Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6514012
-
Patent Number
6,514,012
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, December 19, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 4, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Shackelford; Heather
- Lagman; Frederick L.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 405 229
- 405 230
- 405 231
- 405 232
- 405 251
- 405 250
- 405 2521
- 405 253
- 405 249
- 403 296
- 403 307
- 403 299
- 285 185
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
This invention relates to a system and method for supporting a building and to a system and method for connecting sections, such as pilings, pipes, conduits, and the like, in an end-to-end, abutting, relationship to form pilings for the support system.
Description
This invention relates to a system and method for raising and supporting a building and to a system and method for connecting elongated sections, such as pilings, conduits, and the like, in an end-to-end, abutting, relationship for form pilings for the raising and support system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1-3
are isometric views depicting the raising and supporting system of the present invention in various stages of operation; and
FIGS. 4 and 5
are front elevational views of the system of
FIGS. 1-3
showing additional stages of operation.
FIG. 6
is an exploded, isometric view of the connecting system according to an embodiment of the present invention shown with two elongated piling sections to be connected.
FIG. 7
is a partial, longitudinal sectional view of the system and sections of
FIG. 6
shown in an assembled condition.
FIG. 8
is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
8
—
8
of FIG.
7
.
FIG. 9
is a partial elevational view of a building foundation installation utilizing the system of
FIGS. 6-8
.
Fig. 10
is an exploded, isometric view of the connecting system according to an embodiment of the present invention shown with two elongated piling sections to be connected.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring specifically to
FIG. 1
of the drawings, the reference numeral
10
refers, in general, to the lifting assembly of the present invention which includes a lifting arm
12
, in the form of an l-beam, which extends under the foundation or slab to be lifted. A relatively long channel iron
14
is welded to one end of the lifting arm
12
and extends perpendicular thereto. A relatively short channel iron
16
is welded to the channel iron
14
along their respective corresponding longitudinal edges to define an opening for receiving a support sleeve
18
. A lip
20
is welded to the upper end portion of the sleeve
18
which engages the channel iron
16
to maintain the sleeve in the position shown with the upper end portion extending slightly above the channel irons
14
and
16
, for reasons to be explained.
A pair of mounting plates
22
a
and
22
b
are welded to the respective corresponding welded edges of the channel irons
14
and
16
and each has an opening extending there through. A pair of threaded rods
24
a
and
24
b
are welded to the plates
22
a
and
22
b
, respectively and extend upwardly therefrom for reasons to be described.
FIG. 2
depicts the apparatus of
FIG. 1
with a hydraulic drive assembly mounted thereon. The reference numeral
26
refers, in general, to a driving, or clamping, assembly, which includes a gripping sleeve
28
. Although not clear from the drawings, it is understood that the sleeve
28
is in the form of a conventional “slip bowl” for grabbing or clamping over a pipe and, as such, includes three inner arcuate inserts (not shown) which are tapered in a vertical direction so that they will grab, or clamp, a pipe segment of a predetermined diameter during downward movement, and slide over the pipe segment during upward movement, in a conventional manner. A pair of mounting plates
30
a
and
30
b
are connected to, and extend from, diametrically opposite portions of the sleeve
28
and each has an opening extending there through. This clamping assembly
26
is disclosed in more detail in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,777, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
A pair of hydraulic ram units
32
a
and
32
b
are adapted for installation between the respective plates
22
a
and
30
a
, and the plates
22
b
and
30
b
. The ram units
32
a
and
32
b
include a pair of arms
34
a
and
34
b
, respectively, which are connected to pistons (not shown) which reciprocate in the ram units in response to actuation of the units, in a conventional manner. This reciprocal movement of the pistons causes corresponding movement of the arms
34
a
and
34
b
between the extended position shown in
FIG. 2 and a
retracted position.
The ram units
32
a
and
32
b
include a pair of devises
36
a
and
36
b
respectively, which are connected to the respective ends of the arms
34
a
and
34
b
. The devises
36
a
and
36
b
extend over the plates
30
a
and
30
b
, respectively and are connected to the latter plates by a pair of bolts. In a similar manner, a pair of devises
38
a
and
38
b
are connected to the lower ends of the ram units
32
a
and
32
b
, respectively, extend over the plates
22
a
and
22
b
, and are connected to the latter plates by a pair of bolts.
