Abstract
A device (150) for splicing together a first reinforcement cage (10) and a second reinforcement cage (20), the first reinforcement cage (10) comprising a suspension band (18) adjacent one of its ends and the second reinforcement cage (20) carrying the said device (150) adjacent one of its ends, wherein the device (150) comprises: an anchoring portion (160) carried on a portion of the second reinforcement cage (20) adjacent its one end, e.g. via a bridging portion (170), and configured or configurable such that at least a portion thereof is radially spaced from the second reinforcement cage (20) so as to define a radial suspension gap (G) between the said portion and the second reinforcement cage (20), the suspension gap (G) being configured for receiving therein the suspension band (18) on the first reinforcement cage (10) as the first and second reinforcement cages (10, 20) are spliced together; and gate means (180) constructed and arranged so as to be selectively configurable in either an open configuration, in which the suspension band (18) on the first reinforcement cage (10) can be inserted into or received in the suspension gap (G) via the gate means (180), or a closed configuration in which the suspension band (18) on the first reinforcement cage (10), once located in the suspension gap (G), is prevented from being removed therefrom via the gate means (180), wherein the gate means (180) is moveable between its open and closed configurations by virtue of at least a portion thereof being moveable by pivoting.
Claims
1. A device for splicing together a first reinforcement cage and a second reinforcement cage, each of the first and second reinforcement cages extending in a respective longitudinal axial direction between respective ends thereof, the first reinforcement cage comprising a suspension band adjacent one of its ends and the second reinforcement cage carrying the said device adjacent one of its ends, wherein the device is arranged in splicing relationship to the first and second reinforcement cages and comprises: an anchoring portion carried on a portion of the second reinforcement cage adjacent its one end and configured or configurable such that at least a portion thereof is spaced from the second reinforcement cage in a radial or transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axial direction of at least the second reinforcement cage so as to define a radial suspension gap between the said portion and the second reinforcement cage, the suspension gap being configured for receiving therein the suspension band on the first reinforcement cage as the first and second reinforcement cages are brought together into a splicing spatial relationship by relative movement thereof in said axial direction; and gate means constructed and arranged so as to be selectively configurable in either an open configuration, in which the suspension band on the first reinforcement cage can be inserted into or received in the suspension gap via the gate means during said axial relative movement of the first and second reinforcement cages, or a closed configuration in which the suspension band on the first reinforcement cage, once located in the suspension gap, is prevented from being removed therefrom via the gate means, wherein the gate means is moveable between its open and closed configurations by virtue of at least a portion thereof being moveable by pivoting.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the gate means is constructed and arranged such that when it is configured into its pivotally closed configuration, the suspension band on the first reinforcement cage, once located in the suspension gap, is abuttingly engageable by or with a portion of the gate means, whereby the suspension band is prevented from being withdrawn therefrom via the gate means.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the second reinforcement cage on which the device is carried is that reinforcement cage which is the uppermost one of the pair of reinforcement cages, the lowermost reinforcement cage of the pair being the first reinforcement cage and having the suspension band attached thereto.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein: either (i) the anchoring portion is configured or configurable such that at least a portion of the anchoring portion is radially inwardly spaced from the second reinforcement cage, whereby the suspension gap is formed or defined radially inwardly of the main structure of the second reinforcement cage, and, when the first and second reinforcement cages are in their spliced together relationship an end portion of the first reinforcement cage is overlappingly spliced with an end portion of the second reinforcement cage with the former being located radially inwardly of the latter; or (ii) the anchoring portion is oriented or orientable such that its general longitudinal dimension is generally substantially parallel to the axial direction of at least the second reinforcement cage, so that the anchoring portion is configured or configurable to bound the suspension band of the first reinforcement cage on a radial side of the suspension band opposite the radial side thereof facing the second reinforcement cage itself.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the anchoring portion is carried directly on the portion of the second reinforcement cage, optionally via a mounting or attachment stub, boss, spigot, flange, bracket or other protruding member provided on the said portion of the second reinforcement cage; and wherein one of the following (i) or (ii) is satisfied: (i) the anchoring portion is fixedly mounted on the portion of the second reinforcement cage on which it is carried, and configured such as to define a said radial suspension gap which is of substantially fixed width, and the anchoring portion carries, at an end thereof distal from the portion of the second reinforcement cage on which it is mounted, at least a portion or component of the gate means; or (ii) wherein the anchoring portion is pivotally mounted on the portion of the second reinforcement cage on which it is carried, and thereby configurable relative to the second reinforcement cage such as to define a said radial suspension gap which is of variable width, optionally wherein a portion of the anchoring portion constitutes or provides the said portion of the gate means which is pivotable so as to enable the gate means to be variably configurable in either of its open or closed configurations, whereby the pivotal mounting of the anchoring portion itself constitutes or contributes to the variable configuration of the gate means which enables the gate means to be variably configurable in either of its open or closed configurations.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the anchoring portion is carried indirectly on the portion of the second reinforcement cage via a bridging member, and wherein the bridging member is substantially fixedly mounted on the portion of the second reinforcement cage, and the anchoring portion carries, at an end thereof distal from the bridging member, at least a portion or component of the gate means, and optionally wherein the bridging member is constituted by an intermediate arm or leg section of a plural-sectioned yoke, of which one other arm or leg section thereof constitutes the said anchoring portion of the device.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein: (i) the anchoring portion carries, at an end thereof distal from the bridging member, at least the said portion of the gate means which is itself pivotable so as to render the gate means configurable in either of its open or closed configurations; or (ii) the anchoring portion carries, at an end thereof distal from the bridging member, a portion or component of the gate means other than that portion thereof which is pivotable to render the gate means configurable in either of its open or closed configurations, and the said portion of the gate means which is so pivotable is constituted or provided by one or more other portions or components of the gate means; or (iii) the anchoring portion itself is pivotally mounted on the bridging member.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the anchoring portion comprises at least one side or edge or corner portion which is chamfered, bevelled or convexly curved.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein: (i) the anchoring portion is itself pivotable relative to the second reinforcement cage, or where such is provided to the bridging member via which the anchoring portion is carried on the second reinforcement cage, and the device further comprises locking means for locking the anchoring portion in at least one selected pivotal positon thereof; and (ii) wherein the said at least one selected pivotal position of the anchoring portion is a closed pivotal position which effects or contributes to the closed configuration of the gate means, whereby actuation of the locking means to lock the anchoring portion in said closed pivotal position, once it has been pivoted into that relative pivotal position, serves to lock the gate means into its closed configuration also; optionally wherein the locking means is constructed and arranged for locking the anchoring portion in each of at least two selected pivotal positions thereof, one of which is the said closed pivotal position and the other of which is an open pivotal position which effects or contributes to the open configuration of the gate means, whereby actuation of the locking means to lock the anchoring portion in said open pivotal positon, once it has been pivoted into that relative pivotal position, serves to lock the gate means into its open configuration also.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the locking means comprises one, or a combination of two or more, of any of the following: (iii) a nut and bolt combination, one of the nut and bolt being provided on one of the pivotal anchoring portion and a fixed location on a portion of the second reinforcement cage and the other of the nut and bolt being provided for engagement with the first mentioned one of the nut and bolt, the said nut and bolt combination optionally including an apertured bracket, flange, lug or plate at or on at least one of said pivotal anchoring portion and fixed location and through which the said bolt may be passed before engagement with said nut; or (iv) a rotatable screw, bolt or pin provided on one of the pivotal anchoring portion and a fixed location on a portion of the second reinforcement cage, and an engagement hole or aperture, optionally screw-threaded, in the other of the said pivotal anchoring portion and fixed location and into which the screw, bolt or pin can be inserted, optionally by screwing; or (v) one or more detents or interengageable elements; or (vi) a cam member, or a weighted nose provided on the anchoring portion and abuttingly engageable with a portion of the second reinforcement cage, wherein the weight of the enlarged or protruding part of the cam member or nose, optionally under the additional force of the suspension band on the first reinforcement cage bearing thereagainst when the cages are in their spliced relationship and being lifted, urges the locking cam or nose into its closed position.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the anchoring portion is pivotable about a mounting thereof, and the device additionally comprises one or more resilient members arranged to urge or bias the anchoring portion into or towards either, or each of one or more respective ones of, its respective limiting pivotal positions.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein: (a) the said pivotal portion of the gate means is constituted by a discrete pivotal portion or component or group of components of the gate means itself; or (b) the said pivotal portion of the gate means is constituted by a portion or component of the anchoring portion of the device and optionally wherein: (c) the gate means comprises at least one portion which is independent of the anchoring portion and is itself moveable by pivoting, and the said at least one portion of the gate means comprises at least one pivotable latch member, the latch member being pivotable between the said open and closed configurations to respectively permit insertion of or to trap, as the case may be, the suspension band in the formed suspension gap, optionally wherein one of the following (i) or (ii) is satisfied: (i) the latch member is rotationally pivotable and the axis of rotational pivoting thereof is oriented generally substantially circumferentially or tangentially or chordally or transversely relative to the general longitudinal axial arrangement of the reinforcement cages; or (ii) the latch member is rotationally pivotable and the axis of rotational pivoting thereof is oriented generally substantially axially or longitudinally relative to the general longitudinal axial arrangement of, or parallel to the longitudinal axis of, the reinforcement cages.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein (c) is satisfied, and wherein: (d) the anchoring portion is carried indirectly on the portion of the second reinforcement cage via a bridging member, and wherein the at least one pivotable latch member is pivotally moveable at least in a direction further into or within the said suspension gap as it pivots into its open position; and (e) the said at least one pivotable latch member is pivotable such as to be pivotally moveable at least in a direction towards the said bridging member as it pivots into its open position, optionally wherein the at least one pivotable latch member is pivotable such that when it assumes the gate means' open configuration it lies within the suspension gap towards or adjacent a or a respective radial side thereof, whereby when in this open configuration: (ei) the at least one latch member allows the suspension band on the first reinforcement cage to pass substantially freely by it as the suspension band is inserted or received into the suspension gap as the two reinforcement cages are brought together into their splicing relationship; or (eii) as the suspension band is inserted or received into the suspension gap it engages or abuts a side or edge of the at least one latch member to cause it to pivot out of the way towards the or the respective said radial side of the suspension gap; wherein in either case (ei) or (eii) once the suspension band has been inserted or received in the suspension gap to assume its trapped position therein, the at least one latch member is pivotable back in the opposite direction to assume the gate means' closed configuration, in which the suspension band is trapped within the suspension gap such as to be unable to be withdrawn therefrom via the gate means.
