Auxiliary ground anchor

Abstract

An auxiliary ground anchor 10 for guiding securing rods 40, 42, 44, 46 through a pile 30 into the ground, the anchor comprising a sleeve 12 for positioning onto the ground around the pile, th

Description

The present invention relates to an auxiliary ground anchor and particularly but not exclusively to an auxiliary ground anchor for guiding securing rods through a pile into the ground and a method of installation. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Ground mounted solar panel installations include solar panel frames or tables which are connected to the ground. The conventional method of erecting these tables is by inserting steel sections into the ground by piling. These piled sections, or piles, act as means of anchoring tables to the ground by surface friction from the soil to the pile. This prevents table uplift or sinkage due to weather or poor soil conditions. To ensure the piles provide sufficient surface friction, the piles are normally inserted into the ground with a depth of at least 1500 mm. However, it is not always possible to pile to a depth of 1500 mm, especially if the land is reclaimed or is a disused landfill. In landfill sites there is a capping membrane approximately 1000 mm below the soils surface and it is generally forbidden to penetrate the capping membrane. By far the fastest &cheapest way of erecting a typical table is by piling. However, on membrane capped sites where piling is not an option, ballast may be used instead. However, ballast systems are significantly more expensive and take approximately 4 to 5 times as much time to erect. Additionally, ballast systems require a huge amount of additional bracing to keep stability in the frame itself. It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an auxiliary ground anchor for guiding securing rods through a pile into the ground, the auxiliary ground anchor comprising: a sleeve for positioning onto the ground around the pile, the sleeve having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the sides being substantially planar and each side comprising at least one aperture, the sides defining a cavity for receiving the pile, the fourth side further comprising an opening along its entire length for enabling the sleeve to be placed around the pile when in situ in the ground; and at least one rod adapted to be positioned through at least one of the apertures in the sleeve, through an aperture in the pile, and driven into the ground for enhancing the securement of the pile to the ground. The auxiliary ground anchor provides additional support for the pile. The rods assist in anchoring the pile to the ground by surface friction. The apertures in the sleeve guide the at least one rod through the pile and into the ground. Advantageously, the additional surface friction provided by the rods means that the pile can be significantly shorter while remaining structurally sound. The applicant has found that a pile may only need to penetrate the ground by approximately 400 mm, allowing the pile to be used on sites where a capping membrane is present. Further bracing such as above ground ballast may not be required. Additionally, the sleeve ensures no additional fixings may be required to connect the rods to the pile. The above advantages allow for a fast and straightforward installation using traditional techniques. The opening may be considered a slot for receiving the pile. The opening allows the sleeve to be positioned around a pile that is already installed. In other words, the auxiliary ground anchor may be retrofittable to a pile. The apertures may be considered rod apertures for receiving the at least one rod. The apertures may be elliptical apertures for guiding the rods at an angle into the ground. At least two rods may be provided. At least three rods may be provided. At least four rods may be provided. Additional rods provide further support for the ground anchor. At least one rod may be disposed through the aperture in the first side and the aperture in the third side. At least one rod may be disposed through the aperture in the second side and the pile. The first side may comprise at least two apertures. The first side may comprise at least four apertures. The second side may comprise at least two apertures. The second side may comprise at least four apertures. The third side may comprise at least two apertures. The third side may comprise at least four apertures. The fourth side may not comprise elliptical apertures for receiving rods. Rods may be positioned through the fourth side wall through the opening. Each side may have two rods passing through it, which enter the ground on opposite sides of the sleeve. At least one of the apertures may be an upper aperture. At least one of the apertures may be a lower aperture. The at least one upper aperture may be disposed through the sleeve at a position higher than the at least one lower aperture, that is, when the sleeve is disposed around the pile. The at least one rod may pass through an upper aperture of one side wall and a lower aperture of an opposing side wall. Each rod may pass through an upper aperture and an opposing lower aperture. Passing the rod through an upper aperture and a lower aperture allows the rod to be positioned through the sleeve at an angle into the ground. Each rod is disposed above and / or below another rod. That is to say, the rods may overlap, or cross-over one another. The rods may be disposed orthogonally to each other to ensure support is evenly distributed. The angle between an axis of at least one rod and a side of the sleeve may be substantially 45 degrees. In other words, the at least one rod may penetrate the ground at an angle of substantially 45 degrees. This angle has been found to be an optimum angle for providing auxiliary support while not extending into the ground further than the pile itself. The sleeve may be constructed by folding from a metal sheet (i.e. a flat sheet). Constructing the sleeve by folding a metal sheet has advantages in manufacturing, namely the ability to easily cut the apertures, for example by laser cutting. