Abstract: An impact hammer system for driving an elongate member comprising a ram member, a frame assembly, an actuator assembly, and a power source. The ram member defines a ram bore. The frame assembly supports the ram member such that the ram member may move relative to the frame assembly between first and second positions. The actuator assembly is operatively connected between the frame assembly and the ram member and is operable in extended and retracted configurations. At least a portion of the actuator assembly is disposed within the ram bore and a substantial portion of the actuator assembly extends out of the ram bore when the cylinder is in the extended position. The power source is operatively connected to the actuator assembly to place the actuator assembly in the extended and retracted configurations. Extension and retraction of the actuator assembly moves the ram member between the first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A drive system for elongate members comprising a drive plate, a support system, an insertion housing, at least one drive gear, and a vibratory system. The suppression system resiliently opposes relative movement between the support plate and the insertion housing. The drive gear displaces the elongate member along its longitudinal axis. The vibratory forces are transmitted to the elongate member through the at least one drive gear. The drive gear and the vibratory system simultaneously crowd and vibrate the elongate member into the ground.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and instruments for implant insertion through a posterior lateral opening to the disc space. The instruments include an implant inserter, and the devices include a spinal fusion implant engageable by the implant inserter. The implant provides bilateral support of the adjacent vertebrae when inserted into the disc space from a postero-lateral approach.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for attaching a pile to a pile driving apparatus for inserting and/or extracting the pile, comprising a housing; a first pivot assembly pivotably attached to the housing; a first gripping assembly rotatably attached to the first pivot assembly; a second pivot assembly pivotably attached to the housing; a second gripping assembly rotatably attached to the second pivot assembly; a first actuating assembly for displacing the first pivot assembly and the first gripping assembly such that first gripping assembly moves towards the second gripping assembly; and a second actuating assembly for displacing the second pivot assembly and the second gripping assembly such that second gripping assembly moves towards the first gripping assembly; wherein as the first and second gripping assemblies move towards each other, the pile is gripped between the first and second gripping assemblies to inhibit relative movement between the housing and the pile.

Abstract: A system for displacing an elongate member relative to the ground. The system includes a drive rack, a support assembly, a vibratory assembly, and a drive assembly. The vibratory assembly comprises a vibratory housing defining a vibratory chamber and a vibratory axis and a vibratory system mounted within the vibratory chamber to generate a vibratory force along the vibratory axis. The drive assembly comprises a drive housing comprising a main portion defining a drive chamber and, in certain configurations, a sleeve portion defining a sleeve chamber, where a drive axis extends through the drive chamber and the sleeve chamber and a drive system mounted within the drive chamber and comprising a drive gear that rotates to generate a drive force along the drive axis. The vibratory housing is mounted onto the support assembly to reduce the transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory housing to the support assembly.

Abstract: A wall system, comprising a plurality of pile members. The pile members are driven next to each other using a conventional pile driving system. An interlock system locks adjacent pile members together. A flowable hardenable material may be introduced into the pile members to reinforce the wall system. A reinforcing assembly may be inserted into the pile members to provide additional strength to the wall system.

Abstract: A drive system for inserting an elongate member into the ground. The drive system comprises a drive plate, a support system, an insertion housing, at least one drive gear, and a vibratory system for creating vibratory forces. The support system that engages the ground and supports the support plate at a substantially fixed height above a desired location. The suppression system is operatively connected between the support plate and the insertion housing to support the insertion housing above the desired location and resiliently oppose relative movement between the support plate and the insertion housing. The at least one drive gear is mounted to the insertion housing and engages the elongate member such that rotation of the drive gear displaces the elongate member along its longitudinal axis. The vibratory system is mounted to the insertion housing such that the vibratory forces are transmitted to the elongate member through the at least one drive gear.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing disc space preparation and implant insertion from a unilateral approach to the spine through a posterior lateral opening to the disc space. The instruments include spreaders, distractors, reamers, scrapers, cutters, chisels, rasps, pushers and implant inserters. A surgical procedure is provided that allows bilateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with at least one interbody fusion device inserted into the disc space via a unilateral approach. Implants for insertion into the disc space are also provided.

Abstract: An impact hammer system for driving an elongate member comprising a ram member, a frame assembly, an actuator assembly, and a power source. The ram member defines a ram bore. The frame assembly supports the ram member such that the ram member may move relative to the frame assembly between first and second positions. The actuator assembly is operatively connected between the frame assembly and the ram member and is operable in extended and retracted configurations. At least a portion of the actuator assembly is disposed within the ram bore and a substantial portion of the actuator assembly extends out of the ram bore when the cylinder is in the extended position. The power source is operatively connected to the actuator assembly to place the actuator assembly in the extended and retracted configurations. Extension and retraction of the actuator assembly moves the ram member between the first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and instrumentation for spinal interbody fusion are disclosed. The instruments and methods are particularly adapted for interbody fusion in an unreamed disc space. One instrument is a distractor assembly including a first distractor and a second distractor configured to be inserted in side-by-side relation in the disc space. Fusion cages adapted for insertion into an unreamed disc space are provided to enhance load distribution between adjacent vertebral bodies and lateral stability of the spinal column. The fusion cages may be inserted after distracting the disc space with the distractor assembly. Instruments for preparing the disc space through the inserted fusion cages or for use with the distractor assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A system for displacing an elongate member relative to the ground. The system includes a drive rack, a support assembly, a vibratory assembly, and a drive assembly. The vibratory assembly comprises a vibratory housing defining a vibratory chamber and a vibratory axis and a vibratory system mounted within the vibratory chamber to generate a vibratory force along the vibratory axis. The drive assembly comprises a drive housing comprising a main portion defining a drive chamber and, in certain configurations, a sleeve portion defining a sleeve chamber, where a drive axis extends through the drive chamber and the sleeve chamber and a drive system mounted within the drive chamber and comprising a drive gear that rotates to generate a drive force along the drive axis. The vibratory housing is mounted onto the support assembly to reduce the transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory housing to the support assembly.

Abstract: A system for inserting elongate members into and removing elongate members from the ground. The system is a bottom drive system that is capable of applying crowding or extraction forces to the elongate member while at the same time vibrating the elongate member along its axis. A vibratory assembly is mounted by a shock absorbing assembly to a support base. A gear or other type of drive assembly is mounted on the vibratory assembly. Vibratory forces generated by the vibratory assembly are applied to the elongate member through the drive assembly, causing the drive assembly to vibrate with the elongate member. The elongate member extends through the center of the vibratory assembly such that the vibratory forces have a vibratory axis that is aligned with the lengthwise axis of the elongate member to prevent torsional or twisting forces from being applied to the elongate member.

Abstract: A method of producing a carbon bonded abrasive tool by chemical vapor deposition of carbon, such as pyrolytic carbon, diamond, or a polymorphous form of diamond through a preshaped tool, the preshaped tool containing a mixture of abrasive particles, and also the carbon bonded abrasive tool produced by the method. The mixture of abrasive particles may include a mixture of a superabrasive powder and an abrasive powder filler. All or a portion of the filler has been impact processing by subjecting the filler to an uniform super-pressure exceeding one gigapascal to break up the filler into random size particles, some at the original mesh size interspersed with a continuum of smaller particles.

Abstract: A system for allowing elongate members such as piles, caissons, and casings to be driven into the earth at inaccessible locations. The system comprises a structural assembly having a support assembly and a bracing assembly. The structural assembly is arranged on a ground engaging assembly. The bracing assembly engages the caisson as it is being driven to make sure that it is plumb as it is being driven and when it is subsequently in the earth. The ground engaging assembly is adjustable to alter the orientation of the structural assembly to maintain the caisson in a plumb orientation. The bracing assembly comprises a guide portion and an extension portion. The extension portion may be retracted and extended relative to the support assembly. The system employs a conventional vibratory hammer to drive the elongate member. The system may also include a helicopter to lift the various components and the elongate member to the desired location.

