NZ566515A - Post driver mountable to three point linkage - Google Patents

Abstract

A post or pile driver that is to be supported by a three point linkage from a vehicle includes a post driver 41 with a mast, a frame 43, 44, 45, 46 carrying a controllable carriage 35, and an extendable assembly 42 from the carriage that supports the mast. An extendable link 37 extends from the mast to the upper linkage 39 of the three point linkage, and lower links 36 extend from the frame to each of the lower linkages of the three point linkage. The carriage can be moved laterally on the frame to move the mast laterally and the movement of the extendable assembly moves the mast toward or away from the frame as well as allowing the mast to pivot both laterally and toward and away.

Description

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 566515/566677/568942 Date: 7 March 2008/12 March 2008/5 June 2008 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION VEHICLE MOUNTABLE SIDE SLIDE ARRANGEMENTS We, FAIRBROTHER INDUSTRIES LIMITED, a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of 9 Bay Park Place, Beachhaven, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to assemblies useful for incorporation in pile or post driving apparatus ("post driving apparatus") and/or as a mounting support for such pile driving apparatus.

Typical of post driving apparatus is that of our KINGHITTER™ pile driving apparatus which comes in a number of different models. See www.fairbrotherind.com Some models have provision whereby the three point linkage of, for example, a farm tractor can engage (with its lower two linkage arms) a mounting from which the masted pile driving apparatus depends whilst the masted post driving apparatus itself has provision for attachment to the higher single linkage arm of such a three point linkage arrangement. Within the limits of movement of the linkage arms the mounted masted pile driving apparatus can be manoeuvred.

In the KINGHITTER™ series there is provision of a rail on which attachment adaptions laterally of the rail axis are to attach to the lower linkage arms of the vehicle. It is between these linkage adaptions that a carriage of such an assembly is limited as a side slide to move thereby limiting its side to side movement to, by way of example, a maximum of, say, 200mm.

Our post/pile driver, typified by 532190/533239/533562, has the capability of allowing a carriage run that can be greater than that hitherto experienced. This better enables the apparatus to drive skewed posts without vehicle movement.

It is an object of the present invention to provide post driving apparatus mounting assemblies which enables significant degrees of freedom both in respect of positioning or tilt with respect to a post or other item to be driven without vehicular movement It is a further or alternative object of the present invention to provide for both sideways and rearward movement of the mast of the post driving apparatus (whether with or without sideways tilt and/or whether with or without rearwards or forward tilt) or to at least provide the public with the useful choice in that respect.

It is a further or alternative object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the preferred embodiments of the invention of our previously mentioned patent specification without the necessity of disparate lateral extents of the top runner of the carriage with respect to the lower runner of the carriage, or, to at least provide the public with a useful choice. o - J - It is a further or alternative object of the present invention to provide components of a sub assembly, 01* an assembly, useful for mounting at least in part, or mounting at least in part, post driving apparatus of any suitable kind and which provides the lateral movements of or contemplated by the invention of the aforementioned patent specification.

In still another aspect the invention is a post or pile ("post") driving apparatus assembly of a land to be supported by a three point linkage from a vehicle, said assembly comprising or including a masted post driving apparatus, an extendable link from the mast (directly or indirectly) to the upper linkage of the three point linkage, a frame with a link to each of the lower linkages of the three point linkage, a controllable carriage carried by said frame, and an extendible assembly from the carriage (directly or indirectly) supporting the mast; wherein, in use, said carriage will provide lateral movement (preferably greater than 200mm) of the carriage/extendable assembly's support of the mast and said extendable assembly allows mast backshift.

In yet a further aspect the invention is a vehicle mounted pile or post ("post") driving apparatus where, from the relativity of the vehicle, there can be a back shift and a side shift of the post driving apparatus and there can be tilting of the post driving apparatus reliant upon: (a) an extendable upper link to the mast from the vehicle's three point linkage (upper only) that allows for some sideways tilting, (b) a lateral movement of a carriage relative to the vehicle's three point linkage (lower only), (c) an extendable link to the mast via the carriage that pivotally supports the mast to allow sideways tilting, and (d) the extendable upper link and extendable link to the mast to allow for backward/forward tilting.

Preferably an extendable link from the carriage to the mast allows for sideways tilting. _ 4- In an aspect the invention is a post or pile ("post") driving apparatus assembly of a kind to be supported by a three point linkage from a vehicle, said assembly comprising or including a masted post driving apparatus, a telescopic articulating link from the mast (directly or indirectly) to the upper linkage of the three point linkage, a frame with a link to each of the lower linkages of the three point linkage, the frame having a pair of rails, a controllable carriage with a runner on each of said rails of the frame, and a controllable telescopic assembly from the carriage (directly or indirectly) [preferably pivotally] supporting the mast; wherein, in use, said carriage will provide lateral movement (preferably greater than 200mm) of the carriage/telescopic assembly's pivotal support of the mast and said telescopic assembly allows mast backshift with or without tilt under the control of said telescopic articulating link.