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pile system comprising a pile for insertion into the ground and an auxiliary ground anchor, the auxiliary ground anchor comprising a sleeve for positioning onto the ground around the pile, the sleeve having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the sides being substantially planar and each side comprising at least one aperture, the sides defining a cavity for receiving the pile; and at least one rod adapted to be positioned through the at least one aperture in the sleeve, through an aperture in the pile, and driven into the ground for enhancing the securement of the pile to the ground. The advantages of the second aspect of the present invention have been described above with respect to the first aspect of the present invention. The pile system may comprise any feature or combination of features of the first aspect of the present invention. The fourth side may further comprise an opening along its entire length for enabling the sleeve to be placed around the pile when in situ in the ground. At least four rods may be provided. At least two rods may pass through the pile. At least three rods may pass through the pile. Additional rods provide further support for the ground anchor. A rod may pass through the first side and third side, or the second side and pile. For example, the pile system may include a first rod passing through the first side and third side. The pile system may include a second rod passing through the first side and third side. Both the first rod and second rod may pass through the pile. Alternatively, only one of the first rod and second rod may pass through the pile. In other words, one rod may not pass through the pile. The pile system may include a third rod passing through the second side and the pile. The pile system may include a fourth rod passing through the second side and the pile. The pile may have a cross section with dimensions of substantially 150 mm by 75 mm. The sleeve may have a cross section of substantially 150 mm by 150 mm. In other words, the sleeve may have a cross-sectional area that is at least twice that of the cross-sectional area of the pile. The pile may occupy approximately half of the cavity. Placing the sleeve around the pile effectively increases the size of the pile at its base. The sleeve may be considered an extension of the pile. The sleeve enables one or more additional rods to be disposed through the sleeve and into the ground. For example, four rods may be provided in which one rod does not pass through the pile. The rods may be disposed through each side of the sleeve. The four rods may be orthogonal to each other. Advantageously, the sleeve provides space to accommodate one or more additional rods, enabling the pile itself to have smaller dimensions relative to the sleeve. The pile may be constructed with less materials which saves on cost. Furthermore, the space in the cavity enables the sleeve to be placed around the pile when in situ in the ground. An upper end of the pile is adapted for directly attaching to a solar panel frame. This allows a frame to be attached to the pile in a conventional way, ensuring installation is fast, stable and simple. The sleeve may not have tabs or holes for directly attaching a solar panel frame. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing an auxiliary ground anchor, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the auxiliary ground anchor around a pile, the pile having at least one aperture and the auxiliary ground anchor including a sleeve for positioning onto the ground around the pile, the sleeve having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the sides being substantially planar and each side comprising at least one aperture, the sides defining a cavity for receiving the pile; and inserting at least one rod through at least one aperture in the sleeve, through the at least one aperture in the pile, and driving the at least one rod into the ground for enhancing the securement of the pile to the ground. The advantages have been described above with respect to the first and second aspects of the present invention. The auxiliary ground anchor and / or pile used in the method may comprise any feature or combination of features of the first and second aspects of the present invention. The fourth side may further comprise an opening along its entire length as described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention. The method may comprise the step of placing the sleeve around the pile when the pile is in situ in the ground. The step may involve passing the pile through the opening. This allows the auxiliary ground anchor to be retrofitted to a pile which has already been installed. The sleeve has a small amount of flexibility, allowing it to be rotated around the pile and into position. For example, the first and second sides may flex outwardly during installation and spring back once in position. The maximum extent of the pile in the ground may be 1000 mm. The maximum extent of the pile in the ground may be 750 mm. The maximum extent of the pile in the ground