Piling System

Abstract

A pile comprises a first side portion configured as a section of the pile and comprising first and second edges. A second side portion comprising first and second edges and is configured to slidably engage with the respective second and first edges of the first side portion, wherein the first edge is configured to slidably engage the second edge. When engaged, the two side portions form a substantially hollow pile and the side portions form junctions between the two side portions that are located inside the outermost boundary of the pile.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. ______ filed on Apr. 6, 2009, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to piles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the need for a pile that is easier to transport and is less prone to deterioration. Other advantages are also seen in the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pile. In a variant, the pile comprises a first side portion comprising first and second edges, the first side portion configured as a section of a pile. A second side portion comprises first and second edges configured to slidably engage with the respective second and first edges of the first side portion. The first edge is configured to slidably engage the second edge. When engaged, the two side portions form a substantially hollow pile and the side portions form junctions between the two side portions that are located inside the outermost boundary of the pile.

In another variant, the pile comprises a female slot disposed along the length of the first edge and a male member disposed along the length of the second edge configured for being slidably received into the female slot forming the junction between the two side portions. The pile may be formed by aligning the first and second side portions end on end such that a first edge of the first side portion is matched to the second edge of the second side portion and the two portions are slid together along each other's length to form the pile.

In a further variant, the side portions form a groove on either side of the pile adjacent to the junction.

In still another variant, the pile comprises a solar power electrical system comprising: a thin film solar cell mounted to the side of the pile; a battery for storing electric charge generated by the solar cell, mounted inside the hollow pile; and a least one electric load device connected to the battery and positioned in the groove.

In yet a further variant, the pile comprises a gap infill having an outer side and is sized and shaped to fill the groove. The gap infill is configured such that the outer side will substantially align with the outer boundary of the pile when the gap infill is inserted into the groove.

In another variant of the pile, when engaged the side portions form a cavity on either side of the pile adjacent to the junction. The cavity is formed from a part of the first side portion suspended over a valley formed in the second side portion.

In a further variant of the pile, a part of the of the second side portion is suspended over the valley in the second side portion, wherein when engaged, the side portions form a throat between the first and second side portions that leads into the cavity.

In still another variant, the cavity runs along substantially the entire length of the pile. The pile further comprises a carriage disposed in the cavity and restrained to remain in the cavity by the respective dimensions of the carriage and the cavity walls. The carriage is configured to slide within the cavity along the length of the pile.

In yet a further variant, the carriage is a roller carriage, comprising wheels positioned on the carriage and sized to roll along the length of the cavity. The carriage comprises a cleat connected to the carriage and disposed outside the outer boundary of the pile.

In another variant, the cavity runs along substantially the entire length of the pile, and the throat is formed by two side walls that leads into the cavity. The pile comprises a roller carriage disposed in the cavity and restrained to remain in the cavity by the respective dimensions of the carriage and the cavity walls. The carriage is configured to slide within the cavity along the length of the pile. The carriage comprises a plurality of wheels, wherein one wheel is positioned on the carriage and sized to roll along the floor of the length of the cavity, and one wheel is configured to roll against a wall of the throat. The carriage optionally has a cleat connected to the carriage and disposed outside the outer boundary of the pile.

In a further variant, the pile comprises a pile tip, generally conical in shape and configured to engage an end of the first and second side portions such that a tip of the pile tip points away from the side portions.

In still another variant, the pile comprises a mechanism between the pile tip and the side portions for locking the pile tip to the side portions comprising a male piece for being received into a slot.

In yet a further variant, a system for constructing a pile, comprises: at least two side portions configured as a section of a pile having a length and comprised generally as a curved surface having a substantially constant cross section along the entire length of the side portion; and a side portion connector configured for slidably interlocking with the side portions to form a hollow pile.

In a variant, the system comprises two side portion connectors and two side portions, wherein the side portions are identical in shape and at least one side portion connector has a channel. Each side portion is configured to slidably interlock with a side portion connector on either side of the side portion such that four junctions are formed interior to an outer boundary of the pile by assembling the two side portions with the two side portion connectors.

