EP4064820A1

EP4064820A1 - Tool for forming a plurality of cavities in loose soil and method for using the tool

Info

Publication number: EP4064820A1
Application number: EP20820495.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pierre BOISSEAU
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-25
Filing date: 2020-11-19
Publication date: 2022-10-05
Also published as: WO2021105594A1; FR3103348A1; FR3103348B1; FR3103349A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool (10) for forming a plurality of consecutive cavities in loose soil of a ground (8), characterised in that it comprises: a hollow tubular body (11) of conical shape, comprising: an inlet (6) and an outlet (7); cutting means (2) mounted on said longitudinal end of the tubular body delimiting said inlet and intended for allowing said tubular body to be driven into said soil; and a first flange (3) extending at least partly around said tubular body (1) perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (9) and configured to define the depth of said plurality of cavities to be formed.

Description

TOOL FOR TRAINING A PLURALITY OF CAVITIES IN MOVABLE SOIL AND HOW TO USE THE TOOL

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a tool for forming a plurality of successive cavities in loose soil. The invention can be implemented in the agricultural field, the plantation field, and the construction field in particular for the realization of a shallow foundation.

Technological background

The characteristics of the tools for making a cavity in a soil depend on the type of soil in which the cavity is made and the depth of the cavity to be dug. Also, the invention relates to a tool for making a plurality of cavities in loose soil.

Throughout the text, the term “loose” is used to designate a soil or earth which has little cohesion and which is therefore easy to work. Mention may be made, for example, in a non-exhaustive manner, of clay soil or arable soil. Topsoil includes land that can be plowed, that is, land whose vocation is cultivation. Throughout the text, the term "cavity" refers to an excavation or a hole in loose soil.

There are different tools available today for digging a cavity in loose soil. For this, it is known, in the field of planting, to use a pickaxe or a hoe to make a hole of a certain size or to use a dibble which allows the planting of seedlings or bulbs. This dibble comprises a frustoconical shape which is driven by a rotary movement into a loose soil. The dibble is then withdrawn from the ground thus retaining the volume of soil to be extracted from the cavity. The plant or bulb is introduced into the cavity, then, in a second step, the volume of soil is evacuated from the truncated cone to fill the hole and the soil is placed all around the plant or bulb.

Moreover, in the field of construction, it is known in general to use a hydraulic auger having a helical screw to dig a cavity and introduce piles therein. When rotating the helical screw to the contact with the ground, the excavation is formed as the earth is distributed around it. The inventors therefore sought to facilitate the formation of a plurality of cavities in loose soil.

As such, the invention aims to obtain a tool intended for digging cavities in series without requiring the evacuation of the earth between each hollowed cavity and without having recourse to a rotation of all or part of the tool to dig an excavation. in loose soil.

Objectives of the invention

The invention aims to provide a tool for digging a stable cavity in loose soil.

The invention also aims to provide a tool for making a calibrated, precise cavity quickly.

The invention aims in particular to provide a tool for easily forming a planting hole in the ground by an operator. The invention aims in particular to provide a tool for forming an excavation in loose soil for the placement of foundations such as small diameter piles.

The invention also aims to provide a method of using a tool according to the invention for the formation of a plurality of successive cavities in a loose soil of a soil.

Disclosure of the invention

To do this, the invention relates to a tool intended to form a plurality of successive cavities in a loose soil of a soil.

A tool according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises: - a hollow tubular body of conical shape extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising: an inlet formed at a longitudinal end of said hollow tubular body and adapted to allow the 'introduction of a sample E1 of loose earth into said tubular body from a first coring when said tubular body is pushed in in said soil; and an outlet formed at a longitudinal end opposite to said inlet and adapted to allow ejection of at least part of said sample E1 from the first coring when said tubular body is driven into said soil to take a sample E2 of soil from a subsequent coring, said sample E2 exerting a pushing force on said sample E1 towards said outlet;

- Cutting means mounted on said longitudinal end of the tubular body delimiting said inlet and intended to allow said tubular body to be driven into said ground; and

- a first flange fixed relative to said tubular body extending at least in part around said tubular body in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and configured to define the depth of said plurality of cavities to be formed.

