AU2019261669A1 - Ground engaging apparatus for shoring and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for engaging a member within a soil formation. The apparatus comprises a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound and a plate axially rotatably connected to the shaft. The plate includes a return 5 lip defining an opening having an orientation towards the shaft so as to be interlocking with adjacent plates. The method comprises locating the shaft above a soil formation and rotating the shaft into the soil formation so as to draw the first plate into the soil formation. 2/9 28 26 20 32 54 62 56 34 52 54 550 64 66 582 30 42 46 40 446 4 FIG. 2

Description

2/9

20 26 28 32

54 62 56 34 52 54

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582 30 42

46 40 446 4

FIG. 2

GROUND ENGAGING APPARATUS FOR SHORING AND METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to construction in general and in particular to a method and apparatus for engaging a member within a soil formation.

BACKGROUND

[0002] At many worksites, it is frequently necessary to engage a construction member within the ground for the purposes of securing the member therein or to reinforce or retain a portion of the ground behind the member. Such members may commonly be located within the soil formation by pile driving wherein the member is forcibly pressed into the ground by a backhoe, pile driver or the like. One example of when such methods may be utilized is for locating pilings within the ground.

[0003] One disadvantage of such methods is that the force required to drive such a member into the ground can be high requiring relatively large equipment or relatively small members to effectively penetrate the ground. It will be appreciated that such limitations often limit the size of ground penetrating members that may be used in some locations where larger equipment is not able to access.

[0004] Another common method of locating the member within the soil formation is to excavate the location where the member is to be located and thereafter backfilling against the member. In particular, one situation in which such methods are used is where it is necessary to excavate a hole -O to access a buried structure or to expose a location where the work is to occur. In many instances, it is not practical to excavate a large amount of soil due to the proximity of other structures or time constraints. In such circumstances, it is common to excavate a relatively narrow hole or trench and provide reinforcement or shoring to the trench or hole walls to prevent their collapse.

[0005] Conventional shoring methods have been to provide timbers or metal plates braced against opposing sides of the trench or hole or braced to a bottom of the hole or trench. Such conventional shoring has several disadvantages. In particular, shoring using a plurality of timbers may be time consuming and inaccurate to install as each timber must be located individually.

[0006] Furthermore, after the timers are located, they must be secured to each other and thereafter braced against an opposite wall. These multiple steps increase the amount of time required to shore the excavation.

[0007] Other methods have been to provide a shoring structure comprising a pair of spaced apart steel plates having a plurality of struts therebetween.

[0008] Disadvantageously, such shoring structures are also required to either be assembled within the excavation or pre-assembled and lowered into the excavation as a whole. Where the assembled structure is lowered into the excavation as a whole, it may be possible for the shoring structure to partially collapse or otherwise impact and thereby disturb the excavation wall.

[0009] An additional difficulty with current excavation shoring methods, is that it is necessary to excavate the location before the shoring is put into place. In many soil types, such as, for example, moist or soft soils, such unshored excavations may be prone to wall collapse before the shoring can be properly located. The struts and other bracing members between shoring walls may also limit the access that workers and equipment has to the bottom of the shored excavation.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for engaging a soil formation comprising: a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound; first and second collars secured to the shaft; and a plate rotatably mounted the shaft between the first and the second collars, the plate including a sleeve through which the shaft passes, the sleeve having continuous wall defining a length and a first side plate and a second side plate each extending in opposite directions from the sleeve, each of the first side plate and the second side plate having (i) a top edge extending laterally from the sleeve to a side edge and (ii) a return lip along the side edge, each return lip defining an opening having an orientation towards the sleeve and terminating at a lower end, each of the lower ends being positioned directly laterally outwardly from the length of the sleeve.