In another variant of the system, the channel disposed on the side portion connector comprises a throat that leads to a cavity and both run along the side portion connector. The side portion connector is configured such that when the pile is assembled, the cavity is disposed interior to the outer boundary of the pile.

In a further variant of the system, one side portion connector has a groove that runs along the side portion connector, and the side portion connector is configured such that when the pile is assembled, the groove is disposed interior to the outer boundary of the pile.

In yet another variant, the side portions and the side portion connectors are formed by a pultrusion process.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the invention. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

Some of the figures included herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention from different viewing angles. Although the accompanying descriptive text may refer to such views as “top,” “bottom” or “side” views, such references are merely descriptive and do not imply or require that the invention be implemented or used in a particular spatial orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of side portion of the pile;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of two side portions connected directly together.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a pile in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of two side portions connected directly together forming a groove in the side of the pile

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of two side portions connected directly together forming a cavity in the side of the pile;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of two side portions connected together via side portion connector forming a cavity in the side of the pile;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of two side portions connected together via side portion connector forming a groove in the side of the pile;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a roller carriage;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the roller carriage;

FIG. 10 is perspective view of the pile illustrating and end configured to connect to a pile tip;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the pile illustrating and end configured to connect to a pile tip;

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms of example environments. Description in terms of these environments is provided to allow the various features and embodiments of the invention to be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative environments.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in applications, published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this document prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a pile for supporting structures. In one variant, referring to FIGS. 1-3, the pile 10 comprises: a first side portion 15 comprising first 20 and second edges 25. The term “edge” refers generally to the regions of the side portion 15 referred to by letters A and B in FIG. 1 and numerals 20 and 25, and translated along the length of the side portion 15. Edge does not necessarily mean the exact end of the side portion 15, but to a general region that may include the end.

A second side portion 15 comprises first 20 and second edges 25 configured to slidably engage with the respective second 25 and first edges of the first side portion, wherein the first edge 20 is configured to slidably engage the second edge 25. The side portions 15 are configured as a section of a hollow pile 10. When engaged, the two side portions 15 form a substantially hollow pile 10 as shown in FIG. 3, and junctions 30 are formed between the two side portions 15 that are located inside the outermost boundary 35 of the pile.

In a variant, the pile has a female slot 40 disposed along the length of the first edge 20 and a male member 45 disposed along the length of the second edge configured for being slidably received into the female slot forming the junction 30 between the two side portions. The pile 10 may be formed by aligning the first and second side portions 15 end on end such that a first edge 20 of the first side portion is matched to the second edge 25 of the second side portion and the two portions are slid together along each other's length to form the pile 10.

In another variant of the pile, referring to FIG. 4, the side portions 15 form a groove 50 on either side of the pile adjacent to the junction.

In a further variant, the pile comprises a solar power electrical system comprising: a thin film solar cell 55 mounted to the side of the pile; a battery 60 for storing electric charge generated by the solar cell, mounted inside the hollow pile 10; and a least one electric load device 65 connected to the battery and optionally positioned in the groove. For example, the electric load device may be a lamp. In another example, the electric load device may be a water pump for supply water pressure to a fire hose. The battery may be mounted inside the pile via a mounting bracket 70. The then film solar cell 55 may be shaped to conform to the outer surface 35 of the pile 10.

In still another variant, the pile comprises a gap infill 75 having an outer side 80 and is sized and shaped to fill the groove 50. The gap infill 75 may be configured wherein the outer side 80 will substantially align with the outer boundary 35 of the pile when the gap infill 75 is inserted into the groove.

In yet a further variant of the pile, referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, when the side portions are engaged, they form a cavity 85 on either side of the pile adjacent to the junction 30. The cavity 85 is formed from a part 90 of the first side portion suspended over a valley 95 formed in the second side portion.

In another variant of the pile, a part 100 of the of the second side portion is suspended over the valley 95 in the second side portion, wherein when engaged, the side portions 15 form a throat 100 between the first and second side portions that leads into the cavity 85.

