A PILE INSTALLATION APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

A pile installation apparatus and method of use thereof is provided for loading and installing a pile into an underlying ground surface. In one form, the pile installation includes: a mast; a vehicle mount for mounting the mast to a support vehicle; a carriage and drive assembly rotatably coupled to the mast and configured for vertical movement along the mast, said assembly including a rotational drive and drive shaft for mounting of a drive end of the pile thereon. The carriage and drive assembly configured to be rotatable relative to the mast between a loading position for loading a non-vertically oriented pile onto the drive shaft and an operable position for driving the pile into the underlying ground surface.

Claims

1. A pile installation apparatus for loading and installing a pile into an underlying ground surface, said apparatus comprising: a mast adapted to be arranged in a substantially vertical position above the ground surface; a vehicle mount for mounting the mast to a support vehicle adapted to raise and lower the mast to and from the substantially vertical position and to otherwise manipulate and transport the mast; a carriage and drive assembly slidably mounted to the mast for vertical movement therealong and configured for rotational movement relative to the mast, said assembly comprising a rotational drive and drive shaft for mounting of a drive end of the pile thereon, said carriage and drive assembly configured to be rotatable relative to the mast between a loading position for loading a non-vertically oriented pile onto the drive shaft and an operable position for driving the pile into the underlying ground surface; and at least one clamping assembly comprising a pair of opposed clamping members for clamping the drive end of the pile and retaining the pile relative to the drive shaft at least while the carriage and drive assembly rotates to the operable position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pile is a screw pile.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carriage and drive assembly comprises a carriage configured to be slidably mountable to the mast and a drive mount rotatably coupled to the carriage for mounting the rotational drive and drive shaft thereon.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the carriage comprises a platform to which the drive mount is rotatably coupled.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the carriage comprises one or more roller assemblies and the mast comprises at least one guide track extending at least partially along a height of the mast for guiding passage of the roller assemblies of the carriage therealong.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a slide assembly between the rotational coupling and the drive mount for enabling the drive mount to be slidable relative to the carriage between an extended and a retracted position.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one clamping assembly is operatively associated with the carriage and drive assembly for clamping onto the drive end of the pile for mounting onto the drive shaft.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one clamping assembly is mounted to the drive mount of the carriage and drive assembly via a telescopic arm.

9. The apparatus to claim 8, wherein the telescopic arm is configured to be moveable between an extended and a retracted position relative to the drive mount so as to enable the clamping assembly to retrieve and mount the pile onto the drive shaft.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the telescopic arm comprises an outer telescopic member mounted to the drive mount and inner telescopic member configured to be received through and be moveable relative to the outer telescopic member between the extended and retracted positions.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein inner telescopic member comprises a pair of opposed ends and a linear body extending therebetween, the at least one clamping assembly is mounted on one of the opposed ends so as to be moveable relative to the drive mount when the inner telescopic member is slid relative to the outer telescopic member.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, when in the extended position, the telescopic arm is configured to move the at least one clamping assembly beyond a distal end of the drive shaft for retrieving, guiding and mounting the pile on the drive shaft.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a drive shaft guide operatively associated with the telescopic arm for aligning the drive shaft relative to the at least one clamping assembly, when the clamping assembly retracts relative to the drive mount via the telescopic arm to mount the pile on the drive shaft.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the drive shaft guide comprises a collar through which the drive shaft extends through and at least one arm extending between the collar and the telescopic arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0159] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0160] FIG. 1 is a photograph of a pile installation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0161] FIG. 2 is a photograph of the pile installation apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 with a drive shaft rotated to a substantially horizontal orientation for mounting a pile thereon;

[0162] FIG. 3 is a photograph of the pile installation apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the drive shaft and a clamping assembly being aligned relative to a substantially horizontal pile for loading;

[0163] FIG. 4 is a photograph of the pile installation apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the clamping assembly being retracted via a telescopic arm to pull the pile onto the drive shaft;

[0164] FIG. 5 is a photograph of the pile installation apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 to 4 with the drive shaft and the pile mounted thereon rotated back to a substantially vertical orientation for driving of the pile into an underlying ground surface;

[0165] FIG. 6 is an upper perspective showing the carriage and drive assembly of the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5

[0166] FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the clamping assembly and telescopic arm of the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5;

[0167] FIG. 8 is a photograph of a pile installation apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0168] FIG. 9 is photograph of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 8 being aligned relative to a substantially horizontal pile for loading;

[0169] FIG. 10 is a photograph of the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 with the pile partially mounted on a drive shaft of the apparatus;

[0170] FIG. 11 is a photograph of the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 with the pile now substantially mounted on the drive shaft;

[0171] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a clamping assembly of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 8 to 11;

[0172] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing part of a guide assembly of the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11;

[0173] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing steps in a method of loading a pile relative to the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5; and

[0174] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing steps in a method of loading a pile relative to the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0175] FIGS. 1 to 13 show embodiments of a pile installation apparatus (100) and parts thereof for loading and installing a screw pile (700) into an underlying ground surface.

[0176] FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the pile installation apparatus (100).

[0177] Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus (100) includes a mast (110) adapted to be arranged in a substantially vertical position above a ground surface; a vehicle mount (120) for mounting the mast (110) to an excavator (750) adapted to raise and lower the mast (110) to and from the substantially vertical position and to otherwise manipulate and transport the mast (110) and apparatus (100); and a carriage and drive assembly (130) slidably mounted to the mast (110) for movement therealong and configured for rotational movement relative to the mast (110), said assembly (130) including a rotational drive (140) and drive shaft (150) for mounting of a drive end (710) of a screw pile (700) thereon, said carriage and drive assembly (130) configured to be rotatable relative to the mast (110) between a loading position for loading a non-vertically oriented pile (700) onto the drive shaft (150) and an operable position for driving the pile (700) into an underlying ground surface.

[0178] The apparatus (100) further includes a clamping assembly (160) including a pair of opposed clamping members (162) for clamping the drive end (710) of the pile (700) for mounting onto the drive shaft (150) and retaining the pile (700) relative to the drive shaft (150) at least while the carriage and drive assembly (130) rotate to the operable position; and a guide assembly (170) including a pair of opposed guide members (172) for at least partially enclosing around a periphery of the pile (700) at or near the lower end of the mast (110) and guiding the pile (700) as it is driven into the underlying ground surface.

[0179] The mast (110) is of a height to support a screw pile (700) in a substantially vertical orientation above a ground surface.

[0180] The mast (110) is in the form of a beam and is formed from steel with a high tensile strength grade.

[0181] The mast (110) includes a pair of opposed ends and an elongate body extending therebetween in a linear direction. The opposed ends include a lower end (112) and an opposed upper end (114).

[0182] The mast (110) includes a support vehicle facing wall, an opposed carriage and drive assembly wall and opposed sidewalls.

[0183] Referring briefly to FIG. 5, the vehicle mount (120) is a quick coupler for attachment of the apparatus (100) to a remote end of a boom (760) of an excavator (750).

[0184] The vehicle mount (120) is located on the support vehicle facing wall of the mast (110) within a lower half of the mast (110).

[0185] Referring back to FIG. 1, the carriage and drive assembly (130) is slidably mounted to the mast (110) for movement therealong and configured for rotational movement relative to the mast (110).

[0186] The assembly (130) includes a carriage (132) configured to be slidably mountable to the mast (110) and a drive mount (134) rotatably coupled to the carriage (132) by a rotational coupling (136; not visible) for mounting the rotational drive (140) with operable drive shaft (150).

[0187] Referring to FIG. 6, the carriage (132) includes a platform (512) which is rotatably coupled to a sliding assembly (520) by the rotational coupling (136). The drive mount (134) is mounted to a sliding platform (522) of the sliding assembly (520).

[0188] The platform (512) of the carriage (132) includes a plurality of roller assemblies (514) which are respectively slidably mounted to guide tracks defined on and extending at least partially along a height of the carriage and drive assembly wall (118; not shown) of the mast (110; not shown).

[0189] Referring briefly back to FIG. 1, the carriage (132) of the assembly (130) is moved back-and-forth along a height of the mast (110) by an actuating mechanism including a drive chain (not visible) driven by a hydraulic motor.

[0190] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rotational coupling (136) enables the sliding assembly (520; shown in FIG. 2 only) and the drive mount (134; and mounted rotational drive (140) and drive shaft (150)) to swivel about a horizontal axis relative to a remainder of the assembly (130) over a range of about 90?.

[0191] Like the carriage (132), the rotational coupling (136; not visible) include an actuating mechanism in the form of a hydraulic motor (not visible) for driving rotation relative to the carriage (132).

[0192] Referring briefly again to FIG. 6, the drive mount (134) includes one or more brackets for holding and securing a rotational drive (140; not shown) relative to the sliding plate (522) of the sliding assembly (520).

[0193] Referring again to FIG. 1, the rotational drive (140) includes a drive motor and a formation (not shown) for releasably engaging with and rotating the drive shaft (150).

[0194] The drive motor is a hydraulic motor.

[0195] The drive shaft (150) is an elongate member having a pair of opposed ends, including an upper end (not visible) configured to be mountable on the formation for the transmission of torque and an opposed lower end (154) configured to engage with a hub of the pile (700) to thereby in use transmit torque to a lower portion of the pile (700).

[0196] Referring again to FIG. 6, the slide assembly (520) enables the drive mount (134) to be slidable relative to a remainder of the carriage and drive assembly (130) between an extended and retracted position.

[0197] Advantageously, in use the slide assembly (520) enables the drive shaft (150; not shown) to be extended outwards relative to a remainder of the carriage and drive assembly (130) for loading of a pile (700; not shown) thereon.

[0198] The slide assembly (520) enables the drive mount (134) to slide between the extended and retracted positions relative to a remainder of the carriage and drive assembly (130) over a distance of about 600 mm.

[0199] The sliding platform (522) of the slide assembly (520) is slidably mounted to a pair of opposed channels (138) provided on a part or portion of the rotational coupling (136).

[0200] The slide assembly (520) further includes an actuating mechanism in the form of a hydraulic ram (not shown) for moving the slide platform (522) of the slide assembly (520) between the extended and retracted positions.

[0201] Referring to FIG. 7, as indicated, the apparatus (100) include a clamping assembly (160) for clamping about the drive end (710; not shown) of a pile (700; not shown) for mounting onto the drive shaft (150; not shown) and retaining the pile (700; not shown) relative to the drive shaft (150; not shown) at least while the carriage and drive assembly (130; not shown) rotates to the operable position.

[0202] The clamping assembly (160) is mounted relative to the drive mount (134; not shown) of the carriage and drive assembly (130; not shown) by a telescopic arm (610).

[0203] The clamping assembly (160) includes the pair of opposed clamping members (162), a clamping housing (164) for at least partially housing and holding the clamping members (162) relative to one another and an actuating mechanism in the form of a pair of hydraulic rams (165) for moving the opposed clamping members (162) towards and away from one another.

[0204] Each clamping member (162) includes a plate (166) including a clamping surface (168; not shown) sized and shaped to fit at least partially about a periphery of a drive end (710); not shown) of a pile (700; not shown).

[0205] The telescopic arm (610) includes an outer telescopic member (612) mounted to the drive mount (134; not shown) and an inner telescopic member (614) configured to be received through and be moveable relative to the outer telescopic member (612) between extended and retracted positions.

[0206] The outer telescopic member (612) defines a conduit with a passageway extending therethrough through which the inner telescopic member (614) is received.

