Patent Grant
10648146
Not applicable
Not applicable
An apparatus, system and method for earthen stabilization and erosion control, while giving a natural look to the surrounding landscape, are provided. In particular, what is provided is an apparatus, system and method for earthen stabilization, e.g., for use in soil, sand, sediment, clay and/or other earthen or ground material. The soil stabilization apparatus, system and method preferably include a plurality of concrete jars, concrete piles, or other similar units, that include a base cutter portion. A base cutter portion can be made from a material other than concrete, e.g., metal or diamond tipped, and can be coupled to the concrete pile or jar. The piles or jars can be turned, rotated, driven or screwed into an earthen surface, e.g., a waterbed or soil, to be stabilized. A pile or jar can be completely buried in the earthen material or can have a top portion extending above the earthen material. If a top portion extends above the earthen material, it can be sloped or truncated to match the natural slope of the surrounding environment. A pile or jar top portion can include one or more openings in which natural or synthetic material can be positioned or placed, e.g., for blending the pile or jar with the natural surrounding environment and landscape.
In the field of soil stabilization and/or erosion control, typically units are placed on top of a ground or earthen surface next to a waterway or along a shore of a waterway. The problem with units that are placed on top of a ground or earthen surface, e.g., on soil or sand or in a marsh area, is that they are limited in stability against wave action. The units will move or become displaced. Also, when placing on natural, not level or soft soils, or other soft earthen material, problems arise with differential settlement. Units begin to sink and structures lean over and do not hold in an upright position, which leads to failure of the structure's original and/or intended purpose.
Bell shaped or spread bottom units have been used in the prior art, which can provide more stability to prevent the units from sinking into the ground, but the bell shape or spread bottom prevents units from being placed close to one another and keeping of a vertical alignment. Fabric is sometimes placed below units in the prior art to help prevent sinking.
Also, the prior art units that are used for erosion control are typically made of plastic, PVC, or metal materials having thin walls, e.g., ⅛ inch to 1 inch thickness.
There is a need in the art for a soil stabilizer and erosion protection device, system and/or method that can use the natural soil, ground, or other earthen material to give stability against wave action.
There is also a need in the art for a soil stabilizer and erosion protection device, system and/or method that eliminate the problem of turning over of units and differential settlement of units.
There is also a need in the art for a soil stabilizer and erosion protection device that can prevent scouring in front of the piles or jars.
There is also a need for a system and method where tops of units can be placed level with the waterline or landscape and remain plumb and level, supported by the skin friction of the soil, loam, sand and/or other earthen material on both the exterior and interior of pile jars.
The following U.S. patents and patent application publications are hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,312,295; 3,891,037; 4,711,598; 5,137,394; 5,338,131; 5,380,124; 5,697,736; 6,048,139; 6,142,712; 6,675,919; 6,786,675; 7,914,236; 8,985,896; 9,410,299; and US2009/0127858.
The Field Manual No. 5-134, “PILE CONSTRUCTION”, Headquarters, Department of the Army Washington, D.C., 18 Apr. 1985 (available at ftp://ftp.odot.state.or.us/techserv/geo-environmental/Biology/Hydroacoustic/References/Literature%20references/USACE%20Field %20Manual %20for%20Pile%20Construction.pdf) is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
“Restoring ‘Living Shorelines’”, National Precast Concrete Association/Precast Magazines/Precast Solutions Magazine/2011—Summer/Restoring ‘Living Shorelines’/Restoring ‘Living Shorelines’ (Sep. 8, 2011) (available at http://precast.org/2011/09/restoring-%E2%80%98living-shorelines%E2% 80%99/) is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
4—Marine Works (http://tycnw01vtc.edu.hk/cbe2024/4-Marine.pdf) is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The apparatus, system and method of the present invention solve the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is an earth stabilization system, preferably comprising a plurality of hollow members, e.g., hollow piles or jars, positioned within the ground, soil mass, or earth surface to be stabilized. Preferably, a member, jar or pile that is used in one or more preferred embodiments of the system and/or method is hollow.