[0011] In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided method for engaging an apparatus within a soil formation comprising: burying a lower end of a plate of the apparatus into the soil formation with an upper portion of the plate facing an excavation face; the apparatus including: a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound; the plate axially, rotatably moveable on the shaft formed of a planar sheet of material and having a top edge extending perpendicularly from the shaft, the plate extending between first and second side edges, the first and second side edges each including a return lip defining an opening having an orientation towards the shaft so as to be interlocking with adjacent plates; and first and second collars secured to the shaft with the plate therebetween; applying force, thereby resiliently bending the apparatus from a first position to a second position away from the excavation face, thereby defining a gap between the apparatus and the excavation face while the lower end remains buried; filling the gap with fill material; and releasing the apparatus thereby allowing it to spring back toward the first position

[0012] In accordance with another broad aspect, there is provided a method for installing a fence post at a work site, comprising: positioning a soil retaining apparatus in the work site, the soil retaining apparatus including a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound; a socket opening upwardly from the top end of the shaft; a plate axially rotatably connected to the shaft formed of a planar sheet of material and having a top edge extending perpendicularly from the shaft, the plate extending between first and second side edges, the first and second side edges each including a return lip defining an opening having an orientation towards the shaft; and first and second collars secured to the shaft with the plate therebetween; rotating the shaft to drive the at least one auger into a soil formation at the worksite to thereby drive the plate at least partially into the soil formation; coupling a lower end of a fence support to the socket, the fence support being an elongate member; and placing the fence post on an upper end of the fence support.

[0013] It is to be understood that other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all within the present invention. Furthermore, the various embodiments described may be combined, mutatis mutandis, with other embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Referring to the drawings, several aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures, wherein:

(a) Fig. 1 is an illustration of an excavation site having an apparatus for shoring the excavation located thereabove. (b) Fig. 2 is a perspective view an apparatus for shoring an excavation site according to an embodiment of the present invention. (c) Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. (d) Fig. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 2 being inserted into the soil formation. (e) Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having an optional soil retaining extension. (f) Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of two soil retaining extensions of Fig. 5 as taken along the line 6-6 interlocked with each other to form a barrier. (g) Fig. 7 is a side view of a piling apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention. (h) Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. (i) Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. (j) Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. (k) Fig. 11 is an isometric, partly cutaway, partly cross sectional, partly exploded view of a fence post installed in a fence support, the fence support being installed in a socket, according to an embodiment of the present invention. (1) Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a method for preloading an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventor. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0016] With reference to Figs. 1-7, an apparatus for engagement within a soil formation 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is generally illustrated at 20. The apparatus comprises an elongate shaft 22 having at least one auger 40 extending therearound and a plate 50 rotatably supported at a fixed location therealong. The apparatus 20 is operable to be rotated by a piece of equipment 8, such as, by way of non-limiting example, an excavator, skid steer loader or crane such that the augers 40 and 42 draw the apparatus into the soil formation 10 as will be more fully described below.

[0017] The shaft 22 extends between bottom and top ends, 24 and 26, respectively and may have a length of between 12 to 20 feet (3658 and 6096 mm) although it will be appreciated that other lengths may be useful as well. As illustrated, the bottom end 24 of the shaft may be sharpened to ease insertion into a soil formation and the top end may be configured, such as by having a socket 27, a plurality of transverse bores 28 therethrough, or other suitable header, for being engaged by an excavator 8. The shaft 22 includes first and second collars, 30 and 32, respectively. The first and second collars 30 and 32 are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to retain the plate 50 therebetween, such as, by way of non-limiting example between I to 16 feet (305 and 3658 mm). The collars 30 and 32 may be secured to the shaft by any suitable means, such as, by way of non limiting example, fasteners, welding or being formed integrally therewith. The shaft 22 and collars 30 and 32 may be formed of any suitable material, such as, by way of non-limiting example steel, stainless steel or other metals and alloys. The shaft 22 may be a pipe.

[0018] A first auger 40 surrounds the shaft 22 proximate to the bottom end 24 thereof. As illustrated, the apparatus 20 may also include a second auger 42 located thereabove at a position below the plate 50. It will also be appreciated that the first and second augers 40 and 42 may be interconnected with each other to form a continuous auger section extending between the bottom end 24 of the shaft to a location below and proximate to the plate 50. The plate 44 extends substantially radially from the shaft by a distance selected to ensure the auger will draw the apparatus into the soil formation under rotation, such as between 6 and 18 inches (152 and 457 mm) depending upon the soil type for which the apparatus is intended to be used. With reference to the first auger 40, each auger may be formed of a plate 44 of material spirally surrounding the shaft between top and bottom ends, 46 and 48, respectively. The bottom end 48 may optionally be sharpened or tapered to facilitate insertion into the soil formation. Each auger may have a pitch angle selected to draw the apparatus 20 into a soil formation when the shaft is rotated. Each auger 40 or 42 may surround the shaft 22 in as many rotations as is desired by a user, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a 2 rotation or more. The augers may be formed of any suitable material, such as, by way of non-limiting example, steel or stainless steel, and may be secured to the shaft in any suitable manner, such as, by way of non-limiting example, welding fasteners or the like.

