DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING AND LOAD TESTING OF GROUND ANCHORING FOUNDATIONS

Description

1 / 18 “DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING AND LOAD TESTING OF GROUND ANCHORING FOUNDATIONS” Related Order Data

[001] This application claims the benefit of the copending provisional application serial number US 63 / 061.733, filed August 5, 2020, the full disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Field of invention

[002] This application relates to structures that use a surface-mounted installation to protect structures and, more particularly, to devices, systems and methods for installing ground anchoring foundations and / or carrying out load tensile tests on ground anchors used to protect structures, such as solar shelving solutions, solar platforms, trusses, tents, decks, bleachers, telephone poles, power lines, construction scaffolding, orchard truss solutions, erosion control, slope stability, geomembrane anchoring, tree anchoring, concrete formwork fences, embankments, slope reinforcement and soil retention channels, riverbanks, lakes and spillways, seismic anchor reinforcement and the like. Background

[003] It is well known that alternative renewable energy resources are demonstrably an important element in an overall energy plan for the buyer. Cost reduction initiatives and a clean, renewable, and sustainable energy solution to reduce the cost of energy (LCOE) are critical factors, as the cost of carbon-based fuels and other fossil fuels is expensive to use and continues to increase over time, and these fossil fuels harm the environment and impact climate change. Grid parity has finally been achieved not only in the installation of large-scale solar power plants, but also in commercial and residential distributed generation (DG) and on the load side of Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, page 48 / 85 2 / 18 Renewable Energy Meter Applications. Solar energy (PV) and energy storage systems (ESS) help recipients of this clean, renewable energy to abandon high tariffs and demand charges or to become completely independent from the electricity grid. In order to produce sufficient, usable, and reusable clean energy from the sun, it is necessary to place one or more solar panels in areas where they can capture the most solar radiation.

[004] Conventional foundations, which use antiquated methods and support structures necessary to install such solar arrays that host one or more solar panels, generally involve the following: pre-development and engineering, geotechnical reports, soil sampling, environmental impact studies, and various inspections by the authority with local jurisdiction (AHJ) during the installation process. Pre-development geotechnical reports can take from several weeks to months, which adds cost, time, and logistics to determine soil conditions derived from collected data, which determine the structural engineering calculations necessary for the support structures. Conventional foundations also require site planning, grading, mobilization of components and resources (of non-local origin), heavy equipment, and a technically skilled and certified workforce to operate such heavy equipment, which is also not typically local.Conventional foundations and installation methods may use ballasted concrete blocks or non-locally sourced cement for the concrete to be poured onto the cement pillars. Conventional foundations and methods involve substantial acquisition time and cost, installation time and cost, particularly for I-beam steel piles or helical ground screw foundations used for surface-mounted solar panels, and involve substantial earthworks and site disturbance. All of these things substantially impact the local environment and are not a sustainable method for installing solar structures.

[005] Therefore, improved solar energy platforms, Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, page 49 / 85 3 / 18 Support structures and foundations for solar panels and new methods used to install and / or use them would be very useful, more economical and efficient, and more beneficial to the local environment. Summary

[006] This application is directed to structures that use a surface-mounted installation to protect structures and, more particularly, to devices, systems and methods for installing and / or performing load tensile tests on ground anchors used to protect structures such as solar platforms, trusses, tents, decks, bleachers, telephone poles, power lines, construction scaffolding, orchard truss solutions, erosion control, slope stability, geomembrane anchoring, tree anchoring, concrete formwork fences, embankments, slope reinforcement and soil retention channels, riverbanks, lakes and spillways, seismic anchor reinforcement and the like.

[007] The devices, systems and methods in this document can facilitate the installation of structures, such as solar array platforms hosting one or more solar panels, which include a support structure and a plurality of support legs, including footing plates. These structures can be installed using one or more ground anchors, for example, with rod and / or cable, as an anchor base, which can eliminate the need for expensive and time-sensitive pre-development geotechnical reports, site preparation and classification, environmental impact studies, and various traditional on-site permit inspection requirements during construction by the local AHJ.