Each hollow member, e.g., a jar or pile, can be a precast concrete jar or pile including reinforcing material in the walls of the concrete jar or pile. A jar or pile can also be formed with other types of precast material that can harden to a stone-like material. A cutter portion can be coupled to a base of a jar or pile after a jar or pile is fabricated. A cutter portion can also be fabricated as an integral part of the jar or pile, e.g., included in a form and coupled to reinforcing material and/or coupled within concrete poured into the form.
A hollow member, e.g., a pile or jar, can be driven or screwed or turned into the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material to be stabilized until the hollow member is completely buried in the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material.
Alternatively, a hollow member, e.g., a pile or j ar, can have a top/upper portion extending above the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material to be stabilized. If a top/upper portion extends above the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material to be stabilized, it can be sloped or truncated to match the natural slope of the ground or earth surface or of the surrounding landscape or environment, or to blend in with the surrounding landscape and environment.
A top/upper portion extending above the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material to be stabilized can be integral with the hollow member. A top/upper portion extending above the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material to be stabilized can be integral with the hollow member and have a top surface that is substantially level. A top/upper portion extending above the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material to be stabilized can be integral with a hollow member and sloped.
A top/upper portion extending above the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material to be stabilized can be a separate top/upper extension portion that is coupled to a hollow member. A top/upper portion extending above the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material to be stabilized can be a separate top/upper extension portion that is coupled to a hollow member, and wherein the top/upper extension portion is sloped or substantially straight. A top/upper portion extending above the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material to be stabilized can be a separate top/upper extension portion that is coupled to a hollow member, and wherein the top/upper extension portion has a substantially level top surface. A top/upper portion extending above the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen material to be stabilized can be a separate top/upper extension portion that is coupled to a hollow member, and wherein the top/upper extension portion is not sloped.
In one or more embodiments, when an upper portion of a hollow member extends above the soil, seabed, waterbed or other ground or earthen surface, a top extension portion can be coupled to the hollow member. The top extension portion can be sloped or not sloped.
A top/upper portion, whether integral with the hollow member or a separate component, can include one or more openings in which natural or synthetic material, e.g., plant material or rocks or shells or earthen material, can be positioned, for blending the hollow member with a natural landscape, waterbed or earthen surface.
In one or more embodiments of the present invention, an earth stabilization system can be included in tidal areas wherein wave action or water may sometimes contact the earth stabilization system during tidal changes.
In one or more embodiments of the system and/or method, the hollow member, e.g., piles or jars, are preferably driven into the soil or other earthen material to a sufficient depth to give stability to the system against wave action and also to stabilize the soil or other earthen material. The hollow member, piles or jars can be driven into the soil or other earthen material to a depth at which they are completely covered by the soil or other earthen material, or so that only an upper portion of the hollow member, pile or jar is above the ground or earth surface, e.g., one to 3 feet above the ground or earth surface. When the hollow member, pile or jar is driven into the soil or earthen material as discussed, the system and method prevent the problem of turning over of units and of differential settlement from arising. The hollow member, piles or jars or other similar units can be placed into the soil mass or other earthen material at least substantially level and straight, and this position can be maintained even with wave action contacting an area of the system.
In one or more embodiments in which a top portion of a pile or jar is sloped, this can help prevent scouring of soil in front of the piles or jars, by providing a slope that corresponds to, or is similar to, the natural slope of the land or earth surface.
A hollow member can be a hollow pile or a hollow jar.
A pile can be a drive pile or drive cylinder.
A pile can be a screw pile or screw cylinder.
A hollow member, e.g., a pile or jar, can include a cutter portion. A cutter portion can be a base cutter located at or near a bottom of the hollow member.
A base cutter can include a plurality of teeth.
A base cutter can include a plurality of cutting members.
