Pile croppers and methods for cutting piles

Abstract

An apparatus for cutting a pile having a pair of cutting members having a first cutting member having a first cutting edge and a second cutting member having a second cutting edge. The first and second cutting members are pivotally mounted at separate primary pivot axes and are moveable about the primary pivot axes in order to move the first and second cutting edges with respect to each other between rest and cutting positions. The first and second cutting edges are parallel with respect to each other when in their respective cutting positions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cutting a pile comprising a pair of cutting members comprising a first cutting member having a first cutting edge and a second cutting member having a second cutting edge; wherein the first and second cutting members are pivotally mounted at separate primary pivot axes and are moveable about said primary pivot axes in order to move the first and second cutting edges with respect to each other between rest and cutting positions; and wherein the first and second cutting edges are parallel with respect to each other when in their respective cutting positions, wherein the first and second cutting members are additionally mounted at respective secondary pivot axes and the primary pivot axes and secondary pivot axes are all aligned in the same plane in the rest position, further comprising a supporting frame to which one or more components of the apparatus are mounted, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more actuators and the cutting members are moveable about their respective primary pivot axes under the operation of said one or more actuators, and wherein the one or more actuators comprise a moveable portion which is operable in use to move the secondary pivot axes of the cutting members in order to effect movement of the cutting members about the primary pivot axes.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the primary pivot axes and secondary pivot axes are aligned linearly in the rest position.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cutting edges are positioned parallel to one another in both their rest position and their cutting positions and remain parallel when moving between these positions, in use.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second cutting edges are in their respective rest positions when they are separated by a given distance and are moveable to their respective cutting positions by moving the cutting edges closer together.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support frame comprises a bore therethrough, and wherein the bore is octagonal in cross-section.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising two actuators.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cutting members are moveable about their respective primary pivot axes under the operation of respective actuators, the respective actuators comprising a first actuator operable to control the movement of the first cutting member and a second actuator operable to control the movement of the second cutting member.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each actuator comprises a moveable portion operable in use to act directly on one or both of the cutting members, or a surface thereof, in order to effect movement of the cutting members about their respective primary pivot axes.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the moveable portion of the or each actuator is operable to cause the secondary pivot axes of the cutting members to move laterally or rotationally.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the moveable portion or each actuator comprises an operating ram.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the or each operating ram comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic operating ram.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cutting members are operable in use to retain a cut section of a pile within the apparatus when the corresponding cutting edges are in their respective cutting positions.

13. A method of cutting a pile using an apparatus of claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the apparatus about a pile such that a portion of the pile is located between the first and second cutting edges, with the first and second cutting edges being in their respective rest positions; and (b) rotating each of the first and second cutting members about their primary pivot axes in order to move the first and second cutting edges towards their respective cutting positions, wherein step (b) comprises rotating each of the first and second cutting members about their respective primary pivot axes under the operation of one or more actuators.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein in moving the cutting edges towards their cutting positions, the first and second cutting edges are brought into contact with opposing surfaces of the pile.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 comprising continuing to move the cutting edges towards their respective cutting positions after coming into contact with the opposing surface of the pile in order to apply a cutting force to the opposing surfaces of the pile in order to cut the pile.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14 comprising using a first actuator to control the rotation of the first cutting member about its primary pivot axis and a second actuator to control the rotation of the second cutting member about its primary pivot axis.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first and second actuators are controlled independently and the method comprises rotating the first and second cutting members independently.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17 comprising rotating the cutting members simultaneously and at the same rate to provide a uniform cutting force from both cutting edges of the apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pile cutting apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view of an embodiment of a connection device in accordance with the present invention; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a pile cutting apparatus of the invention.

(5) FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus 2 of the invention. The apparatus 2 comprises a first cutting member 4 and a second cutting member 6, each comprising a cutting edge 18, 20, respectively. The first and second cutting members 4, 6 are pivotally mounted at a first primary pivot axis 8 and a second primary pivot axis 10, respectively, and are rotatably moveable with respect to said axes, 8, 10. In addition, first and second cutting members 4, 6 are pivotally mounted at respective first and second secondary pivot axes 34, 36. Said primary pivot axes 8, 10 are fixedly connected to a supporting frame 22 whereas said secondary pivot axes 34, 36 are moveable with respect to said supporting frame 22.

(6) As can be seen in FIG. 1 the primary pivot axes 8, 10 are aligned linearly with their respective secondary pivot axes 34, 36 when the cutting members 4, 6 are in the rest position. All of the primary pivot axes 8, 10 and secondary pivot axes 34, 36 are therefore aligned in the same horizontal plane and linearly, in the rest position.

(7) The apparatus 2 additionally comprises a first actuator in the form of operating ram 12 and a second actuator in the form of operating ram 14. The operating rams 12, 14 may be hydraulic or pneumatic rams, the operation of which will be readily understood. The operating rams 12, 14 are connected at a first end to respective secondary pivot axes 34, 36 and at a second end to respective actuator pivot axes 38, 40. Actuator pivot axes 38, 40 are fixedly connected to the supporting frame 22 whereas, as discussed above, secondary pivot axes 34, 36 are moveable with respect to the supporting frame 22. The operating rams 12, 14 are rotatable about each of the pivot axes to which they are connected. First and second operating rams 12, 14 are comprised of a main body portion and an extending arm, wherein the extending arm is moveable with respect to the main body portion to protrude therefrom at various distances. It is the protrusion of the extending arm from the main body portion, along with the rotation of the operating rams 12, 14 about their respective actuator pivot axes 38, 40 which effects movement of the respective cutting members 4, 6 as will be described in detail, below.

(8) The supporting frame 22 is comprised of a front plate 22a, a rear plate 22b, first and second base plates 22c, 22d, first and second actuator plates 23, 25, and first and second actuator covers 24, 26. Primarily, the supporting frame 22 is provided to form an enclosed area which partially contains each of the moveable components of the apparatus 2. The supporting frame 22 also defines an opening 28 therein disposed between the base plates 22c, 22d allowing the apparatus to be positioned about a pile, the pile being located within the opening 28 between the cutting edges 18, 20 of the cutting members 4, 6.

(9) In addition, there is provided first and second handles 30, 32 on the exterior of the front plate 22a to aid in manual movement of the apparatus 2, in use. There may also be provided corresponding handles on the rear plate 22b, however, this is not shown in FIG. 1. Although not shown in the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 2 may additionally comprise one or more connection points for connecting a lifting mechanism thereto to aid in the movement of the apparatus 2, in use. In some embodiments the one or more connection points may be provided on the supporting frame 22.

(10) The operational use of the apparatus 2 will now be described with reference to FIG. 1.

(11) The apparatus 2 may initially be provided in a rest configuration. In this configuration, the operating rams 12, 14 may be in an unactuated position whereby their extending arm is fully, or almost fully contained within the main body portion of the ram 12, 14. In this position, the secondary pivot axes 34, 36 are located at their highest point (in the orientation shown in the Figure) with respect to the corresponding primary pivot axes 8, 10 and the angular position of the cutting members 4, 6 with respect to the primary pivot axes 8, 10 is such that the respective cutting edges 18, 20 of the cutting members 4, 6 are separated by a first distance. It is necessary for the first distance to be large enough to allow a pile to be placed between said cutting edges 18, 20 when in this configuration. The apparatus 2 may then be placed about a pile (not shown) by positioning the pile within the opening 28 between the respective cutting edges 18, 20 of the cutting members 4, 6.

(12) In order to cut a pile located between the cutting edges 18, 20 the operating rams 12, 14 are used to force the secondary pivot axes 34, 36 in a downwards direction (in the orientation shown in the Figure) in the direction of arrow A. This is achieved through the projection of the extending arms from the main body portions of the operating rams 12, 14 under hydraulic or pneumatic pressure as will be readily understood.

(13) The movement of the secondary pivot axes 34, 36 in this way causes the first and second cutting members to rotate about said secondary pivot axes 34, 36 in the direction of arrow D. This lateral movement of the secondary axes 34, 36, along with the rotational movement of the first and second cutting members 4, 6 about said the secondary pivot axes 34, 36 effects a simultaneous rotation of the cutting members 4, 6 about respective primary pivot axes 8, 10 in the direction of arrow B. In doing so, the cutting edges 18, 20 are brought towards each other and towards a cutting position in the direction of arrow C.

(14) With a pile located therebetween, cutting edges 18, 20 are brought into contact with opposing surfaces of the pile and apply a force thereto in order to cut the pile. This force is applied through the action of the operating rams 12, 14 and various pivot axes 8, 10, 34, 36 as described above, with the cutting force being directly proportional to the hydraulic or pneumatic force provided by the operating rams 12, 14 in projecting the extending arm therefrom.

