CPC E02D 3/054 (2013.01) [E02D 3/08 (2013.01); B25D 1/02 (2013.01); B25D 2222/42 (2013.01); B25D 2250/025 (2013.01); E01C 23/124 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A cleft-mallet comprising:
a first segment comprising an inner element having a contact face defining a terminal proximal end of the cleft-mallet;
a second segment comprising a radial element having a terminal face defining a terminal distal end of the cleft-mallet and an opposing proximal face;
a third segment comprising an outer tube directly connected to the radial element at a first connection portion, the first connection portion having a terminal face coincident with the terminal distal end of the cleft-mallet; and
a cleft;
wherein:
the outer tube has a first longitudinal axis and a first length from a distal end to an opposite proximal end measured along the first longitudinal axis;
the inner element is directly connected to the radial element at a second connection portion, the second connection portion having a terminal face coincident with the terminal distal end of the cleft-mallet;
the cleft-mallet longitudinally extends exclusively between the contact face of the inner element and the coincident terminal faces of the radial element, the first connection portion, and the second connection portion;
the inner element is arranged within the outer tube and has a second longitudinal axis and a second length from a distal end to an opposite proximal end measured along the second longitudinal axis, wherein the proximal end has a free end surface defining the contact face for impacting and driving an anvil configured as a hollow or solid pile into the earth;
the second longitudinal axis is parallel to the first longitudinal axis;
other than the respective connection portions, each of the inner element, the outer tube, and the radial element are separated one from another by the cleft;
at least a part of the outer tube is a longitudinal segment configured for a stress wave traveling from the distal end of the outer tube to the proximal end of the outer tube;
at least a part of the inner element is a longitudinal segment configured for a stress wave generated on impact of the contact face and the anvil traveling from the proximal end of the inner element to the distal end of the inner element;
the radial element is a radial segment configured for a shear stress wave traveling from the distal end of the inner element to the distal end of the outer tube; and
in use, the stress wave generated on impact of the contact face can only make a transition from the inner element to the radial element via the second connection portion and can only make a transition from the radial element to the outer tube via the first connection portion.
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