A base cutter can be coupled to reinforcing material of a hollow member, pile or jar wall at or near a hollow member, pile or jar bottom.
A base cutter can include a stud coupled thereto, e.g., welded or mechanically fastened. A stud can also be formed integral with a base cutter. Concrete can be poured into a form including the base cutter with the stud coupled thereto, with the stud securing the base cutter within the concrete of the pile.
The base cutter can have a toothed cutting bottom portion that is part of a side wall of a hollow member, jar or pile.
The base cutter can have a toothed cutting bottom portion that is part of a side wall of a hollow member, jar or pile and fabricated with the same concrete mix, composite mix, or other material that is used to form a sidewall of the jar or pile.
In some embodiments, e.g., when stabilizing harder soil masses, a base cutter preferably includes at least one material other than concrete or composite material.
In some embodiments, e.g., when stabilizing a loose or soft soil mass, e.g., in a marsh area, a base cutter does not need to include a material other than concrete or composite material.
A top or upper portion of a hollow member, pile or jar preferably can be coupled to a turning tool, e.g., a drive unit, that can cause rotation of the hollow member, pile or jar. Rotation of a hollow member, pile or jar, including rotation of a base cutter, enables the hollow member, pile or jar to be screwed or turned or driven into the soil or earthen material, wherein the turning tool or drive unit effects rotation of the hollow member, pile or jar and of the base cutter, and wherein the base cutter and weight of the hollow member, pile or jar enable the hollow member, pile or jar to penetrate the soil or earthen material, to a desired distance within the soil or earthen material.
When driving or screwing a hollow member, pile or jar into earthen material, displaced earthen material can move through an opening or bore in the hollow member, pile or jar bottom, while the hollow member, pile or jar is being screwed into the earthen material, in the direction of the bottom to the top of the hollow member, pile or jar.
In various embodiments, the hollow member, pile or jar can be a precast concrete screw cylinder.
In various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention can be used for earthen stabilization and protection.
In various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention can be used for shoreline stabilization and protection.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile or jar can include a truncated top.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile or jar can include a sloped top portion.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile or jar can include an at least substantially level top portion.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile or jar can include a truncated top having a slope that matches the natural slope of a shoreline.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile or jar can include a truncated top having a slope that closely conforms to the natural slope of a shoreline.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile or jar can include a truncated top that can absorb the energy of waves, and/or effect wave attenuation and dissipation.
In various embodiments, the top portion of a hollow member, pile or jar can be substantially flat or level.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars used in the system and/or method can be of variable heights.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars used in the system and/or method can be stackable and/or connectable.
In various embodiments, one or more extension units of a hollow member, pile or jar can be stackable or connectable.
In various embodiments, the height of a hollow member, pile or jar and/or depth to which a hollow member, pile or jar is driven into the earth can be selected to maximize stability of the units based on wave action in the area.
In various embodiments, the height of one hollow member, pile or jar and/or depth to which a hollow member, pile or jar is driven into the earth can be different from the height of another hollow member, pile or jar and/or depth to which another hollow member pile or jar is driven into the earth.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars used in the system and/or method can have variable diameters. For example, the diameter of a hollow member, pile or jar or other similar unit used in the system and/or method can be about 24″-144″ (24 inches to 144 inches) in diameter.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars used in the system and/or method can have variable wall thicknesses. For example, the wall thickness of a hollow member, pile or jar or other similar unit used in the system and/or method can be about 3 to 14 inches.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units used in the system and/or method can include multiple reinforcing materials such as reinforcing bars (“Rebar”) wire mesh, steel/glass/carbon fibers and/or other desired reinforcing materials.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars used in the system and/or method can include various types and styles of base cutters. A base cutter of one or more hollow members, piles or jars used in the system and/or method can include steel or other metal that is carbide tipped or diamond tipped, all types of metal, a combination of one or more of concrete/steel/metal/diamond/epoxy/glass, and/or one or more different combinations of the aforementioned materials.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars used in the system and/or method can include hard or soft truncated tops. A soft top can be made of natural or synthetic materials, e.g., natural fibers such as straw, wood and rice fibers, or synthetic materials such as geotextile materials. A hard top can be made of cementious materials. A hard top can also be made of fiber glass or composite materials. Other materials, e.g., straw blankets, straw wattles, silt and compost socks, wave screens and matting can be fastened to tops either around the perimeter of the jars, cylinders, or piles, or across the jars, cylinders, or piles, to enhance wave attenuation and/or wave dissipation.
