Modular Guide Sleeve Apparatus and Method

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting and supporting a pile is provided. The apparatus includes a modular support structure, which may include a modular support element such as a modular support helical pile. The modular support structure may further include a modular guide sleeve for guiding the support element as it is driven into strata. The portions of the modular support element and the modular guide sleeve may be installed adjacent a pile supporting a building even in the confined vertical space between the bottom of the building and the surface of the ground. Lifting device elements may be attached to the modular support structure and engaged with the building pile to lift and support the building pile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular guide sleeve apparatus for guiding a pile lifting support element, the apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of guide sleeve portions connectable to one another to form an assembled guide sleeve,   at least one of the guide sleeve portions having a receiving opening for receiving a first portion of the pile lifting support element,   the assembled guide sleeve operable to guide the first portion of the pile lifting support element as it is being driven into strata.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the plurality of guide sleeve portions comprising a first guide sleeve portion adapted to receive the first portion of the pile lifting support element; and
 a second guide sleeve portion,   the second guide sleeve portion connectable to the first guide sleeve portion to form at least a part of the assembled guide sleeve.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus being adapted to guide the pile lifting support element, wherein the pile lifting support element is adapted to couple to a pile lifting device for lifting a pile supporting a building structure, wherein each of the plurality of guide sleeve portions is shorter than a predetermined distance between the building structure and ground, beneath the building structure. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first guide sleeve portion has a male-threaded end and a second guide sleeve portion has a female-threaded end, the male- and female-threaded ends adapted to interfit with each other to connect the first and second guide sleeve portions. 
     
     
         5 . A pile lifting support structure adapted to be coupled to a pile lifting device for lifting a pile supporting a building structure, the pile lifting support structure comprising:
 a modular guide sleeve having a plurality of guide sleeve portions, the guide sleeve portions connectable to each other to form an assembled guide sleeve; and   a modular pile lifting support element comprising a first pile section having a helical drive head, and a second pile section adapted to be connected to the first pile section to form an assembled support pile,   the modular guide sleeve adapted to receive at least part of the assembled support pile and guide the assembled support pile as it is being driven into strata.   
     
     
         6 . The pile lifting support structure of  claim 5 , wherein the assembled support pile has a first end comprising the helical drive head and a second end distal the first end, the modular guide sleeve adapted to receive the distal end of the assembled support pile. 
     
     
         7 . The pile lifting support structure of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a hydraulic lifting device coupled to the modular guide sleeve, the hydraulic lifting device operable to move between an extended position and a retracted position;   a lift head coupled to the hydraulic lifting device and adapted to engage the pile supporting the building structure upon movement of the hydraulic lifting device toward the extended position, and to disengage from the pile supporting the building structure upon movement of the hydraulic lifting device toward the retracted position; and   a gravity vice coupled to the modular guide sleeve and adapted to engage the pile supporting the building structure upon movement of the hydraulic lifting device toward the retracted position.   
     
     
         8 . A method of lifting and supporting a pile, comprising:
 positioning a first support pile section adjacent the pile to be lifted, the first support pile section having a helical drive head;   driving the first support pile section into strata a first distance;   positioning a first modular guide sleeve portion onto the first support pile section;   coupling a second support pile section to the first support pile section;   driving the first and second support pile sections a second distance;   coupling a second modular guide sleeve portion to the first modular guide sleeve portion; and   driving the first and second support pile sections a third distance.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising coupling a hydraulic lifting device to the modular guide sleeve;
 coupling a lift head to the hydraulic lifting device and positioning the lift head about the pile to be lifted; 
 coupling a gravity vice to the modular guide sleeve and positioning the gravity vice about the pile to be lifted; 
 extending the hydraulic lifting device to engage the lift head with the pile to be lifted, thereby imparting lifting movement to the pile to be lifted; and 
 retracting the hydraulic lifting device to disengage the lift head from the pile to be lifted and engage the gravity vice with the pile to be lifted, the gravity vice supporting the pile to be lifted.