Hydraulic and earth engineering – Foundation – Columnar structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-15
2001-02-06
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3673)
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Foundation
Columnar structure
C405S230000, C405S253000, C405S255000, C403S379300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183167
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to piering systems used in connection with the supporting of building foundations, footings and the like. In those types of applications, as is well known to those skilled in the art, piers are hydraulically driven or forced into the ground until they encounter a substrate sufficient to bear the load necessary to support the foundation or footing under which the pier is placed. When it is necessary to reach a substantial depth, multiple pier sections assembled in a linear arrangement must be employed.
Most of the pipe piers currently in use in the piering market today are comprised of pier sections that are not permanently affixed to one another. The pipe sections are fitted together in various ways, and in most instances, those methods are entirely satisfactory. However, under certain conditions, the manner in which the pipe sections are joined becomes critical. For instance, when the pier is being driven through a void, such as a mine or cavern, pier sections which rely on a continual axial compressive load as its means of connection may fall apart unless they are adequately connected together. Also, the connection point must be able to withstand the considerable compressive load placed thereon when the pier is being driven into the ground. Pier sections which are merely screwed or bolted together may collapse under extreme compressive loads. There further exist pier systems whose pipe sections butt up end to end with each other by using threaded ends; however, these are expensive to manufacture and can be time-consuming to install.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By means of the instant invention there is provided a pier system for use in supporting foundation and footing structures which enables easy and efficient end to end connection of pipe sections. This arrangement provides sufficient strength and stability to withstand both compressive and tensile loads, as well as moderate lateral forces. The pier system is comprised of a plurality of pipe sections which are adapted to fit end to end with an insert section placed in the respective pipe ends. The insert section has a diameter slightly less than the pipe sections which allows a telescoping fit of the pipe ends over the insert section. Holes are disposed on the pipe ends and insert section to allow for connective alignment. The holes allow for the connector to span across the pipe and insert for a more secure and stable connection. The holes are also dimensioned to accommodate a connector so that a tight press fit of the connector within the holes can be achieved. The pipe sections can be made to be uniform in that an insert section can be manufactured into one end of each pipe section so that only one connection between discrete pipe sections need be made in the field. The user can install as many pipe sections as is necessary to reach the depth needed to achieve the desired stable foundation support. The invention also allows the pier to be easily dissembled in the event of removal.
The pier system may also comprise a guide cap for placement over the terminal end of the pier to reduce friction on the pier as it is driven into the ground. The guide cap has a diameter larger than that of the pier. It is removable so that if the pier is extracted from the ground, the cap will become dislodged. Hence, the pier will be more easily pulled up through the larger diameter channel in the ground made by the guide cap.
The above features are objects of this invention. Further objects will appear in the detailed description which follows and will be otherwise apparent to those skilled in the art.
For purpose of illustration of this invention a preferred embodiment is shown and described hereinbelow in the accompanying drawing. It is to be understood that this is for the purpose of example only and that the invention is not limited thereto.
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Knecht Thomas R.
McCann Robert J.
Parise Joseph A.
Ruiz Richard D.
Ruiz Scott A.
Greensfelder Hemker & Gale, P.C.
Lillis Eileen D.
Mayo Tara L.
Richard D. Ruiz, LLC
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