may be 500 mm. The maximum extent of the pile in the ground may be 400 mm. At least three rods may be inserted into the sleeve and the pile. Each rod may either pass through the first side and third side of the sleeve, or the second side of the sleeve and the pile. The rods that pass through the first side and third side of the sleeve may also pass through the pile, or may not pass through the pile. Each rod may be positioned in the arrangements described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a pile system; Figure 2 shows a back view of the pile system of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a left side view of the pile system of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a right side view of the pile system of Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows a top view of the pile system of Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a pile system is generally indicated at 100. The pile system 100 includes a pile 30 and a sleeve 10. The pile 30 is disposed through the sleeve 10. The sleeve 10 is disposed on the ground at a base of the pile 30. The sleeve 10 guides rods 40, 42, 44, 46 which extend into the ground and provide additional support for the pile 30. Together, the sleeve 10 and rods 40, 42, 44, 46 may be considered an auxiliary ground anchor. The sleeve 10 has a first side 16, a second side 14, a third side 18, and a fourth side 20. Each side 14, 16, 18, 20 is substantially planar. The first side 14 and the fourth side 20 have the same or substantially similar perimeter. The second side 14 and the third side 20 have the same or substantially similar size and shape. In this embodiment, the length of each side is greater than the width. The first side 16 and the third side 18 are each connected to the second side 14 at opposing ends of the second side 14. The first side 16 and the third side 18 are each connected to the fourth side 20 at opposing ends of the fourth side 20. In other words, the sides 14, 16, 18, 20 form a hollow rectangular prism or rectangular box section defining a cavity for receiving the pile 30. The sleeve 10 is made from a folded metal sheet. In this embodiment, the sleeve 10 is made from a single metal sheet. The pile 30 has a cross section with dimensions of 150 mm by 75 mm. The sleeve 10 has a cross section with dimensions of 150 mm by 150 mm. In other words, the sleeve 10 has a cross-sectional area twice that of the pile 30. Placing the sleeve around the pile effectively increases the size of the pile at its base to allow the auxiliary ground anchor to include an additional rod 42, while allowing the size of the pile 30 itself to be smaller. The sleeve 10 may be considered an extension of the pile 30. The second side 14 is shown most clearly in Figure 2. The second side 14 includes apertures 14a-d. The apertures 14a-d are arranged in two rows and two columns. The first side 16 is shown most clearly in Figure 3. The first side 16 includes apertures 16a-d. The apertures 16a-d are arranged in two rows and two columns. The apertures 16a-d are arranged in two rows and two columns. The third side 18 is shown most clearly in Figure 4. The third side 18 includes apertures 18a-d. The apertures 18a-d are arranged in two rows and two columns in positions corresponding to the first side apertures 16a-d. That is to say, the third side 18 is congruent with the first side 16. The apertures on all sides are arranged similarly, in a rectangular layout. The apertures may be considered rod apertures. The apertures in the top rows 14a, 14c, 16a, 16c, 18a, 18c may be considered upper apertures. The apertures in the bottom rows 14b, 14d, 16b, 16d, 18b, 18d may be considered lower apertures. Referring again to Figure 1, the fourth side 20 is shown most clearly. The fourth side 20 does not have rod apertures. The fourth side 20 includes an opening 22. The opening 22 extends along the entire length of the fourth side 20. The opening 22 is substantially rectangular. The opening 22 allows the sleeve 10 to slide onto a side of the pile 30 when the pile 30 is already in the ground. In other words, the sleeve 10 may be retrofitted onto an installed pile 30. The pile 30 extends approximately 400 mm into the ground, indicated by line “G”. The pile includes eight apertures 30a-h described below. Four apertures 30a-d are shown in Figure 1. The apertures 30a-d are disposed in a front side of the pile 30 which abuts the fourth side 20 of the sleeve 10. The front side of the pile abuts the fourth side 20 of the sleeve 10. The first four apertures 30a-d are arranged in two rows and two columns in positions corresponding to the second side apertures 14a-d. That is to say, a portion of the front side of the pile 30 is congruent with the second side 14 of the sleeve 10. The pile 30 has a rear side opposing the front side having an opening for passing rods through. The rear side of the pile 30 does not abut the second side 14 of the sleeve 10 but is closer to the second side 14 of the sleeve 10 than the fourth side 20 of the sleeve 10. The opening extends longitudinally along the entire length of the rear side. The edges of the opening are parallel with edges of the pile. Two apertures 30e-f are shown in Figure 3. The apertures 30e-f are disposed in a left side of the pile 30 which abuts the first side 16 of the sleeve 10. The apertures 30e-f are arranged in two rows and one column. When the pile 30 is provided in the sleeve 10, the apertures 30e-f align with two apertures 16c, 16d in the first side 16 of the sleeve 10. Two apertures 30g-h are shown in Figure 4. The apertures 30g-h are disposed in a right side of