The sleeve
28
of the clamping assembly
26
extends around a piling, or pipe assembly, shown in general by the reference numeral
40
which comprises a plurality of pipe segments connected together in a conventional manner. Due to the tapered configuration of the above-described arcuate inserts, the clamping assembly
26
can be manually lifted upwardly on the piling assembly
40
without encountering substantial resistance. When the hydraulic ram units
32
a
and
32
b
are then retracted, the clamping assembly
26
moves downwardly over the piling assembly
40
and the inserts grab, or clamp, the outer surface of the pipe assembly and force it downwardly, as will be described in further detail later.
To install the lifting assembly
10
, the area around the foundation to be lifted is initially excavated and the lifting assembly is placed in the excavated area with the lifting arm
12
extending underneath the house (not shown) and against the lower surface of the foundation. The sleeve
18
is inserted through the opening defined by the channel irons
14
and
16
and driven into the ground until the lip
20
engages the upper end of the channel iron
16
. The sleeve can be driven manually or by use of the hydraulic ram units
32
a
and
32
b
in the manner described herein.
A section of the piling assembly
40
is then placed in the sleeve
18
and the clamping assembly
26
is placed over the upper portion of the piling assembly. The hydraulic ram units
32
a
and
32
b
, in their extended positions shown in
FIG. 2
, are then installed between the respective plates
22
a
and
30
a
and the plates
22
b
and
30
b
, respectively.
The ram units
32
a
and
32
b
are then actuated simultaneously to cause a retracting motion of their corresponding pistons, and therefore the arms
34
a
and
34
b
, to force the clamping assembly
26
downwardly. As a result, the sleeve
28
grabs the piling assembly
40
and forces it downwardly into the ground for a predetermined distance. The ram units
32
a
and
32
b
are then simultaneously actuated back to their expanded condition, moving the clamping assembly
26
upwardly to an upper portion of the piling assembly
40
, and the sequence is repeated. During this sequential driving of the piling assembly
40
into the ground, additional pipe segments may be added to the assembly
40
as needed.
It is understood that a shim (not shown) can be inserted between the side wall of the foundation and the upper end portion of the channel iron
14
as needed to stabilize and align the system during the above operation.
The above procedure is repeated until the lower end portion of the piling assembly
40
encounters resistance in the ground, which is usually in the form of bedrock or the like, in which case the aforementioned driving movement is terminated. After resistance is encountered the procedure depicted in
FIGS. 3 and 4
is initiated. More particularly, the upper segment of the piling assembly
40
is cut off so that a few inches extend above the upper end of the sleeve
18
. A drive plate
42
having two sleeves
44
a
and
44
b
at its ends is positioned over the upper piling segment with its lower edge engaging the segment and with the sleeves
44
a
and
44
b
extending over the rods
24
a
and
24
b
, respectively. A drive pipe segment
46
is then placed over the plate
42
, with notches in the former extending over the upper edge of the latter.
As shown in
FIG. 4
the clamping assembly
26
and the hydraulic ram units
32
a
and
32
b
are installed in the manner described in connection with
FIG. 2
with the sleeve
28
extending over the pipe segment
46
. The arms
34
a
and
34
b
are expanded to the extent needed for the sleeve
28
to grasp the upper end portion of the pipe segment
46
.
The ram units
32
a
are then retracted to exert a vertical force against the piling assembly
40
and therefore the plate
42
and the pipe segment
46
. Since the piling assembly
40
can no longer be driven downwardly, the foundation will be lifted the desired amount causing the lifting arm
12
, the channel iron
14
and
16
, the plates
22
a
and
22
b
, and the rods
24
a
and
24
b
to move upwardly relative to the piling assembly
40
, the plate
42
, and the pipe segment
46
to the position shown in FIG.
5
. Thus the plate
42
is spaced from its original position on the rods
24
a
and
24
b
a distance corresponding to the distance of the lift of the foundation.
A pair of nuts
48
a
and
48
b
are then advanced downwardly over the rods
24
a
and
24
b
, respectively until they engage the plate
42
to secure the assembly in the position of FIG.
5
. The hydraulic ram units
32
a
and
32
b
along with the clamping assembly
26
and the pipe segment
46
are then removed, and the area around the assembly is filed with dirt.
