US4359890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for testing the load-bearing properties of a foundation
Assignee: France Atlas SA
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Filing: 1980-07-07
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Granted: 1982-11-23
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Expires: 2000-07-07
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for testing the load-bearing properties of piles comprises a cover which fits over the upper end of a pile as a cap. A weight slidable on guide posts extending up from the cover is releasably held in a raised position by wedges acting on a bar which is pivotally connected with the weight and extends up through a tapered opening in a transverse support extending between and supported by upper portions of the guide posts. When the weight is released by moving the wedges upwardly in the tapered opening of the support, it falls by gravity toward the pile cover and engages coil springs mounted on the cover. The springs convert the kinetic energy of the weight into potential energy and apply a reaction force through the cover to the pile for a period of time. Acceleration of the pile and of the weight are measured and recorded. The potential energy of the springs is reapplied to the weight to cause it to rebound to a height lower than its initial height where it is held by the wedges. This height is measured. The weight is further raised by jacks to a selected height for a subsequent test.
Inventors
- 👤 Gaspar Coelus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:16
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D33/00; G; G01; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/30; G01N3/303
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for testing the load-bearing properties of a foundation such as a pile, comprising a weight, means for sustaining said weight in a position at an initial height above the foundation, means for releasing said weight to fall by gravity toward the foundation, means for guiding said weight, resilient means interposed between said weight and said foundation, said resilient means being compressed by the kinetic energy of the falling weight and converting such kinetic energy into potential energy while applying a force to said foundation over a period of time, the potential energy of the compressed resilient means being applied to said weight to project said weight upwardly to a second height lower than its initial height, said sustaining means being operative to sustain it at said second height and means for sensing movement of said foundation by force applied through said resilient means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for testing the load-bearing properties of a foundation such as a pile, comprising a weight, means for sustaining said weight in a position at an initial height above the foundation, means for releasing said weight to fall by gravity toward the foundation, means for guiding said weight, resilient means interposed between said weight and said foundation, said resilient means being compressed by the kinetic energy of the falling weight and converting such kinetic energy into potential energy while applying a force to said foundation over a period of time, the potential energy of the compressed resilient means being applied to said weight to project said weight upwardly to a second height lower than its initial height, said sustaining means being operative to sustain it at said second height and means for sensing movement of said foundation by force applied through said resilient means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for raising said weight from said second height to a selected height for a subsequent test.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, in which said raising means comprises jack means and means connecting said jack means with said weight to permit free fall of said weight from said initial height to said resilient means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said sensing means comprises means for measuring and recording acceleration of said foundation by force applied through said resilient means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for measuring and recording acceleration of said weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cover applied as a cap on said foundation, said resilient means being mounted on said cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, in which said guiding means comprises posts extending up from said cover, said weight having portions sliding on and thereby guided by said posts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, in which said sustaining means comprises a transverse support extending between and supported by said posts above said weight and having an aperture, a bar extending up from said weight and through said aperture in said support, and means carried by said support for gripping said bar to hold it against downward movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, in which said resilient means comprises a plurality of compression springs on said cover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said sustaining means comprises a bar extending up from said weight and means for releasably gripping said bar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, in which said gripping means is unidirectional in that it permits upward movement of said weight but restrains downward movement of said weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, in which said sustaining means comprises a support having an aperture through which said bar extends, said aperture having an upwardly flaring portion, and said gripping means comprises wedges movable in said flaring portion to grip said bar by a wedging action.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, in which said means for releasing said weight comprises means for moving said wedges upwardly to release said bar and thereby release said weight.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |