GB2477300A

GB2477300A - Auger storage and transport stand

Info

Publication number: GB2477300A
Application number: GB1001382A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Buxton; James Dunbar
Original assignee: Cementation Skanska Ltd
Current assignee: Cementation Skanska Ltd
Priority date: 2010-01-28
Filing date: 2010-01-28
Publication date: 2011-08-03
Also published as: GB201001382D0

Abstract

Apparatus and method for storing an auger in an upright position comprising; a stand 100 for receiving the end of a pile foundation auger. The storage stand is configured for standing on a support surface. There may be stabilisers 126 that can be locked in an extended or retracted position. The stand can be a tubular receptacle 104. It can include lifting apertures 118 for transporting an auger in the storage container. There may be feet 124 for stabilising the cylindrical body 104 on the ground. There may be steps (120, fig 1) for a user to climb for access to an auger in the stand. The base 128 of the stand may have a central aperture 130 in which a stored auger is located and supported.

Description

STAND FOR A PILE FOUNDATION AUGER

The present invention relates to pile foundation augers, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a stand for supporting a pile foundation auger in storage, e.g. when disconnected from a drilling rig.

Augers are used extensively in the construction industry, particularly in the formation of deep pile foundations. It is common for such augers to be laid on the ground when not connected to a drilling rig, e.g. during off-site storage. Space constraints mean that this may not always be possible, particularly at a construction site, and so it has been known for augers to be left upright, in a partially driven state in the ground. However, once removed from the ground, the resulting hole (if not properly back-filled) may present a significant health and safety risk.

Clearly, there is a need for alternative means or method for storing pile foundation augers.

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution to the problem mentioned.

According to the invention, there is provided an auger stand for supporting a pile foundation auger in an upright orientation, as set forth in claim 1.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of storing an auger, as set forth in claim 15.

Other aspects and features of the invention will be readily apparent from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments, made by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an auger stand; Figure 2 is a schematic cross section through the auger stand Figure 1 turned through 45 degrees; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the auger stand of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a stabiliser for use with the stand of Figures 1 to 3; and Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the stabiliser of Figure 4.

An auger stand is indicated generally at 100 in Figures 1 to 3. The auger stand 100 is intended for standing on a support surface (e.g. on the ground, as indicated at 102 in Figures 1 and 2), for storing a pile foundation auger (not shown) in a generally upright orientation.

The auger stand 100 defines a tubular receptacle 104 having an open end 106 for receiving the end of a pile foundation auger. In this embodiment, the receptacle 104 is cylindrical.

However, other shapes and configurations may be preferred (e.g. a tube of rectangular or otherwise polygonal cross-section).

The auger stand 100 includes stabilisers 108, which are movable between extended and retracted positions, for stabilising the orientation of an auger in the stand 100. The stabilisers 108 are effectively rigid arms or rods, which are inserted through apertures 110 in the side wall of the receptacle 104. Each stabiliser 108 includes a plurality of locking recesses or apertures 114, into which a locking pin 112 can be inserted, to extend into a recess or aperture (not shown) in a gusset plate 116 (provided adjacent each slide aperture 110), for locking the stabiliser 108 in a desired extended or retracted position relative to the side wall of the receptacle 104.

In this embodiment, the stand 100 includes three stabilisers 108 arranged in a uniformly spaced radial array, as this has been found to be particularly useful for stability purposes.

However, two diametrically opposed stabilisers may also provide useful stability. Other configurations of two or more such movable stabilisers may be preferred.

The auger stand 100 includes lifting apertures 118 for use in lifting the auger stand 100. The auger stand 100 also includes steps 120 for a user to climb, e.g. for accessing an upper region of an auger positioned in the stand 100 (as an alternative to climbing the flight of the auger).

Dependent upon the diameter of the receptacle 104 and the length of the stabilisers 108, a single stand 100 can be used for storing a range of different sizes of auger. Typically, the stand 100 will be configured for storing augers of at least 500mm diameter and perhaps up to 1500mm diameter (although at or above 1500mm diameter, the augers may be self -supporting in an upright orientation). In this embodiment, the tubular receptacle 104 has a diameter of 1100mm and a height of 1200mm.

The auger stand 100 is intended to be self supporting on the ground 102. To assist with stability, the stand 100 includes an array of feet 122, more particularly four footings 124, which extend outwards from the receptacle in a uniformly spaced radial array. Each footing 124 has an associated brace member 126 extending between an end region of the footing 124 and an elevated position on the side wall of the receptacle 104, to provide additional strength.

The auger stand 100 includes a base 128 having a central aperture or recess 130, for receiving the end of an auger inserted into the receptacle 104, to provide concentricity.

In use, an auger (not shown) is lowered into the receptacle 104 (i.e. through the open end of the receptacle 104), and the end of the auger is located in the central aperture 130, thereby ensuring that the auger can be supported in a generally concentric orientation. The stabilisers 108 are then moved to an extended position, in order to engage the auger and stabilise the auger in a generally upright orientation in the stand 100. The locking pins 110 are used to prevent movement of the stabilisers 108. The auger can then be left in storage in the stand 100.

If desired, the stand 100 can be moved with the auger in situ. For example, using chains or hooks connected through the lifting apertures 118, the auger stand 100 can be raised off the ground. In doing so, the load from the auger will be supported by engagement between the stabilisers 108 and the flight of the auger.

The invention provides a convenient means of storing and supporting pile foundation augers in an upright orientation, which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional auger storage techniques.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An auger stand for a pile foundation auger, the auger stand being configured for standing on a support surface and for receiving an end of a pile foundation auger, for storing the auger in an upright orientation.
2. An auger stand according to claim 1 and including stabilisers movable between extended and retracted positions for stabilising the orientation of an auger in the stand.
3. An auger stand according to claim 2 wherein the stabilisers consist of rigid arms.
4. An auger stand according to claim 2 or claim 3, including means for locking each stabiliser in a desired extended or retracted position.
5. An augur stand according to claim 4, including a locking pin for preventing unwanted movement of the stabiliser from its extended or retracted position.
6. An augur stand according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the stabilisers are arranged in a radial array.
7. An augur stand according to claim 6, including three uniformly spaced stabilisers.
8. An auger stand according to any preceding claim wherein the stand has an open end into which the auger is lowered for storage purposes.
9. An auger stand according to claim 8 wherein the stand defines a tube into which an auger is inserted for storage purposes.
10. An auger stand according to claim 9 wherein the tube is cylindrical.
11. An augur stand according to any of claims 8 to 10, including a base having a central aperture or recess for locating the end of an auger.
12. An auger stand according to any preceding claim, including lifting apertures for use in lifting the auger stand.
13. An auger stand according to any preceding claim, including steps for a user to climb, for accessing an upper region of an auger positioned in the stand.
14. An auger stand according to any preceding claim, including feet for stabilising the stand on a support surface.
15. A method of storing an auger, the method including the steps of (i) providing an auger stand on a support surface, (ii) and positioning an end of the auger in the stand, whereby the auger is stored in a generally upright orientation.