14. The device of claim 12, wherein (c) is satisfied, and wherein the anchoring portion is carried indirectly on the portion of the second reinforcement cage via a bridging member, and wherein the at least one pivotable latch member is pivotally moveable at least in a direction out of the said suspension gap as it pivots into its open position, and the said at least one pivotable latch member is pivotable such as to be moveable at least in a direction away from the said bridging member as it pivots into its open position.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein (c) is satisfied, and wherein: either (d) the pivoting of the at least one latch member is assisted or forced in one direction only, optionally that in which the at least one latch member assumes the gate means' closed configuration, by means of at least one resilient member provided in or on the device; or (e) the pivoting of the at least one latch member is effected or assisted by use of a tool manually manipulatable by an operator from radially outside the cages during the splicing operation; and optionally wherein one of the following (f)(i) or (f)(ii) is satisfied: (f)(i) the gate means comprises a single pivotable latch member, which single latch member is shaped and/or configured and/or positionable, optionally in combination or interaction with a portion of the second reinforcement cage or other portion of the device, to respectively open or close the said suspension gap; or (f)(ii) the gate means comprises a pair of pivotable latch members, which are each or mutually shaped and/or configured and/or mutually positionable, optionally in combination or interaction with a portion of the second reinforcement cage or other portion of the device, to respectively open or close the said suspension gap, optionally wherein the gate means comprises a pair of symmetrically arranged and symmetrically pivotable latch members, pivotable in mutually opposite rotational pivoting directions, and each being mounted on its own respective rotational pivot mounting.
16. The device of claim 12, wherein (c) is satisfied and wherein: the gate means comprises the said at least one pivotable latch member which is pivotable between the said open and closed configurations to respectively permit insertion of or to trap, as the case may be, the suspension band in the formed suspension gap, and a or a respective locking member, optionally a or a respective locking escutcheon, which is constructed and arranged for engaging and thereby locking or securing the or the respective latch member in its closed configuration, or alternatively in its open configuration; and the or the respective locking member is constructed and arranged for engaging and thereby locking or securing the or the respective latch member selectively in either one of, or each of both of, its closed and/or open configurations; and optionally wherein the or the respective locking member is constructed and arranged to permit the or the respective latch member to be pivoted into its open configuration without hindrance from the or the respective locking member, whereby the locking member acts as a catch or detent to engage and thereby maintain the or the respective latch member at least in its closed configuration only once the latch member has been configured therein.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein the locking member is pivotally mounted on or in the device, and optionally wherein the pivot mounting of the or the respective locking member is provided with a resilient urging member arranged to bias the or the respective locking member in or towards its locking pivotal position in which it can engage the or the respective latch member to lock it in its closed configuration.
18. The device of claim 1, wherein: either (i) the device is constructed and arranged such that the gate means is actuatable to assume its open and/or its closed configuration(s) substantially automatically by the action of bringing the first and second reinforcement cages together into their splicing relationship and the suspension band on the first reinforcement cage being inserted through and/or past the gate means into the suspension gap defined by the splicing device on the second reinforcement cage; or (ii) the device is constructed and arranged such that the gate means is actuatable to assume its open and/or its closed configurations at least in part by manual intervention or manipulation of one or more moveable component parts of the device by an operator from radially externally of both reinforcement cages.
19. The device of claim 1, wherein the splicing device is attached to the second reinforcement cage via at least one attachment band, the attachment band being attached to one or more of the cage bars of the second reinforcement cage and the splicing device being attached to the attachment band; and optionally wherein the attachment band is a modular attachment band, the modular attachment band comprising a plurality of segments or sections, one of which carries the said splicing device.
20. The device of claim 1, wherein the suspension band comprises any one of the following: (i) a continuous suspension band whose length extends over substantially the whole circumferential (in the case of a cylindrical first reinforcement cage) or lateral (in the case of a first reinforcement cage of a rectangular or other cross-sectional shape) length of the first reinforcement cage; (ii) a part-continuous suspension band whose length is sufficient to extend over and across only some of the individual cage bars of the first reinforcement cage; or (iii) a modular or segmented suspension band which comprises a plurality of discrete modular suspension band segments, each respective segment having a circumferential (in the case of a cylindrical first reinforcement cage) or lateral (in the case of a first reinforcement cage of a rectangular or other cross-sectional shape) length sufficient to span a circumferential or lateral (as the case may be) distance which is at least that distance between the centres of two adjacent cage bars of the first reinforcement cage to which the respective segment is attached.
21. In combination, a second reinforcement cage and a splicing device carried thereon adjacent one of the ends thereof, the second reinforcement cage being for splicing, by means of the device, to a first reinforcement cage comprising a suspension band adjacent one of its ends, each of the first and second reinforcement cages extending in a respective longitudinal axial direction between respective ends thereof, wherein the device comprises: an anchoring portion carried on a portion of the second reinforcement cage adjacent its one end and configured or configurable such that at least a portion thereof is radially spaced from the second reinforcement cage in a radial or transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axial direction of at least the second reinforcement cage so as to define a radial suspension gap between the said portion and the second reinforcement cage, the suspension gap being definable or configurable such as to be able to receive therein the suspension band on the first reinforcement cage as the first and second reinforcement cages are brought together into a splicing spatial relationship by relative movement thereof in said axial direction; and gate means constructed and arranged so as to be selectively configurable in either an open configuration, in which the suspension band on the first reinforcement cage is insertable into or receivable in the suspension gap via the gate means during said axial relative movement of the first and second reinforcement cages, or a closed configuration in which the suspension band on the first reinforcement cage, once located in the suspension gap, is preventable from being removed therefrom via the gate means, wherein the gate means is moveable between its open and closed configurations by virtue of at least a portion thereof being moveable by pivoting.
22. A method of splicing together a first reinforcement cage and a second reinforcement cage, each of the first and second reinforcement cages extending in a respective longitudinal axial direction between respective ends thereof, the first reinforcement cage comprising a suspension band adjacent one of its ends and the second reinforcement cage carrying adjacent one of its ends a splicing device according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises: (i) with the gate means of the device configured in its open configuration, bringing together the first and second reinforcement cages into a splicing spatial relationship by relative movement of the first and second reinforcement cages in said axial direction such that the suspension band of the first reinforcement cage is inserted into or received in the suspension gap defined between the anchoring portion of the device and the portion of the second reinforcement cage on which the device is carried; and (ii) configuring the gate means, by pivotal movement of its said at least one pivotable portion, into its closed configuration in which the suspension band is prevented from being removed from the suspension gap via the gate means; and optionally wherein upon completion of step (ii) at least a portion of the gate means and the suspension band are abuttingly engageable, so that as the upper one of the first and second reinforcement cages is lifted so the other one of the first and second reinforcement cages spliced thereto is lifted with it.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Various embodiments of the present invention in its various aspects will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1(a) is a schematic front elevational view of a pair of pile cages about to be spliced using a device according to any of various embodiments of the invention;
(3) FIG. 1(b) is a schematic front elevational view of an alternative constructional form of lower pile cage 10 (only) to the one shown in FIG. 1(a), which may likewise be used in conjunction with any upper pile cage 20 provided with any suitable number of splicing devices according to any embodiments of the invention;
(4) FIG. 2(a) is a side view of a splicing device according to one embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages shown in FIG. 1(a);
(5) FIG. 2(b) is a side view of the same embodiment of splicing device as FIG. 1(a), but showing the combined anchoring portion and gate means in their open configuration, prior to the suspension band being trapped in the suspension gap;
(6) FIG. 3(a) is a side view of another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages;
(7) FIG. 3(b) is a radial front view of the splicing device arrangement shown in FIG. 3(a);
(8) FIG. 4(a) is a side view of another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages;
(9) FIG. 4(b) is a radial front view of the splicing device arrangement shown in FIG. 4(a);
(10) FIG. 5(a) is a side view of another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages;
(11) FIG. 5(b) is a radial front view of the splicing device arrangement shown in FIG. 5(a);
(12) FIG. 6 is a side view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages;
(13) FIG. 7 is a side view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages;
(14) FIG. 8(a) is a side view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages;
(15) FIG. 8(b) is a side view of an alternative version of the splicing device of FIG. 8(a), shown in position splicing together the pile cages, this alternative version being according to yet another embodiment of the invention;
(16) FIG. 9(a) is a side view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages;
(17) FIG. 9(b) is a radial rear view (from radially internally of the cages looking outwards) of the splicing device arrangement shown in FIG. 9(a);
(18) FIG. 10(a) is a side view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages;
(19) FIG. 10(b) is a radial front view of a modified form of seating flanged shoulder element for use in the splicing device arrangement shown in FIG. 10(a);
(20) FIG. 10(c) is a perspective view of a modified version of the splicing device of the embodiment arrangement shown in FIG. 10(a);
(21) FIG. 11(a) is a side view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages;
(22) FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view of an alternative version of the splicing device of FIG. 11(a), shown in position splicing together the pile cages, this alternative version being according to yet another embodiment of the invention;
(23) FIG. 12 is a side view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages, this arrangement showing the use of a pivotal escutcheon-type locking member to lock the latch member in its closed configuration;
(24) FIG. 13 is a side view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages, and showing a modified form of pivotal escutcheon-type locking member to lock the latch member in its closed configuration;
(25) FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention;
(26) FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, similar in basic principles to that of FIG. 14 but showing a modified form of latch member;
(27) FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, similar in basic principles to that of FIG. 14 but showing another modified form of latch member;
(28) FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, similar in basic principles to that of FIG. 14 but showing yet another modified form of latch member;
(29) FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, similar in basic principles to that of FIG. 14 but showing yet another modified form of latch member;
(30) FIG. 19(a) is a perspective view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, similar in basic principles to that of FIG. 14 but showing yet another modified form of latch member;
(31) FIG. 19(b) is a top plan view of the latch member alone of the splicing device arrangement shown in FIG. 19(a);
(32) FIG. 19(c) is a top plan view of an alternative form of latch member for use in the splicing device arrangement shown in FIG. 19(a);
(33) FIG. 19(d) is a top plan view of another alternative form of latch member for use in the splicing device arrangement shown in FIG. 19(a);
(34) FIG. 19(e) is a top plan view of yet another alternative form of latch member for use in the splicing device arrangement shown in FIG. 19(a);
(35) FIG. 20(a) is an exploded perspective view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown absent the cage to which it is attached and showing yet another form of latching gate arrangement;
(36) FIG. 20(b) is a side view of a modified form of splicing device according to yet another embodiment of the invention, this one being similar in principle to that of FIG. 20(a) but with a modified form of latching gate arrangement;
(37) FIG. 20(c) is a side view of another modified form of splicing device according to yet another embodiment of the invention, this one again being similar in principle to that of FIG. 20(a) but with another modified form of latching gate arrangement;
(38) FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of part of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, again shown absent the cage to which it is attached and showing yet another form of latching gate arrangement;
(39) FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, showing yet another form of latching gate arrangement;
(40) FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, showing yet another form of latching gate arrangement;
(41) FIG. 24 is a side view of yet another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages, and showing yet another form of latching gate arrangement;
(42) FIG. 25(a) is a side view of another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages, showing the use of a pair of contra-pivotable latch members to selectively close or open the suspension gap into which can be trapped the suspension band;
(43) FIG. 25(b) is a side view of a modified form of the arrangement shown in FIG. 25(a), showing a modified form of the dual contra-pivotable latch members;
(44) FIG. 26 is a side view of another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages, but here showing the use of a different form of gate arrangement based on a pair of mutually closeable/openable jaws to selectively close or open the suspension gap into which can be trapped the suspension band;
(45) FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of another splicing device according to another embodiment of the invention, shown in position splicing together the pile cages, and showing the use of another form of latching gate arrangement in which the latch member is pivotable between its closed and open configurations about a vertical, as opposed to a horizontal, axis;
(46) FIGS. 28(a), 28(b) and 28(c) are schematic perspective views of some alternative cross-sectional shapes of diaphragm wall cages which may be spliced together by use of various embodiments of splicing device according to the invention in the formation of correspondingly alternatively-shaped diaphragm walls or other concrete structures; and
(47) FIGS. 29(a) and 29(b) are, respectively, a side elevational view and a cross-sectional view through that of FIG. 29(a) of an example of the splicing together of a pair of mattress-shaped reinforcement cages, each of which corresponds to the alternative cross-sectional shape of cage shown in FIG. 28(a).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
(48) Referring firstly to FIG. 1(a), here there is shown schematically a pair of pile cagesnamely lower pile cage 10 and upper pile cage 20ready for bringing together for splicing in an overlapping end-to-end relationship, as depicted by arrow A. Each pile cage comprises a respective array of e.g. six generally axially arranged elongate steel pile cage bars or rods 12, 22 (although only four are explicitly shown for clarity) of a conventional type, and the cage bars of each group are united into the respective cage 10, 20 by means of a framework comprising a helical steel wire 26 wound therearound and welded thereto (but again only the helical wire frame 26 of the upper cage 20 is explicitly shown for clarity in FIG. 1(a)).
