Method and a device for introducing a tubular assembly into the soil

Claim 3

A method of taking a soil sample through use of the method of claim 1 in which the soil is cored by the open end of the tube as the tube is forced into the soil and the core is removed from the space between the strips after the strips are separated as the tube is pulled from the soil.

Claim 4

The method of inserting a member into the soil utilizing the method of claim 1 further characterized by connecting the end of the member to the proximity of the end of the tube being driven into the soil and feeding the member into the space between the strips at a point prior to connection of the edges of the strips.

Claim 5

The method of claim 3 in which the member is withdrawn with the tube.

Claim 6

The method of claim 3 in which the member is connected to a driving point releasably fixed on the end of the tube whereby the point and the lower end of the member remain in the soil as the tube is withdrawn.

Claim 7

The method of claim 5 in which the member is flexible and is fed into the tube from a separate supply and the entire length of the flexible member from the surface of the soil to the lowest point to which the point is driven remains in the soil.

Claim 8

Apparatus for forming a tubular assembly and driving the assembly into soil, comprising. a frame a plurality of separate coils mounted on the frame and each being a strip material having a bowed cross-section when unrestrained and which can be coiled flat and which is substantially rigid when under tension or compression with its longitudinal edges restrained, guide means mounted on the frame for movement to a position engaging the soil, means for driving the strips from each coil through said guide means to position the material to form a tubular assembly, means for interconnecting the adjacent longitudinal edges of the strips to form a tubular assembly, said driving means applying axial force to the strips and the tubular assembly, said guide means restraining the tubular assembly against buckling above grade and the soil acting to prevent buckling of the assembly below grade, and means for winding the strips back onto the coils.

Claim 9

Apparatus for forming a tubular assembly and driving the assembly into soil, comprising. a frame a plurality of separate coils mounted on the frame and each being a strip material having a bowed cross-section when unrestrained and which can be coiled flat and which is substantially rigid when under tension or compression with its longitudinal edges restrained, guide means mounted on the frame for movement to a position engaging the soil, means for driving the strips from each coil through said guide means to position the material to form a tubular assembly, means for interconnecting the adjacent longitudinal edges of the strips to form a tubular assembly, said driving means applying axial force to the strips and the tubular assembly, said guide means restraining the tubular assembly against buckling above grade and the soil acting to prevent buckling of the assembly below grade, and means for winding the strips back onto the coils.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 7 including means for feeding a flexible member between the strips prior to formation of the tubular assembly, said flexible member being connected to the lower portion of the tubular assembly for insertion into the soil inside the tubular assembly.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the flexible member is connected to the lower portion of the tubular assembly by means of a driving point releasably connected to the lower end of the tubular assembly for retention in the soil when the tubular assembly is pulled from the soil.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the driving means and the winding means are the same and comprise a motor rotating each coil.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 10 including means for vibrating the strips longitudinally while driving the strips into the soil.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 7 including a roller chain located around each coil to limit the unwinding tendency of the strip wound on the coil by reason of the elasticity of the strip whereby the outer wrap of each strip bears against the associated roller chain.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the guide means comprises a tube supported by said frame.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the guide tube is longitudinally moveable to project the lower end of the tube into the soil.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 14 including additional guide means mounted on the frame for movement from a laterally displaced position to a position above and aligned with the guide tube after the guide tube has been lowered to engage the soil.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 15 in which the additional guide means comprises complimentary halves which are brought together to form a tubular guide.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the means for interconnecting the edges of the strips comprises flexible strips provided with grooves into which the lateral edges of the bowed strip material are inserted.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 7 including another coil mounted on the frame, drainage tape wound on said other coil, means for introducing the tape into the tubular assembly, means for attaching the tape to the lower end of the tubular assembly.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 18 including a driving point affixed to the distal end of the tape below the lower end of the tubular assembly and larger than the tubular assembly whereby the point is retained in the soil as the tubular assembly is withdrawn.

Claim 22

Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the point is a metal plate formed in a V, and means on the frame for closing the lower portion of the V on the tape.

Claim 23

Apparatus according to claim 19 including a counter for measuring the tape fed from said other coil, and means for weakening the tape at a selected point permitting the tape to be torn at that point when the tape has been inserted into the soil to the desired depth.