The tool according to the invention therefore has the particular feature of being able to create a plurality of cavities in series without an operator being forced to reject the loose earth resulting in part from the first sample E1 contained in the tubular body in order to make the following cavity. Indeed, the design of the tool facilitates the creation of several excavations in series without having to voluntarily remove the soil sample, resulting from the previous coring, between two excavations. To do this, the tubular body comprises an inlet formed at a longitudinal end opposite to an outlet formed at the distinct longitudinal end allowing at least partial delayed ejection of the soil sample E1 from the first coring when the tool is pressed. to perform the subsequent cavity and for the sample E2 from the subsequent coring to exert a thrust force on said sample El. This makes it possible to prevent the release of the earth from the same end and therefore makes it possible to drive the tool directly into the at least two consecutive times without having to evacuate the earth between the formation of two cavities. Throughout the text, coring is defined as an operation consisting in cutting, in loose soil from a soil, a cylindrical sample of soil corresponding to the volume of soil to be extracted for form the cavity. In other words, when the tubular body is embedded in the loose earth, the coring makes it possible to extract the sample of soil which rises through the entrance of the tubular body. When the tubular body is removed from the loose soil, a hollow cavity is formed in the soil.

To form a cavity, the skilled person is encouraged to dig and remove the soil from the cavity. However, the invention goes against the prejudices of those skilled in the art who encourage them to remove the earth from the cavity to be formed. Indeed, the tool according to the invention does not require removal of the earth between the formation of a first cavity and the formation of a subsequent cavity. As soon as the hollow of the tubular body is saturated, the excess soil, i.e. at least part of the soil sample from a first coring is rejected by the outlet of the tubular body during 'a subsequent coring.

During the very first coring of a series of cavities, the El soil sample is not ejected as it serves to fill the tubular body which is hollow and void of soil at this point. The tubular body may have a variable length depending on the depth of the successive cavities to be dug.

The tubular body is, of conical shape, in the mathematical sense of the term, that is to say that it is a solid generated by a straight line (called generatrix) which moves on a closed curve (called curve directrix) passing through a point (called vertex). The shape of the closed curve defines the shape of the generated cone. Thus, if the directing curve is a circle, the resulting cone is a cone of revolution. If the directing curve is a square, the resulting cone is a pyramid.

In the case where the tubular body is of conical shape of revolution, the tubular body exerts a force during the depression on the walls delimiting the excavation so as to compress them to avoid landslides of earth in the excavation during the withdrawal. of the tool.

The cutting means facilitate the insertion of the tool into the ground, without the need to rotate the tool while driving. Also the cutting means facilitate the generally vertical driving of the tool, along the longitudinal axis, without the need to rotate at least part of the tool.

According to the invention, the first flange, formed by a flat disc hollowed out in its center makes it possible to delimit the part of the tubular body which sinks into the ground from the part which is kept out of the ground. Also, the collar makes it possible to define the depth of the plurality of cavities. It extends at least in part around the tubular body and is adapted to come into abutment with the ground when the cavity reaches the defined depth.

The first collar is fixedly connected to the tubular body and it is for example held by a weld on the tool. The use of such a collar is advantageous for forming several cavities in series of the same depth, and thus saves time.

The tool further enables cavities to be formed efficiently and quickly without wasting time in discharging a volume of soil retained in the tubular body between the formation of two cavities. This tool is therefore particularly suitable for large-scale planting for the formation of hedges, reforestation or the planting of vines. The distance between two cavities to be dug makes it possible to define the ratio of cavities formed per day or hour.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said tubular body comprises an internal wall forming with said longitudinal axis a half-angle which is between 2 ° and 10 °.

According to this variant, the tubular body has a conical shape thus allowing compression of the wall delimiting the cavity. Thus, when the tool is withdrawn after the formation of the cavity, the wall delimiting the cavity remains compressed, which makes it possible to prevent a landslide of earth in the bottom of the cavity.

According to this variant, the angle α of taper is small in the order of 4 ° to 20 ° so as to promote the insertion of the tubular body into the ground. The low taper also reduces the force to be applied to the tool when inserting and removing the tool in the ground.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said cutting means comprise sharp teeth.

According to this variant, the sharp teeth make it possible to cut loose soil and thus facilitate the insertion of the tubular body without difficulty and without require the tool to rotate so that it penetrates the ground.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said sharp teeth are present in a number equal to or greater than 2 and are regularly distributed over the end of the tubular body delimiting the entrance.

According to this variant, the cutting means comprise several teeth and the number of teeth can be even or odd and determined according to the quality of the loose soil and the diameter of the longitudinal end of the tubular body delimiting the inlet adapted to allow the introduction of an El sample of loose soil. Also, the larger the diameter of the longitudinal end delimiting the inlet, the greater the number of teeth.

Preferably, the sharp teeth have a sharp bevel on the outer side of the tubular body to allow easy penetration into loose soil.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said tool further comprises a manipulator arm mechanically connected to said tubular body.