[008] The devices, systems and methods described herein may also facilitate the performance of real-time soil condition testing, vertical and lateral field load lifting (dynamic and static traction), for example, up to 3628 kg (8000 lb), for example, including wind and seismic load requirements, for example, conducted during the real-time installation of solar platforms to pass engineering specifications. Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, page 50 / 85 4 / 18 Geotechnical and structural and site AHJ permit, and / or to measure the load tensile results of the dowel anchor with rod and / or cable to ensure that compliance requirements are met with the applicable site building codes and regulations. A load tensile test conducted under “real-time soil conditions” versus a calculation of those soil conditions measured during a pre-development geotechnical report is the preferred method for a site AHJ.

[009] In one example, a device is provided for installing and / or testing a ground anchor that includes a base plate defining an upper surface; a first elongated member including a lower end mounted on the base plate along an axis extending from the upper surface; a second elongated member movably mounted on the first member along the axis; an actuator on the second member coupled to a mechanism within one or both of the first and second members for selectively moving the second member along the axis toward or away from the base plate; a support arm extending from the second member substantially perpendicular to the axis; and a test hook on the second member for conducting a load tensile test on a ground anchor coupled to the hook.

[010] In another example, a system is provided for performing a load tensile test on one or more ground anchors used to secure a structure, comprising a load tensile device comprising a base plate defining an upper surface, a first elongated member including a lower end mounted on the base plate along an axis extending from the upper surface, a second elongated member movably mounted on the first member along the axis, an actuator on the second member coupled to a crank mechanism within one or both the first and second members for selectively moving the second member along the axis toward or away from the base plate, and a test hook on the second member for conducting a test of Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, page 51 / 85 5 / 18 load traction on a ground anchor coupled to the hook; and a load measuring device coupled to the hook, the load measuring device comprising a connector for coupling to an exposed end of a ground anchor installed in the ground to measure an application of traction force to the ground anchor when the actuator is activated to lift the second member and perform a load traction test.

[011] In yet another example, a method is provided for installing a structure that includes providing an installation device comprising a base plate defining a top surface, a first elongated member including a lower end mounted on the base plate along an axis extending from the top surface, a second elongated member movably mounted on the first member, an actuator on the second member coupled to a mechanism within one or both of the first and second members for selectively moving the second member along the axis toward or away from the base plate, a support arm extending from the second member substantially perpendicular to the axis, and a test hook on the second member for conducting a load tensile test on a ground anchorage coupled to the hook.The method further includes placing the device on a shoe plate of a first leg of the structure so that the support arm is located under a support member of the support structure; actuating the actuator to raise the second member, thus engaging the support member with the support arm and raising the support structure, thereby extending the first leg; once a desired height is reached, securing the first leg to prevent further movement of the first leg; and removing the device.

[012] In yet another example, a method is provided for carrying out a load tensile test on one or more ground anchors used to secure a structure, which includes providing an installation device comprising a base plate defining an upper surface, a first elongated member including a lower end. Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, page 52 / 85 6 / 18 mounted to the base plate along an axis extending from the top surface, a second elongated member movably mounted on the first member along the axis, an actuator on the second member coupled to a mechanism within one or both the first and second members to selectively move the second member along the axis toward or away from the base plate, and a test hook on the second member for performing a load tensile test on a ground anchor coupled to the hook.The method also includes installing a ground anchor in the soil adjacent to a first leg so that an exposed end of an elongated member attached to the anchor is located adjacent to the footing plate; placing the device on a footing plate of the first leg; attaching the exposed end to the hook; actuating the actuator to lift the second member to apply a desired tensile force between the exposed end and the anchor and conducting a load lifting (tensile) test; removing the device; and securing the exposed end to one or both of the first leg and the footing plate to secure the support structure to the ground at the installation site.