In another aspect the invention is a vehicle mounted pile or post ("post") driving apparatus where, from the relativity of the vehicle, there can be both a back shift and a side shift of the post driving apparatus reliant upon: (a) a telescopic articulable upper link to the mast from the vehicle's three point linkage (upper only), (b) a lateral movement of a carriage relative to the vehicle's three point linkage (lower only), and (c) a telescopic or other extendable link to the mast via the carriage.

In a preferred form of the present invention said masted post driving apparatus may have a fixed mast or may have a telescopic or hinged mast irrespective however preferably the mounting arrangement is as described.

Preferably said extendable link from the mast is doubly articulated so as not to prevent sideways movement or tilt of the mast.

Preferably said extendable link irrespective of the articulation is telescopic eg, under the action of a ram.

In other forms however screw or other type extension capability can be used.

Preferably said frame on which the carriage is carried includes two rails on which runners of the carriage operates and allows a sideways movement greater than 200 mm (preferably greater than 300mm, more preferably greater than 400 mm). For example about 500 mm or more.

The two rails preferably are fixed relative to each other, preferably by leg extension housing or some alternative.

If the lower linkage to a three point linkage is from a rail directly, preferably the sideways extent of the carriage's runner on that rail is less than that of the runner on the other rail.

Preferably said extendable assembly from the carriage is ram operable.

Preferably said extendable assembly from the carriage allows rotation of the mast in a plane substantially transverse to the extendable axis.

Preferably a ram controls the movement of said carriage relative to the frame.

Preferably a ram controls the tilt of the mast of the post driving apparatus relative to said carriage, such tilt being sideways.

Preferably the arrangement is substantially as hereinafter described particularly with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.

In an aspect the present invention is an assembly suitable for mounting or mounting, at least in part, post driving apparatus or at least the most thereof, said assembly being of at least a first member, fabrication or subassembly ("first member") defining (i) one rail (of any cross-section) or two rails (of any cross-section), and (ii) an adaptation to engage a lower arm of a three point linkage, a second member, fabrication or subassembly ("second member") defining (a) one rail (of any cross-section) or no rails, and (b) an adaptation to engage the other lower arm of a three point linkage, said first and second members being inter-engageable (eg, by welding, partial nesting, and/or fittings) so as to have two parallel rails, and a carriage having (i) two runners (or any form), and (ii) an adaptation to support in part, or supporting in part, said post driving apparatus or at least part of a mast thereof, wherein, prior to first to second member inter-engagement, the two runners of the carriage can each be associated with a different said rail, and whereby, post the first to second member inter-engagement, one runner per rail association of the carriage provides for its stable orientation on the parallel rails.

Preferably each rail is directly above or below, as well as parallel to, the other.

In a preferred form of the present invention said first member has two rails and said second member has no rails. Alternatively however each of said first and second members can have a single rail.

Preferably each rail is tubular in section.

Preferably each tubular rail is annular in cross-section.

In some embodiments the rails can be of different sections provided there is appropriate matching by the runners or each runner of the carriage.

Preferably said runners, or at least one runner of the carriage, is a sleeve or other tubular member (optionally lined eg, with nylon or other low friction material) that receives a rail therethrough.

Preferably the adaptation, one from each of said first and second members, is each inset with respect to the proximate lateral extremity of the overall assembly, the rear region carrying the post driving apparatus or at least the mast thereof.

Preferably said insetting is by way of a connection to part of said first or second member which does provide a limit of movement of the carriage or would, were the carriage to move that far, provide such a limit.

Preferably said first member is substantially as herein after described with reference to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably said second member as substantially as herein described preferably with reference to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably said adaptations to engage a lower arm for one or other of said first and second members as substantially as herein described with (or without) reference Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably said adaptation to support in part, or supporting in part, said post driving apparatus or at least the mast thereof allows articulation of the post driving apparatus or at least the mast thereof relative to the assembly.

Preferably or optionally said articulation is around a single axis or plural articulating axes (eg, at least substantially vertical, at least substantially horizontal, or both).

Preferably aspects of the apparatus are substantially as herein described with or without reference to the previous specification and the invention thereof.

Preferably the runner is able to move laterally along the rail pair by at least 200mm and preferably at least the distances of the invention of the aforementioned specification.