According to this variant, the manipulator arm can be connected directly to said tubular body or indirectly to said tubular body via the first flange or the longitudinal end defining the outlet of the tubular body.

The manipulator arm can be a hydraulic type arm connected via a hinge piece to said tubular body. Preferably, said articulation part is a fixing plate integral with the tool and which is for example welded to the longitudinal end delimiting the outlet of the tubular body.

According to a variant, the manipulator arm is controlled by an operator to make it possible, on the one hand, to be able to move it easily to dig a plurality of cavities and, on the other hand, to apply a pressure force on the tubular body so that it s 'sinks easily into loose soil to form a plurality of cavities.

Preferably, said manipulator arm is a hydraulic manipulator arm of a construction machine of the hydraulic mechanical excavator type, the excavator of which is replaced by said tool. Thus, an operator arranged in a cabin of such a construction machine can easily control said tool by means of the manipulator arm and move the tool to make a plurality of cavities by exerting sufficient pressure in the ground during the operation. depression.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said tool further comprises:

- a second movable collar extending at least in part around said tubular body in a plane parallel to the plane of said first collar and configured to be able to pass, under the effect of a pressure force exerted by said manipulator arm, of a retracted position in which said second flange is moved away from said first flange, at a contact position in which said second flange is pressed against said first flange; and

- Means for spontaneously returning said second collar to said retracted position when said pressure force exerted by said manipulator arm ceases.

According to this variant, the second collar is movable relative to said first collar when a pressure force is exerted on said second collar by means of a manipulator arm. Means for spontaneous return of the second flange, arranged between said first and second flange, make it possible by a rebound effect to cause said second flange to pass from a contact position to a retracted position.

Preferably the return means comprise at least one spring connecting said first collar to said second collar.

In other words, in the contact position the spring is compressed by the pressure force, exerted by the manipulator arm, which forces the second flange in contact with the ground and pressed against the first flange. In the retracted position, the rebound effect provided by the relaxed spring allows said second flange to move away from the first flange so that the tool can easily come out of the cavity formed by detaching itself from the earth adhering to the tool. .

The spring secured to said first collar and to said second collar has a certain stiffness in order to guarantee the longitudinal return of said second collar necessary to allow the tool to sink and then to be withdrawn spontaneously out of the ground. Thus, by implementing a second collar, the percussion of the tool in the ground is improved while benefiting from the rebound effect.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said tool further comprises means for orienting the ejection of at least a portion of said sample El from the first coring, said means being arranged on said longitudinal end delimiting the outlet.

According to this variant, the ejection orientation means make it possible to orient the ejection of the soil sample in a direction determined and defined by the operator. The orientation means are preferably fixed on the longitudinal end of the tubular body delimiting the outlet which makes it possible to orient the direction of the delayed ejection when the tool is depressed to form a cavity.

Also, an operator can recover at a precise location the ejected earth which can be reused a posteriori and if necessary to plug the cavity formed after having introduced a plant to be buried in the cavity, such as for example for planting a tree, of a shrub, a vine or any other plant.

Preferably, the ejection orientation means comprise a fixed deflector to allow the orientation of the ejection of at least a part of the sample E1 of earth contained in the tubular body when the tool is depressed to form a subsequent cavity and that the sample E2 of soil resulting from the subsequent coring exerts a thrust force on said sample E1 towards the outlet.

The invention also relates to a method of using a tool according to the invention for the formation of a plurality of successive cavities in a loose soil of a soil.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- Drive said hollow tubular body of conical shape perpendicular to the surface of the ground until said first collar comes into abutment with said ground so as to achieve a first coring allowing the introduction of a sample E1 of loose earth into said tubular body through said inlet formed at the longitudinal end of said hollow tubular body;

- Remove said hollow tubular body from the loose earth to form a first cavity, said sample El of loose earth being held in said hollow tubular body; and

- Drive said hollow tubular body of conical shape perpendicular to the surface of the soil near the first cavity, until said first collar comes into abutment with said soil, so as to carry out a subsequent coring allowing the introduction of a sample E2 of loose soil in said tubular body, and leading to the ejection of at least part of the sample E1 from the first coring by said longitudinal end forming the outlet which results from a thrust force exerted by said sample E2 on said sample E1 to said outlet.

According to the invention, the method of use makes it possible to drive a tool into a soil to form several cavities in series. The next cavity is formed near the first cavity and the operator defines the necessary distance between two cavities as needed. The tool is driven generally perpendicular to the soil surface but can also be tilted when driving into the soil.

