Apparatus for implacement of subterranean screw anchors

Claim 2

Apparatus for implacing a subterranean screw anchor in the earth comprising: an elongated sleeve having a key at one end thereof adapted to drivingly engage a part of a screw anchor to drive the anchor in rotation, said sleeve key being configured for free sliding movement upwardly in an axial direction relative to the screw anchor for disengagement therefrom and thus projecting in an axial direction from said one end of said sleeve; a rod projecting coaxially from the sleeve and connected thereto; driving means engaging the rod for rotating the rod and sleeve about their axes; and means for selectively exerting a force upon said rod and sleeve in opposite axial directions.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeve and rod are a single, integrally formed tubular structural element having a polygonally shaped external peripheral cross-section.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said driving means is a rotary kelly driving element passing around and drivingly engaging said rod.

Claim 5

AppAratus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for exerting a force upon said rod and sleeve comprises: a derrick supporting said driving means; a winch mounted on said derrick; and a cable extending from said winch to said rod.

Claim 6

In combination: a pointed screw anchor which includes an elongated shank terminating in a point, and a blade helically turned about a portion of the shank adjacent the point, said blade having a radially extending heel at the end thereof most remote from said point, and a cutting edge at the other end thereof; an elongated tubular member slidingly telescoped over said shank on the opposite side of said blade from said point, said tubular member having a key formed on an end thereof adjacent said blade and laterally engaging the heel of said blade for transferring rotational movement from said tubular member to said screw anchor, said tubular member being freely slidable upwardly on said shank in a direction away from said point and blade whereby said tubular member can be freely withdrawn from said screw anchor when the blade portion of said screw anchor is buried in the earth; a derrick adapted to be supported on the ground; and a rotary driving element mounted on the derrick and engaging an intermediate portion of said elongated tubular member for driving said tubular member in rotation.

Claim 7

In combination: a pointed screw anchor which includes an elongated shank terminating in a point, and a blade helically turned about a portion of the shank adjacent the point, said blade having a radially extending heel at the end thereof most remote from said point, and a cutting edge at the other end thereof; an elongated tubular member slidingly telescoped over said shank on the opposite side of said blade from said point, said tubular member having a key formed on an end thereof adjacent said blade and laterally engaging the heel of said blade for transferring rotational movement from said tubular member to said screw anchor, said tubular member being freely slidable upwardly on said shank in a direction away from said point and blade whereby said tubular member can be freely withdrawn from said screw anchor when the blade portion of said screw anchor is buried in the earth; a derrick adapted to be supported on the ground; and a rotary driving element mounted on the derrick and engaging an intermediate portion of said elongated tubular member for driving said tubular member in rotation.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the end of said tubular member adjacent said key is cut transversely on a bias inclined to the longitudinal axis thereof for resting flatly on said blade; and wherein said apparatus is further characterized as including means on said derrick for exerting a force on said tubular member acting along the axis thereof toward the end thereof at which said key is located.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said rotary driving element comprises: a rotary kelly driving element passing around and engaging said elongated tubular member; a mobile vehicle having a power take-off associated therewith; and a drive shaft drivingly connected between said rotary kelly driving element and said power take-off.