Although only one lifting assembly
10
is shown in the drawing it is understood that, in actual practice, several will be used at once at different locations along the foundation depending on the extent of the damage, in which case, after all of the piling assemblies
40
have been driven into the ground until they encounter resistance, all of the ram units
32
a
and
32
b
associated with the piling assemblies are simultaneously actuated again in the manner described in connection with
FIGS. 4 and 5
to raise the foundation, and therefore the house, a predetermined distance.
With reference to
FIGS. 6-8
, the connecting system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, in general, by the reference numeral
60
and is adapted for connecting the corresponding ends of two piling sections
62
and
64
of the piling
40
.
As shown in
FIG. 7
, the system
60
comprises two hexagonal fasteners
70
and
72
which are sized to extend in the end portions
62
a
and
64
a
of the sections
62
and
64
, respectively. As shown in
FIG. 8
, the outer surface of each fastener
70
and
72
is hexagonal in shape, thus forming six planer surfaces and six angles, with the apexes of the angles between adjacent surfaces extending relative to the corresponding inner surfaces of the sections
62
and
64
, respectively, with minimal clearance, as shown in
FIG. 8
in connection with the fastener
72
and the section
64
.
The fasteners
70
and
72
can be secured in the sections
62
and
64
, respectively, by welding the outer planer surfaces of the fasteners to the corresponding inner surfaces of the sections. Due to the hexagonal outer surfaces of the fasteners
70
and
72
, a plurality of weldments
74
are thus formed between the latter surfaces and the corresponding inner surfaces of the sections and between the above-mentioned apexes. The respective outer faces of the fasteners
70
and
72
extend flush with the corresponding ends of the sections
62
and
64
respectively, as shown in FIG.
8
.
Each fastener
70
and
72
has an internally threaded bore, and an externally threaded rod
80
is provided which is sized to threadedly engage the bores of the fasteners as shown in FIG.
7
. The length of rod
80
is at least equal to, or greater than, the combined widths of the fasteners
70
and
72
. In the embodiment shown, in the assembled position of
FIG. 7
, the length of the rod
80
is greater than the combined widths of the fasteners
70
and
72
, so that the end portions
80
a and
80
b of the rod
80
extend outwardly from the corresponding inner faces of the fasteners
70
and
72
, respectively.
To assemble the sections
62
and
64
in an end-to-end abutting relationship as shown in
FIG. 7
, the fasteners
70
and
72
are secured in their respective end portions
62
a
and
64
a
, of the sections, as described above. Then, one end portion of the rod
80
is threadedly engaged with the outer face of the fastener
70
in the section
62
, and the rod
80
is rotated relative to the fastener
70
, or visa versa, so that the rod is advanced to an axial position relative to the fastener until the end portion
80
a
of the rod extends completely within the bore of the fastener, or until the end portion
80
a
extends outwardly from the inner face of the fastener as shown.
The other section
64
, with the fastener
72
secured therein, is then moved to a position where the other end portion
80
b of the rod
80
threadedly engages the outer face of the fastener
72
. Then the rod
80
is rotated relative to the fastener
72
, or visa versa, so that the rod is advanced to an axial position relative to the fastener
72
until the corresponding end of the elongated
64
abuts the corresponding end of the elongated
62
. In this position, the end portion
80
b of the rod
80
extends completely within the bore of the fastener
72
, or extends outwardly from the inner face of the fastener as shown. Of course, the sections
62
and
64
can also be assembled by initially engaging the rod
80
with the fastener
72
in the section
64
and then engaging the rod with the fastener
70
in the section
62
in the manner described above.
It is understood that the connection system
60
can be used to connect pilings in other types of building raising and support systems. For example, in the arrangement of
FIG. 9
, the corresponding end portions
62
a
and
64
a
of the sections
62
and
64
are connected together by the system
60
in the manner described above, and at least one transversely-extending, load-bearing section, in the form of a metallic helix section
81
, is secured, in any conventional manner, to the elongated section
64
near its other end portion
64
b
. The sections
62
and
64
and helix section
81
form an elongated earth screw anchor assembly that can penetrate the ground G in a conventional manner and can be utilized in conjunction with other equipment to support and stabilize a building structure which has or may experience settlement or movement.
According to the embodiment of
FIG. 10
, a connecting system according to an alternate embodiment is shown, in general, by the reference numeral
82
and includes two piling sections
84
and
86
which have internally threaded end portions
84
a
and
86
a
, respectively. Two fasteners
88
and
90
are provided each of which has an externally threaded outer surface sized to threadedly engage the internally threaded end portions
84
a
and
86
a
of the end sections
84
and
86
, respectively. Each fastener
88
and
90
also has an internally threaded bore, and an externally threaded rod
92
is provided which is sized to threadedly engage the latter bore of each of the fasteners.
To assemble the system
82
the fasteners
88
and
90
are threadedly engaged in the corresponding end portions of the sections
84
and
86
. Then the respective end portions of the rod
92
are threadedly engaged in the fasteners
88
and
90
so that the each end portion of the rod extends into the sections
84
and
86
for an axial length sufficient to permit the corresponding ends of the sections
84
and
86
, in the assembled condition of the system
82
, to abut. Otherwise, the embodiment of
FIG. 10
is identical to that of FIG.
6
.
Still other examples of systems to raise and support buildings are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,206, U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,798, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,203, all assigned to the assignee of the present invention and all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In this context, it is understood that in most installations of this type, multiple screw anchors, identical to the screw anchor described above, could also be used.
It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention, and examples of the variations are as follows:
The sections
62
and
64
of the piling
40
do not have to have a circular cross sections but can take other shapes such as rectangular, square, etc, in which case the outer surfaces of the fasteners
70
and
72
would be shaped accordingly.
The fasteners
70
and
72
are not limited to those having a hexagonal outer surface and the fasteners can be fastened into the interior of the sections
62
and
64
by other techniques, such as by as threaded connection or by adhesives, pins, clips, etc.
The outer surfaces of the fasteners
70
and
72
do not have to extend flush with the corresponding ends of the sections
62
and
64
respectively but rather can extend in the sections a predetermined distance.
The rod
80
can be directly welded into the interior of the section
62
and the fastener
72
attached to the section
64
as described above; after which the section
64
/fastener
72
would be rotated relative to the rod
80
, and therefore the section
72
, until the corresponding end of the elongated
64
abuts the corresponding end of the elongated
72
.
The length of the rod
80
can be varied so that, in the assembled condition of the sections
62
and
64
, the ends of the rod at least extend flush with the corresponding inner faces of the fasteners
70
and
72
, respectively, or outwardly from the latter faces a predetermined distance, including the distance shown in FIG.
7
.
The sections
62
and
64
are not limited to pilings sections, but could be in the form of any other type of tubular members such as pipes, conduits, etc. for transporting fluid, etc.
The raising and supporting system
10
of the present invention can also be used in an identical manner to raise a concrete slab extending underneath the entire area of a building or a house. In the case of a concrete slab, the system
10
would be mounted on an outer wall of the slab.
The clamping assembly
26
can be replaced with a block, or driving section that engages the upper end of the piling
40
and, when forced downwardly by the ram units
32
a
and
32
b
, drives the assembly into the ground.
An external drive system can be provided to drive the sleeve
25
and then the piling
40
into the ground until a predetermined resistance is encountered, after which the ram units
32
a
and
32
b
can be installed and activated to raise the foundation or slab in the manner described above.
Since other modifications, changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A system for raising and supporting the foundation or slab of a building, the system comprising a lifting arm assembly for engaging the lower surface of the foundation or slab, the lifting arm assembly comprising a support sleeve, a piling section extending through the support sleeve, means for applying a load to the piling section to drive a portion of the piling section into the ground; and a connection assembly for connecting the piling section to an additional piling section in response to the portion of the piling section being driven into the ground, the connection assembly comprising a first connecting member secured in one of the piling sections, a second connecting member secured in the other piling section, and a third connecting member connecting the first and second connecting members, and therefore the piling sections in an abutting, end-to-end relationship wherein each of the piling sections are internally threaded and wherein the first and second connecting members have external threads that threadedly engage the internal threads of the corresponding piling sections to secure the first and second connecting members to their corresponding piling sections.
- 2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second connection members has an internally threaded bore and wherein the third connecting member is an externally threaded rod adapted to threadedly engage the bores of the first and second connection members to secure the piling sections in the abutting, end-to-end relationship.
- 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second connecting members are welded within their respective piling sections.
- 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the outer surface of each of the first and second connecting members has a plurality of planar surfaces with a angle extending between adjacent planer surfaces, the apexes of the angles extending in their corresponding piling sections with minimal clearance.
- 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the weldments extend between the planer surfaces of the connecting members and the corresponding inner surfaces of the corresponding piling section and between adjacent apexes.
- 6. The system of claim 1 where the outer face of each of the first and second connection member extends substantially flush with the end of the corresponding piling section.
- 7. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for securing each connecting member to its corresponding piling section.
- 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the means is selected from the group consisting of at least one weldment, thread, clip, and adhesive.
- 9. The system of claim 1 further comprising clamping means engaging said upper portion of said piling section, ram means connected between said clamping means and said lifting arm assembly, and means for actuating said ram means to drive said piling sections into the ground until the first-mentioned piling section encounters a predetermined resistance.
- 10. The system of claim 9 further comprising at least one rod extending from the lifting arm assembly, and a plate slidably mounted relative to said rod and adapted for connection to each of said piling sections for movement therewith, said actuating means adapted to further actuate said ram means after said predetermined resistance is encountered to raise said lifting arm, said foundation or slab and said rod a predetermined distance relative to said piling sections and said plate.
- 11. The system of claim 10 further comprising means for securing said rod in said raised position relative to said plate to secure said foundation in its raised position.
- 12. The system of claim 9 wherein the piling has an upper portion extending above the support sleeve and a lower portion extending below the support sleeve and into the ground.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said lifting arm assembly further comprises an arm member for engaging the foundation or slab, a first channel member secured to said arm member, and a second channel member secured to said first channel member to form an opening for receiving said support sleeve.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said ram means is normally, in an, expanded position, and wherein said actuating means retracts said ram means to drive said piling section.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ram means comprises two ram assemblies extending on opposite sides of said piling section.
- 16. A method for raising and supporting the foundation or slab of a building, the system comprising engaging the lower surface of the foundation or slab with a lifting arm including a support sleeve, inserting a piling section into the support sleeve, applying a load to the piling section to drive the piling section into the ground, threadedly engaging a first connecting member with the piling section, threadedly engaging a second connecting member with another piling section, and connecting the first and second connecting members with a third connecting member to connect the piling sections in an abutting, end-to-end relationship.
- 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing a internally threaded bore in each of the first and second connection members, and providing external threads on the third connecting member which threadedly engage the bores of the first and second piling sections to secure the piling sections in the abutting, end-to-end relationship.
- 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of securing comprises the step of welding the first and second connecting members to their respective piling sections.
- 19. The method of claim 16 further comprising positioning the first and second connecting members relative to their respective piling sections so that the outer face of each first and second connecting members extends substantially flush with the end of the corresponding piling section.
- 20. A system for connecting two elongated, internally threaded, tubular sections in an abutting end-to-end relationship, the system comprising a first externally threaded connecting member in one of the tubular sections in threaded engagement therewith, a second externally threaded connecting member in the other tubular section in threaded engagement wherewith, and a third connecting member connecting the first and second connecting members, and therefore the tubular sections in an abutting, end-to-end relationship.
- 21. The system of claim 20 wherein each of the first and second connection members has an internally threaded bore and wherein the third connecting member is an externally threaded rod adapted to threadedly engage the bores of the first and second connection members to secure the tubular sections in the abutting, end-to-end relationship.
- 22. The system of claim 20 wherein the first and second connecting members are welded within their respective tubular sections.
- 23. The system of claim 22 wherein the outer surface of each of the first and second connecting members has a plurality of planar surfaces with a angle extending between adjacent planer surfaces, the apexes of the angles extending in their corresponding tubular sections with minimal clearance.
- 24. The system of claim 23 wherein the weldments extend between the planer surfaces of the connecting members and the corresponding inner surfaces of the corresponding tubular section and between adjacent apexes.
- 25. The system of claim 20 where the outer face of each of the first and second connection member extends substantially flush with the end of the corresponding tubular section.
- 26. The system of claim 20 further comprising means for securing each connecting member to its corresponding tubular section.