[013] Other aspects and characteristics will become evident from considering the following description taken together with the attached drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[014] The present invention is best understood from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated that the exemplary devices shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, with emphasis instead being placed on illustrating the various aspects and features of the examples illustrated.

[015] Figures 1A to 1D show an example of a portable, hand-held load tensile testing device, for example, for installing and / or testing ground anchors used for surface mounting installations. Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, page 53 / 85 7 / 18 to protect a structure.

[016] Figures 2A and 2B are side and perspective views of tubular members that can be included in the device of Figures 1A-1D.

[017] Figure 2C shows an example of a load measuring device including an S-beam load cell and connectors that can be connected to the device in Figures 1A-1D.

[018] Figures 3A to 3C show various views of the device in Figures 1A to 1D being used to perform a load tensile test on a ground anchor. Detailed Description

[019] Before examples are described, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular examples described, as these may, of course, vary. It should also be understood that the terminology used in this document is for the purpose of describing particular examples only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

[020] When a range of values ​​is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, up to the tenth of a unit of the lower limit, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller interval between any stated value or intermediate value in a stated range and any other stated or intermediate value in that stated range is encompassed in the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may be independently included or excluded in the range, and each range in which neither or both limits are included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed in the invention, subject to any limit specifically excluded in the stated range. When the stated range includes one or both limits, the ranges excluding one or both included limits are also included.

[021] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used in this document have the same meaning as Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, pp. 54 / 85 8 / 18 commonly understood by someone skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, some potential and exemplary methods and materials are now described.

[022] It should be noted that, as used in this document and the accompanying claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a compound includes a plurality of such compounds and reference to a polymer includes reference to one or more polymers and their equivalents known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

[023] Returning to the drawings, Figures 1A to 1D show an example of a device 10 for installing and / or performing load tensile tests on ground anchors used to secure a structure (not shown). As described in this document, the devices can be used to install and / or test ground anchors used for surface mounting installations to secure a variety of structures such as solar platforms, trusses, tents, platforms, bleachers, telephone poles, power lines, construction scaffolding, orchard truss solutions, erosion control, slope stability, geomembrane anchoring, tree anchoring, concrete formwork fences, embankments, slope reinforcement and soil retention channels, riverbanks, lakes and spillways, seismic anchor mooring and the like.For example, the devices in this document can be used to perform load tests on ground anchors used to secure solar panel platforms, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,622,938 and International Publication No. WO 2019 / 246165, the full disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[024] Generally, as shown, device 10 includes a Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, pages 55 / 85 9 / 18 base plate 12, a plurality of elongated telescopic or movable tube members, for example, including a first or lower member 20 and a second or upper member 30, extending from the base plate 12 and containing a mechanism coupled between the elongated members 20, 30 (not shown) and a drive shaft or other actuator 40 in the upper member 30 coupled to the crank mechanism. Furthermore, the device 10 may include one or more components attached to one or both of the elongated members 20, 30, such as a support arm or shelf 50, a test hook 60 and / or a quantity 70, for example, on the upper member 30. Optionally, the device 10 may include one or more handles, for example, a first handle 62 attached to an upper end 32 of the upper member 30, as shown in Figure 1A, and / or a second handle 64 on a side wall of the upper member 30, for example, as shown in Figures 1B to 1D.For example, the support arm 50, hook 60, mounting 70 and handle(s) 62, 64 can be permanently attached to the upper member 30, for example, using one or more welding, gluing, one or more fasteners (not shown), and the like, to provide a structure capable of supporting the desired loads during installation. For example, the support arm 50, members 20, 30, crank mechanism and other components of the device 10 may be capable of supporting and / or lifting structures weighing up to 3628 kg (8000 lb) of dynamic load and 2267 kg (5000 lb) of static load.

