Objects into and from the Ground or Similar

Technical Field

The present invention concerns an apparatus for driving down and pulling up elongated objects into and from the ground or similar in accordance with the claims.

Background of the Invention

In many instances, particularly in the case of many different types of construction work there exists a need for reinforcing the ground’s bearing capacity and for erecting barriers to hold ground fill in place. This is especially true for certain facilities such as docks and the like in or near water, which require stabilization of the ground and the erection of barriers for fill such as rock and gravel. Stabilization is achieved by driving down elongated objects such as poles (piles) of wood (timber) or sheet piles of metal or the like into the ground or sea (lake) floor. There arises a problem during pile-driving of timber piles (poles) and sheet piles of metal, when the poles or piles are to be gripped and moved from an essentially horizontal position to an essentially vertical position.

Several devices and methods for utilizing these devices have been developed in order to facilitate pile-driving or driving down of steel beams, pipe and the like. With current methods the work involved in driving down piles is time consuming. The time required is long because the pile must first be gripped and thereafter be raised and aligned and then be driven down into the ground. With the aid of current methods and devices, it is not possible to accomplish all these different aspects of the job with one and the same machine. Existing designs usually require that at least two persons are needed to accomplish the job of pile-driving.

Furthermore there exist problems in conjunction with the removal or replacement of existing timber or sheet piles. Piles and poles driven into the sea floor, ground or similar can be difficult or next into impossible to pull-up with known devices and equipment. There exists a need for versatile and efficient techniques for the removal of existing piles (poles), with so little negative impact as possible to building constructions near the piles. Furthermore existing technology is not designed to spare sensitive environments such as for example shorelines and the like, where environmental considerations must be taken during construction. Known apparatuses and equipment are often of such size and weight that significant damage is inflicted on the ground under and around the machine using the apparatus. It can often be difficult if not impossible to move such equipment to construction sites in densely built-up areas in ports, bays (seaways), old city centers and similar congested areas.

Prior Art

Different types of pile drivers and the like have been used for pile-driving for a long period of time. These drivers have essentially been suitable for use with piles of concrete or the like. Pile drivers consist of a weight which is lifted and dropped down on the end of an essentially vertically standing pile which drives the pile down into the ground. Known types of pile drivers have the disadvantage of being large, heavy and unwieldy and are not able to be used for other purposes without substantially rebuilding the vehicle. Furthermore devices intended for excavators have been developed which utilize vibrations in order to drive down piles and the like. However these devices have the disadvantage of not incorporating a gripping device with which a pile can be gripped and then be moved to the position for pile-driving. To use any of the earlier known designs for driving down piles of wood (timber) as well as being able to drive down sheet piles is not possible.

Several different types of equipment for driving down elongated objects into the ground have long been known. For example, US6691797 discloses a device that drives down poles (piles) and the like into the ground with vibrations. The design according to US6691797 design differs significantly from the present invention. The design is for example not adapted to the unique problems associated with pile-driving wooden poles (piles).

An apparatus for driving down pipes in the ground is disclosed in US6386295. The design contains a vibration-generating unit which is hung to an attachment on an excavators arm (boom) or the like. The design can not be used to drive down piles or pull up piles of wood. Therefore, this design differs significantly from the present invention.

Even EP0648297 discloses an apparatus suitable for attachment to an excavator. The design includes a grapple with which an object that is to be driven down into the ground can be gripped. The design can not be used for both driving down piles and pulling up piles respectively in accordance with the present invention.