[0019] The plate 50 comprises a central sleeve 52 having a pair of substantially planar members 54 extending radially therefrom. The central sleeve 52 extends between top and bottom ends, 56 and 58, respectively and includes a central bore 60, as illustrated in Fig. 3 sized to rotatably surround the shaft 22. The collars 30 and 32 may abut against the top and bottom ends 56 and 58 of the sleeve to retain the sleeve therebetween. With reference to Figs. 9 and 10, alternatively, a ring 34 may be positioned between one or more of the collars and its corresponding end the sleeve. For example, there may be a ring 34 between one or more of: first collar 30 and bottom end 58; and, second collar 32 and top end 56. Ring 34 may prevent the sleeve and the collar from wearing on each other. The ring may be termed a washer and acts as a bearing. In one embodiment, the ring may be made of, or impregnated with, a heat-resistant and/or friction-reducing material, such as graphite and/or other materials as are known. The ring may be one piece. Alternately, the ring may be made of a plurality of pieces, such as two semi-circular pieces 34a that are connected together, for example, by welding. A ring prevents wear on the sleeve and the collar, thereby extending the life of the apparatus. The ring may be replaceable. For example, the ring can be removed from the apparatus, and a new ring can be installed. A method for replacing the ring could include removing the worn-out ring, positioning pieces of a new ring around the shaft, and welding the pieces together.

[0020] Each planar member 54 extends between top and bottom edges, 62, and 64, respectively. The top edges 62 may be substantially perpendicular to the shaft, although other orientations and profile shapes may be useful as well. The bottom edge 64 may be inclined from a plane normal to the shaft by an incline angle, generally indicated at 66. The incline angle 66 facilitates insertion of the plate 50 into the soil formation as the shaft 22 is rotated and may be selected from any angle between 30 and 60 degrees. Optionally, the bottom edge 64 of the planar members 54 may be sharpened or tapered to assist with insertion into the soil formation. The plate may have a height between the top and bottom edges selected to provide a sufficient excavation depth, such as, by way of non-limiting example, between 1 and 6 feet (305 and 1829 mm).

[0021] With reference to Fig. 1, in operation, a piece of equipment 8, such as, by way of non limiting example, an excavator, skid steer loader or the like, may engage the header, for example through socket 27 or transverse bores 28, with a rotary auger drive as are commonly known. Socket 27 may be an opening in the top end 26 for engagement with the drive. With reference to Fig. 8, socket 27 may comprise a substantially square recession in the shaft extending axially downwards from top end 26. Socket 27 may be formed in material that is integral with, or connected to, top end 26 of shaft 22. Socket 27 may be polygonal, for example square, for engagement with a driver connection. There may be one or more transverse bores 28' extending radially outwards through material defining socket 27.

[0022] In embodiments with transverse bores equipment may connect thereto with pins. Avoiding the use of pins removes the possibility that such pins can loosen and/or sheer off during operation. This removes a potential cause for the apparatus to destabilize or detach from the equipment, and the possibility that the pins could fly away from the apparatus. The avoidance of pins, which can be sharp and heavy, promotes safety of nearby workers and property. A socket may advantageously remove the need for pins. Furthermore, a socket may advantageously provide greater torque around the longitudinal axis of the shaft 22.

[0023] After engagement of the drive apparatus with the header, the apparatus 20 may be located above a soil formation 10 and rotated in a direction generally indicated at 70 so as to engage the augers 40 and 42 into the soil formation. While being rotated, the augers 40 and 42 draw the apparatus into the soil formation until the plate 50 is embedded within the soil formation. During this operation, collar 32 prevents the plate from riding up along the shaft. Instead, plate 50 is forced into the ground with the shaft. Once the plate 50 is embedded to a sufficient depth into the soil formation, the apparatus may be decoupled from the piece of equipment and the plate shores the excavation site. The apparatus can be driven into embedment with the soil formation before or after the site is excavated.

