Hydraulic and earth engineering – Foundation – Columnar structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-09
2001-05-01
Bagnell, David (Department: 3673)
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Foundation
Columnar structure
C405S228000, C173S001000, C173S127000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224294
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Scope of Invention
This invention relates generally to pilings and boat lifts supported on pilings and docks and more particularly to a tubular piling driving apparatus and method of piling installation using the apparatus.
2. Prior Art
Pilings for supporting a dock and for providing a tie-off for boats are typically made of long wooden poles for economy. These long wooden poles or pilings may be treated in various ways to enhance the useful lifetime thereof. However, all such wooden pilings are subject to the deteriorating effects, especially salt water and brackish water which accelerate deterioration and result in heavy growth below the waterline.
Steel and concrete have been used as substitutes for the less expensive wooden piling structure, but also have significant rapid deterioration characteristics, again, especially in salt and brackish waters. Additionally, wooden pilings are also subject to upper exposed end deterioration from wildlife and weather conditions which accelerate deterioration.
All stationary boat support and boat lift apparatus require attachment and support from a piling or dock attached to the pilings. Typically, boat support apparatus include a boat cradle of some sort which may be cantilevered or supported at each end by cable, chain or rod structure associated with a motor and drive train structure for vertically positioning the boat cradle with a boat supported thereby. If such boat lift apparatus are simply attached to the exterior of a piling or dock, rapid deterioration from sun and weather conditions, again salty conditions being the worst, will reduce the useful life of these apparatus and/or certainly result in cosmetic deterioration.
The present invention discloses utilization of an inert type material such as polyvinyl chloride (pvc) plastic as the primary piling structure filled in part with concrete for reinforcement. The method of embedding the lower end portion of the hollow tubular piling into the bottom of the water is provided, along with a compact and fully concealed motor and drive train structure. The present invention further discloses a method of driving tubular pilings with a small compact self-contained pneumatic driving apparatus that can be placed in position for driving a tubular piling by one man without the need for large pole driving barges and associated equipment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a tubular piling driving apparatus and method of securing a tubular piling into the bottom of a body of water. The apparatus is pressurized fluid-actuated, preferably pneumatic, and is positionable substantially within an upper end of a tubular piling to be secured into the bottom. The weight of the entire apparatus acts upon the upper end of the piling through a collar. One or more additional weights are supported at the upper end of the axially movable shaft of the apparatus which increase both downward static and inertia forces transmitted through the collar to effect piling installation as the shaft repeatedly raises and drops the weights against the upper end of the tubular piling via the collar.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a tubular piling installation arrangement and method of securing the pilings into the bottom of a body of water.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a method of embedding the tubular piling structure into the bottom of a body of water using the piling driving apparatus.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a substantially inert piling structure which is unaffected by weathering conditions and the deteriorating effect of both fresh and salt water environments.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a combination boat lift apparatus and tubular piling structure which houses the motor and drive train components within the upper portion of the enclosed hollow tubular piling structure.
In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3526283 (1970-09-01), Horstketter et al.
patent: 3714789 (1973-02-01), Chelminski
patent: 3721095 (1973-03-01), Chelminski
patent: 3847230 (1974-11-01), Blomquist
patent: 4126191 (1978-11-01), Gendron et al.
patent: 4238166 (1980-12-01), Gendron
Bagnell David
Prescott Charles J.
Singh Sunil
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