[025] In addition, or alternatively, the device 10 may include a load measuring device 80, for example, as best seen in Figures 1C and 2C, connectable to the hook 60 or integrated into the device 10. In the example shown, the load measuring device 80 includes an S-beam load cell 82 including a first eye bolt 83 at a first or upper end coupled to a shackle 84 or other connector for connecting the load cell 82 to the hook 60 and a second eye bolt 85 for coupling to an exposed end of a ground anchorage (not shown), for example, using a carabiner 86 or other connector. Thus, Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, pp. 56 / 85 10 / 18 In this example, the load measuring device 80 can be removablely attached to the hook 60 and / or otherwise connected to the device 10 to perform a load tensile test on a ground anchorage. Alternatively, the load device can be permanently attached or otherwise integrated into the device (not shown).

[026] For example, as described elsewhere in this document with reference to Figures 3A-3C and in the publications incorporated by reference in this document, a ground anchor 90 may be installed in the ground adjacent to a structure 100 being fixed to measure an application of tensile force (e.g., dynamic load or static load) to the ground anchor 90, for example, by rotating the drive shaft 40 or other actuator to raise the second member 30 relative to the lower member 20, for example, to perform a load tensile test. Optionally, the device 10 may also include a crank or a motorized mechanism (not shown) connectable to the drive shaft 40 or integrated into the device for rotating the drive shaft 40.For example, as shown in Figure 3C, a drill or other tool 98 may be coupled to the drive shaft 40, for example, which may include a hexagonal or otherwise shaped connector (not shown) configured to engage a corresponding fitting on the tool and the drive shaft 40 rotated to cause the internal crank mechanism to raise the upper member 30 relative to the base plate 12.

[027] In the example shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the device 10 includes first and second elongated members 20, 30 formed from steel tubing, for example, square tubing as shown, although alternatively, round tubes or other shapes may be used, provided that the members are dimensioned to telescoping and / or sliding axially relative to each other and have sufficient column strength to support the device 10 during use. For example, as shown, an upper end 22 of the lower member 20 is received in a sliding manner within a Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, page 57 / 85 11 / 18 lower end 34 of upper limb 30, so that the upper limb 30 can move up and down along a longitudinal axis 28 along at least a portion of the lower limb 20. Optionally, a third or additional elongated limb (not shown) may be provided, for example, slidingly coupled between the upper and lower limb 30, 20, if desired to provide additional range of motion for the upper limb 30. The crank mechanism may include further shafts, gears and / or other components (not shown) within the interior of the upper and / or lower limb 30, 20 to control the movement of the upper limb 30 relative to the lower limb 20.

[028] In one example, a lower end 24 of the lower member 20 may be fixedly attached to the base plate 12, for example, so that the shaft 28 is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 12a of the base plate 12. Alternatively, the lower member 20 may be movable relative to the base plate 12 to change an angle and / or other orientation of the members along the 20, 30 relative to the base plate 12. For example, as shown in Figures 1D and 3C, the lower end 24 of the lower member 20 may be connected to the base plate 12 by a hinge 14 so that the shaft 28 may be rotated diagonally relative to the base plate 12.For example, as best seen in Figures 1B and 1C, the base plate 12 may include “L” clamps or other supports 16 mounted on the upper surface 12a, for example, including one or more holes, and the lower end 24 of the lower member 20 may be coupled to the supports 16 using a pin 18 received in the holes to allow the lower member 20 to rotate about a pin axis 18a relative to the base plate 12. Alternatively, the base plate 12 may include a rod or other structure (not shown) extending from the upper surface 12a, and the lower end 24 of the lower member 20 may be connected to the rod by the hinge. Optionally, the lower member 20 and / or base plate 12 may include a locking mechanism (not shown) to secure the lower member 20 at a desired angle. Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, pp. 58 / 85 12 / 18

[029] With further reference to Figures 1B and 1C, the device may also include an output device, for example, a monitor 72 mounted on the upper member 30, which can be coupled to the load measuring device 80 to present information to the operator during a test. For example, as best seen in Figures 2A and 2B, the mounting 70 may be a horizontal plate mounted on the upper end 32 of the upper member 30, thus providing a surface to support the monitor 72. The monitor 72 may be removablely attached or otherwise placed on the support 70, for example, using cooperating connectors, for example, magnets, fasteners and the like.