[0024] When the shoring is no longer required, the apparatus can be removed and recycled for a further project. In particular, by rotating shaft backward, the apparatus can be removed from the ground. Collar 34 ensures that plate 50 is lifted from the soil formation as the shaft is backed up out of the ground.

[0025] Plate 50 may vary in height from edge 64 to edge 62. Optionally, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the apparatus may include a soil retaining extension 80 to increase the shoring height of the apparatus. Soil retaining extension 80 may be integral with plate 50, such that they are one piece. Alternately, they may be separate structures free of each other or they may be coupled. In one embodiment, there may be a seam 93 between soil retaining extension 80 and plate 50. For example, bottom end 84 of soil retaining extension 80 may be welded or otherwise joined to top edge 62 of plate 50.

[0026] The soil retaining extension 80 may comprise a plate 81 extending between top and bottom ends, 82 and 84, respectively and first and second side edges, 86 and 88, respectively. Plate 81 may include a central opening 130' located around an optional collar 116' of the shaft, with one or more rings 34 on the shaft on either or both sides of collar 116'. Plate 81 may be thinner than planar member 54. For example, planar member 54 may be between 2 and 4 times thicker than plate 81. The plate 81 includes one or more sleeves 92 therein having bores 94 therethrough sized to receive the shaft 22 of the apparatus. The bores 94 of the sleeves 92 pivotally retain the soil retaining extension 80 on the shaft 22. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the soil retaining extension 80 may be retained on the shaft 22 with a collar 96.

[0027] With reference also to Fig. 6, each of the first and second side edges 86 and 88 includes a return edge lip 87 and 89, respectively. Each edge lip 87, 89 may have a u-shape to define a slot opening 86o, 88o facing towards shaft 22. In particular, plate 81 extends radially away from the sleeve 92 to a bend 86b. Each lip may include a second portion that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular relative to the plate 81 from bend 86b to second bend 86b', and a third portion or return 86e may extend from second bend 86b' back toward sleeve 92 substantially parallel to the plate 81. Opening 86o is defined between plate 81 and return 86e. The return edge lips 87 and 89 may be bent back on opposite or the same sides of the plate 81 and are adapted to be interlocked with adjacent return lips of adjacent apparatuses as illustrated in Fig. 6 so as to permit the formation of a continuous barrier.

[0028] As noted above and with reference to Fig. 6, in use an apparatus is driven by rotation of the shaft and its augers, to embed at least the lower end including at least a portion of plate 50 into the ground. As will be appreciated, extension 80 is also connected to, and is driven by, shaft 22 above the plate 50. The driving torque can be applied to shaft to embed all or a portion of plate 80 or to leave the plate exposed. If buried, thereafter the soil proximate to the soil retaining extension 80 may be excavated with the lower end remaining buried below the depth of the excavation so as to hold the apparatus in an upright position. "Buried" includes embedded, driven into, that is, at least part of the apparatus is driven into the soil formation by having its shaft and augers thereon rotated and thereby causing at least part of the apparatus to be embedded in the soil formation.

[0029] Collar 116', being directly above sleeve 52, is positioned to act effectively to urge plate 50 into the soil formation. Upper end of sleeve 52a butts against collar 116'and plate 50 and extension 80 attached to plate 50, therefore, are forced to penetrate the soil formation as the shaft is rotated.

[0030] With respect to lips 87, 89, after a first apparatus with soil retaining extension 80' is engaged within a soil formation, a second apparatus may be driven into the soil formation with its with soil retaining extension 80" engaged so as to interlock with the first soil retaining extension 80'. Prior to being driven into the soil formation, soil retaining extension 80" of the second apparatus may be aligned with soil retaining extension 80' of the first apparatus such that, as it is being driven into the soil formation, first side edge 86, and in particular lip 87 of second soil retaining extension 80" will interlockingly slide within opening 88o along the second side edge 88 of first soil retaining extension 80'. As the second soil retaining extension 80" is driven down, the adjacent lips and openings of extensions 80', 80" connect. The lip of one extension fits into the opening on the adjacent extension. When installed, return 88e of extension 80' may remain positioned in opening 86o of extension 80" and return 86e on extension 80" is positioned in the opening 88o of the adjacent extension 80'.

