Woodpile connector

Abstract

A woodpile connector has a tubular body defined by an open-end lower portion and an open-end upper portion. The upper portion and the lower portion are fixedly connected, at their free ends, to a separating plate, which forms a transverse flange extending outwardly from an exterior periphery of the connector body. The open ends of the connector body have beveled edges to facilitate engagement of the connector portions with abutting sections of the woodpile. By aligning the connector portions in relation to the pile sections, while forcing the connector portions into the pile sections, alignment of the pile sections is achieved even when the pile sections do not have evenly cut connecting surfaces.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a pile system, and more particularly to a connector for engaging ends of pile segments when the pile is driven into the ground.

[0002] Many construction projects involve the use of wooden piles that are designed to support the structure above ground. The use of woodpiles is widespread in the areas where the soil conditions do not provide sufficient structural support to a building or other structure. Such areas can be found in sandy soils or in clay soils with large moisture content. Builders in the South of the United States are well familiar with the weak soil conditions, and the use of woodpiles in support structures is well known. One of the cities that is practically built on piles is New Orleans, La., where the clay conditions of the soil require the use of piles even in a small house construction.

[0003] In the past, the piles were made of cypress wood that was especially resistant to rot and termites. Eventually, the supplies of long timber were exhausted and modern builders have to utilize 30-foot piles as opposed to 60-foot piles that were available even a century ago. As a result, when a particularly heavy structure needs to be erected, the pile segments have to be connected end-to-end and driven into the ground.

[0004] The problem with using smaller length piles is that the pile segments can easily deviate from the desired strictly vertical orientation, which will result in weakening of the pile system. The weakening of the pile system can also be created when the ends of the piles not being cut strictly level, which will tend to place the upper segment of the pile at an angle in a relation to a vertical axis of the lower pile segment.

[0005] Various devices have been used to prevent weakening of the pile system. One of them is the use of a cylindrical sleeve that fits over the area of connection between the two pile segments. Such sleeves are conventionally squeezed around the abutting ends of the pile segments and tend to “grip” the pile segments as they are driven into the soil. However, this system is not perfect and deviations from the strictly vertical orientation of the pile have been noted.

[0006] The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with the prior art and provision of a woodpile connector that would help retain the pile segments in a vertical orientation regardless of the cut level of the connecting segments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a woodpile connector that stabilizes the pile segments for retaining them in a vertical orientation as they are driven into the soil.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a woodpile connector that retains the pile segments in a vertical orientation even when the ends of the pile are not cut at a straight angle.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a woodpile connector that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0010] This and other objects of the present invention are achieved through a provision of a connector for use with porous piles, such as woodpiles. The connector has a cylindrical body intersected by a separating plate in its mid section. The plate extends outwardly from the cylindrical body and forms a transverse annular flange encircling the exterior of the connector body.

[0011] The separating plate divides the connector into an upper portion and a lower portion, which is a mirror image of the upper portion. The connector portions have opposite open ends. The connector wall that defines the open edges of the connector body is cut at a bevel and forms a sharpened edge to facilitate embedding of the connector ends into abutting pile segments. The soft fibrous matter of the woodpile becomes somewhat compressed between the interior wall of the connector and helps in preventing splitting of wood in the area of connection.

[0012] A pair of bleed slots is formed in the pile connector between the separating plate and the edge of the pile connector portions that are attached to the plate. The bleed slots allow air and moisture to escape the connector portions when the connector is embedded into the wood segments. The slots may be formed at diametrically opposite locations about the circumference of the connector body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the wood pile connector of the present invention engaging two segments of a pile.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pile connector in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taking along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIEMENT

[0016] Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates the woodpile connector in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen in the drawing, the pile connector 10 has a generally cylindrical body open at a first upper portion 12 and at a second lower portion 14. A continuous wall 16 of the pile connector 10 has an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 20. A separating plate 22 intersects the wall 16 at mid-section and extends outwardly from the outer surface 20 of the wall 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The separating plate thereby defines the bottom of the upper portion 12 and a top of the lower portion 14 of the connector 10.

[0017] The separating plate 22 forms an annular flange 24 extending outwardly from the exterior wall 20. The flange 22 is welded to the cylindrical wall 16 about substantially entire circumference of the wall, except for two locations. The lower portion 14 of the connector 10 has a fluid release space, or bleed slot 26, and the upper portion 12 has a fluid release space, or bleed slot 28. Preferably, the bleed slots 26 and 28 are created at diametrically opposite positions in relation to the center of the cylindrical wall 16, although it is not absolutely necessary.

