Patents by Inventor Nathaniel S. Fox
Nathaniel S. Fox has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9243379Abstract: A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate has an upper end and an open lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven downwardly in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity following which the mandrel is lowered so that its lower end engages the deposited aggregate and densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force with these steps being repeated until the pier top is near the surface of the earth. A second embodiment includes a conduit in the primary mandrel for injecting concrete or grout into aggregate previously deposited in the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Alan L. Moxhay, Nathaniel S. Fox
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Patent number: 9169611Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a support aggregate pier having compacted aggregate lifts in a soil matrix, includes an elongate, hollow tube with a bulbous leading end bottom head element that is forced or lowered into the soil matrix. The hollow tube includes a mechanism for releasing aggregate from the lower head element of the tube as the tube is lifted in predetermined increments. The same hollow tube is then lowered or pushed in predetermined increments to vertically compact the released aggregate in thin aggregate lifts, while forcing a portion of the compacted aggregate transaxially into the soil matrix at the sidewalls of the cavity. The process may be repeated to form a series of compacted aggregate lifts comprising an aggregate pier or the process may include forming only a single lift for the aggregate pier while densifying adjacent matrix soils and imparting lateral stress in these soils.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: GEOPIER FOUNDATION COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Nathaniel S. Fox, Lorenz Weppler
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Publication number: 20140056651Abstract: A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate has an upper end and an open lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven downwardly in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity following which the mandrel is lowered so that its lower end engages the deposited aggregate and densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force with these steps being repeated until the pier top is near the surface of the earth. A second embodiment includes a conduit in the primary mandrel for injecting concrete or grout into aggregate previously deposited in the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Alan L. Moxhay, Nathaniel S. Fox
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Patent number: 8573892Abstract: A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate octagonal in cross-section has an upper end and a blunt lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven downwardly in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical tapered cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity following which the mandrel is lowered so that its blunt lower end engages the deposited aggregate and densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force with these steps being repeated until the pier top is near the surface of the earth at which time the upper aggregate portions are densified by either the primary mandrel or a secondary mandrel having a substantially larger lower end surface than the lower end surface of the primary mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Alan L. Moxhay, Nathaniel S. Fox
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Patent number: 8221034Abstract: A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate octagonal in cross-section has an upper end and a blunt lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven down in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical tapered cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity then the mandrel is lowered so that its blunt lower end densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force and repeating these until the pier top is near the surface of the earth at which time the upper aggregate portions are densified by the primary mandrel or a secondary mandrel having a substantially larger lower end surface than the lower end surface of the primary mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Alan L. Moxhay, Nathaniel S. Fox, Gale M. Peterson
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Publication number: 20120093590Abstract: A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate octagonal in cross-section has an upper end and a blunt lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven down in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical tapered cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity then the mandrel is lowered so that its blunt lower end densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force and repeating these until the pier top is near the surface of the earth at which time the upper aggregate portions are densified by the primary mandrel or a secondary mandrel having a substantially larger lower end surface than the lower end surface of the primary mandrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: GEOPIER FOUNDATION COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Alan L. Moxhay, Nathaniel S. Fox, Gale M. Peterson
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Patent number: 8152415Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a support aggregate pier having compacted aggregate lifts in a soil matrix, includes an elongate, hollow tube with a bulbous leading end bottom head element that is forced or lowered into the soil matrix. The hollow tube includes a mechanism for releasing aggregate from the lower head element of the tube as the tube is lifted in predetermined increments. The same hollow tube is then lowered or pushed in predetermined increments to vertically compact the released aggregate in thin aggregate lifts, while forcing a portion of the compacted aggregate transaxially into the soil matrix at the sidewalls of the cavity. The process may be repeated to form a series of compacted aggregate lifts comprising an aggregate pier or the process may include forming only a single lift for the aggregate pier while densifying adjacent matrix soils and imparting lateral stress in these soils.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel S. Fox, Lorenz Weppler
