Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for the introduction of poles into the ground.

Background Art

Machines are well known used for the introduction of poles into the ground, commonly known as pole drivers.

Pole driving machines are used in very different fields of application, such as e.g., in the construction of photovoltaic fields, road safety installations (guard rails) or fencing structures.

Pole driving machines of known type may differ in nature according to the size and nature of the pole on which they are to operate and depending on the ground on which they are to operate, and comprise a beating assembly which, when operated, exerts pressure and/or beats the pole so as to drive it into the ground.

Usually, the pole driving machines of known type are additionally provided with movement means, such as, e.g., wheels or tracks, which allow them to be moved on the ground on which they have to intervene and to be positioned in the introduction area.

When using the pole driving machines of known type, the poles are to be positioned with one end contacting the ground and will be driven into the ground through the beating assembly which is positioned at the end of the pole opposite the end contacting the ground.

The pole driving machines of known type do however have a number of drawbacks.

In fact, these known machines do not allow carrying out the phases of positioning and introducing the poles into the ground in a practical and safe way.

Usually, one or more operators vertically lift the pole to be driven and manually hold it in such a position during the introduction of the pole itself into the ground using the pole driver.

It is easy to appreciate that the positioning of the poles carried out according to the above-mentioned methods may require very long execution times and can be dangerous for the operators because during the pole introduction phase they are in the proximity of the beaten or driven pole, risking being hit by the beating assembly or by the pole itself.

Furthermore, if the poles to be moved are particularly long and/or heavy, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, for the operator to move and support them. Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a machine for the introduction of poles into the ground, which allows carrying out the phase of introduction of the poles into the ground, even in the case of large and particularly heavy poles, in a practical and precise manner.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the introduction of poles into the ground which is extremely safe for the operators involved.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the introduction of poles into the ground, which allows the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome, within the scope of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present machine for the introduction of poles into the ground having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a machine for the introduction of poles into the ground, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the machine according to the invention;

Figures 2-9 are views of the machine according to the invention in different configurations of use. Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a machine for the introduction of poles into the ground.

The machine 1 is intended for the introduction of poles P into the ground for the construction of, e.g., photovoltaic fields, road safety installations (guard rails), fencing structures, or the like.

In particular, the poles P, after being introduced, operate as supporting structures for further components.

In the context of the present disclosure, the term “pole” means an elongated body along a relevant longitudinal direction, having a circular or polygonal cross-section, and which is made of a material selected from wood, metal, or other stiff materials.

The pole P may have an appropriately shaped end to facilitate the introduction thereof into the ground.

The machine 1 comprises: at least one basic frame 200; at least one movement assembly 2 associated with the basic frame 200 for the movement of the machine 1 on the ground, at the point where at least one embedding area Z is located; and at least one beating assembly 3 associated with the basic frame 200 and adapted to drive at least one pole P to make it penetrate at least partly into the ground at the point where at least the embedding area Z is located.

The movement assembly 2 comprises a wheel or track system and allows the machine 1 to be moved to allow the correct positioning of the beating assembly 3 at the point where at least the embedding area Z is located.

The embedding area Z is determined before the machine 1 is used and corresponds to the point in the ground where the pole P is to be introduced.

The beating assembly 3 comprises at least one beating device 4 adapted to drive at least partly the pole P into the ground.

More specifically, the beating device 4 is adapted to exert pressure on the pole P and/or to beat it so that it penetrates into the ground. The beating assembly 3 comprises at least one working frame 5 associated with the basic frame 200 and extending along a substantially vertical axis of sliding S.

The beating device 4 is associated with the working frame 5 in a sliding manner along the axis of sliding S so as to approach the ground during the beating operations.

The beating assembly 3 also comprises clamping means 6 associated with the beating device 4 and adapted to retain one end of the pole P during the introduction.

The clamping means 6 are composed of a gripper movable by closing/opening itself to intercept/release the end of the pole P.

According to the invention, the machine 1 also comprises: at least one gripping assembly 7 of the pole P, associated with the basic frame 200 and adapted to pick the pole P from a lying location G; and at least one positioning assembly 8 of the pole P, associated with the basic frame 200 and provided with a housing seat 9, intended to accommodate the pole P.

The housing seat 9 is movable in rotation around an axis of rotation R, between a home position, in which it is arranged substantially horizontally and receives the pole P from the gripping assembly 7, and a working position, in which it is arranged substantially vertically and positions the pole P at the point where the beating assembly 3 is located.

More in detail, in the working position, the positioning assembly 8 arranges the pole P at the point where the beating device 4 is located, with the end at the point where the clamping means 6 are located.

The machine 1 allows, therefore, carrying out the lifting and positioning operations of the pole P in an automated manner, freeing itself from the need of a manual intervention by an operator, thus making the work extremely safe, fast and accurate.

This solution is extremely advantageous especially in the case of large poles or when the conditions of the working area are dangerous for the operator. Thanks to the movement means, the machine 1 moves in the working area to reach the embedding area Z and pick the pole from the lying location G.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the lying location G coincides with the ground. Generally, in fact, the introduction operations of the poles P are preceded by a positioning of the poles themselves on the ground, in the proximity of the respective embedding areas Z.