[030] In the example shown, the monitor 72 includes a support structure 74 that can be removablely attached to the support 70, thus allowing the monitor 72 to be secure but articulated relative to the structure 74, which can facilitate an operator monitoring the monitor 72 during a test. The load cell 82 can be coupled to the monitor 72 by a cable 76, so that the signals from the load cell sensors within the load cell housing can be processed by a processor (not shown) in the monitor 72, which can process the signals and then monitor relevant data readings, for example, the tensile force applied to a ground anchor during a test. Alternatively, the sensor housing and the output device can communicate wirelessly, for example, using Bluetooth or other RF or short-range transmitters and / or receivers.

[031] Alternatively, the output monitor 72 may be portable, for example, so that the output monitor 72 may be placed on or removablely attached to a structure or other structure to which a ground anchor must be attached, for example, as shown in Figure 3A. Thus, the output monitor 72 may be positioned in any convenient location to facilitate visual monitoring of the output tensile force being applied during a load tensile test.

[032] As can be seen from the description here, the device Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, page 59 / 85 13 / 18 can provide a portable and / or handheld device for carrying out tensile load tests on ground anchors and / or other supports connected to device 60. For example, device 10 can be easily carried using the central handles 64 provided on the side of the upper member 30, for example, without the load measuring device 80 and / or monitor 72, which can be carried separately and connected to device 10 at each test location. Alternatively, the load measuring device 80 and the monitor 72 can be attached to device 10 and carried by the central handles 64 or by pulling device 10 by the upper handles 62.

[033] Alternatively, the device may be permanent or removablely mounted on other equipment. For example, the base plate (or the lower end of the lower member) may be mounted on the frame of a tractor, ATV, trailer or other vehicle (not shown) so that the vehicle can be driven to the location of each ground anchor being tested. For example, the device may be mounted on an auger system with forks supplied on a vehicle (not shown), which may then be used to quickly perform a series of tests on anchors installed at a location before securing a structure using the anchors.

[034] Returning to Figures 3A to 3C, in an exemplary application, the device 10 can be used to conduct a load tensile test on one or more ground anchors used to assemble a structure including a support structure 100 and a plurality of legs including foot plates. For example, as shown, a ground anchor 90 can be installed in the ground adjacent to a first leg 102 of the support structure 100 so that an exposed end 92 of an elongated member 94, for example, a cable and / or rod, coupled to the anchor 90 is located adjacent to a foot plate 104 of the first leg 102, for example, through a hole 105 in the foot plate 104, as best seen in Figure 3A. The base plate 12 of the device 10 can be placed on the foot plate 104 of the first leg 102 and the exposed end 92 of the anchor 90 can be coupled Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, pp. 60 / 85 14 / 18 to hook 60. For example, the load measuring device 80, including the load cell 82 shown in Figure 2C or other force measuring device (not shown), may be connected to the hook 60, for example, by the shackle 84 or other connector at an upper end of the load cell 82, and the exposed end 92 may be connected to the load cell 82, for example, by hooking a loop at the exposed end 92 onto the carabiner 86 at the lower end of the load cell 82, as shown in Figure 2A. Alternatively, the load device may include one or more components that are permanently mounted or removable from the device 10, for example, on the upper member 30. For example, a load device may be provided that includes a sensor housing that is permanently mounted on the hook or other structure of the upper member and includes a connector for removable connection to an exposed end of a ground anchorage.