[0031] There may be considerable stresses along the plate at the lower end of lips 87, 89, below where the apparatus 50, 80 is connected to adjacent apparatus and due to the lower part being buried and the upper part being free to flex above the surface. This stress is often focused at weaker areas or areas where the apparatus has counteracting forces such as at the lower end of lips 87, 89 and/or if there is a seam 93 between plate 50 and extension 80, specifically between bottom edge 84 and top edge 62. With reference to Figs. 5, 11 and 12, sleeve 52 is solid and continuous and can be used to offset stress and provide greater support through at the location the lower end of lips 87, 89 and/or through the interface between plate 50 and extension 80. Thus, sleeve can have a length that spans the locations of the lower ends of lips 87, 89 and/or the seam 93. Considering that each return lip terminates at its lower end 89' (only the lower end of lip 89 is illustrated), the lower ends can be located directly laterally outwardly from the length of the sleeve. Upper end 52a of sleeve 52 may be located closer to top end 26 than lip lower end 89' and seam 93 and the lower end of the sleeve may be closer to the lower end of the plate 64 than either seam 93 and end 89'. In other words, central sleeve 52 may extend continuously, without gaps or seams, for example with a solid annular wall, from the lower end of plate 50 to a position closer to top end 26 than the position of both bottom edge 84 and the lower ends of lips 87, 89. Together the shaft 22 and central sleeve 52 may exhibit characteristics of a double-walled pipe, including providing additional strength and support along the full length of the sleeve, mitigating stress damage caused by operational forces.

[0032] In operation, due to settling and other causes, a gap 15 may be or become present between the excavation face 12 and soil retaining extension 80. To avoid or remedy such a gap and for overall excavation stability, it may be advantageous to "preload" the apparatus, which includes flexing the apparatus away from excavation face 12 and filling the area between the excavation face 12 and soil retaining extension 80 with fill material before releasing the apparatus. In one embodiment, for example, after lower end is embedded into the ground, the apparatus is biased into an upright position where the length of the shaft remains in axial alignment with any portion thereof that is buried and where extension 80 is substantially co-planar with the embedded plate 50. A force F may be applied to apparatus 20, for example near top end 26, causing the apparatus to resiliently bend away from the excavation face, along its longitudinal axis with flexion focused near a lower point of the shaft, for example near bottom end 24 at the area below which the apparatus is embedded. Then, fill material may be added between the flexed apparatus and the excavation face and the apparatus may be allowed to return back toward the upright position. The apparatus is then preloaded. With reference to Fig. 12, for example, the apparatus may, when installed, be in a first position 160, with (i) the plate 50 at least partly below the depth of the excavation 16, (ii) soil retaining extension 80 at least partly above the depth of the excavation 16, and (iii) a first side 81a of extension 80 facing an excavation face 12 and the opposite side exposed. Force, arrow F, applied to the apparatus may cause the unburied portion of the apparatus to move from its upright position 160 to a second, flexed position 162, with extension 80 being angled away from the excavation face. At the same time, lower end 24, which includes any buried portion of plate 50, remains embedded in the ground and is closer to the excavation face than top end 26. Force F may be applied by equipment, such as similar to equipment 8 of Figure 1, for example, an excavator as described above. The equipment may engage with top end 26 at or near the header, for example, through socket 27 and/or transverse bores 28. The equipment may flex the apparatus by pushing and/or pulling on the apparatus near top end 26. In the second position 162, an enlarged gap 14 is opened between the soil retaining extension 80 and the excavation face 12. Fill material, for example soil, gravel, rocks etc., may be placed in the gap 14. Thereafter, force F may be reduced and/or released, thereby allowing the apparatus 20 to resiliently return back toward first position 160 until it is stopped against the fill material, which may be referred to as "preloading". In embodiments where a plurality of the apparatus are interconnected through their lips, preloading may be done after the plurality of apparatus and installed and interconnected. The force may be applied on one or more of the interconnected plurality of apparatus. The method may include applying a force to a plurality of the apparatus simultaneously and/or sequentially after the extensions 80 are engaged with each other.

[0033] As noted above, there can be considerable stresses through plate and shaft, especially where there is force applied for preloading. Together the shaft 22 and central sleeve 52 exhibit characteristics of a double-walled pipe, including providing strength and support to the lower point, mitigating stress caused by rotational forces and force F. As such, it may be useful to ensure that a portion of sleeve 52 extends above and below the ground surface 16 and therefore spans the area along the shaft where flexing stresses will be greatest, during application of force F.