Abstract: Diamonds are synthesized from SiC at temperatures and/or pressures lower than those required to convert amorphous carbon or graphite to diamond, by heating the SiC in the absence of another non-diamondaceous source of elemental carbon and in the presence of a reactant which selectively reacts with the Si at the temperature to which the SiC is heated, and in a matrix which is frangible when cooled, while the Sic is within the diamond stable region of the diamond-graphite phase diagram, thereby permitting the diamond to be separated therefrom by physical means.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a caisson to a device for inserting and/or extracting the caisson. The apparatus comprises three beams. A first beam is relatively long and is normally connected to a vibratory device such that its longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the lengthwise axis of the vibratory device. The second and third beams are relatively short and are connected to the vibratory device such their longitudinal axes are parallel to the lengthwise axis of the vibratory device. Four clamps are mounted on the beams to fix the beams onto the caisson. A flange on the first beam is widened at least a middle portion thereof to stiffen the beam and allow the beam to be securely connected to the vibratory device. The first beam may also be used with its longitudinal axis parallel to the lengthwise axis of the vibratory device.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for attaching a pile to a device for inserting and/or extracting the pile. The clamp assembly has a fixed gripping assembly and a movable gripping assembly. The fixed gripping assembly is rigidly attached to a housing. The movable gripping assembly is rotatably attached to a pivot arm that is pivotably attached to the housing. The pile is placed between the gripping assemblies and a piston causes the pivot arm to rotate such that the pile is gripped between the gripping assemblies. The movable gripping assembly rotates relative to the pivot arm into a desirable position relative to the pile as it engages the pile to increase the ability of the clamp assembly to grip the pile. An anvil formed on the top of the clamp assembly facilitates attachment of the clamp assembly to the pile driving and/or extracting device and alleviates damage to the bolts used to attach the clamp assembly to the pile driving and/or extracting device.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for attaching a pile to a device for inserting and/or extracting the pile. The clamp assembly has a fixed gripping assembly and a movable gripping assembly. The fixed gripping assembly is rigidly attached to a housing. The movable gripping assembly is rotatably attached to a pivot arm that is pivotably attached to the housing. The pile is placed between the gripping assemblies and a piston causes the pivot arm to rotate such that the pile is gripped between the gripping assemblies. The movable gripping assembly rotates relative to the pivot arm into a desirable position relative to the pile as it engages the pile to increase the ability of the clamp assembly to grip the pile. An anvil formed on the top of the clamp assembly facilitates attachment of the clamp assembly to the pile driving and/or extracting device and alleviates damage to the bolts used to attach the clamp assembly to the pile driving and/or extracting device.

Abstract: A pile driving and/or pile pulling vibratory assembly for imparting a vibratory force to a pile wherein the vibratory assembly has a housing and a pair of counterweights rotatably carried in receiving areas within the housing. The counterweight has a cylindrical gear portion and an eccentric weight portion integrally formed therewith. The eccentric weight portion has insert-receiving areas therein that are adapted to each receive a solid tungsten rod. The solid tungsten rod is adhered within the insert receiving area with an adhesive. Driving motors are operatively connected to the counterweights and are adapted to rapidly rotate the counterweights within the housing in order to generate substantial vibratory forces.

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus for driving and/or pulling a pile which basically comprises vibratory device, a pulling device, a plurality of shock absorbing members, and shock connecting apparatus. The vibratory device generates a vibratory force and applies this force to the pile. The pulling device applies a tension load to a carrying member. The shock connecting apparatus is operatively connected to the carrying member, the shock absorbing members, and the vibratory device. The shock connecting apparatus so selectively connects each of the plurality of shock absorbing members between the vibratory device and the pulling device that the total shock absorbing capacity of the apparatus is incrementally increased as the tension load applied to the carrying member increases.