Chain driven reciprocating hammer with automatic work piece input centering and clamping

Abstract

The Chain Drive Reciprocating Hammer is an apparatus for driving pile, poles pipe etc. that uses a chain lifting system to raise a ram to a predetermined height where the ram is released to free fall. The energy of the pull of gravity is applied to the driving of pile, poles, pipe etc. when the free falling ram strikes the pile, pole, pipe etc. Said apparatus has a mechanism to center and clamp the pile, poles, pipe etc. in a fixed position within the apparatus to maximize the force of the strike and to assist in the more accurate positioning of the pile, pole, pipe etc. prior to and during driving.

1 . An apparatus for driving pile, pole, pipe etc. that uses a chain system for lifting the ram to a pre selected drop point.  
     
     
         2 . An apparatus utilizing a mechanism for adjusting the drop point of a ram in a pile, pole, pipe etc. driving application with a hammer using a moveable and adjustable tandem set of sprockets.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus utilizing a mechanism for centering and clamping a pile, pole, pipe etc. in the center bell (bonnet) of a pile driving hammer. Said mechanism incorporates an apparatus that increases or decreases the area within the bell (bonnet). Said mechanism adjusts automatically upon activation, the inside diameter of the bell (bonnet) to the outside diameter of the work piece input, while simultaneously maintaining a positive center line relationship between the ram and the work piece. This ensures that maximum energy transfer takes place from the falling ram mass upon impact to the work piece i.e. pile, pole, pipe etc.