(49) In an alternative form of basic construction of each cage 10, 20, instead of a helical wire 26 to unite the respective cage bars 12, 22 of each cage, a series of metal rings or bands, e.g. a plurality of circumferential, especially circular, rings or bands, preferably spaced apart in the longitudinal axial direction of the respective cage, may be employed instead.
(50) By way of example, the upper end portion of the lower pile cage 10 is shown as tapered radially inwardly (or cranked), and is optionally fitted at its uppermost terminal end with a terminal end band 14 welded to the cage bars 12 (and which may lie internally or externally of the cage bars 12) in order to stabilise the free end portions of the bars 12.
(51) The lower pile cage 10 is shown in FIG. 1(a) in a typical condition during a pile construction operation, in which the majority of the length of the lower pile cage 10 has already been lowered into a pile casing 5 located within a pre-drilled hole in the ground, leaving just an upper end section of the lower cage 10 exposed and ready for splicing to a second, upper pile cage 20 as shown. The lower pile cage 10 is suspended in the casing 5 by means of a steel trapping band 16 welded onto the cage bars 12 (and which may lie externally or internally of the cage bars 12) at the lower end of the exposed upper end section of the lower cage 10. This trapping band 16 is used to trap beneath it, i.e. between it and the upper (open) end of the casing 5, an elongate trapping bar or rod 8, which thereby prevents the lower pile cage 10 from dropping down further into the casing 5 and thus effectively suspends it at a desired height location ready for splicing to the upper cage 20. Once the cages 10, 20 have been spliced together, they can then be lowered together down inside the casing 5 which lines the pile hole and wet concrete poured therein to form the pile. Prior to curing of the concrete, the casing 5 is removed for re-use in the forming of another pile.
(52) The lower pile cage 10 is fitted midway up its upper end section with a further welded steel band, this one being suspension band 18, which may likewise be arranged to sit internally or externally of the cage bars 12. It is this suspension band 18 which is to be used as part of the means by which the lower pile cage 10 is spliced to the upper pile cage 20, the other part of the means being the novel splicing devices 50a, 50b. Each such splicing device 50a, 50b may be a splicing device according to any of various embodiments of the invention, as will be described further below by way of examples with reference to the subsequent Figures of the drawings.
(53) Any number of splicing devices 50a, 50b etc, from 1 up to several, e.g. 3, 4, 5, 6 or possibly more than 6, may be provided in the arrangement of FIG. 1, and they are preferably spaced apart circumferentially and equi-angularly around the pile cage assembly. By way of example, however, only two such splicing devices 50a, 50b are shown in FIG. 1 for clarity, but typically at least three such splicing devices may be used, e.g. spaced at 120 relative to each other around the periphery of the assembly. In some cases more than three like splicing devices may be utilised, if that is desired or necessary, for example depending on the dimensions and/or weight of the lower pile cage 10 to be spliced to and carried by the upper pile cage 20.
(54) The or each splicing device 50 that is used in the arrangement of FIG. 1 to splice together the two pile cages 10, 20 may be of a wide variety of constructions and arrangements, various examples of which are described further below and illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 27 of the accompanying drawings. Such example arrangements represent various embodiments of the present invention, which is characterised by the uniting feature that the gate means, which selectively opens or closes the radial suspension gap to either permit the suspension band to be inserted (or received) therein or to be trapped therein, involves a pivoting mechanism.
(55) As an alternative to the constructional form of lower pile cage 10 as depicted in FIG. 1(a), there may instead be usedas is currently more typical in the industrythe alternative constructional form of lower pile cage 10 as shown (alone) in FIG. 1(b) (where corresponding features are shown with the same reference numerals but suffixed with ). The basic construction and operation of this alternative form of lower pile cage 10 is much the same as the form of lower pile cage 10 of FIG. 1(a), expect that now the cage bars 12 are cranked radially inwardly further down the cage towards its lower end, the upper ends of the various cage bars 12 are left substantially unattached to each other (which is generally sufficient given their uniting only a short distance further down by the suspension band 18), and the upper terminal end band 14 (as in the version of FIG. 1(a)) is dispensed with.
(56) In the various FIGS. 2 to 27 many of the illustrated features of these various embodiments correspond to or are structurally and/or functionally analogous to one other as they apply to each respective embodiment. Therefore, in moving from one embodiment to the next in successive Figures, corresponding reference numerals are used for such features where possible and appropriate but incremented by 100 each time in moving from one main Figure or embodiment to the next.
(57) Referring firstly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), here the splicing device, shown generally as 150, is mounted on a cage bar 22 of the second, upper pile cage 20 and comprises a unitary anchoring portion 160 and gate member 180, which in this embodiment are formed as a unitary plate or strip of material, e.g. weldable steel, such as by laser or high pressure water-jet cutting from a single sheet or strip of the material. The anchoring portion 160 is mounted at its upper end on the cage bar 22 via a bridging plate or strip 170 (shown hatched) welded to the cage bar 22, on which bridging plate 170 the anchoring portion 160 is rotationally pivotally mounted via mounting bolt or pin arrangement 162. In the closed pivotal position shown in FIG. 2(a), the anchoring portion 160 defines a suspension gap G between it and the cage bar 22 on which it is carried, and the gate member 180, angled at 90 to the anchoring portion 160, provides the means for closing the suspension gap G as the unitary anchoring portion 160 and gate member 180 are together pivotally rotated through 90 from the open configuration shown in FIG. 2(b) to the closed configuration shown in FIG. 2(a). The suspension gap G thus formed is of a radial width at least sufficient to comfortably accommodate therewithin the radial thickness of the suspension band 30 on the lower pile cage 10.
(58) Thus, once in the open position shown in FIG. 2(b), the gate member 180, with the integrally attached anchoring portion 160, are together pivotable up and out of the way so as to leave the space corresponding to the suspension gap G (still to be defined as such in this embodiment) clear and open to allow the suspension band 18 on the first, lower pile cage 10 to be received in or inserted into the suspension gap G (once formed) as the two pile cages 10, 20 are brought mutually together into their splicing relationship with their respective end sections overlapping. In practice this is achieved by lowering the upper pile cage 20, typically by use of a crane, as indicated by arrow A, to approach the lower pile cage 10 anchored in its pile hole casing 5, until it reaches the required location with the suspension band 18 received in the space to be defined as the said suspension gap G. The suspension band 18 itself is attached to a cage bar 12 of the lower pile cage such as by welding via a fillet weld F (which fillet-type welds are labelled as such as F wherever they occur in all embodiments throughout all Figures of the drawings).
(59) Once the gate member 180, together with the integrally attached anchoring portion 160, has been pivoted down into the closed position shown in FIG. 2(a), with the suspension band 18 having been received in or inserted into the thus-formed suspension gap G, at the same time the gap G is closed by the gate member 180, thereby trapping the suspension band 18 in the gap G and preventing it being withdrawn therefrom (in the downward direction as illustrated) via the gate arrangement. Moreover, the suspension band 18 is also prevented from being withdrawn from the suspension gap G in the opposite (upward as illustrated) direction by virtue of the anchoring portion 160 which bounds the suspension gap G at its upper limiting region.
(60) In order to selectively maintain the combined anchoring portion 160 and gate member 180 in their open (upward as illustrated) pivotal position as shown in FIG. 2(b), a locking grub screw arrangement is provided, comprising a grub screw or pin 163P provided in the anchoring portion 160 adjacent an upper edge thereof and a corresponding receiving hole or recess 163H provided in the bridging plate 170 adjacent a radially outer edge thereof (or such locking grub screw components may be reversed in the components of the device in which they are provided). Thus, prior to the upper pile cage 20, with its splicing device 150 attached, being presented to the lower pile cage 10 for splicing, the combined anchoring portion 160 and gate member 180 are pivoted into their open configuration as shown in FIG. 2(b) and the grub screw arrangement actuated to temporarily lock the arrangement in this open configuration, in which configuration it remains while the two pile cages 10, 20 are brought together and the suspension band received/inserted in the space which is to become the defined suspension gap G. Once in this position, the grub screw arrangement is de-actuated or released, e.g. by unscrewing or releasing grub screw or pin 163P from its cooperating hole or recess 163H in the bridging plate 170, thereby allowing the combined anchoring portion 160 and gate member 180 to pivot back down about rotational mounting joint 162, preferably under gravity due to its own weight, so as to assume the closed configuration shown in FIG. 2(a). In this configuration therefore the suspension band 18 is now trapped in the thus-defined/formed suspension gap G and prevented from being withdrawn therefrom, thus allowing the two pile cages 10, 20 to be lifted together with the suspension band 18 abuttingly bearing against an upper edge or side of the closed gate member 180.
