# US 6,749,371 B2 · Pile guide > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,749,371 B2 - Document ID: US6749371B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/271,915 - Filed: 2002-10-15 - Published: 2003-04-24 - Granted: 2004-06-15 - Earliest claimed: 2001-10-18 - Assignees: Fast Frames (UK) Limited - Inventors: Clive Jones - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6749371B2 ## CPC - E02D 13/04: Guide devices; Guide frames {(as parts of the driver scaffold E02D7/16)} - E02D 27/52: Submerged foundations {, i.e. submerged in open water (E02D27/12 - E02D27/24 take precedence)} - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract A pile guide, for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, has a base frame and a pile guide member mounted on the base frame. The base frame comprises one or more substrate-engaging supports, moveable between an inoperative position and an operative position, with movement of the or each substrate-engaging support into the operative position resulting in an increase in the area of the base frame which, in use, rests on the substrate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pile guide for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising a base frame and a pile guide member mounted on the base frame, wherein the base frame comprises at least one substrate-engaging support, moveable between an inoperative position and an operative position, with movement of the at least one substrate-engaging support into the operative position resulting in an increase in area of at least 25% of an active surface of the base frame which, in use, rests on the substrate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A pile guide according to claim 1, wherein the base frame further comprises a hub portion to which the at least one substrate-engaging support is mounted. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A pile guide according to claim 2, wherein the at least one substrate-engaging support is pivotally connected to the hub portion for pivotal movement around a respective pivot axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A pile guide according to claim 3, wherein the respective pivot axis is aligned substantially parallel to the active surface of the base frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A pile guide according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of substrate-engaging supports symmetrically disposed around the hub portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A pile guide according to claim 1, wherein a locking mechanism is provided to lock the at least one substrate-engaging support when moved into the operative position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A pile guide according to claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a bolting arrangement comprising a bolt and at least one aperture engagable by the bolt. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A pile guide according to claim 7, wherein the bolt 12 engages a pair of apertures, one associated with a respective substrate-engaging support, the other associated with the hub portion, the apertures being in registration when the respective substrate-engaging support is in the operative position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A pile guide according to claim 7, wherein the bolt arrangement is configured to be activated by one of a diver and remote control. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A pile guide according to claim 1, wherein the at least one substrate-engaging support is biased by a biasing arrangement to move into the operative position when released from the inoperative position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A pile guide according to claim 10, wherein the biasing arrangement comprises a counterweighting arrangement. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A pile guide according to claim 11, wherein the counterweighting arrangement comprises a counterweight on the respective at least one substrate-engaging support. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A pile guide according to claim 10, including at least one restraining device attached to the pile guide to restrain the at least one substrate-engaging support in the inoperative position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A pile guide according to claim 13, wherein the at least one restraining device comprises a tether. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A pile guide according to claim 13, comprising an actuator to drive the at least one substrate-engaging support from the inoperative position to the operative position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A pile guide according to claim 15, wherein the actuator also holds the at least one substrate-engaging support in the operative position, thereby preventing movement back towards the inoperative position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A pile guide according to claim 1, comprising an actuator to drive the at least one substrate-engaging support from the inoperative position to the operative position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A pile guide according to claim 17, wherein the actuator also holds the at least one substrate-engaging support in the operative position, thereby preventing movement back towards the inoperative position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A pile guide according to claim 1, wherein the at least one substrate-engaging support increases the substrate-engaging area of the base frame by at least 50%, when moved from the inoperative position to the operative position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A pile guide according to claim 1, having one or more lifting points offset to one side of the center of gravity of the pile guide. ### Claim 21 A method of deploying a pile guide at sea, comprising the steps of: providing a pile guide comprising a base frame and a pile guide member mounted on the base frame, the base frame r comprising at least one substrate-engaging support moveable between an inoperative position and an operative position; lowering the pile guide into the sea through its splash zone with the at least one substrate-engaging support in the inoperative position so that the substrate-engaging area of the base frame is at a minimum; and moving the at least one substrate-engaging support to the operative position to increase the substrate engaging area of the base frame by at least 25% when the pile guide has been lowered through the sea splash zone. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A method according to claim 21, wherein, while the pile guide is lowered through the sea splash zone, the pile guide is orientated with its largest planar surface inclined to the sea level. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) A method according to claim 21, further comprising lowering the pile guide until it is adjacent and directly above the substrate on which it will rest before moving the at least one substrate-engaging support into the operative position.