In a further variant of the pile, the cavity 85 runs along substantially the entire length of the pile, and, referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 9, the pile has a carriage 110 disposed in the cavity 85 and is restrained to remain in the cavity 85 by the respective dimensions of the carriage 110 and the cavity walls. The carriage 110 is configured to slide within the cavity along the length of the pile.

In still another variant, the carriage is a roller carriage, comprising two pairs of lateral rollers 115, a pair of rail rollers 120, and a pair of groove rollers 125. Two plates 130 and a stainless steel bar 135 serve as a structural framework for connecting all the rollers on the carriage. Optionally a cleat 140 may be connected to the plates 130. The rollers are positioned on the carriage and sized to roll along the length of the cavity. The cleat 140 may be connected to the carriage and disposed outside the outer boundary 35 of the pile. When the pile serves as a structural element for dock, boats may tie to the cleat and the cleat may slide up and down the pile pursuant to the rise and fall of the tide, thus preventing the cleat from becoming out of reach of the boat.

In yet a further variant of the pile, the cavity 85 runs along substantially the entire length of the pile, and the throat 100 is formed by two side walls that lead into the cavity. The pile includes a roller carriage 110 disposed in the cavity 85 and restrained to remain in the cavity by the respective dimensions of the carriage 110 and the cavity walls. The carriage 110 is configured to slide within the cavity 85 along the length of the pile. The carriage 110 may comprise a plurality of wheels or rollers, wherein one wheel 115 is optionally positioned on the carriage 85 and sized to roll along the floor of the length of the cavity. One wheel 125 is optionally configured to roll against a wall of the throat 100. Referring to FIG. 3, the carriage may optionally have a cleat 140 connected to the carriage and disposed outside the outer boundary 35 of the pile. Optionally, the pile may have a roller collar ring 145 for preventing the cleat 140 from traveling past a predetermined point. Optionally, a bumper bearing cavity 150 may be formed by the roller collar ring for placement of a bumper 155.

In another variant, referring to FIGS. 10-12, the pile optionally has a pile tip 160 that is generally conical in shape and configured to engage an end 165 of the first and second side portions such that a tip 170 of the pile tip points away from the side portions. Optionally, the pile as a mechanism between the pile tip and the side portions for locking the pile tip to the side portions. Optionally the mechanism may comprise the a slot 175 and a male piece 180 for being received in to the slot 175.

In another variant, a system for constructing a pile 10 is provided. Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 13, the system comprises at least two side portions 15 configured as a section of a pile 10 having a length and comprised generally as a curved surface having a substantially constant cross section along the entire length of the side portion 15. A side portion connector 200 is configured for slidably interlocking with the side portions to form a hollow pile.

In a further variant, the system comprises two side portion connectors 200 and two side portions 15. The side portions 15 are identical in shape and at least one side portion connector 200 has a channel 85 and wherein the each side portion is configured to slidably interlock with a side portion connector on either side of the side portion such that four junctions 30 are formed interior to an outer boundary 35 of the pile by assembling the two side portions with the two side portion connectors.

In still a further variant if the system, the channel is disposed on the side portion connector and comprises a throat 100 that leads to a cavity 85 and both run along the side portion connector 200. The side portion connector 200 is configured such that when the pile is assembled, the cavity 85 is disposed interior to the outer boundary 35 of the pile.

In yet a further variant of the system, one side portion connector 200 has a groove 50 that runs along the side portion connector 200. The side portion connector is configured such that when the pile is assembled, the groove 50 is disposed interior to the outer boundary 35 of the pile. The pile may be formed with various combinations of the side portion connectors shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 depending on the needs of the builder.

In a preferred embodiment, the pile side portions and pile side portion connectors described herein are preferably formed by a pultrusion process. The pile is constructed so such that the sides of the pile are parallel. This type of construction would prevent the effects of ice-jacking if the piling is used in dock construction. The piling described herein may be used in marina construction, waterfront development, on and off shore residential property, bridges, utility poles, and many other construction applications.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations can be implemented to implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein can be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.

Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in a single package or separately maintained and can further be distributed across multiple locations.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

Claims

1. A pile, comprising:

a first side portion comprising first and second edges, the first side portion configured as a section of a pile;

a second side portion comprising first and second edges configured to slidably engage with the respective second and first edges of the first side portion, wherein the first edge is configured to slidably engage the second edge;

wherein when engaged, the two side portions form a substantially hollow pile;

wherein when engaged, the side portions form junctions between the two side portions that are located inside the outermost boundary of the pile.

2. The pile of claim 1, wherein pile further comprises a female slot disposed along the length of the first edge and a male member disposed along the length of the second edge configured for being slidably received into the female slot forming the junction between the two side portions;

wherein the pile may be formed by aligning the first and second side portions end on end such that a first edge of the first side portion is matched to the second edge of the second side portion and the two portions are slid together along each other's length to form the pile.

3. The pile of claim 2, wherein the side portions form a groove on either side of the pile adjacent to the junction.

4. The pile of claim 3, further comprising solar power electrical system comprising:

a thin film solar cell mounted to the side of the pile;

a battery for storing electric charge generated by the solar cell, mounted inside the hollow pile;

a least one electric load device connected to the battery and positioned in the groove.

5. The pile of claim 3, further comprising a gap infill having an outer side and sized and shaped to fill the groove and the gap infill configured wherein the outer side will substantially align with the outer boundary of the pile when the gap infill is inserted into the groove.

6. The pile of claim 1, wherein when engaged the side portions form a cavity on either side of the pile adjacent to the junction, the cavity formed from a part of the first side portion suspended over a valley formed in the second side portion.

7. The pile of claim 6, wherein a part of the of the second side portion is suspended over the valley in the second side portion, wherein when engaged, the side portions form a throat between the first and second side portions that leads into the cavity.

8. The pile of claim 6, wherein the cavity runs along substantially the entire length of the pile, the pile further comprising:

a carriage disposed in the cavity and restrained to remain in the cavity by the respective dimensions of the carriage and the cavity walls, the carriage configured to slide within the cavity along the length of the pile.

9. The pile of claim 8, wherein the carriage is a roller carriage, comprising wheels positioned on the carriage and sized to roll along the length of the cavity, the carriage comprising a cleat connected to the carriage and disposed outside the outer boundary of the pile.

10. The pile of claim 6, wherein the cavity runs along substantially the entire length of the pile, and the throat is formed by two side walls that leads into the cavity, the pile further comprising:

a roller carriage disposed in the cavity and restrained to remain in the cavity by the respective dimensions of the carriage and the cavity walls, the carriage configured to slide within the cavity along the length of the pile, the carriage comprising a plurality of wheels, wherein one wheel is positioned on the carriage and sized to roll along the floor of the length of the cavity, and one wheel is configured to roll against a wall of the throat, the carriage comprising a cleat connected to the carriage and disposed outside the outer boundary of the pile.

11. The pile of claim 10, further comprising a pile tip, generally conical in shape configured to engage an end of the first and second side portions such that a tip of the pile tip points away from the side portions.

12. The pile of claim 11, wherein the pile comprises a mechanism between the pile tip and the side portions for locking the pile tip to the side portions comprising a male piece for being received into a slot.

13. A system for constructing a pile, comprising:

at least two side portions configured as a section of a pile having a length and comprised generally as a curved surface having a substantially constant cross section along the entire length of the side portion;

a side portion connector configured for slidably interlocking with the side portions to form a hollow pile.

14. The system of claim 13, comprising two side portion connectors and two side portions, wherein the side portions are identical in shape and at least one side portion connector has a channel and wherein each side portion is configured to slidably interlock with a side portion connector on either side of the side portion such that four junctions are formed interior to an outer boundary of the pile by assembling the two side portions with the two side portion connectors.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the channel disposed on the side portion connector comprises a throat that leads to a cavity that both run along the side portion connector, and the side portion connector is configured such that when the pile is assembled, the cavity is disposed interior to the outer boundary of the pile.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein one side portion connector has a groove that runs along the side portion connector, and the side portion connector is configured such that when the pile is assembled, the groove is disposed interior to the outer boundary of the pile.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the side portions and the side portion connectors are formed by a pultrusion process.