(61) In order to maintain the closed gate member 180 in this closed configuration as shown in FIG. 2(a), a locking bolt or pin arrangement 182 is provided on a lower foot or downward extension of the bridging plate 170 (which is welded to the cage bar 22). By way of example, the terminal radially outer end of the gate member 180 is formed with a through-hole 182H1 which cooperates with a corresponding screw-threaded-apertured locking flange 182H2 attached (again e.g. by welding) to the lower foot or downward extension of the bridging plate 170 (or instead e.g. a corresponding nut welded thereto) for receiving a respective locking bolt, screw or pin (not shown). Such a locking bolt or pin arrangement 182 is thus readily accessible from radially outside the pile cages 10, 20, even when in their spliced condition, as is also the grub screw arrangement 163P, 163H, therefore removing the dangers associated with operators needing or being tempted to insert their hands or arms radially inside the spliced cages 10, 20 during one or more stages in the overall splicing procedure.
(62) In order to enhance the utility of this embodiment splicing device 150, the upper, and optionally also (or alternatively) lower radially inner corners 161B of the anchoring portion 160 may be bevelled or chamfered, in order to ease the insertion into the interior of the spliced cages of a tremmie (wet concrete pouring tube) during the pouring step of the pile-forming process, and/or to reduce the propensity for fouling thereagainst of neighbouring cage bars of the lower pile cage 10 as the two cages 10, 20 are brought together.
(63) Once the lower and upper pile cages 10, 20 have been spliced together by actuation of the gate arrangement to trap the suspension band 18 in the suspension gap G, they may now be lifted or lowered togetheraccurately, stably and safelyeither for further movement around the site or, more typically, for lowering into the pile hole casing 5 ready for splicing yet another pile cage to the upper end of the upper pile cage 20 (which itself then becomes a new lower pile cage in the new splicing arrangement) in a corresponding like manner.
(64) It is to be understood that in this embodiment, as in common with several other embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, the fact that the gate member or gate arrangement is supported and/or anchored, when in its closed configuration, generally at both its radial ends, means that the main downward axial loading forces arising from the weight of the lower pile cage as the spliced cages are lifted together are experienced by an intermediate portion of the gate member/arrangement, i.e. a portion thereof intermediate its ends. Since by this arrangement any such downward loading force on the gate member/arrangement is resisted at both its axial endswhich is in contradistinction to the prior art cantilevered device proposed in EP1963579A (referred to above) for example, where a suspension bolt is anchored and supported cantilever-fashion at only one of its endsany tendency of the gate member or arrangement itself to flex or deform (especially asymmetrically so at one end only thereof) may be hindered or minimised, thereby leading to a more reliable and mechanically more stable and safer suspension mechanism for carrying the weight of the lower pile cage using the abutting engagement of the gate member or gate arrangement with the underside of the suspension band.
(65) FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) show another embodiment of the invention, in which the constructional and operational principles of the splicing device 250 shown here are similar to those in the embodiment of FIGS. 2(a) and (b). However, here the anchoring portion 260 and gate member 280 are formed and provided as two discrete components. The anchoring portion 260 takes the form of a discrete elongate anchoring plate 260 which is fixedly mounted, again by fillet welding, to a discrete upper bridging plate 270. The upper bridging plate 270 is itself fixedly mounted, again by fillet welding, to a discrete side bridging plate 271, which is welded to the cage bar 22. Thus, the side bridging plate 271, upper bridging plate 270 and the anchoring plate 260 form a fixed, rigid, three-section yoke which can then carry the remaining functional components of the device.
(66) The gate arrangement in this embodiment comprises gate member 280 which is pivotally attached, via rotational pivot bolt mounting 282, to the upper bridging plate 270. The gate member includes an enlarged lower foot portion 280F which terminates at its remote upper end in a protruding toe or detent portion 284. In its radially inward pivotal position (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3(a)) the gate member 280 assumes its closed configuration in which it defines the suspension gap G between the anchoring plate 260 and the cage bar 22, in which gap G may be inserted and trapped, as above, the suspension band 18 on the lower pile cage 10. In its trapped position the suspension band 18 is thus detained by the toe detent portion 284 on the end of the foot portion 280F of the gate member, thus securing it in a secure relatively fixed condition bound on all its four sides by the main central section of the gate member 280, upper bridging plate 270, anchoring plate 260 and the toe and/or foot portion(s) 284/280F of the gate member 280. In its radially outward pivotal position (as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3(a)) the gate member 280 assumes its open configuration in which its lower foot portion does not occlude the suspension gap G and is withdrawn radially outwardly past the cage bar 22 a short distance. In this position the suspension band can thus be inserted into and received in the suspension gap G as the upper pile cage 20 is lowered onto and into splicing relationship with the lower pile cage 10.
(67) In order to enhance the utility of this embodiment splicing device 250, a limiting stop pin 260P may be mounted on the lower end portion of the anchoring plate 260, in order to limit the radially inward pivoting movement of the gate member 280. Furthermore, in order to maintain the gate member 280 in its open (radially outward) pivotal position as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 3(a), a temporary locking bolt arrangement 288 may be provided, comprising a locking bolt selectively engageable in a locking hole 287 formed in the foot portion 280F of the gate member 280. Thus, in this condition the upper pile cage 20, with the splicing device 250 attached and the gate member 280 pivoted radially outwardly into its open position and out of the way of the suspension gap G, may be presented to and lowered onto the lower pile cage 10 for splicing therewith, with the suspension band 18 being received in the suspension gap G. Upon the locking bolt 288 being removed or released, which may conveniently and safely be done from radially outside the cages, the gate member 280 can thus now pivot back down and radially inwardly about its rotational mounting joint 282 and into the closed configuration as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 3(a).
(68) In order to maintain the closed gate member 280 in this closed configuration as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 3(a), a locking bolt or pin arrangement 290 (not shown in FIG. 3(b) for clarity) may be provided mounted on the side bridging plate 271, which may be selectively actuated, again conveniently and safely from radially outside the cages, to push against and so lock the gate member 280 in its closed position once the cages' splicing has been effected.
(69) FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) show another embodiment of the invention, in which the constructional and operational principles of the splicing device 350 shown here are much the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS. 2(a) and (b), although the shape and configuration of some of the components are slightly different.
(70) The anchoring plate 360 and gate member 380 are again formed as a unitary component, e.g. cut from the same sheet of steel, the anchoring plate 360 being pivotally mounted at its upper end, via rotational pivot bolt or pin mounting arrangement 362, to upper bridging plate. The upper bridging plate 370 is itself welded to the cage bar 22 via side bridging pate 371.
(71) In this embodiment, however, the pivotable gate member 380 itself is shaped as a generally triangular plate portion which presents an oblique or angled (e.g. at an angle of around 30-60, especially around 45) lower side or edge 380E to the suspension band 18 as it is inserted into the suspension gap G during the lowering of the upper cage 20 onto the lower cage 10. This obliquely oriented lower side or edge 380E of the gate member 380 therefore abuttingly engages the suspension band 18 as it passes up into the suspension gap G, thereby pushing the gate member 380 and integral anchoring plate 360 pivotally to one sideradially inwardly in the arrangement as illustratedas the suspension band 18 enters the suspension gap G. Once it has reached that location, the natural weight of the gate member 380 and integral anchoring plate 360 causes it then to pivot back down, about pivot mounting 362, into the closed configuration as shown in FIG. 4(a). Thus, this pivoting motion of the combined gate member 380 and integral anchoring plate 360 unitary component can be effected automatically by the inherent action of lowering the upper pile cage 20 on the lower pile cage 10, without any necessity for manual intervention.
(72) Also in this embodiment, in order to maintain the closed gate member 380 (and integral anchoring plate 360) in its closed configuration as shown in FIG. 4(a), once it has pivotally dropped down into this position with the suspension band 18 trapped in the suspension gap G, the locking bolt arrangement 390 now comprises a locking bolt 390B which is insertable through an aperture in a locking flange or plate 386A welded onto the lower end of the side bridging plate 371 and lockable in e.g. an internally screw-threaded locking aperture in a locking extension flange or plate 386B which is welded onto the terminal locking nose portion 384 of the gate member 380. The locking flanges or plates 386A, 386B are themselves angled e.g. at around 45 as shown with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cages, in order to provide a stable and secure abutment seating and locking site for the locking nose portion 384 of the gate member 380.
(73) FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show a modified version of the embodiment of FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). Here the locking bolt arrangement 490, by which the integral gate member 480 and anchoring plate 460 are locked in their locked pivotal position as shown in FIG. 5(a), is arranged slightly differently. In this embodiment the locking flange or plate 486A (welded onto the lower end of the side bridging plate 471) and the locking extension flange or plate 4868 (welded onto the gate member 480) are now spaced apart from one another in the radial direction, and a longer locking bolt 490B is employed instead. Thus, the locking extension flange or plate 486B is now welded further along the gate member 480 in the direction of its main central portion (i.e. no longer on the nose portion 474 thereof). Moreover, the locking flanges or plates 486A, 486B may themselves now not be obliquely angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cages, i.e. they may be approximately parallel thereto, since in this arrangement they may still provide, in combination with locking bolt 490B, a stable and secure locking arrangement, given that in this case the obliquely oriented lower side or edge 480E of the gate member 480 may abuttingly engage the edge of the locking flange or plate 486A (welded onto the lower end of the side bridging plate 471) as the integral gate member 480 and anchoring plate 460 are pivoted down into their closed position.