Preferably the carriage travel can be greater than 200mm (preferably greater than 250mm preferably greater 300mm).

Preferably the carriage travel can be more than 350mm (preferably more than 400mm) (preferably more than 450mm).

Preferably the travel is up to at least about 500mm.

For example, an upper limit of travel will be above 500mm (eg, 600mm or even more).

Preferably said post driving apparatus or mast thereof carries directly or indirectly an adaptation to engage the upper arm of a three point linkage. Such adaptation may include some articulation axes to allow substantially horizontal and/or substantially vertical movement of the post driving apparatus or mast thereof relative to said assembly.

In another aspect the present invention is an assembly suitable for mounting or mounting, at least in part, post driving apparatus or at least the most thereof, said assembly being of at least a first member, fabrication or subassembly ("first member") defining (i) one rail (of any cross-section) or two rails (of any cross-section), and (ii) an adaptation to engage a lower arm of a three point linkage, a second member, fabrication or subassembly ("second member") defining (a) one rail (of any cross-section) or no rails, and (b) an adaptation to engage the other lower arm of a three point linkage, said first and second members being inter-engageable (eg, by welding, partial nesting, and/or fittings), and a carriage having (i) two runners (or any form), and (ii) an adaptation to support in part, or supporting in part, said post driving apparatus or at least the mast thereof; wherein, prior to first to second member inter-engagement, the two runners of the carriage can each be associated with a said rail, and whereby, post the first to second member inter-engagement, one runner per rail association of the carriage provides for its stable orientation; and wherein each of said adaptations to engage a lower arm of a three point linkage is clear of the carriage and/or does not, as a linkage zone, provide a running limit to the carriage.

Preferably each rail is directly above or below, as well as parallel to, the other.

In a preferred form of the present invention said first member has two rails and said second member has no rails. Alternatively however each of said first and second members can have a single rail.

Preferably each rail is tubular in section.

Preferably each tubular rail is annular in cross-section.

In some embodiments the rails can be of different sections provided there is appropriate matching by the runners or each runner of the carriage.

Preferably said runners, or at least one runner of the carriage, is a sleeve or other tubular member (optionally lined eg, with nylon or other low friction material) that receives a rail therethrough.

Preferably the adaptation, one from each of said first and second members, is each inset with respect to the proximate lateral extremity of the overall assembly, the rear region carrying the post driving apparatus or at least the mast thereof.

Preferably said insetting is by way of a connection to part of said first or second member which does provide a limit of movement of the carriage or would, were the carriage to move that far, provide such a limit.

Preferably said first member is substantially as herein after described with reference to Figure 6 and/or 7 of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably said second member as substantially as herein described preferably with reference to Figure 6 and/or 7 of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably said adaptations to engage a lower arm for one or other of said first and second members as substantially as herein described with (or without) reference Figure 6 and/or 7of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably said adaptation to support in part, or supporting in part, said post driving apparatus or at least the mast thereof allows articulation of the post driving apparatus or at least the mast thereof relative to the assembly.

Preferably or optionally said articulation is around a single axis or plural articulating axes (eg, at least substantially vertical, at least substantially horizontal, or both).

Preferably aspects of the apparatus are substantially as herein described with or without reference to the previous specification and the invention thereof.

Preferably the runner is able to move laterally along the rail pair by at least 200mm and preferably at least the distances of the invention of the aforementioned specification.

Preferably the carriage travel can be greater than 200mm (preferably greater than 250mm preferably greater 300mm).

Preferably the carriage travel can be more than 350mm (preferably more than 400mm) (preferably more than 450mm).

Preferably the travel is up to at least about 500mm.

For example, an upper limit of travel will be above 500mm (eg, 600mm or even more).

Preferably said post driving apparatus or mast thereof carries directly or indirecdy an adaptation to engage the upper arm of a three point linkage. Such adaptation may include some articulation axes to allow substantially horizontal and/or substantially vertical movement of the post driving apparatus or mast thereof relative to said assembly.

In another aspect the invention is an assembly connectable to the two lower arms of a three point linkage and having a carriage that is to carry, or carries, post driving apparatus; the assembly being characterised in that two parallel rails on which the carriage runs are linked to each other and/or merged into each other ("linked"), beyond the running limits of the carriage, but have from each link and adaptation to connect to a said lower arm, each at a zone, which if not set out from the rails and if not inwardly of its link from which it directly or indirectly cantilevers, would otherwise limit the run of the carriage.

Preferably each said adaptation is at a height between the heights of the rails in use.

Preferably each rail is tubular and the carriage has two runner, one for each tube. Such runners preferably are tube like.