In various embodiments of one or more hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units used in the system and/or method, the hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units can include holes or orifices that can be placed anywhere along the sides of, or an outer perimeter of, and/or along a top portion of a hollow member, pile or jar or other similar unit.
In various embodiments, a base cutter and/or a truncated top can be fastened to a pile, jar or other similar unit by mechanical fasteners, e.g., tie pins.
In various embodiments, one or more base cutter portions used in the system and/or method can be fastened to a hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit by pouring into concrete, or pouring into some other flowable material that will harden.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units used in the system and/or method can be placed in a straight line or in a curved line. A staggered pattern or gaps between structures can be included as desired, per project design.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units used in the system and/or method can be placed in multiple rows to increase width.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units used in the system and/or method can be filled or topped with various materials, e.g., rock, sand, plant vegetation or synthetic materials.
In various embodiments, a special concrete mix, e.g., that can support marine life, can be used to form one or more hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units. For example, a concrete mix that will encourage oyster growth can be used for one or more piles, jars or other similar units.
In various embodiments, Portland cement concrete can be used for one or more hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units and/or for one or more top or extension portions.
In various embodiments, polymer concrete and/or polymer-modified concrete materials can be used to form one or more hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units and/or for one or more top or extension portions used in the system.
In various embodiments, one or more hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units used in the system and/or method can be of a material other than concrete. For example, a pile or jar or other similar unit could be made of fiberglass material or a composite material. In some embodiments, e.g., if fiberglass is used, reinforcing bars or materials in the hollow member, pile or jar walls may not be needed or desired.
In various embodiments, a crane, or other similar machinery, can be used with a hydraulic device to rotate a hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit and act as a core bit.
In various embodiments, a crane can be used along with a turning tool or drive unit coupled to a hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit to rotate the hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit and act as a core bit.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit can include a notched interior wall that can lift, move or displace interior soils when in circular motion while driving the hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit into the soil.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit can include a notched interior wall that can facilitate lifting, moving or displacing interior soils when in circular motion while driving the hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit into the soil.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit can include a spiral notched interior wall that can lift, move or displace interior soils or earthen material when in circular motion while driving the hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit into position in the soil.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit can include a spiral notched interior wall that can facilitate lifting, moving or displacing interior soils or earthen material when in circular motion while driving the hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit into position in the soil.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit can include a structure, e.g., plastic or metal, coupled to an interior wall for helping to move or displace interior soils or earthen material when in motion while driving a hollow member, pile, jar or other similar unit into position in the soil or earthen material.
In various embodiments, a hollow member, pile or jar or other similar unit, which can be a concrete pile or jar, is placed into the soil, sand, ground, or earthen material to a desired depth, e.g., 4 feet deep, or 1 to 8 feet deep, with the top portion of the pile or jar just beneath the surface, hidden from view. The land helps provide stability to the units.
The top portion of a hollow member, pile or jar or other similar unit can also extend above the soil, ground or earth surface. Top sections of various structures can be added to the top of hollow member, jars, piles or other similar units to blend in with the environment, to build secretion sediment, or to provide wave protection.
Preferably the hollow member, piles or jars or other similar units are of a larger size and can span longer distances than piles or other units that are used in the prior art, and this can help lower lineal footage cost. Hollow members, piles or jars can be, for example, about 24″ to 144″ (24 to 144 inches) in diameter with a wall thickness of about 3″ to 14″ (3 to 14 inches).