(74) FIG. 6 shows another modified version of the embodiment of FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). Here the combined integral anchoring plate 560 (which in this example is angled around midway along its length) and gate member 580 are again pivotally mounted on the (this time merely a single) upper bridging plate 570, but additionally now the pivoting movement of the integral gate member 580 and anchoring plate 560 is restricted and/or controlled by a locking bolt arrangement 590 placed further up the device adjacent the rotational pivot mounting 562. Here the locking bolt arrangement comprises locking bolt 590B which is seated and freely rotatable in an aperture in a first, radially outer locking flange or plate 586A welded to the bridging plate 570, and extends generally radially inwardly towards a second, radially inner locking flange or plate 586B welded to the anchoring plate 560, this second, radially inner locking flange or plate 586 being internally screw threaded so as to be able to receive the threaded shaft of the bolt 590A therein. The portion of the anchoring plate 560 to which the second, radially inner locking flange or plate 586B is welded is, in this illustrated embodiment, the obliquely oriented angled upper section 560D thereof, via which the main anchoring portion 560 is itself pivotally mounted on the bridging plate 570 via the rotational pivot mounting 562.
(75) Thus, as the locking bolt 590B is rotated, e.g. manually or by use of a tool conveniently and safely from radially outside the cages, the locking flange 586B moves along the threaded shaft of the bolt 590B, taking and moving with it the combined anchoring plate 560 and integral gate member 580, which thereby are forced to move to respectively close or open the suspension gap G depending on which rotational direction in which the bolt 590A is turned.
(76) In order to take account of the small degree of displacement of the rotational axis of the locking bolt 590B as the integral gate member 580 and anchoring plate 560 pivot about their rotational pivot mounting 562, either or both of the locking flanges or plates 586A, 586B may itself/themselves be pivotable on its/their own respective pivot mounting(s) on the respective bridging plate 570 or anchoring plate 560.
(77) Because the locking bolt mechanism 590 which now effectively controls the pivoting movement of the integral anchoring plate 560 and gate member 580, including locking them in their pivotally downward, closed position, is now moved further up the arrangement, it is not now necessary to provide such a locking mechanism at the foot end portion 584 of the gate member 580. Instead, the terminal foot portion 584 of the gate member 580 may simply abut a correspondingly shaped seating flange or detent 686 which is welded to the cage bar 22.
(78) FIG. 7 shows a very similar embodiment to that of FIG. 6, except that here the main portion of the anchoring plate 660 is not obliquely angled around midway therealong. Thus, the locking bolt arrangement 690, which effectively controls the pivoting movement of the integral anchoring plate 660 and gate member 680, including locking them in their pivotally downward, closed position, can be oriented generally radially, instead of obliquely angled relative thereto as in the embodiment of FIG. 6. Otherwise the two embodiments function in the same way.
(79) FIG. 8(a) shows another embodiment of the invention, in which many of the constructional and operational principles of the splicing device 750 shown here are similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). Here, however, instead of an enlarged triangular lower integral portion of the gate member 780 providing the oblique or angled lower side or edge to abut and deflect the suspension band 18 as it is inserted into the suspension gap G during the lowering of the upper cage 20 onto the lower cage 10, a simpler arrangement may be used for the same purpose. Here, therefore, a length of stiff metal wire 785, e.g. of steel, is welded to the lower extremities of the gate member 780, and shaped in a similar manner to the oblique or angled lower side or edge 380E (in the embodiment of FIG. 4), so as to present a similar obliquely angled deflecting section 785E of the wire to the incoming suspension band 18. This arrangement therefore uses somewhat less steel material than the embodiment of FIG. 4. As before, a locking bolt arrangement 790 may be provide for locking the gate member 780 in its pivotally closed position.
(80) This embodiment of FIG. 8(a) also demonstrates the use of another useful feature of various embodiments of the invention, which is the presence of a coil (or other) spring 740 in conjunction with the rotational mounting 762 in order to bias the combined anchoring plate 760 and gate member 780 into their pivotally closed position, as shown in FIG. 8(a). Thus, in this manner it may be possible to do away altogether with a discrete locking bolt (or other locking) mechanism to lock the combined anchoring plate 760 and gate member 780 in their closed position, this function being replaced by the biasing of the spring 740, optionally also in combination with the weight against the gate member 780 of the suspension band 18 (and thus the lower pile cage 10 carried by it) during the lifting operation of the spliced cages.
(81) As an alternative to the constructional form of splicing device as shown in FIG. 8(a), there may instead be employed the alternative version of device 750 as shown in FIG. 8(b) (where corresponding features are shown with the same reference numerals but suffixed with ). The general construction and operation of this alternative form of splicing device 750 is very similar to that of the splicing device 750 of FIG. 8(a), except that now the rotational mounting 762 about which the gate member 780 pivots has been moved as far to the left-hand side of the arrangement (as illustrated) as possible and instead of the obliquely angled deflecting section of stiff wire 785E (FIG. 8(a)) there is provided a triangular shield member 785T welded onto the lower portion of the gate member 780.
(82) In the arrangement shown in FIG. 8(b), the side bridging plate 771 is welded to the cage bar 22 of the upper cage and itself carries the rotational pivot mounting (e.g. bolt) 762 for the combined (e.g. unitary) anchoring plate 760 and gate member 780. As the suspension band 18 on the lower cage engages the lower obliquely inclined edge of the triangular shield member 785T (welded onto the lower portion of the gate member 780) as the two cages are brought together, the (combined, unitary) gate member 780 and anchoring plate 760 are pivoted about the mounting 762 so as to temporarily open the suspension gap G to allow the suspension band 18 to enter it and into the final trapped position as shown in FIG. 8(b). As it is shown here, the suspension band 18 may, in order to facilitate this movement of the combined gate member 780 and anchoring plate 760, have an alternative, arcuate or convex outer shape, in order to facilitate its sliding along and past the lower obliquely inclined edge of the triangular shield member 785T. Once the suspension band 18 has entered the suspension gap G, the gate member 780 (with the combined anchoring plate 760) self-closes itself by pivoting back in the opposite direction under the biasing of the spring 740, whereupon the terminal foot portion 784 of the gate member 780 abuts a flanged locking pin 790, e.g. by virtue of engagement of the latter (in particular its portion behind the flange thereon) in a cut-out portion on the end of the foot portion 784, which flanged locking pin 790 is mounted on the lower end of the side bridging plate 771.
(83) Once in this closed position, if the trapped suspension band 18 then abuttingly engages the top edge of the gate member 780, this then forces the pivoted gate member 780 even more firmly into its closed position with its foot portion 784 held against the locking pin 790. Furthermore, the triangular shield member 785T may itself be cranked (i.e. bent or ramped) generally along the line L, so that a foot or outer portion of the shield member 785T (i.e. that part beyond the line L) lies out of the general plane of the remainder of the shield member 785T so that the foot or outer portion thereof clears the flange on the locking pin 790 as it pivots therepast, which in turn urges the cut-out in the end of the foot portion 784 of the gate member 780 even more firmly onto the locking pin 790. Thus, in this illustrated embodiment the triangular shield member 785T serves both to open the gate member 780 as the suspension band 18 slides past it, and it also serves to prevent the upper edge of the suspension band 18 fouling the cut-out in the foot portion 784 of the gate member 780 as it swings open.
(84) FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) show yet another embodiment of the invention, this time the splicing device 850 comprising a discrete pivotable latch member 880 mounted at the lower end of a fixed anchoring plate 860. The anchoring plate 860 is again fixedly welded to the cage bar 22 via fixed upper and side bridging plates 870, 871, but now the pivotable latch member 880 is that part which constitutes the sole gate means by which the suspension gap G is openable and closable.
(85) In this illustrated embodiment the latch member 880 is in the form of an asymmetrical cam member with an enlarged nose portion 884 and mounted via rotational pivot bolt or pin mounting 882. As with the embodiment of FIG. 8, the cam latch member 880 is biased into its closed position by tension coil spring 840 affixed thereto, with the spring 840 for example being anchored at its remote end to the anchoring plate 860 via pin 841. The variable orientational configurations of the cam latch member 880 and associated tension spring 840 during its pivoting motion are represented by the various phantom lines in FIG. 9(a). Again, the shape and pivotability of the cam latch member are such that as the suspension band 18 on the lower pile cage 10 enters the suspension gap G, its abutment against the obliquely angled underside of the cam nose portion 884 causes it to pivot upwardsagainst the force of the spring 840and further into the suspension gap G, i.e. towards the upper bridging plate 870, and out of the way of the incoming suspension band 18. Once the suspension band 18 has entered the suspension gap G and moved past the cam latch member 880, so the latter is free to snap pivotally back down again (urged in that direction by the spring 840), thereby securely closing the suspension gap G.
(86) To provide a firm and secure limiting feature to enable the pivotable cam latch member 880 to securely and safely carry the weight of the suspension band 18 (and thus the lower pile cage 10 carried by it) during the lifting operation of the spliced cages), the nose portion 884 of the cam latch member 880 is formed with a protruding detent portion 884D which bears against a seating surface of a seating flange or shoulder 886 which is welded to the cage bar 22.
(87) FIG. 10(a) shows a modified version of the embodiment of FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), which works on the same basic principles but in which the shape of the cam latch member 980 is different. As shown here, the cam latch member 980 is pivotally mounted via spring-biased (by spring 940) rotational bolt or pin mounting 982 on the lower end of the anchoring plate 960 (which is shown as being integral with the upper and side anchoring plates 970, 971, the latter of which is welded to the cage bar 22), but is now configured with a more elongate shape with an enlarged head portion 984. Again, the variable orientational configuration of the cam latch member 980 during its pivoting motion is represented by the phantom lines in FIG. 10(a).
(88) Also again, to provide a firm and secure limiting feature to enable the pivotable cam latch member 980 to securely and safely carry the weight of the suspension band 18 (and thus the lower pile cage 10 carried by it) during the lifting operation of the spliced cages), the head portion 984 of the cam latch member 980 itself constitutes a protruding detent portion which bears against a seating surface 986S of a seating flange or shoulder element 986 welded to the cage bar 22. In this particular embodiment, in order to provide extra security and stability of the closed latch arrangement, the head portion 984 of the cam latch member 980 may be provided with its own locking bolt or pin device 990 for locking the cam latch member 980 in its pivotally closed position once it has snapped back into place following reception of the suspension band 18 in the suspension gap Gas it pushes past, and forces out of the way, the cam latch member 980.
(89) As shown in FIG. 10(b), as an alternative to such a locking bolt or pin device 990, or even in addition thereto, as an optional modification of this illustrated arrangement there may optionally be provided on the front of the seating flange or shoulder element 986 an upwardly extending retaining flange element 986F, behind which the head portion 984 of the cam latch member 980 may be inserted and retained as it pivots down into its closed position to bear against the seating surface 986S.