[035] Once the exposed end 92 of a ground anchor 90 is coupled to the hook 60, the drive shaft 40 can be actuated, for example using the tool 98 shown in Figure 3C, to raise the upper member 30 relative to the base plate 12 and consequently apply a tensile force between the exposed end 92 and the portion of the anchor implanted in the ground, for example, to perform a load lifting (tensile) test, with the load cell 92 providing an output measuring the tensile force, for example, , on the monitor 72. If desired, the device 10 can be rotated relative to the base plate 12, for example, while holding the upper handles 62, to facilitate actuation and / or positioning of the device 10 relative to the anchor 90 and / or structure 100. Optionally, the base plate 12 may include a notch 12b below the hook 60 to facilitate Positioning device 10 more directly over anchor 90 being tested.For example, the drive shaft 40 can be driven to raise the upper member 30 and pull the anchor 90 until a desired load is applied to confirm that the anchor 90 is properly secured. For example, Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, pp. 61 / 85 15 / 18 for solar platform installations, the desired load may be 1.5 times the worst-case design load capacity for the structure and / or, as required by the Authority with Jurisdiction (AHJ), for the installation site, for example, as described further in the publications incorporated herein by reference.

[036] Optionally, the load-bearing device may include one or more additional components, for example, within the monitor 72, to facilitate the recording of information related to the load-bearing tensile test, for example, similar to the devices and systems disclosed in the publications incorporated herein by reference. For example, the load-bearing safety device 80 may simply be a mechanical scale that provides an output that can be manually recorded by the operator. Alternatively, the load-bearing safety device 80 and / or monitor 72 may include a processor and memory to store the maximum tensile force applied during the load test.Optionally, the load cell measuring device 80 and / or monitor 72 may include a GPS or other locator device to associate a location, for example, GPS coordinates, with the test results to facilitate identification of the ground anchoring being tested, and / or a clock to assign a date / time to the test results. Furthermore, or alternatively, the load cell measuring device 80 and / or monitor 72 may include a communication interface, for example, a wireless transmitter, to transmit the test results and any associated data to a remote location, for example, to a remote computer or other system for storing the data in real time.

[037] Once the desired load is applied, the device 10 can be removed, for example, by actuating the drive shaft 40 to lower the upper member 30 and release the tensile force at the exposed end 92 and the anchor 90. The exposed end 92 can then be fixed to the structure, for example, fixed to one or both of the first leg 102 and its shoe plate 104, for example, shown in Figures 2A and 2B, or to a strut or other Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, pp. 62 / 85 16 / 18 component of structure 100, for example, to fix the support structure 100 to the ground at the installation site. This process can be repeated as desired, for example, for each of the anchors being used to secure the structure on site.

[038] Optionally, the device 10 can be used to support a structure after installation, for example, to allow a support leg or other structural member to be repaired after the structure has been secured with one or more ground anchors. For example, the support arm 40 of the device 10 can be positioned under a strut or other structural component (not shown), and the drive shaft 40 and the crank actuated to raise the upper member 30 and consequently the support arm 40 until the structure is supported. The structural member can then be repaired and / or replaced, after which the crank can be lowered again to release the structure from the support arm 40.

[039] Alternatively, device 10 can also be used during the installation of a ground anchor itself, for example, to facilitate the removal of a drive rod used to drive the anchor into the ground. For example, the ground anchor may include an anchor portion and a dowel portion articulated to the anchor portion, the elongated member attached to the dowel portion, a cable or rod permanently attached to the anchor portion, and a drive rod removablely attached to the anchor portion. With the dowel portion aligned with the anchor portion, the anchor can be driven into the ground, for example, by hammering or otherwise forcing the drive rod into the ground with the anchor at the distal end of the drive rod.Once the anchor is positioned at a desired depth and / or location, the exposed end of the drive rod can be coupled to the hook, for example, using a cable or other connector, and the drive shaft 40 can be actuated to raise the upper member 30 and pull the drive rod out of the ground. The peg portion can then be... Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, pp. 63 / 85 17 / 18 deployed using conventional methods, leaving the exposed end of the cable and / or rod permanently attached to the anchor extending from the ground, for example, to later perform a load tensile test and / or attach the anchor to the structure being installed.