[0207] The inner telescopic member (614) includes a pair of opposed end and an elongate body extending therebetween in a linear direction.

[0208] The clamping assembly (160) is be mounted to a lower end of the inner telescopic member (614) so as to be moveable relative to the drive mount (134; not visible) and the carriage and drive assembly (130; not visible) when the inner telescopic member (614) is slid relative to the outer telescopic member (612).

[0209] Referring briefly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the telescopic arm (610) moves to the extended position together with the clamping assembly (160) for receiving and clamping about the drive end (710) of a pile (700) for mounting the pile (700) onto the drive shaft (150). As specifically shown in FIG. 2, in the extended position the telescopic arm (610) moves the clamping assembly (160) beyond a distal end of the drive shaft (150) for guiding and mounting the pile (700) thereon.

[0210] Referring briefly to FIG. 4, the telescopic arm (610) then moves to the retracted position together with the clamping assembly (160) and the clamped pile (700) to guide and mount the pile (700) onto the drive shaft (150).

[0211] Referring back to FIG. 7, the telescopic arm (610) includes an actuating mechanism in the form of a hydraulically-powered rack-and-pinion mechanism for moving the inner telescopic member (614) and the clamping assembly (160) mounted thereon between the extended and retracted positions.

[0212] The clamping assembly (160) and the lower end of the inner telescopic member (614) includes a drive shaft guide (620) mounted thereon for aligning the drive shaft (150; not visible) relative to the clamping assembly (160) and stabilising the drive shaft (150; not visible) when the clamping assembly (160) retracts relative to the drive mount (164) via the telescopic arm (610) to mount a pile (700; not shown) on the drive shaft (150; not shown).

[0213] The drive shaft guide (620) extends out from the lower end of the inner telescopic member (614) for aligning the drive shaft (150; not shown) relative to the clamping assembly (160).

[0214] The drive shaft guide (620) includes a collar (622) through which the drive shaft (150; not shown) extends and at least one arm (624) extending between the collar (622) and the lower end of the inner telescopic member (614).

[0215] The collar (622) includes one or more plain bearings applied on an inner surface thereof to facilitate movement of the drive shaft (150; not shown) therethrough.

[0216] Referring to FIG. 5, the apparatus (100) further includes a guide assembly (170) for at least partially enclosing around a periphery of the pile (700) at or near the lower end of the mast (110) and guiding the pile (700) as it is driven into the underlying ground surface.

[0217] The guide assembly (170) includes a pair of opposed guide members (172) hingedly connected to the mast (110) and pivotable relative to the mast (110) and an actuating mechanism in the form of a pair of hydraulic ram (174) for moving the guide members (172) towards and away from each other.

[0218] In use, the guide assembly (170) is configured to at least partially enclose the pile (700) when driving the pile (700) into the underlying ground surface for guiding the pile (700) relative to the mast (110).

[0219] Referring to FIG. 3, each guide member (172) includes a shaped internal guiding surface (176) configured to complementarily fit at least partially about a periphery of the pile (700).

[0220] FIGS. 8 to 13 show a second embodiment of the pile installation apparatus (100). For convenience, features that are similar or correspond to features of the first embodiment will be referenced with the same reference numerals.

[0221] Referring to FIG. 8, the apparatus (100) includes a mast (110) adapted to be arranged in a substantially vertical position above a ground surface; a vehicle mount (120) for mounting the mast (110) to an excavator (750) adapted to raise and lower the mast (110) to and from the substantially vertical position and to otherwise manipulate and transport the mast (110) and apparatus (100); and a carriage and drive assembly (130) slidably mounted to the mast (110) for movement therealong and configured for rotational movement relative to the mast (110), said assembly (130) including a rotational drive (140) and drive shaft (150) for mounting of a drive end (710; not shown) of a screw pile (700; not shown) thereon, said carriage and drive assembly (130) configured to be rotatable relative to the mast (110) between a loading position for loading a non-vertically oriented pile (700; not shown) onto the drive shaft (150) and an operable position for driving the pile (700; not shown) into an underlying ground surface.