In various embodiments a hollow member, pile or jar or other similar unit can have a wall thickness that is over 1″ (one inch).
In various embodiments a hollow member, pile or jar or other similar unit can be turned into soil or other earthen material using a crane with a mechanical device, e.g., made up of gears and chains, using the hollow member's, pile's or jar's or other similar unit's weight along with the base cutter to penetrate the soil or the other earthen material until the hollow member, pile or jar or other similar unit is positioned at a desired depth in the soil or other earthen material.
The top of a hollow member, pile or jar or other similar unit can be flat or sloped and/or can vary in shape.
Hollow members, piles or jars or other similar units used in one or more preferred embodiments of the system and method preferably have a large length size, e.g., about 2 to 12 feet (2′ to 12′) long, or in height, and can have variable wall thicknesses, e.g., wall thickness of about 3″ to 14″ (three to fourteen inches). In some embodiments more than one pile or jar or other similar unit can be coupled together to extend the height of a pile or jar or other similar unit if desired, e.g., for deeper applications.
Multiple reinforcing materials such as reinforcing bars (“Rebar”), wire mesh, fibers and other materials can be included in concrete hollow members, piles or jars or extension portions.
A connectable base cutter can be made of steel, carbide tip and diamond tip, or a combination of concrete, steel and diamond introduced into a concrete pour.
In various embodiments of the method and system, hollow members, piles or jars can be placed in a single row with allowable spacing between jars, per project design, e.g., about 6 to 72 inches. In various embodiments, the distance between piles can be at or about 6 inches to about ½ the length of the diameter of a pile or jar.
Various concrete mix designs can be utilized in the system and method.
Various composite mix designs can be utilized in the system and method.
A notched interior wall design can be included in a hollow member, pile or jar, which can help lift, move and/or displace interior soils when in a turning motion.
One or more hollow members, piles or jars used in one or more preferred embodiments of the system and method can vary in length, diameter, and wall thickness.
In various embodiments, the height of a hollow member, pile or jar can be changed or adjusted. In some embodiments, a second pile or jar can be coupled to a first pile or jar, e.g., with a pin and slotted lock mechanism. In various embodiments one, two, three, four or more pile or jar units can be coupled together. In various embodiments one or more additional pile or jar units can be coupled to an original pile or jar unit that has already been driven into the ground, for example, to drive the pile or jar to a greater depth or to extend above the surface.
In various embodiments, tops of a hollow member, pile or jar or other similar units can be placed level with the waterline or landscape and remain plumb and level supported by the skin friction of the soils on both the exterior and interior of pile jars.
For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
A hollow member 12 has an upper portion/top 24 and a wall/sidewall 45 (see, for example,
A hollow member 12 preferably includes a base cutter portion 14 coupled to a bottom 16 of hollow member 12. Base cutter portion 14 can include a plurality of teeth 15 or other protrusions that can function as cutters to break or cutaway soil or other ground or earth material. As shown in
A hollow member 12 with or without a top or extension portion 13 can be positioned in soil mass 21. A hollow member 12, with or without a top or extension portion 13 can be positioned along a shoreline, and not within water 22. A hollow member 12, with or without a top or extension portion 13, can also be positioned in a tidal area.
As shown in
Vegetation 20, which can be natural or synthetic vegetation, can be included in holes or openings 19. Gravel, rock, sand, sediment or other desired natural or synthetic material can also be included within a hollow opening or substantially central bore/borehole 18 of extension portion 13. If positioned within water 22, water 22 carrying sediment can flow through holes or openings 19 in extension portion 13 and be deposited within central bore 18 of top/extension portion 13 or flow through extension portion 13 to the other side of extension portion 13. Sediment can also pass between one or more hollow members 12 and be deposited on a rear side of hollow members 12, when hollow members 12 are positioned apart from one another, e.g., spaced a distance apart.
