US 12,320,090 B2
Methods and apparatuses for compacting soil and granular materials
David J. White, Davidson, NC (US); and Kord J. Wissmann, Davidson, NC (US)
Assigned to Geopier Foundation Company, Inc., Davidson, NC (US)
Filed by Geopier Foundation Company, Inc., Davidson, NC (US)
Filed on Oct. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/376,201.
Application 18/376,201 is a division of application No. 17/171,664, filed on Feb. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,773,555.
Application 16/450,405 is a division of application No. 15/645,322, filed on Jul. 10, 2017, granted, now 10,329,728, issued on Jun. 25, 2019.
Application 17/171,664 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/450,405, filed on Jun. 24, 2019, granted, now 10,941,534, issued on Mar. 9, 2021.
Application 15/645,322 is a continuation of application No. 14/916,741, granted, now 9,702,107, issued on Jul. 11, 2017, previously published as PCT/US2014/054374, filed on Sep. 15, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/873,993, filed on Sep. 5, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2024/0026625 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E02D 3/046 (2006.01); E01C 21/00 (2006.01); E02D 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC E02D 3/046 (2013.01) [E01C 21/00 (2013.01); E02D 3/08 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for densifying and compacting granular materials comprising:
a drive shaft having a first diameter and a compaction end; and
a set of one or more diametric expansion elements attached to an exterior and at the bottom of the compaction end of the drive shaft,
wherein the one or more diametric expansion elements, in their expanded state, form compaction surfaces having a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the drive shaft.