(90) Also in this embodiment, in order to limit the upward and radially inward pivoting movement of the cam latch member 980, there may be provided a stop pin 989P mounted, e.g. welded, onto a radially inward side edge of the anchoring plate 960, which engages against a nib portion 989N on the head portion 984 of the cam latch member 980.
(91) FIG. 10(c) shows a slightly modified version of the embodiment of FIG. 10(a). Here the anchoring plate is split into a pair of discrete circumferentially outer and inner anchoring plate members 1060a, 1060b, which define therebetween a gap into which is mountedagain via mounting bolt or pin arrangement 1082the cam latch member 1080. This arrangement may possibly in principle be beneficial over that of FIG. 10(a), because now the plane in which the cam latch member pivotally rotates is more in line withindeed, may be substantially coincident withthe planes of both the bridging plate 1070 and the median plane of the pair of anchoring plate members 1060a, 1060b. In this manner a better distribution of loading forces in the overall splicing device 1050 may be achieved, which may be beneficial particularly in the case of particularly heavy pile cages.
(92) FIG. 11(a) shows a modified version of the embodiment of FIG. 10(a). Here the latch member 1180 is in the form of an elongate latch arm, but in this embodiment its mounting location and radial orientation are reversed. Thus, it is again pivotally mounted at a location below the anchoring plate 1160 and upper bridging plate 1170 (which are shown here as discrete plates welded together, the latter being welded to side bridging plate 1171 which is itself welded to the cage bar 22), but now its rotational bolt or pin mounting 1182 is on the lower end of the side bridging plate 1171. Thus, in this embodiment the latch arm 1180 pivots between a closed position as shown in solid lines, and an open position as shown in phantom lines. The upper end portion of the latch arm 1180 is conveniently shaped in the style of a hammerhead, to provide a stable planar upper side edge for bearing against the suspension band 18 trapped in the suspension gap G, and includes a nose portion 1184 for abuttingly bearing against a stop pin 1160P mounted adjacent the lower end of the anchoring plate 1160 when the latch arm is pivoted into its closed position, as shown.
(93) A leaf spring 1140 is mounted in conjunction with the latch arm's rotational pivot mounting 1182 in order to bias the latch arm 1180 arm towards its closed position with its nose portion 1184 abutting the stop pin 1160P. Its being held securely in this closed position may be further assisted during the lifting of the spliced cages by the offset distance in the radial direction between the latch arm's rotational pivot mounting 1182 and the longitudinal axis through which acts the main downward loading force exerted by the suspension band 18 as it bears against the upper side edge of the upper hammerhead of the latch arm 1180, this offset distance giving rise to a torque about the pivot mounting 1182 which tends to further urge the latch arm into its closed position against the stop pin 1160P.
(94) In a modification of the arrangement shown in FIG. 11(a), if desired or appropriate the anchoring plate 1160 may be replacedin an analogous manner to the anchoring plate arrangement in FIG. 10(c)with a pair of circumferentially spaced face-to-face arranged pair of anchoring plate members 1060a, 1060b, which define therebetween a gap into which is mountedvia the stop pin arrangement 1160Pthe latch arm 1180. This may have corresponding advantages as mentioned above for the analogous arrangement of FIG. 10(c).
(95) As an alternative to the constructional form of splicing device as shown in FIG. 11(a), there may instead be employed the alternative version of device 1150 as shown in FIG. 11(b) (where corresponding features are shown with the same reference numerals but suffixed with ). This alternative embodiment form of the splicing device 1150 illustrates inter alia some useful alternative constructional features of the device which may be employed in many other embodiments of the invention:
(96) For instance, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the anchoring plate 1160, the upper bridging plate 1170 and the side bridging plate 1171 may all be integrated into a single-piece yoke which may for example be pre-cut as a single component from a sheet of the relevant plate material. The side bridging plate 1171 only is welded (such as by fillet welds F) to the cage bar 22, and thus the inherent structural strength and rigidity of the three-section one-piece yoke 1171, 1170, 1160 enables it to fulfil its function, just like the plural-welded-components yokes of other embodiment forms of device as shown in many other of the drawings.
(97) Also for instance, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the suspension band 18 on the lower cage may here be formed not as a continuous circular or annular band whose length extends all the way round the lower cage, but instead it may be formed as a modular suspension band, comprising a plurality of discrete modular suspension band segments 18M. Each such suspension band segment 18M has a suitable circumferential positioning and length e.g. sufficient to span a circumferential distance of at least that distance between, e.g. between the centres of, two adjacent cage bars 12 of the lower cage, so that the respective band segment 18M is able to be anchored at or adjacent each of its respective ends to those adjacent cage bars 12, again e.g. by fillet welds F.
(98) FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the invention, this time the splicing device 1250 comprising a more advanced latch mechanism for selectively maintaining the pivotable latch member 1280 in its closed position occluding the suspension gap G and trapping the suspension band 18 therein. The latch member 1280 is pivotally mounted on or adjacent the lower portion of the side bridging plate 1271 again via a rotational pivot bolt or pin mounting 1282, and its maximum pivoting movement through approximately 90 is represented by arrow AP, thereby defining the latch member's respective open and closed positions. Here, therefore, the latch member 1280 pivots out of the suspension gap G in a direction away from the upper bridging plate 1270 as it pivots into its open position. For locking the latch member 1280 in its closed position, as shown in the Figure, there is provided a locking plate or escutcheon 1230, which is itself pivotally mounted by its own respective rotational bolt or pin mounting 1232 on the lower end of the anchoring plate 1260. The locking escutcheon 1231 is spring biased by coil spring 1240 in a radially outward direction, and its distance of pivoting travel in that radially outward direction is limited by stop plate or shoulder 1231 welded also the lower end portion of the anchoring plate 1260.
(99) For assisting the locking of the latch member 1280 in its secure closed configuration once it has been swung upwardly so that is terminal detent portion 1284 engages the upper obliquely inclined end of the locking escutcheon 1230, a locking bolt arrangement 1238 may be provided, which may be similar in construction and operation to that same feature as seen in the embodiment of FIG. 4(a). Thus, here a locking bolt 1290B, e.g. actuatable conveniently and safely from radially outside the cages by use of an allen key, is insertable through an aperture in a first locking flange or plate 1286A welded onto the latch member 1280, and lockable in e.g. an internally screw-threaded locking aperture in a second locking flange or plate 1286B which is welded onto the locking escutcheon 1230. The locking flanges or plates 1286A, 1286B are themselves slightly angled e.g. at an angle of around 10 to 20 as shown with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cages, in order to provide a stable and secure abutment seating and to take account of the pivoting rotational motion of the latch member 1280 and locking escutcheon as they are brought into their locking mutual engagement.
(100) FIG. 13 shows a modified version of the embodiment of FIG. 12, which works on the same basic principles but in which the spring-biased rotational pivot mounting 1362 of the locking escutcheon 1330 is moved upwards to the top of the anchoring plate 1360. However, in all other material respects, the two embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13 are constructed and operate in the same manner, with corresponding reference numerals denoting corresponding features but incremented by 100.
(101) Each of FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19(a) show some further example splicing devices according to further embodiments of the invention. For the most part each of these variants will be self-explanatory, with corresponding reference numerals denoting corresponding features but incremented by 100 each time, although their respective main differentiating features may be summarised as follows: In the embodiment of FIG. 14, a single-piece unitary yoke provided the anchoring plate 1460, upper bridging plate 1470, and side bridging plate 1471. A L-sectioned latch plate 1480 is pivotally attached, e.g. via pivot bolt or pin arrangement 1482, to the lower end of the anchoring plate 1460, and is lockable in its closed position by means of a locking hole or slot 1438H which can be placed over the lower end of a screw-threaded locking rod 1438S which is welded to the lower end of the side bridging plate 1471. A locking nut 1438N, again conveniently and safely manipulatable from radially outside the cages, engageable with the free end of the locking rod 1438S completes the locking arrangement. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the pivotable latch plate 1580 is formed in two sections 1580A, 1580B welded together, with each section being oriented with its main plane perpendicular to the main plane of the other. This arrangement may serve to enhance the strength of the overall latch plate 1580. In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the anchoring plate is split into a pair of spaced apart face-to-face anchoring plate members 1660a, 1660b welded onto a transversely oriented uniting anchoring plate carrying member 1660c, and likewise the side bridging plate is also split into a pair of spaced apart face-to-face side bridging plate members 1671a, 1671b welded onto a transversely oriented uniting side bridging plate carrying member 1671c, the two carrying members 1660c, 1671c being welded to a somewhat short upper bridging plate 1670. Each of the anchoring plate carrying member 1660c and side bridging plate carrying member 1671c is formed at its lower end portion with a respective mounting slot 1660S, 1671S into which is mountable one respective end of latch plate 1680. Corresponding pairs of mounting holes 1682H1, 1682H2 and 1638H1, 1638H2 are arranged to receive a respective locking bolt, or pin (not shown) so that the locking plate 1680 is pivotable yet lockable in its closed position occluding the suspension gap G in a similar manner to the locking plate of the embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15. Because of the in-line co-planar arrangement of the latch plate 1680 and the upper bridging plate 1670, this arrangement may lead to a better distribution of loading forces in the overall splicing device 1650. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, which is virtually identical to the embodiment of FIG. 16, instead of the respective pairs of anchoring plate members 1660a, 1660b and side bridging plate members 1671a, 1671b being welded respectively to uniting anchoring plate carrying member 1660c and side bridging plate carrying member 1671c, they may be welded instead directly to opposite side faces of a single, somewhat longer upper bridging plate 1770. As illustrated here by way of example, one only of the locking holes 1738H2 may be internally screw-threaded for receiving therein a threaded shaft of the relevant locking bolt or pin, thereby avoiding the need for a discrete locking nut. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, which is very similar in construction and operation to the embodiment of FIG. 16, each of the pairs of anchoring plate members and side bridging plate members are now in effect reduced or shortened in height to form mere respective pairs of spaced apart flange members 1860F, 1871F for the anchoring therein and therebetween of the respective ends of latch plate 1880. As a consequence, the device 1850 is now fixedly attached by welding to the cage bar 22 via the main uniting side bridging plate 1871. The inset E shows the arrangement from the side with the latch plate already pivotally attached and in the process of being pivoted upward into its closed portion. In the embodiment of FIG. 19(a), which is very similar in construction and operation to the embodiment of FIG. 15, the latch plate 1980 is shown here as, to its radially inner end, being bifurcated, so that the same in-line co-planar advantage is obtained as employed in the embodiments of FIGS. 16 and 17. However, given the use of a uni-planar unitary yoke to provide the side bridging plate 1971, upper bridging plate 1970 and anchoring plate 1960, the same simple type of latch plate pivoting and locking arrangement is employed as in the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17. To enhance the in-line co-planar advantage associated with the radially outer end of the latch plate 1980, the lower end of side bridging plate 1971 is itself provide with a bifurcated flange extension 1971E, behind which (i.e. between it and the cage bar 22) the radially outer single-limbed end of the latch plate 1980 fits and is lockable.