An extension portion 13 can be truncated, and include a slope or sloped portion 42 as shown in
In the embodiment of
As shown in
A hollow member 12 is depicted in
Referring now to
A hollow member 12 and extension portion 13 can be made of reinforced concrete 47 with one or more spaced apart substantially vertical or longitudinal reinforcing members/bars 25 and one or more spaced apart substantially horizontal or lateral reinforcing members 26, as shown in
Base cutter portion 14 can be metal, e.g., steel or another desired metal. A base cutter portion 14 is sometimes referred to herein as a base cutter. Base cutter portion 14 can also comprise, or include, diamond tip or carbide tip. Base cutter portion 14 can be made of a combination of concrete materials, composite materials, steel, diamond, carbide, epoxy, carbon fibers, metal fibers or mesh, glass, resin or other desired materials.
In the embodiment of
Upper portion/top 24 of hollow member 12 preferably includes a pin 28 with top/head 51 and longitudinal portion 64 (see
Upper portion/top 24 of a hollow member most preferably includes a lift anchor 76, which is sometimes referred to in the art as a DogBone or DogBone Anchor, as shown in
An extension portion 13 can include a ring 55, e.g., a metal ring, including slots/locks 35 (see
A space 57 preferably is provided between top/head 51 of a pin 28 and upper portion/top 24, or between a top/head 77 of a lift anchor 76 and upper portion/top 24, for enabling top/head 51, 77 of pin 28 or lift anchor 76 to be inserted into larger portion 54 of slot/lock 30 of extension portion 13 (see
A pin 28 or lift anchor 76 can also be coupled to or locked within a turning tool or drive unit 34 or 37, as described further below with regards to
In one or more embodiments, notches 35, as shown in
In
In
In
A sidewall 63 of hollow member 50 can be made of the same or similar material as a sidewall 45 of a hollow member 12 and include longitudinal 25 and/or lateral 26 reinforcing members or bars. A hollow member 50 can be included in one or more embodiments of earthen stabilization systems as shown and described herein, including as shown in
In one or more embodiments of a hollow member 50, cutters/teeth 59 on base cutter portion 48 can be made of the same material, e.g., the same concrete mix, as the hollow member 50 wall portion/sidewall 63. Thus, a bottom surface of cutters or teeth 59 on a cutter portion 48 can be of the same material as the hollow member 50 wall portion 63. Alternatively, in one or more embodiments of a hollow member 50, cutters or teeth 59 can be metal teeth or include other metal protrusions. Cutters/teeth 59 can be steel. Cutters/teeth 59 can be formed from the same material as hollow member 50 wall portion 63 and be coated with a wear resistant or cutting material, e.g., a wear resistant or cutting material including metal or metal fragments, fibers or tips; steel fragments, fibers or tips; diamond tips or particles; carbide tips or particles, epoxy, resin, glass or other desired material. Cutters/teeth 59 could also be formed from the same material as hollow member 50 wall portion/side wall 63 and further include a wear resistant or cutting material in the material mix, e.g., metal or metal fragments, fibers or tips; steel fragments, fibers or tips; diamond tips or particles; carbide tips or particles, epoxy, resin, glass or other desired wear resistant or cutting material in the material mix.
In one or more embodiments, cutters/teeth 59 can be placed in the bottom of a base cutter 48 form, which can be at the bottom of hollow member 50 form. Concrete including steel, fibers, and/or polymers or other desired materials can be poured into the base cutter 48 form portion. Concrete can then be poured into a hollow member 50 form portion, which can set with the base cutter 48 pour mix, e.g., a concrete pour mix, at a bottom of the hollow member 50 form portion. The hollow member 50 form portion can also include longitudinal 25 and/or lateral 26 reinforcing members or bars (e.g., “Rebar”) or other desired reinforcing material for a concrete pour to be poured over, e.g., in the mold or form.
