Lead Extension With Improved Assembly And Method Of Use

Abstract

A soil displacement pile for forming a composite pile column is disclosed. The soil displacement pile includes a lead with at least one soil displacement assembly and one or more extensions with paddle assemblies. The soil displacement assemblies include upper and lower helical plates with soil displacement plates between them. The paddle assemblies include triangular paddles extending from opposing sides of the extension shaft at an angle relative to the vertical axis. The combination of soil displacement assemblies and paddle assemblies efficiently creates cavities in the soil for forming pile columns, allowing for larger diameter columns and improved load capacity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A soil displacement pile system comprising: a) a lead section including: i) a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end; ii) at least one soil displacement assembly disposed on the shaft proximate the distal end; b) at least one extension section including: i) a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end; ii) at least one pair of paddles extending radially from the shaft, each paddle of the pair disposed on opposing sides of the shaft; wherein the at least one pair of paddles is configured to displace soil radially outwardly and facilitate the flow and agitation of filler material during installation. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each paddle of the at least one pair of paddles has a triangular shape with a base connected to the surface of the shaft and an apex extending radially outward from the surface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the base of each paddle is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft at an angle between 5 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the angle is 15 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the angle is between 10 and 25 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the angle of each paddle relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft is the same. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the paddles include an opening extending through a surface thereof proximate to the apex, the opening configured to facilitate lifting of the extension section. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one extension section comprises multiple extension sections, each extension section including at least one pair of paddles. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the paddles are welded to the surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the paddles further comprise radially extending segments fixed thereto, configured to improve channel structure and enhance agitation of filler material. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the soil displacement pile system is configured to form pile columns greater than eight inches in diameter. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a composite pile column using the system of  claim 1 , comprising: a) inserting the lead section into the ground to create an initial cavity; b) attaching the at least one extension section to the lead section; c) rotating the combined lead and extension sections to further displace soil and create a larger cavity; d) introducing filler material into the cavity, wherein the paddles agitate and distribute the filler material during installation. 
     
     
         13 . In a soil displacement pile system having a lead section with a shaft and at least one soil displacement assembly, an extension section comprising:
 a) a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end;   b) at least one pair of paddles extending radially from the shaft, each paddle of the pair disposed on opposing sides of the shaft;   wherein the at least one pair of paddles is configured to displace soil radially outwardly and facilitate the flow and agitation of filler material during installation.   
     
     
         14 . The extension section of  claim 13 , wherein each paddle of the at least one pair of paddles has a triangular shape with a base connected to the surface of the shaft and an apex extending radially outward from the surface. 
     
     
         15 . The extension section of  claim 14 , wherein the base of each paddle is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft at an angle between 5 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The extension section of  claim 15 , wherein the angle is 15 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The extension section of  claim 15 , wherein the angle of each paddle relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft is the same. 
     
     
         18 . The extension section of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one pair of paddles comprises multiple pairs of paddles disposed along the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The extension section of  claim 13 , wherein the paddles are welded to the surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The extension section of  claim 13 , further comprising a plate connected between the pair of paddles and extending radially from the shaft. 
     
     
         21 . The extension section of  claim 20 , wherein the plate extends about the entire circumference of the shaft. 
     
     
         22 . The extension section of  claim 20 , wherein the plate is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         23 . The extension section of  claim 20 , wherein the plate defines an opening along the longitudinal axis between the plate and the shaft to allow for fluid flow therethrough during installation.