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Publication number: 20110305525Abstract: A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate octagonal in cross-section has an upper end and a blunt lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven downwardly in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical tapered cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity following which the mandrel is lowered so that its blunt lower end engages the deposited aggregate and densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force with these steps being repeated until the pier top is near the surface of the earth at which time the upper aggregate portions are densified by either the primary mandrel or a secondary mandrel having a substantially larger lower end surface than the lower end surface of the primary mandrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: GEOPIER FOUNDATION COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Alan L. Moxhay, Nathaniel S. Fox
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Patent number: 8043028Abstract: A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate octagonal in cross-section has an upper end and a blunt lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven downwardly in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical tapered cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity following which the mandrel is lowered so that its blunt lower end engages the deposited aggregate and densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force with these steps being repeated until the pier top is near the surface of the earth at which time the upper aggregate portions are densified by either the primary mandrel or a secondary mandrel having a substantially larger lower end surface than the lower end surface of the primary mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Alan L. Moxhay, Nathaniel S. Fox, Gale M. Peterson
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Publication number: 20110243666Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a support aggregate pier having compacted aggregate lifts in a soil matrix, includes an elongate, hollow tube with a bulbous leading end bottom head element that is forced or lowered into the soil matrix. The hollow tube includes a mechanism for releasing aggregate from the lower head element of the tube as the tube is lifted in predetermined increments. The same hollow tube is then lowered or pushed in predetermined increments to vertically compact the released aggregate in thin aggregate lifts, while forcing a portion of the compacted aggregate transaxially into the soil matrix at the sidewalls of the cavity. The process may be repeated to form a series of compacted aggregate lifts comprising an aggregate pier or the process may include forming only a single lift for the aggregate pier while densifying adjacent matrix soils and imparting lateral stress in these soils.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: GEOPIER FOUNDATION COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Nathaniel S. Fox, Lorenz Weppler
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Patent number: 7963724Abstract: A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate octagonal in cross-section has an upper end and a blunt lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven downwardly in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical tapered cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity following which the mandrel is lowered so that its blunt lower end engages the deposited aggregate and densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force with these steps being repeated until the pier top is near the surface of the earth at which time the upper aggregate portions are densified by either the primary mandrel or a secondary mandrel having a substantially larger lower end surface than the lower end surface of the primary mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Alan L. Moxhay, Nathaniel S. Fox
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Patent number: 7901159Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a support pier having a single or multiple compacted aggregate lifts in a soil matrix, wherein the apparatus includes a vertical, hollow tube with a bulbous leading end or head element that is forced into the soil matrix. The hollow tube includes a mechanism for releasing aggregate from the lower head element of the tube as the tube is lifted incrementally. The same hollow tube is then utilized to compact the released aggregate. The process may be repeated to form a series of compacted lifts comprising a pier.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventor: Nathaniel S. Fox
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Publication number: 20080159813Abstract: A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate octagonal in cross-section has an upper end and a blunt lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven downwardly in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical tapered cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity following which the mandrel is lowered so that its blunt lower end engages the deposited aggregate and densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force with these steps being repeated until the pier top is near the surface of the earth at which time the upper aggregate portions are densified by either the primary mandrel or a secondary mandrel having a substantially larger lower end surface than the lower end surface of the primary mandrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Alan L. Moxhay, Nathaniel S. Fox, Gale M. Peterson