In one or more embodiments, a hollow member 50 can include a pin 28 or lift anchor 76 in an upper portion/top 71 of hollow member 50 for coupling to a drive unit 34 or 37, and/or for coupling to an extension portion 13, 67 in a similar or same manner as described herein with regard to
If a hollow member 12 or 50 has a notch design included in upper portion/top 24 or 71 of the hollow member 12 or 50 with one or more notches 61, an extension portion 13 or 67 can have a block design on a bottom surface of the extension portion 13, 67 with one or more blocks 62 for mating with the notches 61 on upper portion/top 24 or 71 of the hollow member 12 or 50 (see, e.g., blocks 62 on turning tool/drive unit 65 in
Teeth/cutters 15, 59 preferably are arranged on a base cutter portion 14, 48 in a substantially clockwise orientation for clockwise rotation while driving the hollow member 12, 50 into soil mass 21. Alternatively, the teeth/cutters 15, 59 can be positioned on base cutter portion 14, 48 in a substantially counterclockwise orientation if desired for counterclockwise rotation of a hollow member 12, 50 into soil mass 21, e.g., the ground or a waterbed.
Turning now to a further discussion of an extension portion 13, 67, reference is made to
Alternatively, a bottom or bottom portion 27, 73 of extension portion 13 or 67 can include slot or lock portions 30 formed into bottom portion 27, 73, e.g., as part of the concrete 47 wall 46, with the slot or lock 30 preferably adapted to form a releasable connection with a pin 28 or lift anchor 76 that is included in hollow member 12 or 50 and has head/top portion 51, 77 extending a desired distance above upper portion/top 24, 71 of hollow member 12 or 50. In this embodiment, slot or lock 30 can be of similar configuration to what is shown in
As shown in
Including a metal ring 55 with slot or lock portions 30 on the bottom portion 27, 73 of an extension portion 13, 67 can be desirable to achieve a tighter and/or stronger connection. This may be desirable for example when adding on additional extensions 67 and/or extensions 13 to increase length in deeper water.
Turning now to a discussion of turning tools or drive units that can be used in one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to
An alternate embodiment of a turning tool or drive unit 37, as shown in
Drive units 34, 37, 65 can be coupled to a crane 52 or other suitable machinery at opening or central bore 56 with a coupler 58, for example, as shown in
In the embodiment of drive unit/turning tool 65 as shown
A block 62 can preferably have about a 2 inch longitudinal width and a notch 61 can preferably have a longitudinal width of about 6 inches. The sizes and dimensions of the blocks and notches can vary as desired, e.g., based on the cylinder structure size and/or based on a locking slot 32 dimensions.
Although not shown, a similar or the same drive unit 65 can be used with a hollow member 12 that can include notches 61 as part of an upper portion/top 24 surface of the hollow member 12 for mating with blocks 62 of the drive unit or turning tool 65. A crane 52, or other suitable machinery, can be coupled to drive unit 65 in central bore 56 of drive unit 65 with a coupler 58, which can be a locking nut, for example. If a hollow member 12 or 50 has a notch design on an upper portion/top 24, 71 of the hollow member 12, 50, a top or extension portion 13 can have a block design on a bottom surface thereof for mating with the notches 61 on the top portion of the hollow member 12 or 50.