It cannot, however, be ruled out that the lying location G is of the type of a flatbed of a transporter wagon, which can also be moved in the working area.

Upon reaching the embedding area Z, the gripping assembly 7 grasps the pole P and lifts it from the lying location G (Figure 2).

Conveniently, the gripping assembly 7 comprises at least one gripping device 10 which is movable to grasp the pole P and release it into the positioning assembly 8.

The gripping device 10 comprises two clamping elements 11 which are movable close to/away from each other to grasp/release the pole P.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, one of the clamping elements 11 is fixed and the other is movable relative thereto by means of, e.g., a linear actuator.

It cannot, however, be ruled out that the clamping elements 11 are both movable to grasp/release the pole P.

Alternatively or in combination thereof, the gripping device 10 may comprise magnetic gripping means which are operable to exert a magnetic force on the pole P.

Advantageously, the gripping assembly 7 comprises at least one articulated arm 12 associated with the basic frame 200 and supporting the gripping device 10.

The articulated arm 12 allows an easy movement of the gripping device 10 and allows picking the pole P from lying locations G away from the embedding area Z, thus holding the machine 1 stationary at the point where the embedding area itself is located.

The gripping assembly 7 is then adapted to transfer the pole P into the housing seat 9 (Figure 3). The housing seat 9 is of an elongated conformation along an axis of extension D.

In the housing seat 9, the pole P is arranged so that the relevant longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the axis of extension D.

In the home position, the axis of extension D is arranged substantially horizontal. The pole P is, therefore, arranged in the housing seat 9 horizontally.

The positioning assembly 8 comprises a holding body 13 defining the housing seat 9.

The holding body 13 is associated rotatable with the beating assembly 3 between the working position and the home position.

Specifically, the holding body 13 is associated rotatable with the working frame 5 around the axis of rotation R.

The axis of rotation R is substantially perpendicular to the axis of extension D. Furthermore, the axis of rotation R is substantially perpendicular to the axis of sliding S.

Conveniently, the holding body 13 is shaped so as to accommodate the pole P to measure.

More in detail, the holding body 13 comprises a first portion 14 associated with the working frame 5 and a second portion 15 associated with the first portion 14.

The two portions 14 and 15 are substantially U-shaped and both comprise a resting base 16 on which the pole is positioned by the gripping assembly 7 and a pair of containment elements 17 associated with the resting base 16 and extending from the resting base itself parallel to the axis of extension D.

The containment elements 17 have a plate- shaped conformation and define the housing seat 9 together with the resting base 16.

The containment elements 17 are also adapted to prevent the pole P from moving along at least one direction transverse to the axis of extension D.

Advantageously, the positioning assembly 8 comprises adjustment means 18 adapted to vary the extension of the housing seat 9.

In more detail, the adjustment means 18 are shaped so as to vary the extension of the housing seat 9 along the axis of extension D.

The adjustment means 18 comprise a sliding system positioned between the first portion 14 and the second portion 15 and adapted to allow the second portion 15 to slide with respect to the first portion 14 along the axis of extension D.

Specifically, the sliding system is composed of telescopic rods extending parallel to the axis of extension D, placed between the first portion 14 and the second portion 15 and allowing the relevant movement close to and away from the same.

By means of the adjustment means 18 it is, therefore, possible to adapt the holding body 13 to the length of the pole P.

Usefully, the positioning assembly 8 comprises actuating means 19 placed between the working frame 5 and the holding body 13 and adapted to move the holding body 13 between the home position and the working position.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuating means 19 comprise at least one pneumatic cylinder operatively positioned between the working frame 5 and the first portion 14, the latter being hinged to the working frame itself.

The extension of the pneumatic cylinder results in the rotation of the holding body 13 around the axis of rotation R.

The positioning assembly 8 comprises retaining means 20 of the pole P during the movement of the holding body 13.

More in detail, the retaining means 20 comprise at least one retaining body 21 associated with the holding body 13 and adapted to retain the pole P in the housing seat 9.

The retaining body 21 is shaped to operate in conjunction with the holding body 13 to hold the pole P stationary during placement in the beating assembly 3.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the retaining body 21 is substantially L-shaped to overlap the pole P to size.

It cannot, however, be ruled out that the retaining body 21 may have a different conformation.

The retaining body 21 is adapted to press the pole P against the resting base 16.

The retaining body 21 is movable between an opening position, in which it is moved away from the housing seat 9 and allows the pole P to be positioned with respect to the housing seat 9, and a closing position, in which it occludes the housing seat 9 and holds the pole P stationary.

Specifically, the retaining body is rotatable with respect to the holding body 13 around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of extension D.

In the closing position, therefore, the retaining body 21 prevents the pole P from sliding along the axis of extension D and, at the same time, operates in conjunction with the holding body 13 to hold it from moving along the directions transverse to the axis of extension itself.

With the holding body 13 in the working position, the retaining body 21 can also be positioned in a slack position, in which it is partly moved away from the housing seat 9 and allows the movement of the pole P along the axis of sliding S and guides the sliding thereof (Figure 8).