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Patent number: 7326004Abstract: A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate octagonal in cross-section has an upper end and a blunt lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven downwardly in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical tapered cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity following which the mandrel is lowered so that its blunt lower end engages the deposited aggregate and densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force with these steps being repeated until the pier top is near the surface of the earth at which time the upper aggregate portions are densified by either the primary mandrel or a secondary mandrel having a substantially larger lower end surface than the lower end surface of the primary mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Alan L. Moxhay, Nathaniel S. Fox
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Apparatus and method for building support piers from one or successive lifts formed in a soil matrix
Patent number: 7226246Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a support pier having a single or multiple compacted aggregate lifts in a soil matrix, wherein the apparatus includes a vertical, hollow tube with a bulbous leading end or head element that is forced into the soil matrix. The hollow tube includes a mechanism for releasing aggregate from the lower head element of the tube as the tube is lifted incrementally. The same hollow tube is then utilized to compact the released aggregate. The process may be repeated to form a series of compacted lifts comprising a pier.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Geotechnical Reinforcement, Inc.Inventor: Nathaniel S. Fox -
Patent number: 7004684Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method for forming a pier in a soil matrix includes a hollow tube with a restricted expansion section connected to and adjacent a soil penetrating bottom head element which is configured to facilitate discharge of pier forming material such as grout. An expansion device in the form of an expandable bladder or expandable mechanical device is positioned along a section of the length of the restricted expansion section. The hollow tube structure is inserted into a soil matrix with the expansion device in the retracted condition. Subsequently, the expansion device is expanded to enlarge the formed cavity in the soil matrix. Then grout or other pier forming material is injected into the cavity as the expansion device is retracted or deflated and as the hollow tube structure is raised incrementally to form a pier with one or more uniquely shaped lifts.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Geotechnical Reinforcement, Inc.Inventor: Nathaniel S. Fox
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Patent number: 6988855Abstract: Installation of support piers for a structure comprises the steps of positioning a hollow tube in a soil matrix followed by removal of soil from the hollow core, filling the core with an aggregate, subsequent raising and lowering of the hollow tube, compacting the aggregate by means of a mechanical device affixed to the bottom of the hollow tube to and also applying lateral forces to the aggregate against the walls of the cavity formed in the soil matrix, thereby pushing a portion of the aggregate laterally into the soil matrix.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Geotechnical Reinforcement Company, Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel S. Fox, Gale M. Peterson
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Publication number: 20040247397Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method for forming a pier in a soil matrix includes a hollow tube with a restricted expansion section connected to and adjacent a soil penetrating bottom head element which is configured to facilitate discharge of pier forming material such as grout. An expansion device in the form of an expandable bladder or expandable mechanical device is positioned along a section of the length of the restricted expansion section. The hollow tube structure is inserted into a soil matrix with the expansion device in the retracted condition. Subsequently, the expansion device is expanded to enlarge the formed cavity in the soil matrix. Then grout or other pier forming material is injected into the cavity as the expansion device is retracted or deflated and as the hollow tube structure is raised incrementally to form a pier with one or more uniquely shaped lifts.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: Nathaniel S. Fox
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Publication number: 20040170477Abstract: A method and special mechanical apparatus for installation of support pier for structure comprises positioning a hollow tube apparatus in a soil matrix wherein the hollow tube apparatus has a hollow core and is susceptible to lateral and longitudinal movement, removing soil from the hollow core and then filling that core with an aggregate followed by raising and lowering of the hollow tube apparatus by means of a special bottom mechanical device in a manner which compacts the aggregate and also applies lateral forces to the aggregate against the walls of the cavity in the soil matrix, pushing a portion of the aggregate into the soil matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Geotechnical Reinforcement, Inc., a Corporation of the State of NevadaInventors: Nathaniel S. Fox, Gale M. Peterson
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Apparatus and method for building support piers from one or successive lifts formed in a soil matrix
Publication number: 20040115011Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a support pier having a single or multiple compacted aggregate lifts in a soil matrix, wherein the apparatus includes a vertical, hollow tube with a bulbous leading end or head element that is forced into the soil matrix. The hollow tube includes a mechanism for releasing aggregate from the lower head element of the tube as the tube is lifted incrementally. The same hollow tube is then utilized to compact the released aggregate. The process may be repeated to form a series of compacted lifts comprising a pier.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2004Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Geotechnical Reinforcement Company, Inc.Inventor: Nathaniel S. Fox