[0018] The upper edge of the wall 16 is provided with a bevel cut edge 30, and a lower edge of the wall 16 is provided with a bevel cut edge 32. The annular edges 30 and 32 create sharp points 34 and 36, respectively. The sharpened points 34 and 36 assist in driving the pile connector 10 into the wooden log, while forcing the wood fibers to slightly compress, at least to the width of the wall 16 between the interior wall 18 of the pile connector 10.

[0019] When a pile needs to be driven into the soil, the pile is cut cross-wise to a desired length. FIG. 1 shows two such pile segments. A bottom pile segment 40 has a top end 42 which may or may not be cut straight. In FIG. 1, the bottom pile 40 is cut at about a 10-degree angle away from the vertical.

[0020] A second pile segment, in this case top pile segment 44 is also cut crosswise to create an abutting end 46. The end 46 may or may not be cut at a straight angle. FIG. 1 shows that the end 46 has about a 15-degree angle. It is with such type of problems that the device 10 of the present invention is designed to deal.

[0021] In operation, the bottom pile 40 is driven into the soil using conventional pile driving equipment. The pile connector 10 is then positioned at approximately central location on the top end 42. The operator needs to make sure that the connector 10 is oriented vertically regardless of the angle that is exhibited by the top surface of the end 42. Downward force is then applied to the pile 40 and the connector 10, forcing the connector portion 14 downwardly. The lower portion 14 becomes deeply embedded into the end 42 of the bottom pile segment 40 with the help of the sharpened annular edge 36.

[0022] The wooden fibers, being relatively soft and capable of being compressed by the metal connector 10 tend to be “squeezed” or compressed between the interior wall 18 of the connector 10. This insures that the connector 10 is firmly embedded into the bottom pile 40.

[0023] The annular flange 24 rests on the highest point 50 of the cut end 42. Regardless of whether the rest of the plate 22 contacts the cut surface 42, the connector 10 will stay oriented vertically, as long as the driving is conducted properly. If air or water were trapped inside the lower portion 14 while the connector was driven into the pile 40, the air and water, if present, are released through the bleed hole 26.

[0024] Next, the operator positions the top pile segment 44 on top of the connector 10 and forces the top pile segment 44 onto the sharpened edge 34 on the upper portion 12. The wall 16 embeds itself within the pile segment 44, compressing slightly the pile fibers between the confines of the interior wall 18 of the connector 10, thereby insuring firm engagement of the connector 10 with the top pile segment 44.

[0025] The lowest point 52 of the cut surface 46 rests on the lip or flange 24, thereby keeping the pile 44 in alignment with the bottom pile 40. The rest of the surface 46, even if not contacting the plate about the entire surface of the cut end 46, will remain substantially vertical and in proper alignment with the bottom pile 40. Any trapped air or fluid will seep out through the bleed hole 28.

[0026] This procedure can be followed until the desired number of piles have been driven into the soil to create a pile structure suitable for supporting the foundation of a house or building. It is possible that lower ends of some piles will become split where the connector 10 is driven into the wooden log. However, due to the slight compression of the wood body into the interior of the pile connector 10, the piles will stay connected and in the proper alignment. While the subsequent sections of pile are driven into the ground, the connector 10 will become more firmly embedded into the lower pile sections, facilitating increase in the load carrying capacity of the overall pile system.

[0027] The annular lip of flange 24 increases the outside diameter of the pile connector 10 and consequently, allows it to withstand greater driving forces and carry greater loads. By using the pile connector 10, the operator can straighten not so perfectly cut surfaces of the pile segments and achieve a straight alignment between the two pile sections. The connector 10 causes the piles to almost “automatically” align while they are driven into the soil by providing the limit to the depth, to which the pile can be driven in relation to the connector 10 and to the subsequent pile segments.

[0028] During experimental tests of the pile connector 10, the pile connector 10 was constructed with two 12-inch long portions welded to the plate 22. The pile connector had a 6.625-inch O.D. The wall thickness of the connector was 0.125 inch. The plate 22 was made {fraction (3/16)}″ thick, and 4″ of the wall 16 length were driven into the pile sections. The bottom pile was treated wood and had a straight cut. The top pile section had a 15-degree bevel. The piles were tested for compression which could withstand up to 50,000 pounds in loads with deflection of 0.08 inches.