[040] In another application, the device 10 can be used during the installation of a structure, such as a solar platform, including a support structure and a plurality of legs including foot plates, similar to the structure 100 shown in Figures 3A to 3C and / or described in the publications incorporated herein by reference. For example, the device 10 can be used to facilitate the positioning of the legs 102 of the structure 100, for example, to orient the structure 100 to a desired height relative to the ground at the installation site. The base plate 12 of the device can be placed on a foot plate 104 of a first leg 102 of the structure 100 so that the support arm 40 is located under a support member of the support structure 100, for example, under a horizontal chassis or support member, such as the support 106 shown in Figure 3C.In one example, the support arm 50 can extend from the upper member 30 to a flange or lip defining a recess having a width greater than the strut. The drive shaft 40 can be activated to raise the upper member 30, for example, by telescopically sliding the upper member 30 upwards over the lower member 20, thus engaging the strut 106 with the support arm 50 and raising the support structure 100.

[041] This action can extend the first leg 102, for example, if the leg 102 includes telescopic components or the operator can adjust the leg 102 on their own. Once a desired height is reached, the leg 102 can be locked to prevent further movement, for example, by inserting a drop pin into holes in the telescopic limb of the leg or by engaging another locking mechanism (not shown) to prevent movement of the first leg 102. The device 10 can then be removed, for example, by actuating the drive shaft 40 to lower the upper limb. Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, pages 64 / 85 18 / 18, thus disengaging the strut member from the support arm 50 and allowing the leg 102 to support the structure. This process can be repeated as desired, for example, for each of the legs of the support structure 100 until the structure is positioned in a desired manner, for example, with the structure 100 substantially horizontal, even if the legs have different lengths, once secured due to uneven terrain.

[042] Optionally, the device 10 can be used to raise the structure before placing the base plate of the support legs. For example, the support arm 50 can be coupled to a strut or other component of the structure and to the drive shaft 40 and driven crank to raise the structure 100, for example, to a level orientation and, if necessary, the ground or other material under the leg 102 and / or base plate can be leveled or otherwise modified before placing the base plate and extending the support leg.

[043] Although the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are described in detail in this document. It should be understood, however, that the invention should not be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention should cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Petition 870210121982, dated 12 / 30 / 2021, pp. 65 / 85

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. Device for installing and / or testing ground anchors for the protection of a structure, characterized in that it comprises: a base plate defining an upper surface; a first elongated member including a lower end mounted on the upper surface of the base plate along an axis extending from the upper surface; a second elongated member telescopically mounted on the first member such that the second member is movable up and down on the first member along the axis; an actuator on the second member coupled to a mechanism in one or both the first and second members for selectively raising the second member above the first member along the axis away from the base plate when the actuator is actuated;A test hook is attached to the second member in such a way that the hook moves upwards along the axis with the second member when the actuator is activated to raise the second member for performing a load tensile test on a ground anchorage coupled to the hook.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a load measuring device connectable to the hook, the load measuring device comprising a connector for coupling to an exposed end of a ground anchor installed in the ground to measure an applied tensile force to the ground anchor when the actuator is activated to lift the second member and conduct a load tensile test.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hook is fixed to a side wall of the second member.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator comprises a drive shaft extending from an upper end of the second member that is coupled to the mechanism such that rotating the drive shaft in a first direction raises the second member relative to the base plate and rotating the drive shaft in a second direction lowers the second member relative to the base plate.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first member is coupled to the base plate by a hinge to adjust an angle of the shaft relative to the upper surface of the base plate.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the base plate includes one or more clamps extending from the upper surface, and in that a lower end of the first member is connected to one or more clamps by a hinge.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the hinge comprises a hole in the rod of one or more clamps and corresponding holes at the lower end, and a pin received in the holes to allow the first member to rotate around a pin axis relative to the base plate.