[0034] Excavations often require perimeter fencing. In one embodiment, a fence post can be installed on the top of an apparatus. For example, a fence post support can be installed on the top end of the apparatus, such as secured over or against the top end or in socket 27. In one embodiment, socket 27 can receive and retain a fence post support therein which in turn receives and retains a fence post. As mentioned above, due to settling and other causes, gap 15 may be or become present between the excavation face 12 and soil retaining extension 80. With reference to Fig. 11, a fence post 174 may be installed on the top end 26. This may be useful in installing a fence 172, for example, along the face 12 of an excavation. The apparatus 20 may work with a fence support 170. Fence support 170 may be an elongate member. The fence support 170 may have a lower end 170a engageable with the socket 27. Fence support 170 may include upper end 170c configured to support a fence post 174. Lower end 170a may securely fit within socket 27.

For example, lower end 170a may have a polygonal shape that, when inserted in socket 27, is axially substantially immobile. Lower end 170a's shape may be selected to couple with socket 27. Lower end 170a may be coupled to socket 27 to support fence support 170 in a desired, for example, upright, position with an upper end 170c of fence post 170 extending upwards. Fence support 170c may be coupled to fence post 174 to support fence post 174 in a desired, for example, upright, position with fence post 174 extending upwards. In one embodiment, fence support may have a stair shape where lower end 170a is axially offset, but connected to upper end 170c. For example, fence support 170 may have the lower end 170a joined by a first bend 170d to a middle section 170b and a second bend 170d'where middle section 170b is connected to upper end 170c. The length of the middle section 170b may be selected to span gap 15.

[0035] Fence post 174 may be installed at an excavation face 12 by: coupling lower end 170a to socket 27, and placing the fence post 174 on upper end 170c. Optionally, middle section 170b may be oriented to span gap 15. That is, the middle section may be oriented to extend away from the excavation such that the lower end 170a is axially aligned above the shaft, and upper end 170c extends upwardly axially offset from the axis of the shaft, for example, on the other side of gap 15. The shaft 22 may be rotated to orient the socket 27 for coupling to the lower end 170a.

[0036] Turning now to Fig. 7, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at 100 for use as a screw piling. The screw piling 100 comprises a shaft 102 extending between bottom and top ends, 104 and 106, respectively with a plate 120 rotatably supported therearound. The shaft 102 may have a length of between 6 to 12 feet (1829 and 3658 mm) although it will be appreciated that other lengths may be useful as well. As illustrated, the bottom end 104 of the shaft may be sharpened to ease insertion into a soil formation and the top end may have a header for connection to beams, columns or the like as are commonly known, for example, a socket, or a plurality of mounting bores 107. The shaft 102 may also include top and bottom augers 110 and 108 as described above. The shaft 102 includes top and bottom collars, 112 and 114, respectively and an optional middle collar 116. The top and bottom collars 112 and 114 are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to retain the plate 120 therebetween, such as, by way of non limiting example between 8 to 16 feet (2438 and 3658 mm). The collars 112, 114 and 116 may be secured to the shaft by any suitable means, such as, by way of non-limiting example, fasteners, welding or being formed integrally therewith. The shaft 102 and collars 112, 114 and 116 may be formed of any suitable material, such as, by way of non-limiting example steel, stainless steel or other metals and alloys. There may be rings 34 between top collar 112 and top end 128, on either side of middle collar 116, and between bottom end 126 and bottom collar 114.

[0037] The plate 120 comprises a central sleeve 122 having a pair of substantially planar members 124 extending radially therefrom. The central sleeve 122 extends between top and bottom ends, 128 and 126, respectively and surrounds the shaft 102. The top and bottom collars 112 and 114 abut against the top and bottom ends 128 and 126 of the sleeve to retain the sleeve therebetween. Each planar member 124 extends between top and bottom ends, 128, and 126, respectively. The top end 128 may be substantially perpendicular to the shaft, although other orientations and profile shapes may be useful as well. The bottom edge 126 may be inclined from a plane normal to the shaft by an incline angle as set out above. The planar members 124 and sleeve 122 may include a central opening 130 which is located around the middle collar 116. The planar members 124 extend radially from the plate by a distance sufficient to increase ability of the shaft to resist lateral loads placed thereupon such as, by way of non-limiting example, between 4 and 12 inches (102 and 305 mm). The top end 106 of the shaft 102 may extend above the top end 128 of the plate 120 by a distance sufficient to permit the plate to be embedded below the surface of the soil when the top end 106 of the shaft is proximate to the ground surface. By way of non-limiting example, the top end 106 of the shaft may be up to 6 feet (1829 mm) above the top end 128 of the plate.