Preferably the carriage is ram assembly moveable.

Preferably the carriage run is greater than 200mm (preferably greater than 250mm, etc) as aforesaid.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a masted post driving apparatus in combination with or coupled to an assembly of any of the kinds hitherto referred to.

In another aspect the invention consists in retrofit apparatus for a masted pile driver to provide a slide movement as aforesaid and/or any assembly of the present invention.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in the use of an assembly or pile driving apparatus in accordance with the present invention where there is a capability of a lateral adjustment relative to the vehicle notwithstanding the fact that legs or other means of part of the overall assembly may be grounded.

The preferred form of the invention of NZ532190/533239/533562 will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 with Figures 6 and 7 showing the improvement or addition of the present invention.

Figure 1 which shows apparatus lowered to the ground and showing a hydraulic ram capable of being positioned to drive between the carriage and one end of the top or first rail, that top or first rail being adapted for engagement to the lower arms of the three point linkage of a vehicle, the carriage itself having, at least on its face towards the vehicle, lesser of a rail run extent than it has on the bottom or second rail since it is the top rail in this particular embodiment that has as a slide limiting feature the brackets for linking to the three point linkage arms, Figure 2 is a diagram of another embodiment when viewed from the vehicle side so as to show the lesser extent of the rail runner of the first rail to that of the second or lower rail, Figure 3 is a top view of the arrangement shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a section through the apparatus showing a ram manoeuvrable mast, Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the slide/carriage assembly relative to the mast or I beam CA', Figure 6 is an exploded view of the assemblable apparatus of the present invention, Figure 7 (minus hydraulic hoses, the mast, etc) shows a preferred assembly of the Figure 6 components, Figure 8 shows arms linking the apparatus as well as the top hitch ram from the pivoted mast, and Figure 9 is another view of the assembly of Figure 8.

In the preferred form of the invention of the aforementioned patent specification the apparatus primarily of steel comprises a first rail 1 with adaptions 2 for attachment to the lower two linkage arms of a three point linkage of a vehicle. The pile driver mast 12 carries the adaption 13 for the upper links of the three point linkage of a vehicle.

A lower rail member 3 runs parallel below the rail member 1.

The fixed relationship of the rails 1 and 3 is kept by box sections 4. Preferably the rails 1 and 3 are themselves box sections.

The carriage itself 5 includes a more run wise extensive rail runner 6 (eg, a sleeve) for the rail 3 than it has as 7 (a sleeve) for rail 1 since rail 3 does not have the abutment limits that will be provided by the attachment adaptions 2.

The arrangement whereby the carriage can best associate with a pile driving apparatus is best shown in Figure 1 as 8.

Also shown in Figure 1 are leg extensions 14 which allows the apparatus to be lowered as shown such that a ram 9 can extend between 10 of the carriage and member 11 at or adjacent one end of the rail assembly.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate how, if an extent X is required for the run wise direction of a single carriage on a single rail there can be a rail runner sleeve 6 of that extent or greater yet, provided the rail runner sleeve 7 has an extent less than X, a greater than hitherto lateral slide movement of the carriage 5 is possible over prior art constructions. The invention envisages a multiple rail or the like structure for a carriage which means that a side shift mechanism for association to a vehicle and/or pile driving apparatus can have a greater shifting capability than were it made as hitherto with a single rail arrangement.

The present invention therefore extends to the use of such apparatus for the purpose analogous to existing site shifters but over a greater lateral expanse with respect to the forward and aft direction of the mounting vehicle. This is because, unlike past slide assembKes, the movement is not restricted to much less than 50% of the lower mount spacing of the 3 point linkage. Instead we get over 50% and preferably greater than 70% (eg, even up to towards 95% ie, say above 80%).

A preferred form of the present invention to be understood in conjunction with the operation of post or pile driving apparatus as aforesaid ("post driving apparatus") will now be understood by reference to the exploded view attached as Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 6 shows as 15 a preferred first member with parallel tubular rails 18 and 20 adapted to be one directly above the other. These rails are cantilevered from the linking member 27 in the fabricated structure and it is that linking member 27 that carries the adaptation 22 for engaging one arm of the three point linkage set of arms of a vehicle. That engagement is to be to a lower arm with the other lower arm to be connected by the adaptation 25 of the second member 26.

The second member 26 has no rails itself but rather insertable plugs 23 and 24 to be received internally of the tubular rails 18 and 20 respectively and to be welded and/or engaged thereto (eg, by bolting). Those plug like members 23 and 24 are linked by a linking member 28 similar to that of the first member 15 (ie, 27) and from that there is the adaptation 25 for the other lower three point linkage arm.

