Method and apparatus for forming in ground piles

An apparatus for installing a subterranean pile comprising:

• a) a first tube having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a slot located proximate said top portion;
• b) a first plate having an annular opening, said first plate affixed to the top portion of said first tube;
• c) a ground contacting member with an open top end and an open bottom end, said ground contacting member's open top end attached and affixed to the bottom portion of said first tube, said ground contacting member having an annular cross-sectional area with a downward facing frusto-conical profile, wherein said open top end of said ground contacting member has a larger cross-sectional area than said open bottom end of said ground contacting member;
• d) a second tube adapted to slidably fit through said first plate and within said first tube and having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a second plate, said second plate attached on said top portion of said second tube and adapted to receive force from pile driving means, said bottom portion of said second tube having an exterior downward facing frusto-conical profile adapted to mate with said ground contacting member's annular downward facing frusto-conical profile, said bottom portion of said second tube adapted to substantially seal said open bottom of said ground contacting member;
• said bottom portion of said second tube having a plurality of openings radially located along said frusto-conical profile of said bottom portion, said bottom portion further comprising an upward facing conical member within an annular space of said second tube's bottom portion;
• e) a first plurality of apertures located proximate to said bottom portion of said first tube and a second plurality of apertures located proximate to said bottom portion of said second tube, wherein when said first and second pluralities of apertures are in alignment communication is allowed between an interior of said second tube through to an exterior of said first tube and wherein, when said pluralities of apertures are in disalignment there is no communication between the interior of said second tube with the exterior of said first tube;
• and
• (f) a collar assembly located beneath said first plate encircling said first tube, said collar assembly comprising an exterior collar, and an interior collar said exterior collar encircling said interior collar, said interior collar encircling and restrained to an upper portion of said second tube.

A method to place an in-ground pile comprising the following acts:

• a) providing a first tube, said first tube having having bottom portion and a top portion, said bottom portion of said first tube having an interior profile and an open bottom;
• b) providing a second tube adapted to slidably fit within said first tube, said second tube having a top portion and a bottom portion, said second tube bottom portion having an exterior profile, whereby said exterior profile of said second tube mates with said interior profile of said first tube, thereby sealing the open bottom of said first tube, said exterior profile further comprising a plurality apertures allowing communication the interior of said second tube and the exterior of said second tube;
• c) inserting said second tube into said first tube until the open bottom of said first tube is sealed;
• d) driving both tubes into a ground using pile driving equipment to a depth determined by a user;
• e) placing pile forming materials into said second tube, said pile forming materials being essentially one of cementitious fluid, stone, crushed rock, cement, and combinations thereof;
• f) lifting said second tube whereby said bottom of said first tube becomes unsealed;
• g) delivering said said pile forming materials from the interior of said second tube through said apertures and out through said open bottom of said first tube;
• h) lifting said first tube after said first tube bottom becomes unsealed;
• and
• i) removing both tubes from the ground.