[0038] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article "a" or "an" is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more". All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for" or "step for".

Claims (18)

1. An apparatus for engaging a soil formation comprising: a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound; first and second collars secured to the shaft; and a plate rotatably mounted the shaft between the first and the second collars, the plate including a sleeve through which the shaft passes, the sleeve having continuous wall defining a length and a first side plate and a second side plate each extending in opposite directions from the sleeve, each of the first side plate and the second side plate having (i) a top edge extending laterally from the sleeve to a side edge and (ii) a return lip along the side edge, each return lip defining an opening having an orientation towards the sleeve and terminating at a lower end, each of the lower ends being positioned directly laterally outwardly from the length of the sleeve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side plate includes a lower plate and an upper plate that meet at an interface and the interface extends laterally outwardly from the sleeve.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the interface is a welded seam.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sleeve abuts against the first collar and the first side plate extends upwardly beyond the first collar to an upper end and further comprising a further sleeve pivotally connecting the upper end to the shaft.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims I to 4, further comprising a first ring positioned around the shaft between the first collar and the plate, and a second ring positioned around the shaft between the second collar and the plate.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims I to 5, wherein a bottom end of the plate is thicker than a top end of the plate.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a socket opening upwardly from the top end of the shaft.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the socket is polygonal.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a fence post support for supporting a fence post above the shaft, the fence post support being an elongate member, including: a lower end, being engageable with the socket, and an upper end being engageable with the fence post.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fence post support further comprises: a lower section extending from the lower end to a first bend, a middle section extending from the first bend to a second bend, and an upper section extending from the second bend to an upper end.

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the at least one auger section is proximate to the bottom end of the shaft.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the first side plate includes a bottom edge extending at an angle of incline from a plane normal to the central axis of the shaft and the side edges are parallel with the central axis.

13. A method for engaging an apparatus within a soil formation comprising: burying a lower end of a plate of the apparatus into the soil formation with an upper portion of the plate facing an excavation face; the apparatus including a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound; the plate axially, rotatably moveable on the shaft formed of a planar sheet of material and having a top edge extending perpendicularly from the shaft, the plate extending between first and second side edges, the first and second side edges each including a return lip defining an opening having an orientation towards the shaft so as to be interlocking with adjacent plates; and first and second collars secured to the shaft with the plate therebetween; applying force, thereby resiliently bending the apparatus from a first position to a second position away from the excavation face, thereby defining a gap between the apparatus and the excavation face while the lower end remains buried; filling the gap with fill material; and releasing the apparatus thereby allowing it to spring back toward the first position.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the apparatus includes a sleeve connected to the plate through which the shaft extends and the step of burying buries a lower portion of the sleeve and leaves an upper end of the sleeve exposed above the soil formation.

15. The method of any one of claims 13 or 14, further comprising prior to applying force: installing a second apparatus adjacent the apparatus and interlocking an edgewise return on the second apparatus with the return lip on the first side edge and wherein applying force also resiliently bends the second apparatus.

16. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the apparatus includes a sleeve connected to the plate through which the shaft extends and during the step of burying, the first collar applies a driving force to an upper end of the sleeve.

17. A method for installing a fence post at a work site, comprising:

positioning a soil retaining apparatus in the work site, the soil retaining apparatus including a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound; a socket opening upwardly from the top end of the shaft; a plate axially rotatably connected to the shaft formed of a planar sheet of material and having a top edge extending perpendicularly from the shaft, the plate extending between first and second side edges, the first and second side edges each including a return lip defining an opening having an orientation towards the shaft; and first and second collars secured to the shaft with the plate therebetween; rotating the shaft to drive the at least one auger into a soil formation at the worksite to thereby drive the plate at least partially into the soil formation; coupling a lower end of a fence support to the socket, the fence support being an elongate member; and placing the fence post on an upper end of the fence support.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising orienting a middle section of the fence support to extend perpendicularly from a plane defined by a planar face of the plate.