PILE EXTRACTOR FOR REMOVING DRIVEN METAL PILES

Abstract

A pile extractor (12) for removing a pile (14) from a ground surface. The pile extractor includes a frame (15) arranged to seat upon the ground surface and a pile engaging arrangement (16) operably coupled to and supported by the frame (15). The pile engaging arrangement (16) includes rams (18) which actuate associated clamps (20) arranged to releasably engage with the pile (14) in a reciprocal motion, the reciprocal motion including a lifting condition in which the rams (18) extend to engage the clamps (20) with the pile (14) and exert a lifting force on the pile (14), and a release condition, in which the rams (18) are relatively and simultaneously lowered which likewise simultaneously releases the clamps (20) and allows the clamps (20) to be lowered relative to the pile (14) and reset to the lifting condition. A related method of use is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A pile extractor for removing a pile from a ground surface, the pile extractor including a frame arranged to seat upon the ground surface and a pile engaging arrangement operably coupled to and supported by the frame, wherein the pile engaging arrangement includes a support body and vertically arranged rams which actuate associated clamps pivotally coupled to the support body on opposing sides of an opening of the support body through which the pile extends to releasably engage with the pile in a reciprocal motion, the reciprocal motion including a lifting condition in which the vertically arranged rams extend to engage the clamps with the pile and exert a lifting force on the pile in which the clamps and support body are elevated by the vertically arranged rams above the frame, and a release condition, in which the vertically arranged rams are relatively and simultaneously lowered which likewise simultaneously releases the clamps and allows the support body and the clamps to be lowered relative to the pile and reset to the lifting condition, wherein the support body includes a guide and the frame includes a frame guide which are arranged to align the pile therebetween and with the opening of the support body, and wherein the frame supports an upstanding further guide arranged to assist to align the support body and the frame during the reciprocal motion.

2. The pile extractor according to claim 1, wherein in the lifting condition, the rams are arranged to extend a first amount in which clamps are moved to engage with the pile, and then once engaged, a second amount in which the clamps and pile are lifted together.

3. The pile extractor according to claim 1, wherein in the release condition, the rams are arranged to retract a third amount in which clamps are moved to disengage with the pile, and then once disengaged, a fourth amount in which the clamps are lowered together reset to the lifting condition.

4. The pile extractor according to claim 1, wherein each of the clamps includes a clamp body having a first end arrange to engage the pile, a second end coupled to the associated one of the rams and an intermediate section pivotally coupled to the support body.

5. The pile extractor according to claim 4, wherein the first ends include jaws with engagement surfaces, the engagement surfaces of the jaws being splayed relative to one another in the released condition and movable toward being substantially parallel in the lifting condition.

6. The pile extractor according to claim 5, wherein the jaws are replaceable.

7. The pile extractor according to claim 5, wherein the each of the clamps is arranged such that an increased lifting force of the rams provides a corresponding increased gripping force between the engagement surfaces of the clamps.

8. The pile extractor according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate section of each clamp is pivotally coupled to the support body with a pin, the pin being located closer toward the first end relative the second end such that the clamp is over-centre.

9. The pile extractor according to claim 4, wherein the rams comprise a pair of vertically arranged rams located on opposing sides of the frame.

10. The pile extractor according to claim 4, wherein each of the rams is directly pivotally coupled to the second end of its associated one of the clamps.

11. The pile extractor according to claim 4, wherein each of the rams includes of head end and a base end, the head end being directly pivotally coupled to the second end of its associated one of the clamps and the base end being pivotally coupled to the frame.

12. The pile extractor according to claim 1, wherein the rams are at least one hydraulic and electric rams.

13. (canceled)

14. The pile extractor according to claim 1, wherein the frame guide is located at a base of the frame.

15. (canceled)

16. The pile extractor according to claim 1, wherein the pile is an I-beam.

17.-21. (canceled)

22. The pile extractor according to claim 5, wherein the clamps are arranged such that engagement surfaces of the jaws are substantially parallel in the lifting condition.

23. The pile extractor according to claim 1, wherein the support body includes a rectangular clamping frame with an open top and bottom which provide the opening through which the pile extends.

24. The pile extractor according to claim 16, wherein the upstanding further guide includes two upstanding angled sections extending from the frame arranged to capture the rectangular clamping frame when lowered.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0034] FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a pile extractor for removing a pile from a ground surface in a lowered position;

[0035] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating the pile extractor;

[0036] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the pile extractor;

[0037] FIG. 4 is an opposing side view illustrating the pile extractor;

[0038] FIG. 5 is an end view illustrating the pile extractor;

[0039] FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating the pile extractor for removing a pile from a ground surface in a raised position;

[0040] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the pile extractor,

[0041] FIG. 8 is an end view illustrating the pile extractor;

[0042] FIG. 9 is an opposing side view illustrating the pile extractor;

[0043] FIG. 10 is an isometric view illustrating the pile extractor with the pile removed;

[0044] FIG. 11 is an isometric view illustrating clamps and rams of the pile extractor in a lowered position;

[0045] FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the clamps and rams;

[0046] FIG. 13 is an isometric view illustrating clamps and rams of the pile extractor in a raised position; and,

[0047] FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the clamps and rams.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10 there is shown an apparatus 10 in the form of a pile extractor 12 for removing or extracting a pile 14 from a surface (not shown). The pile 14 may be an elongate metal pile have a H-section. However, the pile 14 may also take other forms and shapes such as being round, square or otherwise shaped. The surface may be the surface surrounding the pile 14 which may a ground surface such a dirt or grass, or may be any other suitable surface such as a roadway, planform or the like on which the pile extractor 12 is placed, in use.

[0049] The pile extractor 12 includes a main frame 15 arranged to seat and stand upon the ground surface and a pile engaging arrangement 16 operably coupled to and supported by the frame 15. The pile engaging arrangement 16 generally moves vertically relative to the frame 15, and the frame 15 provides support to stabilise the pile extractor 12 during the extraction of the pile 14.

[0050] The pile engaging arrangement 16 includes actuators 17 in the form of rams 18 which actuate associated clamps 20 arranged to releasably engage with the pile 14 in a reciprocal motion, the reciprocal motion including a lifting condition, best shown in FIGS. 6 and 13, in which the rams 18 extend to engage the clamps 20 with the pile and exert a lifting force on the pile 14, and a release condition, best shown FIGS. 1 and 11, in which the rams 18 are relatively and simultaneously lowered which likewise simultaneously releases the clamps 20 and allows the clamps 20 to be lowered relative to the pile 14 and reset to the lifting condition.

[0051] In more detail, the main frame 15 includes a base 22, a top 23 and frame members 24 which are arranged to support a clamping support body 26 of the pile engaging arrangement 16 which movable relative to the frame 15 at or toward the top 23 of the frame 15. The base 22 of the frame 15 includes apertures 30 to receive the tines of the forklift (not shown) and couplings 32 that may be used to lift and connect the pile extractor 12 to a vehicle (not shown) that may also provide power such as electric or hydraulic power to the pile extractor 12. A hydraulic motor (not shown) may also be used. It is noted the frame 15 may also carry a control unit or system which is hydraulic and/or electrical (not shown) with operator controls to operate the pile extractor 12.

[0052] The frame 15 includes a guide 34 which is generally centrally arranged to receive and guide the pile 12 relative to the clamps 20. In this example, the guide 34 is provided in the form of a short vertically arranged passage or chute 36 at or extending from the base 22. The frame 15 also includes a further clamp body guide 38 which is arranged to assist to align the clamping support body 26 to align it with the frame 15 as it raised and lowers during use. The further guides 38 are provided in the form of two upstanding angled sections 40 which are shaped to capture and direct the clamping support body 26 into alignment when it is lowered relative to the frame 15.

[0053] Turning to the clamping support body 26 in more detail, as best shown in FIG. 6, in this example, the clamping support body 26 includes rectangular clamping frame 42 with an open top and bottom 44, 46 through which the pile 14 extends in use. Each of the clamps 20 is pivotally coupled opposing sides 48 of the clamping support body 26 with pins 28. Ends 51 of the rectangular frame 42 fit with and are guided by the two upstanding angled sections 40. The bottom 46 of the clamping support body 26 may include a further guide 49 through which the pile 14 extends which aligned with the guide 34 of the frame 15 which assist to maintain the alignment with the pile 14 in use.

[0054] As best shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, each of the clamps 20 includes a clamp body 50 having a first end 52 arranged to engage the pile 14, a second end 56 coupled to the associated one of the rams 18, and an intermediate section 54 pivotally coupled by the pin 28 to the clamping support body 26.

[0055] The location of the pin 28 being located closer toward the first end 52 relative the second end such that the clamp is over-centre such that the clamps 20 are over-centre and an increased lifting force of the rams 18 provides a corresponding increased gripping force between clamps 20 and the pile 14 being lifted. In this regard, the clamps 20 may be considered self-actuating or self-tightening and the gripping force applied increases based on how much force is required to lift the pile 14.

[0056] The first ends 52 of the clamps 20 include jaws 58 with engagement surfaces 60. The engagement surfaces 60 of the jaws 58 are splayed relative to one another in the released condition and movable toward being substantially parallel in the lifting condition. The jaws 58 may be replaceable and formed of a different material in comparison of the clamp body 50.

[0057] The rams 18 are spaced apart and generally vertically oriented so as to be located on each side of the pile 14 in use. Each of the rams 18 is directly pivotally coupled to the second end 56 of its associated one of the clamps 20. The rams 18 each include a head end 62 and a base end 64.

[0058] The head end 62 is coupled by a pin 66 to the second end 56 its associated one of the clamps 20 and the base end 64 of each ram 18 is pivotally couped by a further pin 68 to the frame 15 at or toward the base 22 of the frame 15. The pivotal coupling of the rams 18 provide some play or movement to allow for some misalignment between the pile extractor 12, pile 14 and the ground surface which may be uneven. It is noted that when lifted, only the rams 18 support the clamping support body 26 above the main frame 15.

[0059] In use, the pile extractor 12 may be lifted over the pile 14 which results the pile 14 being located between clamps 20 of the pile engaging arrangement 16 of the pile extractor 12. The main frame 15 which supports the pile engaging arrangement may be placed or seated on the ground surface. The pile extractor 16 may remain connected to a machine to provide electric or hydraulic power or could be a standalone apparatus with its own associated power source. The pile 14 is located by the guides 34 and 49.

[0060] The pile extractor 12 may then be operated to initiate its lifting motion which includes generally includes a reciprocal motion to lift, release and lift the pile 14 from the ground. The pile extractor 12 initiates its motion being in a lowered position as shown in FIG. 1 and extends at the top of its stroke to a raised position as shown in FIG. 6.

[0061] Because the stroke of the rams 18 is limited and the embedded section of the pile 14 may be long, several lifting iterations may be required to extract the pile 14. The stoke defines the maximum height of the lift and the lift height reached by the clamping support 26 which carried the clamps 20.

[0062] The rams 18 are then actuated a reciprocal motion move the clamps 20 between the lifting condition in which the rams 18 extend to simultaneously engage the clamps 20 with the pile and exert a lifting force on the pile 14, and a release condition, in which the rams 18 are relatively lowered which simultaneously releases the clamps 20 and allows the clamps 20 to be lowered relative to the pile 14 and reset to the lifting condition.

[0063] In the lifting condition, the rams 18 are arranged to extend a first amount in which clamps 20 are moved to engage with the pile 12 and then once engaged, a second amount in which the clamps 20 and pile 14 are lifted together. This may be performed in a single action in which the pile 14 is engaged and lifted to the raised position as shown in FIG. 6.

[0064] In the release condition, the rams 18 are arranged to retract a third amount in which clamps 20 are moved to disengage with the pile, and then once disengaged, a fourth amount in which the clamps 20 are lowered together reset to the lifting condition and arrive in the lowered position as shown in FIG. 1.

[0065] The reciprocal motion may be continued until the pile 14 is sufficiently extracted. In some cases, the final lifting action may maintain the clamps 20 in a gripped condition, which allows the removed pile 14 to be held by the pile extractor 12 and even moved therewith in situation where the pile extractor 12 is lifted by or coupled to a machine. The guides 34, 39 are also helpful during the final stages of removal to maintain the vertical alignment of the pile 14.

[0066] Advantageously, there has been described a pile remover or extraction apparatus which is useful to remove elongate metal piles from a ground surface. The pile extractor includes features such as guides to align with the pile and pivotally couplings such as between the rams and the frame to allow for some misalignment. The pile extractor functions in reciprocal motion to extract the pile in short repeating motions in which the pile is grips and released by simultaneous actions of the rams and the associated clamps. Such a pile remover and extraction motion are particularly useful for machine driven metal piles with smooth surfaces such as a H-beam due to the high force required to remove such piles and the difficult to grip the surface of the pile.

[0067] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0068] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0069] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0070] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.