(15) In addition, the operating rams 12, 14 may be additionally rotatable about respective actuator pivot axes 38, 40. For example, upon actuation of the operating rams 12, 14, i.e. upon projection of the extending arm, the operating rams 12, 14 may rotate about respective actuator pivot axes 38, 40 in the direction of arrow E. This rotation of the operating rams 12, 14 may aid in the movement of the cutting edges 18, 20 of respective first and second cutting members 4, 6 towards their respective cutting positions.

(16) Subsequent to cutting a pile, the apparatus 2 may be reset by moving the cutting edges 18, 20 of the first and second cutting members 4, 6 back to their respective rest positions. This may be effected by withdrawing the extending arms of the operating rams 12, 14 back from their extended positions to a position wherein each of the extending arms of the operating rams 12, 14 are substantially contained within the respective main body portions. In doing so, the secondary pivot axes 34, 36 are pulled upwards (in the opposite direction to arrow A), the first and second cutting members 4, 6 are rotated about the secondary pivot axes (in the opposite direction to arrow D), and are rotated about the primary pivot axes 8, 10 (in the opposite direction to arrow B. In doing so, cutting edges 18, 20 are moved away from each other.

(17) FIG. 2 illustrates a connection device 102 in accordance with the invention. The connection device 102 comprises a bolt 148 which includes a head 150 and a threaded portion 152, along with a locking nut 154 shown securely connected to the threaded portion 152 of the bolt 148. In addition, the illustrated connection device 102 comprises a rope 156 having hooks 158a, 158b at opposing ends thereof. A first hook 158s is shown connected through an opening 164 in the head 150 of the bolt 148, with the second hook 158b shown connected through supporting ring 160. The supporting ring 160 may be operable to be connected to one or more further ropes which may themselves be connected to a separate portion of a pile cutting apparatus to connection device 102.

(18) The connection device 102 is shown in FIG. 2 connected to a portion of a pile cutting apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the pile cutting apparatus comprises a plate 122 which may comprise part of a supporting frame, for example. In order to connect the connection device 102 to the plate 122, the threaded portion 152 of the bolt 148 is inserted through an aperture 162 in the plate 122 until a lower surface of the bolt 148 comes into contact with an upper surface of the plate 122. The bolt 148 is then secured in position by screwing locking nut 154 into the position shown in FIG. 2 where it abuts a lower surface of the plate 122.

(19) The head 150 of the bolt 148 is rotatable with respect to the threaded portion 152 even where the bolt is securely fastened to the plate 122 of a pile cutting apparatus. In this way, the apparatus itself may be rotatable with respect to the rotatable head 150 and hence the rope 156 and supporting ring 160 of the connection device 102. By allowing the apparatus to be rotatable in this way, this prevents unwanted twisting of the rope 156 or indeed tangling or crossing of the rope 156 with one or more further ropes which may be connected at other points of the cutting apparatus.

(20) A second embodiment of a pile cutting apparatus 110 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. The apparatus 110 includes a supporting frame 112 having a bore 114 therethrough. The illustrated supporting frame 112 comprises an octagonal cross-section. Mounted to the supporting frame 112 are a first pair of cutting members 116a, 116b, each having respective cutting edges 120a, 120b, which are mounted onto opposing outer surfaces of the octagonal supporting frame 112. Similarly, mounted onto further opposing outer surfaces of the supporting frame 112 are a second pair of cutting members 118a, 118b each comprising respective cutting edges 122a, 122b. In this way, the cutting members 116a, 116b, 118a, 118b are mounted onto alternating outer surfaces of the supporting frame 112.

(21) The octagonal bore 114 defines a volume into which a portion of a pile may be located, in use. By providing a bore 114 having an octagonal cross-section, the apparatus 110 of the invention may be used to cut either circular and square piles, or piles having a pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal or octagonal cross-section, for example.

(22) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the first pair of cutting members 116a, 116b are mounted on primary and secondary pivot axes which are aligned linearly in the same horizontal plane, while the primary and secondary pivot axes of the second pair of cutting members 118a, 118b are aligned linearly in the same plane, in the rest position. The primary and secondary pivot axes of the first pair of cutting members 116a, 116b and second pair of cutting members 118a, 118b are also aligned in the same horizontal plane. The first and second pair of cutting members are aligned orthogonally to each other, such that each cutting member 116a, 116b, 118a, 118b extend 90° radially from adjacent cutting members.

(23) The above embodiment is described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.