[0222] The apparatus (100) again includes a clamping assembly (160) including a pair of opposed clamping members (162) for clamping the drive end (710; not visible) of the pile (700; not shown) and retaining the pile (700; not shown) relative to the drive shaft (150) at least while the carriage and drive assembly (130) rotate to the operable position; and a guide assembly (170) including a pair of opposed guide members (172) for at least partially enclosing around a periphery of the pile (700; not shown) at or near the lower end of the mast (110) and guiding the pile (700; not shown) as it is driven into the underlying ground surface.

[0223] As indicated, the carriage and drive assembly (130) is slidably mounted to the mast (110) for movement therealong and configured for rotational movement relative to the mast (110).

[0224] The assembly (130) includes a carriage (132) configured to be slidably mountable to the mast (110) and a drive mount (134) rotatably coupled to the carriage (132) by a rotational coupling (136) for mounting the rotational drive (140) with operable drive shaft (150).

[0225] The carriage (132) of the assembly (130) is moved back-and-forth along a height of the mast (110) by an actuating mechanism including a drive chain (180) driven by a hydraulic motor.

[0226] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the rotational coupling (136) enables the drive mount (134; and mounted rotational drive (140) and drive shaft (150)) to swivel about a horizontal axis relative to a remainder of the assembly (130) over a range of about 170?.

[0227] Like the carriage (132), the rotational coupling (136) include an actuating mechanism in the form of a hydraulic motor (not visible) for driving rotation relative to the carriage (132).

[0228] Referring to FIG. 8, the rotational drive (140) includes a drive motor and a formation (not shown) for releasably engaging with and rotating the drive shaft (150).

[0229] The drive motor is a hydraulic motor.

[0230] The drive shaft (150) is an elongate member having a pair of opposed ends, including an upper end (152) configured to be mountable on the formation for the transmission of torque and an opposed lower end (154) configured to engage with a hub of the pile (700; not shown) to thereby in use transmit torque to a lower portion of the pile (700; not shown).

[0231] Referring to FIG. 13, and as indicated, the apparatus (100) includes a clamping assembly (160) for clamping about the drive end (710; not shown) of a pile (700; not shown) and retaining the pile (700; not shown) relative to the drive shaft (150; not shown) while the carriage and drive assembly (130; not shown) rotates to the operable position and while the pile (700; not shown) is driven into an underlying ground surface.

[0232] The clamping assembly (160) is mounted relative to the drive mount (134; not shown) of the carriage and drive assembly (130; not shown) by a telescopic arm (610).

[0233] The clamping assembly (160) includes the pair of opposed clamping members (162), a clamping housing (164) for at least partially housing and holding the clamping members (162) relative to one another and an actuating mechanism in the form of a hydraulic ram (not shown) for moving the opposed clamping members (162) towards and away from one another.

[0234] Each clamping member (162) includes a plate (166) including a clamping surface (168) sized and shaped to fit at least partially about a periphery of a drive end (710); not shown) of a pile (700; not shown).

[0235] The clamping assembly (160) further includes a pair impact plates (630) and dampers (640) for damping an impact of a pile (700; not shown) when it is partially inverted and slidably mounted onto the drive shaft (150; not shown) under the force of gravity, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0236] The impact plates (630) are mounted on a lower surface of the clamping housing (164) facing a distal end of the drive shaft (150; not shown).

[0237] Each damper (640) is located between a respective impact plate (630) and the lower face for damping a force of the impact (of the pile). Each damper (640) includes a rubber damper, i.e., a rubber buffer.

[0238] Referring briefly to FIG. 10, the telescopic arm (610), in use, advantageously moves to the extended position for positioning the impact plates (630) and dampers (640; not visible) in front of the carriage and drive assembly (130) for receiving the pile (700) thereon when mounting the pile (700) onto the drive shaft (150).