(102) FIG. 19(b) shows in top plan view the bifurcated latch plate 1980 alone of the splicing device 1950 of FIG. 19(a). Its radially inner end portion comprises a pair of symmetrically bifurcated latch plate limb portions 1980B, each formed with a respective mounting hole 1982H for accommodating therein a respective pivot mounting bolt or pin (not shown) via which the latch plate 1980 is pivotally mounted on the lower end of anchoring plate 1960, whereas its radially outer end portion comprises a single latch plate limb portion 1980A welded onto and inbetween the pair of bifurcated latch plate limb portions 1980B, and formed with a single mounting hole 1938H for accommodating therein a respective pivot mounting bolt or pin (not shown) via which the latch plate 1980 is lockable in its closed pivotal position, occluding the suspension gap G, on the lower end of side bridging plate 1971.
(103) FIG. 19(c) shows in top plan view a modified, simpler configuration of the latch plate 1980, but which works in the same way as that of FIG. 19(b).
(104) FIG. 19(d) shows in top plan view a modified version of the latch plate 1980 of FIG. 19(c). Here the radially outer end portion 1980A is laterally displaced or kinked, as at 1980C, out of the general plane of the main central portion of the latch plate 1980, so that when the latch plate 1980 is finally pivotally mounted and locked in its closed position in the device 1950 of FIG. 19(a), the main central portion of the latch plate 1980 is more closely matched and more symmetrically aligned with the general plane through which the main axial load is exerted through the yoke plate arrangement 1971, 1970, 1960 upon lifting of the pile cages when the latch plate 1980 is finally locked in place in its closed position and supporting the trapped suspension band 18.
(105) FIG. 19(e) shows in top plan view another modified version of the latch plate 1980, this one combinedly embodying the desirable main constructional features of the versions of both FIGS. 19(b) and 19(d) discussed above.
(106) FIG. 20(a) shows yet another embodiment of the invention, this time the splicing device 2050 being virtually identical in construction and operation to that of FIG. 18. However, here the respective pairs of spaced apart flange members 1860F, 1871F (in FIG. 18), for the anchoring in the respective holes 1838H therein and therebetween of the respective ends of latch plate 2080 are now replaced by respective pairs of still further shortened seating lugs 2038L. Thus, instead of the respective pivot bolt/pin 2082P and locking bolt/pin 2038P being insertable through respective through-holes formed in respective portions of the device, they can instead simply be abuttingly supported atop the respective seating lugs 2038L, with the downward loading force of the suspension band 18 from the weight of the spliced cages helping to securely hold the latch plate 2080 in place in its thus locked closed position.
(107) FIG. 20(b) shows a modified version of the arrangement of FIG. 20(a). Here, the latch plate 2080 and the side bridging plate 2071 are modified in shape in order to provide a somewhat simpler and more easily actuated latching gate mechanism. Accordingly, the latch plate 2080 now comprises at its radially outer end a transversely oriented flange extension portion 2038E, welded to the main central portion of the latch plate 2080, and with a through-hole in its upper end portion, while the side bridging plate 2071 now comprises an angled foot portion 2071F at its lower end, angled toward the radially inward direction e.g. at an angle of from around 5 up to around 15 or 20 to the general plane of the main body of the side bridging plate 2071. Thus, as the latch plate 2080, already pivotally mounted on the lower end of the anchoring plate 2060 via rotational pivot bolt or pin mounting 2082, is pivoted from its open position (shown in phantom lines) into its closed position occluding the suspension gap G (shown in solid lines), the transverse flange extension portion 2038E of the latch plate 2080 passes by and overlaps with the angled foot portion 2071F of the side bridging plate 2071, as shown. The latch plate 2080 may then be finally locked securely in its closed position by the insertion/actuation of locking bolt or pin arrangement 2038.
(108) FIG. 20(c) shows a further slightly modified version of the arrangement of FIG. 20(b). Here the same transverse flange extension portion 2038E of the latch plate 2080 is employed, but the side bridging plate 2071 is modified so that its lower foot portion now comprises a shortened and bevelled abutment foot 2071S. The resulting arrangement works in the same way as that of FIG. 20(b), including the final deployment of the locking bolt or pin arrangement 2038 to lock the latch plate 2080 securely in its closed position occluding the suspension gap G.
(109) FIG. 21 shows yet another embodiment of the invention, this time the splicing device 2150 being virtually identical in construction and operation to that of FIG. 20(a). Here, however, the respective pairs of shortened seating lugs 2038L (in FIG. 20(a)) are replaced with respective cylindrical locking tubes 2038C, each welded to the respective plate on which it is located. (If desired, such locking tubes may even be mounted atop the previously provided seating lugs 2038L, if such are retained in this modified construction.) Each such locking tube 2038C is internally threaded to receive therein the threaded shaft of a respective locking bolt or pin 2038B.
(110) FIG. 22 shows yet another embodiment of the invention, this time the splicing device 2250 being similar in construction and operation to that of FIG. 15, but now the rotational pivot bolt or pin mounting 2282 by which the latch plate 2280 is pivotally attached to the lower end portion of the anchoring plate 2260 is spring-loaded by spring 2240, so as to bias the latch plate 2280 towards its upward, closed position once it is free to pivot. For presenting the device, already attached to the upper pile cage 20, ready for insertion of the suspension band 18 into the suspension gap G, the latch plate may be detained in its downwardly pivoted open position (as shown in the Figure) by means of a pin-in-hole arrangement 2282L, which pin may be released or retracted manually or by use of a tool once the suspension is safely trapped in the suspension gap G and the latch plate 2280 ready to be released to snap back up into its closed position, in which final position it may be locked using locking bolt/pin and hole arrangement 2238B, 2238H as before. To limit the upward pivoting travel of the latch plate 2280 as it moves up into its closed pivotal position, a limiting stop plate or shoulder element 2286 is welded onto the side bridging plate 2271 at the required location so that the respective locking holes 2238H in the latch plate 2280 and the foot of the side bridging plate 2271 end up in register, ready for insertion of the locking bolt 2238B.
(111) FIG. 23 shows yet another embodiment of the invention, this time the splicing device 2350 comprising a mechanically simpler form of latch plate 2380 pivoting mechanism, where the pivoting action may be effected manually or by use of a tool again conveniently and safely from radially outside the cages. In this version the latch plate 2380 is initially provided pre-attached pivotally to the lower end of the side bridging plate 2371 via rotational bolt or pin mounting 2382, as before. Here, however, that pivot mounting is via an elongate mounting slot 2382S in the latch plate 2380, along which slot 2382S the mounting bolt or pin 2382B is freely slidable. The weight of the latch plate 2380 maintains it in its open position, as shown. Now, however, for pivoting the latch plate 2380 upwards into its closed position as and when required (once the suspension band 18 has been received in the suspension gap G), the latch plate 2380 may be pulled upwardly so that the mounting bolt or pin 2382B slides along the mounting slot 2382S, until it reaches the opposite end of the slot 2382S. The latch plate 2380 may then be rotated upwards through 90, and then slid in a radially inward direction to push the latch plate 2380 into a retained location in which its radially inward end portion is retained behind a retaining flange plate 2338R welded onto the lower end portion of the anchoring plate 2360. During this radial sliding motion the mounting bolt or pin 2382B slides back along the mounting slot 2382S in the opposite direction. To enhance the security of the latch plate 2380 thus pivoted into and retained in its closed position, the mounting bolt or pin 2382B may be tightened up, if that is possible, or alternatively some other locking bolt or pin arrangement may be employed, e.g. as used in other embodiments disclosed herein. Further optionally, the proper and secure seating of the radially inward end portion of the latch plate 2680 behind the retaining flange plate 2338R may be assisted by means of an upper retaining shoulder or seating plate 2386 welded onto the anchoring plate 2360 at or just above the upper boundary of the retaining slot defined behind the flange plate 2338R.
(112) FIG. 24 shows yet another embodiment of the invention, this time the splicing device 2450 being closely similar in construction and operation to that of FIG. 22, where again corresponding constructional features are identified by the same reference numerals but incremented by 100. Here, however, as well as the anchoring plate 2460 defining the suspension gap G being welded to a discrete upper bridging plate 2470 which is welded to side bridging plate 2471 which is itself welded to the cage bar 22, a slightly different arrangement of coil spring-biased rotational pivot mounting 2482 is used to mount the latch plate 2480, via its radially inner end, onto the lower end portion of the anchoring plate 2460. Also, the locking bolt or pin arrangement 2438, by which the latch plate 2480 is locked, conveniently and safely from radially outside the cages, in its closed pivotal position (as shown in the Figure), is more akin to that shown in other embodiments such as those of FIG. 2, 8, 10 or 12. As in the embodiment of FIG. 22, to limit the upward pivoting travel of the latch plate 2480 as it moves up into its closed pivotal position, a limiting stop plate or shoulder 2486 is welded onto the side bridging plate 2471 at the required location so that the respective locking holes in the latch plate 2480 and the foot of the side bridging plate 2471 end up in register, ready for insertion of the locking bolt.
(113) Turning to FIG. 25(a), here there is shown another constructional form of pivotal gate means forming part of a splicing device 2550 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Here the gate mechanism comprises a pair of contra-pivotable cam-like gate members 2580A, 2580B, each mounted on its own respective rotational pivoting bolt or pin mounting 2582AP, 2582BP at, respectively the lower foot portion of side bridging plate 2571 and the lower foot portion of the anchoring plate 2560 (which defines the suspension gap G). As shown here by way of example, each of the side bridging plate 2571 and anchoring plate 2560 is oriented side-on, the side bridging plate 2571 being welded to the cage bar 22 and the anchoring plate 2560 being welded to the side bridging plate 2571 via transversely oriented upper bridging plate 2570. To allow room for the two contra-pivotable gate members 2580A, 2580B to pivot, the foot portions of each of the side bridging plate 2571 and anchoring plate 2560 may be stepped (not shown), as well as to define respective limiting stop portions 2560S, 2571S for limiting the angle of pivoting travel of the respective gate members 2580A, 2580B. Each of the contra-pivotable gate members 2580A, 2580B has a lower side edge 2580AE, 2580BE which is arcuate in shape, in order to facilitate the upward free pivoting of the gate members 2580A, 2580B as the suspension band 18 pushes against them as it travel into the suspension gap G as the upper pile cage 20 is lowered onto the lower pile cage 10. Once the suspension band 18 has been received in the suspension gap G, the weight of the respective gate members 2580A, 2580B causes them to pivotally drop back down into their mutually closed positions, as shown in the Figure, in which condition the suspension band 18 is now trapped securely in the suspension gap G. The slight upwardly pointing of the main bodies of the respective cam-like gate members 2580A, 2580B assists in maintaining them in their mutually closed configuration, even when the suspension bears downwardly against them during the cage lifting operation.