[0029] The piles were also tested for bending. The rate of loading was approximately 3,000 pounds per minute. The flexural test demonstrated that the pile sections could withstand up to about 9 PL/4 (ft/kips). Different pile sections were also tested for pull out (uplift) readings and when the pile diameters (top/bottom) were used in the range of 7.2 inches/10.4 inches, the ultimate load in pounds was 9,500. Of course, with different diameter wood sections and different size connectors, different readings would be achieved.

[0030] The connector 10 of the present invention can be used for driving woodpiles regardless of whether the cut of the abutting sections was straight or somewhat bevel. The tests show that 15 or more degrees bevel was still acceptable with a proper alignment of the piles.

[0031] The pile connector 10 is preferably made of a strong material, such as steel that can withstand loads associated with driving of the piling into the ground. It can also be manufactured from a material having corrosion resisting properties. The connector 10 can be made of tubular material having circular or rectangular cross-section. The length and thickness of the wall 16 will depend in the diameter of the logs forming the pile system.

[0032] Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector for engaging sections of a wood piling, comprising:

an upper portion having a tubular wall with an open upper end;

a lower portion having a tubular wall with an open lower end, the lower portion being fixedly connected to the upper portion; and

a separating plate fixedly attached to free ends of said upper portion and said lower portion, said separating plate extending outwardly from exterior walls of the upper portion and the lower portion and forming a flange on the exterior walls of the upper portion and the lower portion.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said separating plate extends transversely to the exterior walls of the upper portion and the lower portion.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a first air and fluid release slot is formed between a part of a lower end of said upper portion and said separating plate.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein a second air and fluid release slot is formed between a part of an upper end of said lower portion and said separating plate.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion are configured as cylindrical bodies, and wherein said first and said second air and fluid release slots are located at diametrically opposite locations in relation to each other.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said open upper end of the upper portion is defined by a continuous wall having a bevel edge to facilitate engagement of the upper portion with a wood piling section.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said open lower end of the lower portion is defined by a continuous wall having a bevel edge to facilitate engagement of the lower portion with a section of wood piling.

8. A method of connecting adjacent sections of wood piling, comprising the steps of:

providing a pile connector having an upper portion with an open upper end and a lower portion having a lower open end, said upper portion and said lower portion being fixedly connected to a transverse plate extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, said plate forming a transverse flange in an area of connection between the upper portion and the lower portion;

forcing the lower portion into a bottom section of the wood piling until the transverse flange contacts a top surface of the bottom section;

forcing the upper portion into a top section of the wood piling until the transverse flange contacts a bottom surface of the top section, thereby aligning said bottom section and said top section of the wood piling, while the wood piling is being driven into the ground.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said open upper end of the upper portion of the pile connector is defined by a continuous wall having a bevel edge.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said open lower end of the lower portion of the pile connector is defined by a continuous wall having a bevel edge.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said plate is fixedly attached to said upper portion and said lower portion about substantially entire periphery of said upper portion and said lower portion.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of forming an air and fluid release slot between said upper portion and said plate.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of forming an air and fluid release slot between said lower portion and said plate.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said pile connector has a tubular body with an exterior surface, and wherein said transverse flange extends outwardly from said exterior surface.

15. A connector for engaging sections of a wood piling, comprising:

a connector body having an exterior surface, said connector body comprising an upper portion having a tubular wall with an open upper end and a lower portion having a tubular wall with an open lower end, the lower portion being fixedly connected to the upper portion; and

a separating plate fixedly attached to a bottom edge of said upper portion and to a top edge of said lower portion, said separating plate extending outwardly from exterior walls of the upper portion and the lower portion and forming a transverse flange on the exterior surface of said connector body.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said open upper end of the upper portion is defined by a continuous wall having a bevel edge to facilitate engagement of the upper portion with a wood piling section.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein said open lower end of the lower portion is defined by a continuous wall having a bevel edge to facilitate engagement of the lower portion with a section of wood piling.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein a first air and fluid release slot is formed between a part of the bottom edge of said upper portion and said separating plate.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein a second air and fluid release slot is formed between the top edge of said lower portion and said separating plate.