[0239] The telescopic arm (610) then moves to the retracted position together with the clamping assembly (160) and the pile (700) to guide the pile (700) fully onto the drive shaft (150).

[0240] Like the clamping assembly (160), the telescopic arm (610) includes an actuating mechanism in the form of a hydraulic ram for moving the arm (610) between the extended and retracted positions.

[0241] Referring to FIG. 13, the apparatus (100) further includes a guide assembly (170) for at least partially enclosing around a periphery of the pile (700; not shown) at or near the lower end of the mast (110; not shown) and guiding the pile (700; not shown) as it is driven into the underlying ground surface.

[0242] The guide assembly (170) includes a pair of opposed guide members (172) hingedly connected to the mast (110; not shown) and pivotable relative to the mast (110; not shown) and an actuating mechanism in the form of a hydraulic ram (174) for moving the guide members (172) towards and away from each other.

[0243] In use, the guide assembly (170) is configured to at least partially enclose the pile (700; not shown) when driving the pile (700; not shown) into the underlying ground surface for guiding the pile (700; not shown) relative to the mast (110; not shown).

[0244] Referring back to FIG. 8, each guide member (172) includes a shaped internal guiding surface (176) configured to complementarily fit at least partially about a periphery of the pile (700; not shown).

[0245] A method (900) of using the apparatus (100) as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is now described in detail with reference to FIG. 14.

[0246] At step 910 and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the carriage and drive assembly (130) is moved relative to the mast (110) to align the drive shaft (150) relative to a drive end (710) of the pile (700).

[0247] At step 920 and as shown in FIG. 2, the clamping assembly (160) is slid relative to the carriage and drive assembly (130) by way of the telescopic arm (610) until the clamping assembly (160) is extended beyond a distal end of the drive shaft (150).

[0248] At step 930, the drive end (710) of the pile (700) is clamped by the clamping assembly (160).

[0249] At step 940, and as shown in FIG. 4, the clamping assembly (160) is retracted relative to the carriage and drive assembly (130) by way of the telescopic arm (610) to mount the clamped pile (700) fully onto the drive shaft (150).

[0250] At step 950, and as shown in FIG. 5, the carriage and drive assembly (130) rotates the drive shaft (150) with the pile (700) mounted thereon to the operable position.

[0251] A method (1000) of using the apparatus (100) as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 is now described in detail with reference to FIG. 15.

[0252] At step 1010 and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the carriage and drive assembly (130) is moved relative to the mast (110) to align the drive shaft (150) relative to a drive end (710; shown only in FIG. 9) of the pile (700; shown only in FIG. 9).

[0253] At step 1020 and as shown in FIG. 9, the rotational drive (140) and drive shaft (150) is slid relative to the carriage (132) of the carriage and drive assembly (130) to slide the distal end of the drive shaft (150) at least partially into the drive end (710) of the pile (700) and partially mount the pile (700) relative to the drive shaft (150).

[0254] At step 1030 and with reference to FIG. 10, the rotational drive (140) and drive shaft (150) of the carriage and drive assembly (130) are rotated by way of the rotational coupling (136) to partially invert the pile (700) partially mounted on the drive shaft (150) and cause the pile (700) to slidably mount on a remainder of the drive shaft (150), as shown in FIG. 11.

[0255] As also shown, the plates (630) and dampers (640; not visible) are positioned between the rotational drive (140) and the pile (700) for damping the impact of the pile (700) as it slides under the force of gravity substantially onto the drive shaft (150).

[0256] At step 1040, the clamping members (162) of the clamping assembly (160) clamp about drive end (710) of the pile (700) to retain the pile (700) relative to the drive shaft (150) while the carriage and drive assembly (130) rotates the drive shaft (150) with pile (700) mounted thereon to the operable position.

[0257] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0258] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0259] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.