In one or more embodiments of the method of the present invention, a hollow member 12, 50 can be driven, screwed, rotated or turned into soil mass 21. A crane 52 or other suitable machinery (shown in partial view in
In one or more embodiments of the system and method, one or more hollow members 12, 50 can be driven, screwed or turned into soil mass 21 so that hollow member 12, 50 is completely below soil mass 21 surface 43 as shown in
In one or more embodiments of the system and method, one or more hollow members 12, 50 can be driven, screwed or turned into soil mass 21 so that hollow member 12, 50 is completely below soil mass 21 surface 43 as shown in
In another embodiment of the system and method, one or more hollow members 12, 50 can be driven, screwed or turned completely within soil mass 21 as shown in
In another embodiment, one or more hollow members 12, 50 can be positioned in soil mass 21 so that a portion of wall 45, 63 of a hollow member 12, 50 is above surface 43 of soil mass 21 as shown in
In another embodiment, one or more hollow members 12, 50 including an extension portion 13 or 67 can be positioned in soil mass 21 so that wall 45, 63 of a hollow member 12, 50 is below surface 43 of soil mass 21 and wherein an extension portion 13, 67 is coupled to hollow member 12, 50 and extends above surface 43, e.g., as shown in
After a hollow member 12, 50 is driven into soil mass 21, a drive unit 34, 37 or 65 can be uncoupled from hollow member 12, 50. An extension portion 13, 67 can thereafter be coupled to a hollow member 12, 50, by a keyed slot formed into the concrete or other embedded materials, e.g., a metal keyed slot. An extension portion 13, 67 can be coupled to hollow member 12, 50 manually or with use of machinery that can pick up extension portion 13, 67, place extension portion 13, 67 on hollow member 12, 50, wherein a pin 28 or a lift anchor 76 is inserted into a keyed slot or into slots 30 or 32, and rotated to lock. If desired, rocks, gravel, sediment or other materials can be poured into an open upper portion of a hollow member 12, 50 or extension portion 13, 67 that is extending above surface 43. Vegetation 20 or other desired materials, natural or synthetic, can also be added to an upper portion of hollow member 12, 50 or extension portion 13, 67, e.g., to blend the hollow members 12, 50 with the surrounding landscape or environment.
Preferably a hollow member 12 or 50 is driven into the ground, waterbed, soil, sand, sediment, clay, or other earthen material at a depth that will provide stabilization to the earthen material, e.g., 4 feet below the surface, or about 2 to 6 feet below the surface. Preferably, a hollow member 12 or 50 is driven substantially straight and to a depth at which the hollow member 12 or 50 can remain straight even if subjected to wave action. In some embodiments, a hollow member 12 or 50 can be driven to a depth that is over 6 feet below the surface, e.g., about 6 to 12 feet or more below the surface.
In various embodiments, when using additional soft or hard top or extension portions 13, the bottom hollow member 12 or 50 can be driven approximately one foot below the earth surface 43. When using just a single hollow member 12 or 50, a hollow member upper portion/top 24 or 71 can be about flush with the earth surface 43, or can be just below the earth surface 43, or can extend a distance above the earth surface 43. When using a single hollow member 12 or 50 with an extension portion 67, a hollow member upper portion/top 24 or 71 can be about flush with the earth surface 43, or can be just below the earth surface 43, or can extend a distance above the earth surface 43 with extension portion 67 extending above the earth surface 43. When using a single hollow member 12 or 50 with an extension portion 67, a hollow member upper portion/top 24 or 71 can be a desired distance below earth surface 43, with top 68 of extension portion 67 about flush with the earth surface 43, or just below the earth surface 43, or extending a desired distance above the earth surface 43.
As discussed, although concrete is the preferred material for a hollow member, jar or pile used in one or more preferred embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, a hollow member, jar or pile can also be formed from other similar materials currently available or to be developed in the future. For example, other mixtures or compositions of earth materials, e.g., minerals, rocks, soil, clay, water, plant fibers, etc., and/or other mixtures or compositions including synthetic materials, e.g., acrylic, aramid, carbon, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, that can be spread or poured into molds and that can form a stonelike mass on hardening can be used.
In some embodiments, mixtures or compositions can include metals, minerals, clay, hemp, saw dust, steel dust, fly ash, straw, broken stone or gravel, sand, cement, and/or water or other fluid, and/or other similar materials that can be spread or poured into molds and that can form a stonelike mass on hardening can be used. Fiber reinforced concrete can also be used, e.g., with fibers including steel fibers, glass fibers, synthetic fibers, natural fibers and/or one or more of the materials listed above.
The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:
The benefit of and/or priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/610,075, filed on 22 Dec. 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62610075 | Dec 2017 | US |