8. System for performing a load tensile test on one or more ground anchors used to secure a structure, including a support structure and a plurality of legs, including foot plates, characterized in that it comprises: a load tensile device comprising a base plate defining an upper surface, a first elongated member including a lower end mounted on the upper surface of the base plate along an axis extending from the upper surface, a second elongated member telescopically mounted on the first member such that the second member is movable up and down on the first member along the axis, an actuator on the second member coupled to a mechanism in one or both of the first and second members for selectively raising the second member above the first member along the axis away from the base plate. Petition 870260046461, dated 15 / 05 / 2026, p.8 / 24 3 / 5 base when the actuator is activated, and a test hook attached to the second member such that the hook moves upward along the axis with the second member when the actuator is activated to raise the second member for conducting a load tensile test on a ground anchor coupled to the hook; and a load measuring device coupled to the hook, the load measuring device comprising a connector for coupling to an exposed end of a ground anchor installed in the ground to measure an application of tensile force to the ground anchor when the actuator is activated to raise the second member and conduct a load tensile test.

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the load-carrying device comprises a load cell and an S-beam device.

10. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuator comprises a crank connected to the mechanism to raise the second member above the first member along the axis away from the base plate when the crank is actuated.

11. System according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a motorized tool connected to the mechanism for raising the second member above the first member along the axis away from the base plate when the tool is actuated.

12. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the load measuring device comprises a sensor housing connectable to the hook and an output device to provide a visual indication of the pulling force.

13. System, according to claim 12, characterized in that the output device is connected to the sensor housing by a cable to communicate signals from one or more sensors within the housing to a processor of the output device, or in that the load cell measuring device comprises one or more wireless transmitters or receivers to communicate signals from one or more sensors within the housing to a processor of the output device.

14. Method for conducting a load tensile test on one or more ground anchors used to secure a structure, each ground anchor implanted in the soil adjacent to the structure, such that an exposed end of the ground anchor extends from the soil, the method is characterized in that it comprises: a) providing an installation device comprising a base plate defining an upper surface, a first elongated member including a lower end mounted on the base plate along an axis extending from the upper surface, a second elongated member movably mounted to the first member such that the second member is movable up and down on the first member along the axis, an actuator on the second member coupled to a mechanism in one or both of the first and second members for selectively moving the second member along the axis toward or away from the base plate,and a test hook on the second member to conduct a load tensile test on a ground anchorage coupled to the hook; b) place the base plate adjacent to the exposed end; c) couple the exposed end to the hook; d) actuate the actuator to raise the second member and the hook relative to the first member along the axis to apply a desired tensile force between the exposed end and the anchorage and conduct a load tensile test; e) remove the device; f) secure the exposed end to the structure to secure the structure to the ground at the installation site.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that removing the device comprises actuating the actuator to lower the second member along the axis, thereby releasing the traction force. Petition 870260046461, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 10 / 24 5 / 5 16. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises repeating steps a)-f) for each of the legs of the support structure fixed by anchors to the ground.

17. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the installation of the ground anchor comprises: providing an anchor comprising an anchor portion and a peg portion pivotally coupled to the anchor portion, the elongated member coupled to the peg portion; directing the anchor into the ground at the installation site so that the exposed end of the elongated member extends from below the surface to above the ground; and pulling the exposed end to deploy the anchor portion.

18. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that coupling the exposed end to the hook comprises: connecting a load measuring device to the hook; and connecting the exposed end to the load measuring device, wherein the load measuring device measures the application of tensile force.

19. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that a load cell is loaded by the hook, and wherein coupling the exposed end to the hook comprises connecting the exposed end to the load cell such that the load cell exhibits a traction force applied to the exposed end when the actuator is actuated to lift the second member.

20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the load cell records a maximum tensile force applied to the exposed end upon completion of the load tensile test. Petition 870260046461, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 11 / 24

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