(114) FIG. 25(b) shows a modified version of the embodiment of FIG. 25(a). Here the passage of the suspension band 18 into the suspension gap G, during which motion it forces the respective contra-pivotable gate members 2680A, 2680B to open by pivoting upwardly into the suspension gap G and towards the upper bridging plate 2670, is facilitated by the provision on each respective foot portion of the side bridging plate 2671 and anchoring plate 2660 a respective mutually angled (e.g. at an angle of around 30 to 60, such as around) 45 beveled or flared terminal edge. This feature therefore helps to guide the suspension band 18 into the optimum radial location for entering the gate means as the two cages are brought together.
(115) FIG. 26 shows yet another embodiment of the invention, again based on the employment of dual mutually contra-pivotable latch members 2780A, 2780B. Here the two contra-pivotable latch members 2780A, 2780B are mounted on upper bridging plate 2770 (which is welded onto cage bar 22) via a common rotational pivot bolt or pin mounting 2782. Each latch member 2780A, 2780B comprises a respective central section at the lower end of which is formed the respective main generally radially-pointing gate portion 2780AG, 2780BG. However, in this embodiment the central section of the radially inner (i.e. right-hand) latch member 2780B constitutes the anchoring portion of the device 2750 which defines the suspension gap G for receiving therein the suspension band 18 on the lower pile cage 10 as the latch members are pivoted into their respective mutually closed configuration. Thus, the manner in which the suspension gap G is defined during the actual pivoting of the unitary latch member 2780B follows the same principle as the definition and formation of the suspension gap in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4 to 8.
(116) In this embodiment of FIG. 26, to effect the pivoting motion of the respective latch members 2780A, 2780B in mutually opposite radial directions, i.e. to either open or close the suspension gap G, in a similar manner to the locking bolt arrangements 590, 690 in the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, there is provided a locking bolt arrangement 2790. Here, however, the locking bolt 2790B comprises a shaft split into two shaft portions 2790B1, 2790B2 each with a screw-thread which turns in an opposite direction from that of the other. Each oppositely threaded shaft portion 2790B1, 2790B2 is mounted in its own respective internally threaded apertured locking flange 2790F1, 2790F2, each of which is mounted on the respective face of the respective latch member 2780A, 2780B. Thus, as the locking bolt 2790B is rotated, again conveniently and safely from radially outside the cages, either manually or by use of a tool, e.g. an allen key, screwdriver etc, the latch members 2790B1, 2790B2 are caused to pivot in mutually opposite directions, enabling them to be controllably pivoted to selectively open or close the suspension gap G.
(117) To assist the mutual cooperation and seating together of the terminal end portions of the respective gate portions 2780AG, 2780BG as they are brought into their mutually closed configuration, at least one of those terminal end portions may be provided with a protruding nose or lip 2784 for retaining therebehind the suspension band 18 as it bears against the upper edge of that gate portion during the cage lifting operation. Also, to assist the closing together of the two terminal end portions of the respective gate portions 2480AG, 2780BG, one thereof may be provided with a radial recess 2784R therein, into which fits the other of those terminal end portions.
(118) Turning to FIG. 27, here there is shown another embodiment of splicing device 2850 according to the invention, but here the device is based on a gate arrangement in which the pivoting movement of the relevant part(s) of the gate means occurs about a vertical axis, i.e. an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper pile cage 20 carrying the device (which of course may be substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the lower pile cage 10, especially when the two cages are in their spliced together relationship), instead of a generally horizontal axis (i.e. an axis generally transverse or circumferential or chordal or tangential to that longitudinal axis of the cage(s)) as in the preceding embodiments of the other Figures.
(119) As shown in FIG. 27, in the splicing device 2850 the anchoring portion which defines the suspension gap G now takes the form of an anchoring cylindrical pivot rod 2860 rigidly welded via upper bridging plate 2870 to the cage bar 22 of the upper pile cage 20. To the other lateral side of the bridging plate 2870 is welded a generally cylindrical locking rod 2838, which has a lower section which is externally screw-threaded and which forms part of the means by which a latch plate 2880 is lockable in its pivotally closed configuration occluding the suspension gap G (defined between the anchoring pivot rod 2860 and the cage bar 22) once the pile cages have been brought together and the suspension band (not shown) received in the suspension gap G.
(120) The latch plate 2880 itself comprises a central main body plate portion 2880C, oriented with its general plane generally parallel to the axial direction of the cage bars 22 of the upper cage, and which carries (e.g. welded thereto) at its respective ends each respective one of a pair of cylindrical locking tubes 2880T1, 2880T2, each having smooth internal walls. The radially inner locking tube 2880T2 thus presents a cylindrical pivot hole 2882H to the anchoring pivot rod 2860, whilst the radially outer locking tube 2880T1 presents a cylindrical pivot hole 2838H to the locking rod 2838. The overall length x of the latch plate 2880 is such as to match the radial spacing of the locking rod 2838 and anchoring rod 2860. The anchoring pivot rod 2860 has a longitudinal length which is shorter than that of the threaded length of the locking rod 2838 by a distance which is at least equal to, preferably slightly more than, the height of the latch plate central section 2880C (and thus also the height of the locking tubes 2880T1, 2880T2).
(121) In the device's normal configuration as pre-assembled onto the upper pile cage ready for being presented to the lower pile cage as the two cages are brought together, the latch plate 2880 is attached to the locking rod 2838 by means of the threaded section of the locking rod 2838 being inserted into and through the radially outer locking tube 2880T1 and a locking nut 2838N screwed short distance onto the free end of the threaded locking rod 2838. This step may for example be facilitated by use of a tool, e.g. engageable in a carrier nut 2839 attached (e.g. welded) to the radially outer end of the outer locking tube 2880T1. In this manner the latch plate is thus anchored on the lower portion of the locking rod but is still free to pivot rotationally thereabout, so it can be configured e.g. circumferentially of the cage bars 22 of the upper pile cage, i.e. out of the way of the anchoring pivot rod 2860 and thus leaving the suspension gap G open and free for receiving therein the suspension band (not shown) as the two pile cages are brought together.
(122) When it is required to close the suspension gap G, i.e. once the suspension band has been received therein, the latch plate 2880 may be reconfigured simply and efficiently into its closed configuration by pivoting about the locking rod 2838. To this end, the latch plate 2880 is pivoted thereabout until its radially inner locking tube 2880T2 comes into register with the anchoring rod 2860, and whilst maintained in that position the locking nut 2838N is then screwed up and onto the main threaded section of the locking rod 2838 (again conveniently and safely from radially outside the cages), and in so doing the latch plate is translated upwards and the anchoring rod 2860 inserted down into the radially inner locking tube 2880T2. If desired a power tool may be used to power-turn the nut 2838N, given the relatively large axial distance it often will need to be screwed onto the threaded locking rod 2838 to fully insert the anchoring rod 2860 into the radially inner locking tube 2880T2.
(123) For proper operation of this constructional embodiment, it may be preferred that the overall length of the latch plate x is no greater than the circumferential spacing of adjacent cage bars 22 of the upper pile cage 20, so that the latch plate can be pivotally swung completely out of the way of the suspension gap G so as to lie e.g. in-line circumferentially with those cage bars 22, whilst still being able to be pivotally swung back inside the upper cage to align with and be anchored to the anchoring rod 2860.
(124) As already mentioned hereinabove, it is possible within the scope of this invention for reinforcement cages to be employed which are non-circular in cross-section, for use in forming correspondingly non-circular shaped piles, diaphragm walls or other concrete structures. FIGS. 28(a), 28(b) and 28(c) show schematically some examples of such alternative cross-sectional peripheral outer shapes of reinforcement cages which may be spliced by use of any of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. For example, FIG. 28(a) shows a reinforcement cage having a generally rectangular cross-section (i.e. is generally mattress-shaped), FIG. 28(b) shows a T-sectioned reinforcement cage, and FIG. 28(c) shows an L-shaped or corner reinforcement cage.
(125) The manner in which such alternatively shaped reinforcement cages may be spliced using devices in accordance with embodiments of the invention will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the splicing of circular pile cages using various embodiment splicing devices within the scope of the invention.
(126) However, by way of an additional example, FIGS. 29(a) and 29(b) (the latter being a median sectional view through the former) show the splicing together of a pair of mattress-shaped reinforcement cages, e.g. each of the shape shown in FIG. 28(a). As shown in FIGS. 29(a) and (b), an upper reinforcement cage 20 is being spliced to a lower reinforcement cage 10 by use of a series of laterally equi-spaced like splicing devices 50, each device 50 being a device according to any foregoing embodiment of the invention, e.g. any of those described and illustrated with reference to any of FIGS. 2 to 27. Any suitable number and spacing of the splicing devices 50 may be used in this arrangement, e.g. depending on its overall dimensions and/or weight. To effect the splicing arrangement the lower reinforcement cage 10 comprises a pair of lateral linear suspension bands 18a, 18b, instead of the circular suspension band 18 of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), although the construction and operation of the respective splicing devices themselves may be substantially unaltered as compared with their application to such other embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 17.
(127) It is to be understood that in the foregoing descriptions of various constructional arrangements and variations thereof of splicing devices according to embodiments of the invention that any and all individual features thereof may be taken independently or in any combination and applied in that manner to any and all embodiments, not only to those in the context of which such feature(s) have been specifically introduced, described or illustrated. In other words, any feature(s) described with reference to one embodiment is/are applicable to any and all embodiments, unless expressly stated otherwise or such features are incompatible.
(128) It is furthermore to be understood that the above description of embodiments of the invention in terms of their various features and aspects has been by way of non-limiting example(s) only, and various modifications may be made from what has been specifically described and illustrated whilst remaining within the scope of the invention as claimed.