During the depression of said tubular body, two mechanical actions are performed simultaneously. On the one hand, a vertical pressure, along the longitudinal axis, generates a pressure on the inlet formed at a longitudinal end of said hollow tubular body, and on the other hand a lateral pressure, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, is effected on the walls delimiting the excavation due to the taper of the tubular body.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said ejection of at least part of the soil sample E1 from the hollow tubular body is oriented by means for orienting the ejection arranged on said longitudinal end. delimiting the exit.

According to the invention, the ejection of at least a portion of the soil sample E1 is directed to a location predefined by an operator.

The advantages and effects of a tool according to the invention apply mutatis mutandis to a method according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a tool and a method, characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above or below.

List of Figures

Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, given only without limitation and which refers to the appended figures in which:

[Lig. 1] is a schematic perspective view of a tool for forming a plurality of successive cavities in loose soil according to the invention.

[Lig. 2] is a schematic sectional view of the tool according to Figure 1 shown from left to right in a retracted position (Lig 2A), in a contact position when the tool is partially driven into the ground (Lig 2B) , and in a contact position when the tool is fully inserted into the ground (Lig 2C).

[Lig. 3] is a schematic perspective view of a tool intended to form a plurality of successive cavities in loose soil according to a variant of the invention.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly observed, for purposes of illustration and clarity. Throughout the detailed description which follows with reference to the figures, unless otherwise indicated, each element of the tool intended to form a plurality of successive cavities in loose soil is described as it is arranged when it extends along a longitudinal axis.

In addition, identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all the figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a tool 10 for forming a plurality of cavities in a loose earth of a soil 8 comprising a tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis 9 which comprises an inlet 6 formed at a longitudinal end of said tubular body and an outlet 7 formed at a longitudinal end opposite to the inlet 6. In In addition, this tool comprises cutting means 2 allowing the tubular body 1 to be driven into the ground and a first flange 3 which extends in part around the tubular body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 9.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the conical tubular body 1 is formed by an inner wall 11 and an outer wall 12 which is directly in contact with the loose soil when the tubular body 1 is driven into the ground. The cutting means 2 are represented in this embodiment by sharp teeth but according to another variant, the cutting means may have a different shape (a pointed end, a blade, etc.) and are of variable number in order to allow the cutting. sinking of the tubular body into the ground. The sharp teeth are arranged at the longitudinal end delimiting the inlet 6 through which the sample El of loose earth is introduced into the tubular body 1. Ejection orientation means 4 are represented by a fixed deflector relative to the longitudinal end of the tubular body defining the outlet 7.

Tool 10 is manipulated by an operator via a hydraulic manipulator arm of a construction machine not shown in these figures for clarity. The operator pushes the tool 10 vertically into the ground 8 by means of the manipulator arm 5 which is according to one embodiment integrally connected by a plate to a machine of the construction machine type controlled by an operator.

In another embodiment according to FIG. 3, the second flange 31 is shown, on the other hand the means 32 for returning the second flange 31 to the first flange 3 are not shown. According to this embodiment, a spring is arranged between the first collar and the second collar so that the withdrawal of the tool 10 from the ground is facilitated by the rebound effect of the spring. Thus, the tool 10 is driven into the ground by a manipulator arm exerting a force and the second flange 31 is pressed against the first flange 3 via of a compressed spring. Then, the tool is withdrawn from the ground and the second flange 31 passes into a retracted position in which the rebound effect occurs by causing the second flange 31 to move away from the first flange 3 and the exit of the tool out of the formed cavity without creating a landslide within the cavity.

Figure 2 illustrates the three successive steps for driving the tubular body 1 into the ground to form a subsequent cavity. Also, as illustrated, the tubular body already comprises a sample El of loose soil collected and held by the internal wall 11.

Figure 2A shows the tool in a retracted position in which the tubular body is out of the ground.

The tool 10 is driven into the ground 8 as shown in Figure 2B when it is in a contact position for performing a subsequent coring. The tool 10 crosses the surface 81 of the ground through the sharp teeth 2. Consequently, the soil sample E2 is introduced through the inlet 6 into the tubular body 1 and the soil sample E1 from a first coring is ejected at least partially through the outlet 7 when the deflector 4 attached to the The longitudinal end delimiting the outlet 7 allows the orientation of the ejection of the earth sample El.

In Figure 2C, the tool 10 is depressed until the first flange 3 abuts the surface 81 of the soil to allow the depth of the cavity to be formed to be defined. The wall 82 delimiting the cavity is therefore compressed by the action exerted by the outer wall 12 of the tubular body 1 on the loose soil. The deflector 4 makes it possible to orient the exit of the sample El of soil from a first coring which is ejected through the intermediary of the sample E2 which exerts a pushing force on said sample El towards said outlet.

