Abstract: A lift bracket system for lifting a building structure such as a foundation and the like comprising a lift plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface for insertion under the building structure; a generally cylindrical housing affixed to the lift plate and extending perpendicularly from the top surface and the bottom surface of the lift plate, the housing defining a generally circular opening through the lift plate, the opening being disposed away from the center of the lift plate; and at least one gusset for supporting the lift plate, the gusset having a first end and a second end, the gusset disposed beneath the lift plate, wherein the first end of the gusset is attached to the bottom surface of the lift plate and the second end of the gusset is attached to the housing.

Abstract: A self-locking insert includes an insert body having an outer surface. Also included is a bore extending through the insert body, the bore defining an inner surface and configured to receive a lead screw. Further included is a self-locking feature configured to engage a holder to retain the self-locking insert in a predetermined position, the self-locking feature comprising at least one lug configured to be compressed by the holder during installation of the self-locking insert in the holder, the self-locking insert configured to be pressed into position in the holder. Yet further included is a de-lashing feature configured to interference fittingly engage the holder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screw pile comprising a shaft and at least two blades extending outwardly from the shaft. Each blade has a leading edge that contacts earth as the screw pile is screwed into the ground. The leading edge includes a swept back portion adapted to deflect rocks that come into contact with the swept back portion of the leading edge during insertion of the screw pile into the ground. In one embodiment, the leading edge of each blade includes two or more straight edge portions extending at different angles to each other. The straight edge portions may include an inner edge portion extending from the shaft and the swept back portion extending at an angle from the inner edge portion.

Abstract: A steel H pile has a relief design embossed on one or more major surfaces of either or both of its steel flanges and its web to provide surface irregularities thereon which increase the pile's surface friction and its friction pile load bearing capacity.

Abstract: An in-situ pile apparatus 10 includes a helical anchor to which a plurality of elongated generally cylindrically shaped sections can be added. Each of the sections has a specially shaped end portion for connecting to another section. An internal drive is positioned in sections inside the bore of each of the connectable pile sections. The internal drive includes enlarged sections that fit at the joint between pile sections. In one embodiment, the internal drive can be removed to leave a rod behind that defines reinforcement for an added material such as concrete. The rod also allows for a tension rod connection from the anchor tip to an upper portion attachment point.

Abstract: A structural helical pile having an elongate shaft member defining a longitudinal axis. The structural helical pile also comprises a radially extending, generally helical load bearing member integral with the shaft member and projecting outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft member. The helical load bearing member has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The respective leading and trailing edges intersect the shaft member in spaced relationship along the longitudinal length of the shaft member. The helical load bearing member further comprises at least one rib integrally formed therein. In this aspect, each rib extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft member and has a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness.

Abstract: A structural helical pile having an elongate shaft member defining a longitudinal axis. The structural helical pile also comprises a radially extending, generally helical load bearing member integral with the shaft member and projecting outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft member. The helical load bearing member has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The respective leading and trailing edges intersect the shaft member in spaced relationship along the longitudinal length of the shaft member. The helical load bearing member further comprises at least one rib integrally formed therein. In this aspect, each rib extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft member and has a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness.

Abstract: A pile for driving into the ground to provide support for a structure is elongate and is substantially rectangular in cross-section when viewed along its length. The ratio of the side lengths in cross-section may be 2:1 or greater, or may be 3:1 or greater. The pile is preferably formed of concrete and is preferably formed by extrusion. The pile preferably comprises at least one cavity running lengthwise along and within the pile, and preferably comprises at least one reinforcing bar running lengthwise along and within the pile. The arrangement of the cavities and/or reinforcing bars is preferably symmetrical about the central axis of the pile.

Abstract: A pile (1) has a plurality of external parallel helical fins (30,31,32) along substantially the whole length of the pile (1). At least one of the fins (30,31,32) has a wedge-shape cross-section. The pile (1) can be driven into a substrate by applying a force to the pile (1) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (2) of the pile (1), the force having substantially no rotational component about the longitudinal axis (2). The helical fins (30,31,32) on the pile (1) cause the pile (1) to rotate in the substrate and thereby penetrate the substrate as the force is applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for consolidating earth and anchor setting device. The apparatus includes a vertical support, a plurality of spaced media consolidation plates swingably mounted to the vertical support, a rib disposed along a lower edge of respective ones of the consolidation plates and a bearing plate secured to the vertical support. The apparatus can be used to install a bearing and moment foundation having an upper surface, a lower surface and a converging side surface. The upper surface is adapted to receive a pushing force for pushing the foundation into the soil and the side surface adapted to contact the soil when a pushing force is applied to the upper surface. The anchoring device can also be used to install a pier foundation having a plug, an installation load bearing member, an installed load bearing member and a cap.

Abstract: A stabilizer for an in situ column drilling apparatus comprises a first and second mounting arms, a first and second stabilizing members, and a first and second stabilizing tabs. The mounting arms are adapted for rotatable coupling to the shaft of column drilling systems. The first and second mounting arms are preferably positioned spaced apart along the shaft near the drilling auger. The mounting arms are coupled together by two stabilizing members at opposite ends of the arms distal the shaft. The stabilizing members are advantageously shaped to fit closely against the wall of the column to prevent changes in the auger's drilling course. The first and second stabilizing tabs are attached to the first and second stabilizing members, respectively. The first and second tabs are mounted to extend radially outward from the shaft and also prevent changes in the auger's drilling course.

Abstract: A post hole digger and a method of implanting a post in the ground. A boring implement having a piercing free end and also having an attachment flange is secured to an end portion of a post to be implanted in the ground. The implement has a tapered body section with a projecting serrated edge on opposed sides thereof. The serrated edges extend angularly from a common longitudinal plane and in opposed angular directions. A pipe section is secured to the implement and a garden hose is connected thereto whereby to direct a stream of water in the direction of said piercing free end whereby axial rotation and counter-rotation of said post causes the implement to bore into the ground to cause said post to descend in a bore hole. After the post is implanted the garden hose is disconnected from the pipe section by applying a pulling force on the hose.

Abstract: An apparatus for screwing a concrete pile (10) into ground comprises a rotary drive (26, 40, 42) and a linear drive (46, 48) both acting on the pile. An angle indicator (58) is associated to the rotary drive (26, 40, 42) and a linear position indicator cooperates with the linear drive (46, 48). A control unit (60) receives the output signals of the angle indicator (58) and the linear position indicator (56) and provides control signals to the rotary drive (26, 40, 42) and the linear drive (42, 48) corresponding to the pitch of the helical rib (16) formed on the concrete pile (10).

Abstract: An improved drive shoe is shown for installation on the penetrating end of a string of conductor pipe, for improving driving penetration through soil. The improved shoe has a reinforced cylindrical driving section. A symmetrical, toothed beveled penetration end improves penetration through loose and unconsolidated media, and minimizes displacement resistance by symmetrically displacing soil to both the inner bore of the conductor pipe and externally along the outer surface of the conductor pipe. A repeating pattern of straight exterior vertical bar segments breaks up the exterior soil, easing passage of the conductor pipe through the soil. A spiral inner bar section within the drive shoe breaks adhesion of the center soil plug to the bore of the conductor pipe by imparting a loosening and a twisting moment to the core plug.