With the retaining body 21 in the slack position, the beating device 4 is able to at least partly introduce the pole P into the ground.

The retaining body 21 is operated by means of an actuator, of the type of a pneumatic cylinder, positioned between the holding body 13 and the retaining body itself.

Advantageously, the machine 1 also comprises a driving cabin 22 associated with the basic frame 200.

The driving cabin 22 comprises an operator’s station and the set of controls intended for the operation of the machine 1.

The driving cabin 22 allows practical movement of the machine 1 by an operator and at the same time allows the gripping assembly 7 to be maneuvered very easily and quickly, thus ensuring the safety of the operators themselves.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises an automatic control system adapted to control the operation of the machine itself.

The control system comprises: at least one system management and control unit; and at least one storage unit of at least one embedding area Z of at least one pole P to be introduced into the ground through the machine 1. The storage unit is operatively connected to the management and control unit.

As set forth above, the embedding area Z is established prior to the use of the machine 1.

Usefully, the storage unit is adapted to store a plurality of embedding areas Z in the working area.

Advantageously, the system comprises acquisition means for acquiring the embedding areas Z operatively connected to the management and control unit. The acquisition means for acquiring the embedding areas Z allow an operator to communicate to the management and control unit the exact point in the working area where it is necessary to introduce the poles P.

The acquisition means comprise, e.g., a user interface, provided with a keyboard and a monitor, which is used by the operator for loading the embedding areas Z into the storage unit.

The system comprises at least one location unit associated with the basic frame 200 and operatively connected to the management and control unit.

The system also comprises at least one display for displaying the embedding areas Z and the machine 1 in the working area.

Particularly, the location unit comprises at least one satellite navigation device (GPS, GLONASS, GNSS).

The satellite navigation device allows pinpointing the exact position of the machine 1 in the working area.

Advantageously, the management and control unit is operatively connected to the movement assembly 2 and is configured to operate the movement assembly itself according to the embedding areas Z to be reached.

Conveniently, the operator can see in real time on the display the placement of the machine with respect to the embedding areas Z and intervene manually to move the machine 1 to the correct position.

At the same time, the operator in the driving cabin 22 may operate the movement assembly 2 to temporarily move the machine 1 away from the embedding area Z, for example if the pole P is in a lying location G which cannot be easily reached by the articulated arm 12. Usefully, the system comprises defining means for the definition of at least one working path which are adapted to move the machine 1 through all the embedding areas Z in a predetermined order.

The management and control unit is configured, therefore, to drive the movement assembly 2 so as to position the machine 1 from one embedding area Z to the next embedding area Z according to the working path.

Conveniently, the machine 1 comprises driving means through which the operator can easily drive the machine 1 along the established working path.

The driving means are also operatively connected to the positioning assembly 8 and to the beating device 4.

In this way, the operator can remotely manage both the movement of the machine 1 in the working area and intervene directly on the operation of the machine itself by operating the positioning assembly 8 and the beating device 4 and adjusting the operation thereof.

The driving means comprise, e.g., a radio wave device.

The operation of the machine 1 according to the present invention is as follows.

The machine 1 is moved by means of the movement assembly 2 at the point where an embedding area Z is located.

The movement of the machine 1 in the working area can be carried out by the operator from the driving cabin 22, remotely by means of the driving means or automatically by means of the automatic control system.

By means of the gripping assembly 7, the operator picks a pole P from the lying location G. In particular, the articulated arm 12 brings the gripping device 10 to the proximity of the pole P, after which the clamping elements 11 are closed to intercept and grasp the pole P (Figure 2).

Alternatively, the pole P is lifted by means of the magnetic gripping means.

The articulated arm 12 conveys the pole P to the positioning assembly 8 where the gripping device 10 releases it into the housing seat 9, which is in the home position.

At this point, by means of the driving means, the operator actuates the retaining means 20 to bring the retaining body 21 to the closed position to retain the pole P. (Figures 3-5)

The holding body 13 rotates around the axis of rotation R, in the working position, to arrange the pole P vertically, at the point where the beating device 4 is located (Figure 6).

The clamping means 6 are actuated to retain the upper end of the pole P.

The retaining body 21 is, therefore, brought to the slack position to allow the pole P to slide (Figure 8).

Then, by means of the control means, the operator actuates the beating device 4 to move it along the axis of sliding S and bring the pole P into contact with the ground, in the embedding area Z.

The retaining body 21 is moved to the opening position and the holding body 13 rotates back to the home position (Figure 9).

The beating device 4 continues its travel along the axis of sliding in order to introduce the pole P to the desired depth.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular the fact is emphasized that the machine for the introduction of poles into the ground according to the present invention allows performing, in a practical and precise manner, the phase of introduction of poles into the ground, even in case of large and particularly heavy poles, thanks to the presence of the gripping assembly and of the positioning assembly.

Moreover, these features allow this machine to be extremely safe for the operators involved. This result is also achieved thanks to the presence of the driving cabin which provides greater protection to the operator.