The operator then removes the tool 10 through the manipulator arm 5 to form the cavity. Since the wall 82 delimiting the cavity is compressed, this makes it possible to avoid a flow of soil on the bottom 83 of the cavity when the tool 10 is withdrawn from the ground 8.

The operator repeats the operation depending on the number of cavities to be formed and therefore pushes the tubular body 1 into the ground until the collar 3 abuts against the surface 81 of the ground to form a plurality of cavities.

The tubular body is formed by a metal such as iron for example, so that the tool is resistant when driving into loose soil.

The sharp teeth are steel and pre-machined. They have a height of between 6 and 15 centimeters (cm) and a sharp bevel on the outside of the tubular body. The height of the teeth can be adapted according to the diameter of the longitudinal end of the tubular body delimiting the entrance.

For the formation of excavations intended for the planting of vines or tree seedlings, the diameter of the longitudinal end of the tubular body delimiting the entrance is between 8 and 10 cm and the diameter of the longitudinal end delimiting the output is between 12 and 18 cm.

For the formation of cavities intended for the establishment of stakes, to form a fence for example, the diameter of the longitudinal end delimiting the entrance is between 5 and 7 cm and the taper angle is less than or equal to 10 °. During the formation of cavities for the installation of piles to form for example the base of a raft foundation, the cavities are filled by compaction of all comers and the depth of these cavities does not exceed 1 meter deep and the diameter of the longitudinal end delimiting the entrance is between 15 and 20 cm.

Claims

1. Tool (10) intended to form a plurality of successive cavities in a loose soil of a soil (8) characterized in that it comprises:

- a hollow tubular body (1) of conical shape extending along a longitudinal axis (9) and comprising:

- an inlet (6) formed at a longitudinal end of said hollow tubular body and adapted to allow the introduction of a sample El of loose earth into said tubular body resulting from a first coring when said tubular body is sunk into said soil ( 8);

- an outlet (7) formed at a longitudinal end opposite to said inlet and adapted to allow ejection of at least part of said sample E1 from the first coring when said tubular body is driven into said soil to take a sample E2 of soil resulting from a subsequent coring, said sample E2 exerting a pushing force on said sample E1 towards said outlet;

- Cutting means (2) mounted on said longitudinal end of the tubular body delimiting said inlet and intended to allow said tubular body to be driven into said ground; and

- a first collar (3) fixed relative to said tubular body and extending at least partly around said tubular body (1) in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (9) and configured to define the depth of said plurality of cavities to form.

2. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that said tubular body (1) comprises an internal wall (11) forming with said longitudinal axis (9) a half-angle which is between 2 ° and 10 °.

3. Tool according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said cutting means (2) comprise sharp teeth.

4. Tool according to claim 3, characterized in that said sharp teeth are present in a number equal to or greater than 2 and are regularly distributed over said longitudinal end of the tubular body delimiting the inlet (6).

5. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises in in addition to a manipulator arm mechanically connected to said tubular body (1).

6. Tool according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises:

- a second flange (31) movable extending at least in part around said tubular body in a plane parallel to the plane of said first flange (3) and configured to be able to pass, under the effect of a pressure force exerted by said manipulator arm, from a retracted position in which said second flange (31) is moved away from said first flange (3), to a contact position in which said second flange (31) is pressed against said first flange (3) ; and

- Means for spontaneously returning said second flange (31) to said retracted position when said pressure force exerted by said manipulator arm ceases.

7. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises means (4) for orienting the ejection of at least part of said sample E1 from the first coring, said means being arranged on said longitudinal end delimiting the outlet (7).

8. A method of using a tool (10) for the formation of a plurality of successive cavities in a loose soil of a soil (8) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it consists of the following steps:

- Drive said hollow tubular body (1) of conical shape perpendicular to the surface of the soil (8) until said first collar (3) comes into abutment with said soil so as to produce a first core allowing the introduction of a sample E1 of loose earth in said tubular body through said inlet (6) formed at the longitudinal end of said hollow tubular body;

- Remove said hollow tubular body (1) from the loose earth to form a first cavity, said sample El of loose earth being held in said hollow tubular body; and

- Pushing said hollow tubular body (1) of conical shape perpendicular to the surface of the ground (8) near the first cavity, until said first collar (3) comes into abutment with said ground, so as to achieve a subsequent coring allowing the introduction of a sample E2 of loose soil in said tubular body, and leading to the ejection of at least part of the sample E1 from the first coring by said longitudinal end forming the outlet (7) which results from a thrust force exerted by said sample E2 on said sample El to said outlet.