Any suitable means of attachment of the members 15 and 16 together can occur but preferably after fitment of the carriage 17 thereto.

As can be seen the carnage 17 includes runners 19 and 21 in the form of preferably nylon or other low friction lined sleeves 19 and 21 to be received by rails 18 and 20 respectively prior to assembly of members 15 and 16 together.

Shown in the figures are feet 26 and 26a to be received by members 28 and 27 respectively.

Also showing is an adaptation 30 for one end of a hydraulic ram or other ram 31 which will have the ability, by virtue of a linkage at 32, of controlling the disposition of the carriage 17 along the rails. Such an arrangement is possible irrespective of whether or not both rails are cantilevered by the first member 27 or one only is cantilevered by that member and the other is cantilevered by the member 16.

I i Also shown is a beam pivot tube 33 to associate with the mast of the post drive (not shown).

A back shift ram 34 can be used from its connection at 35 across in the tube axis of tube 36 of member 17 to control back shift.

Any suitable attachment of mast to member 33 can be used. The arrangement, having regard to the earlier embodiment of the aforementioned patent specification, will readily apparent as will the assembly from Figure 6 and 7 in respect of the assembly of the present invention.

Preferably the arrangement of the post driving apparatus/pile driving apparatus from the assembly resulting from the use of the componentary of Figure 6 is in a manner substantially as disclosed by reference to Figures 1 through 5.

Figures 8 and 9 show assembly 35 linked to non-extensile or extensile arms 36 of a three point linkage (but any substitute for such arms will suffice eg, simple tongue, etc). Also shown is a hydraulic ram 37 to connect by end 38 to an upper arm or other link/tongue/etc of a three point linkage. The ram 37 is pivoted on substantially vertical pivot axes at both 39 and 40 thereby allowing sideways movement about the pivot mount of the mast 41 to the apparatus 35 and/or as a consequence of sideways movement of carriage 42 on rails 43 and 44.

Shown are feet 45 each adjustable vertically with respect to the link (with its socket) 46 between the rails and from which directly, or indirectly, the links for pinning to arms 36 are supported by setting inwards and inwardly so as to fit to and be closer to the arms than are the rails and the socket 46.

Claims (18)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A post or pile (hereafter "post") driving apparatus assembly of a kind to be supported by a three point linkage from a vehicle, said assembly comprising or including a masted post driving apparatus, an extendable link from the mast, directly or indirectly, to the upper linkage of the three point linkage, a frame with a link to each of the lower linkages of the three point linkage, a controllable carriage carried by said frame, and an extendable assembly from the carriage (directly or indirectly) supporting the mast; wherein, in use, said carriage will provide lateral movement (preferably greater than 200mm) of the carriage/extendable assembly's support of the mast and said extendable assembly allows mast backshift.

2. An assembly of claim 1 where more than 200mm of said lateral movement is possible by said carriage.

3. An assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein said extendable link from the mast, directly or indirectly, to the upper linkage of the three point linkage is a telescopic articulating link from the mast.

4. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein said frame with a link to each of the lower linkages of the three point linkage is a frame having a pair of rails.

5. An assembly of claim 4 wherein said controllable carriage has a runner on each of said rails of the frame.

6. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein said extendible assembly from the carriage pivotally supports to mast.

7. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the mast of the masted post driving apparatus is a fixed mast, a telescopic mast or a hinged mast.

8. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein said extendable link from the mast is doubly articulated so as not to prevent sideways movement or tilt of the mast.

9. An assembly of claim 8 wherein said extendable link, irrespective of the articulation, is telescopic under the action of a ram. - 15-

10. An assembly of claim 1 wherein said frame on which the carriage is carried includes two rails on which runners of the carriage operates and allows a sideways movement greater than 200 mm.

11. An assembly of claim 10 wherein said two rails are fixed relative to each other.

12. An assembly of claim 10 or 11 wherein the lower linkage to a three point linkage is from a rail directly, and the sideways extent of the carriage's runner on that rail is less than that of the runner on the other rail.

13. An assembly of claim 10, 11 or 12 wherein said extendable assembly from the carriage is ram operable.

14. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein said extendable assembly from the carriage allows rotation of the mast in a plane substantially transverse to the extendable axis.

15. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein a ram controls the movement of said carriage relative to the frame.

16. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein a ram controls tilt of the mast of the post driving apparatus relative to said carriage, such tilt being sideways.

17. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the arrangement is substantially as herein described particularly with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.

18. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims when the Vehicle mounted to the vehicle's three point linkage.