with the guide member supporting the pile, and an inoperative position with the guide member clear of the pile;
- a mount for mounting the parts of the guide member in the operative position;
- a latch mechanism for retaining the parts of the guide member in the operative position, and releasing the parts when the latch mechanism is disengaged;
- a biasing arrangement for urging the parts of the guide member into the inoperative position upon disengagement of the latch mechanism, and
- wherein the latch mechanism is configured to be disengaged by the pile after the pile is driven relative to the guide member a predetermined extent.
A method of driving a pile into a substrate comprising:
- providing a pile guide, the pile guide including a guide member having at least two parts which are movable between an operative position and an inoperative position, and a latch mechanism for retaining the at least two parts in the operative position, the latch mechanism being configured to be disengaged by the pile after the pile is driven relative to the guide member a predetermined extent;
- supporting the pile with the guide member in the operative position;
- and
- driving the pile into the substrate to an extent beyond the predetermined extent without removing the pile guide, so that the pile disengages the latch mechanism and the at least two parts of the guide member move in to the inoperative position.
An assembly comprising a pile guide and a pile supported by the pile guide as it is driven into a substrate, wherein the pile guide comprises:
- a guide member comprising at least two parts configured to support the pile and movable between an operative position with the guide member supporting the pile, and an inoperative position with the guide member clear of the pile;
- a mount for mounting the at least two parts of the guide member;
- a latch mechanism and configured to retain the at least two parts of the guide member in the operative position, and to release the at least two parts when disengaged, and
- a biasing arrangement for urging the at least two parts of the guide member into the inoperative position upon disengagement of the latch mechanism;
- and
- wherein the pile includes a trigger, which is configured to disengage the latching mechanism after the pile is driven into the substrate a predetermined extent.
A pile guide for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising:
- a guide member comprising at least two parts for supporting the pile and movable between an operative position with the guide member supporting the pile, and an inoperative position with the guide member clear of the pile;
- a mount for mounting the at least two parts of the guide member in the operative position;
- a latch for retaining the at least two parts of the guide member in the operative position, and releasing the at least two parts when the latch is disengaged;
- and
- a counterweight biasing arrangement for urging downwards pivotal movement of the at least two parts of the guide member into the inoperative position upon disengagement of the latch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.