the pile 30 which abuts the third side 18 of the sleeve 10. The apertures 30g-h are arranged in two rows and one column. When the pile 30 is provided in the sleeve 10, the apertures 30g-h align with two apertures 18a, 18b in the third side 18 of the sleeve 10. The two apertures 30g-h in the right side of the pile 30 oppose and align with the two apertures 30e-f in the left side of the pile 30. As before, the apertures 30a, 30c, 30e, 30g in the top rows may be considered upper apertures. The apertures in the bottom rows 30b, 30d, 30f, 30h may be considered lower apertures. That is to say, the upper apertures 30a, 30c, 30e, 30g are disposed through the sleeve 10 at a position higher than the lower apertures 30b, 30d, 30f, 30h, that is, when the sleeve 10 is disposed around the pile 30. An upper end of the pile 30 is adapted to be directly fitted to a solar panel frame. That is to say, additional piles or columns or not required to be connected to the pile 30. The adaptions can include one or more of a bracket fitted to the pile 30, cut-outs in the pile 30 for receiving fixings, or an attachment means, for example. The pile system 100 includes a first rod 40, a second rod 42, a third rod 44, and a fourth rod 46. The four rods 40, 42, 44, 46 extend through the apertures described above. The rods 40, 42, 44, 46 extend through the apertures at an angle 45 degrees from the vertical. To accommodate the rods 40, 42, 44, 46 at this angle, the apertures are substantially elliptical. The first rod 40 and second rod 42 are best shown in Figures 1 and 2. The third rod 44 and fourth rod 46 are omitted from Figures 1 and 2 for clarity. The third rod 44 and fourth rod 46 are best shown in Figures 3 and 4. The first rod 40 and second rod 42 are omitted from Figures 3 and 4 for clarity. The vertical distance of the rods 40, 42, 44, 46 in the ground is no greater than the length of the pile 30 in the ground. In this embodiment, the length of each rod is approximately 550 mm to 560 mm. The first rod 40 extends through the first side 16 and the third side 18. The first rod 40 extends through the pile 30. The first rod 40 extends through an upper aperture 18a in the third side 18. The first rod 40 extends through an upper aperture 30g in the right side of the pile 30. The first rod 40 extends through a lower aperture 30f in the left side of the pile 30. The first rod 40 extends through a lower aperture 16d in the first side 16. The second rod 42 extends through the third side 18 and the first side 16. The second rod 42 does not extend through the pile 30. The second rod 42 extends through an upper aperture 16a in the first side 16. The second rod 42 extends through a lower aperture 18d in the third side 18. The sleeve 10 may be considered an extension of the pile 30 for accommodating the second rod 42. The third rod 44 extends through the second side 14 and the pile 30. The third rod 44 extends through a lower aperture 14d in the second side 14. The first rod 40 extends through an upper aperture 30a in the second side 14 of the pile 30. The fourth rod 46 extends through the second side 14 and the pile 30. The fourth rod 46 extends through an upper aperture 14a in the second side 14. The fourth rod 46 extends through a lower aperture 30d in the front side of the pile 30. All four rods 40, 42, 44, 46 are shown in Figure 5. The top view shows the orthogonal arrangement of the rods 40, 42, 44, 46 which evenly distributes support. Each rod 40, 42, 44, 46 has a substantially similar length. Each rod overlaps with two other rods. The first rod 40 is positioned under the third rod 44. The first rod 40 is disposed above the fourth rod 46. The second rod 42 is positioned above the third rod 44. The second rod 44 is disposed under the fourth rod 46. The auxiliary ground anchor can be installed to a pile 30. The pile 30 can be installed into the ground. The sleeve 10 can be placed over the pile 30 in a position in which the apertures align as described above. Alternatively, the sleeve 10 may be positioned around the pile 30 by passing the pile 30 through the opening 22, allowing the sleeve 10 to be retrofitted to a pile 30. The rods 40, 42, 44, 46 can be inserted through the apertures and hammered into the ground, for example using a pneumatic hammer. The rods are inserted at a 45-degree angle as described above. The rods 40, 42, 44, 46 can be fitted without the use of additional fixings. 5 The significant advantage of the present invention is that the pile 30 may be installed at a depth as little as 400 mm, allowing the pile 30 to be used on sites where a capping membrane is present. The auxiliary ground anchor provides enough surface friction to ensure the pile 30 remains stable. The above advantages allow for a fast and straightforward installation of the pile 30 using traditional techniques. 10 The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An auxiliary ground anchor for guiding securing rods through a pile into the ground, the auxiliary ground anchor comprising:a sleeve for positioning onto the ground around the pile, the sleeve having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the sides being substantially planar and each side comprising at least one aperture, the sides defining a cavity for receiving the pile, the fourth side further comprising an opening along its entire length for enabling the sleeve to be placed around the pile when in situ in the ground; andat least one rod adapted to be positioned through the at least one aperture in the sleeve, through an aperture in the pile, and driven into the ground for enhancing the securement of the pile to the ground.

2. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in claim 1, in which the apertures are elliptical apertures for guiding the rods at an angle into the ground.

3. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which at least one rod is disposed through the aperture in the first side and the aperture in the third side.

4. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which at least one rod is disposed through the aperture in the first side.

5. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least two apertures are provided in the first side, the second side, and third side.

6. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in claim 5, in which at least four apertures are provided in the first side, the second side, and third side.

7. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which at least one of the apertures is an upper aperture and at least one of the apertures is a lower aperture, the at least one upper aperture being disposed through the sleeve at a position higher than the at least one lower aperture.

8. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in claim 7, in which the at least one rod passes through an upper aperture and a lower aperture.

9. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least two rods are provided.

10. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in claim 9, in which at least four rods are provided.

11. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which each rod is disposed above and / or below another rod.

12. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the angle between the axis of at least one rod and a side of the sleeve is substantially 45 degrees.

13. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sleeve is constructed by folding a metal sheet.

14. A pile system comprising a pile for insertion into the ground and an auxiliary ground anchor, the auxiliary ground anchor comprising a sleeve for positioning onto the ground around the pile, the sleeve having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the sides being substantially planar and each side comprising at least one aperture, the sides defining a cavity for receiving the pile; andat least one rod adapted to be positioned through the at least one aperture in the sleeve, through an aperture in the pile, and driven into the ground for enhancing the securement of the pile to the ground.

15. A pile system as claimed in claim 14, in which the fourth side further comprises an opening along its entire length for enabling the sleeve to be placed around the pile when in situ in the ground.

16. A pile system as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, in which at least two rods pass through the pile.

17. A pile system as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, in which each rod passes through either the first side and third side, or the second side and pile.

18. An auxiliary ground anchor as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17, in which at least one rod is not positioned through the pile.

19. A pile system as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, in which a cross-sectional area of the sleeve is at least twice that of a cross-sectional area of the pile.

20. A pile system as claimed in any of claims 14 to 19, in which an upper end of the pile is adapted for directly attaching to a solar panel frame.

21. A method of installing an auxiliary ground anchor, the method comprising the steps of:positioning the auxiliary ground anchor around a pile, the pile having at least one aperture and the auxiliary ground anchor including a sleeve for positioning onto the ground around the pile, the sleeve having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the sides being substantially planar and each side comprising at least one aperture, the sides defining a cavity for receiving the pile; andinserting at least one rod through at least one aperture in the sleeve, through the at least one aperture in the pile, and driving the at least one rod into the ground for enhancing the securement of the pile to the ground.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, in which the fourth side further comprises an opening along its entire length and the method comprises the step of placing the sleeve around the pile when the pile is in situ in the ground23. A method as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, in which the extent of the pile in the ground does not exceed 1000 mm.

24. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23, in which each rod passes through either the first side and third side, or the second side and pile.

25. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 24, in which at least three rods are inserted into the sleeve and the pile and hammered into the ground.14

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