- 27. The system of claim 26 wherein the means is selected from the group consisting of at least one weldment, thread, clip, and adhesive.
- 28. A method for connecting two elongated tubular sections in an abutting end-to-end relationship, comprising providing internal threads on the tubular sections, providing external threads on an exterior surface of a first and a second connecting member, threadedly engaging the first connecting member in one of the tubular sections, threadedly engaging the second connecting member in the other tubular section, and connecting the first and second connecting members with a third connecting member to connect the tubular sections in an abutting, end-to-end relationship.
- 29. The method of claim 28 further comprising providing a internally threaded bore in each of the first and second connection members, and providing external threads on the third connecting member which threadedly engage the bores of the first and second tubular sections to secure the tubular sections in the abutting, end-to-end relationship.
- 30. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of securing comprises the step of welding the first and second connecting members to their respective tubular sections.
- 31. The method of claim 28 further comprising positioning the first and second connecting members relative to their respective tubular sections so that the outer face of each first and second connecting members extends substantially flush with the end of the corresponding tubular section.
- 32. A building foundation installation comprising:a first piling having a helix section formed at one end thereof for penetrating the ground; the other end portion of the piling being internally threaded; an externally threaded connecting member in threaded engagement with the internally threaded other end portion of the piling; a second piling for supporting a load and having an internally threaded end portion; an externally threaded connecting member in threaded engagement with the internally threaded end portion of the second piling; and a third connecting member connecting the first and second connecting members, and therefore the pilings, in an abutting, end-to-end relationship.
- 33. The system of claim 32 wherein each of the first and second connection members has an internally threaded bore and wherein the third connecting member is an externally threaded rod adapted to threadedly engage the bores of the first and second connection members to secure the tubular sections in the abutting, end-to-end relationship.
- 34. The system of claim 32 wherein the first and second connecting members are welded within their respective tubular sections.
- 35. The system of claim 34 wherein the outer surface of each of the first and second connecting members has a plurality of planar surfaces with a angle extending between adjacent planer surfaces, the apexes of the angles extending in their corresponding tubular sections with minimal clearance.
- 36. The system of claim 35 wherein the weldments extend between the planer surfaces of the connecting members and the corresponding inner surfaces of the corresponding tubular section and between adjacent apexes.
- 37. The system of claim 32 where the outer face of each of the first and second connection member extends substantially flush with the end of the corresponding tubular section.
- 38. The system of claim 32 further comprising means for securing each connecting member to its corresponding tubular section.
- 39. The system of claim 38 wherein the means is selected from the group consisting of at least one weldment, thread, clip, and adhesive.
- 40. A system for raising and supporting the foundation or slab of a building, the system comprising:a lifting assembly comprising: means for engaging the foundation or slab; and a support sleeve connected to the engaging means; and a piling assembly extending through the support sleeve and comprising: a first piling section, a helix secured to the first piling section and adapted to penetrate the ground, a first internally threaded connecting member secured in the first piling section, a second piling section, a second internally threaded connecting member secured in the second piling section, and a third externally threaded connecting member connecting the first and second connecting members, and therefore the piling sections, in an abutting, end-to-end relationship; and a driving mechanism for driving the piling assembly, including the helix section, into the ground until a predetermined resistance is encountered.
- 41. The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising means to exert a force between the lifting assembly and the ground to raise the lifting arm and the foundation.
- 42. The system of claim 41 further comprising means for securing the lifting assembly in the raised position.
- 43. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the lifting assembly further comprises means secured to the engaging means and forming an opening for receiving the support sleeve.
- 44. The system of claim 40 wherein the first and second connecting members are welded to their respective piling sections.
- 45. The system of claim 40 wherein the outer surface of each of the first and second connecting members has a plurality of planar surfaces with a angle extending between adjacent planer surfaces, the apexes of the angles extending in their corresponding piling sections with minimal clearance.
- 46. The system of claim 45 wherein the weldments extend between the planer surfaces of the connecting members and the corresponding inner surfaces of the corresponding piling section and between adjacent apexes.
US Referenced Citations (32)
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1 418 164 |
Jan 1974 |
GB |
8702268 |
Apr 1989 |
NL |
101614 |
May 1963 |
NO |
1219728 |
Mar 1986 |
SU |