GROUND ENGAGING SHAFT
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 first plate, axially rotatably connected to the shaft. The apparatus may further comprise a second plate rotatably connected to the shaft above the first plate which may have connectors for engagement with a corresponding adjacent plate. 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.
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; and
a first plate, axially rotatably connected to the shaft.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one auger section is proximate to said bottom end of said shaft.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said shaft includes a second auger section located below said first plate.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first plate is located proximate to said top end of said shaft.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first plate is located at substantially a midpoint of said shaft.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first plate is longitudinally located along said shaft.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first plate is longitudinally located along said shaft by collars.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first plate extends substantially radially from said shaft.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first plate includes a top edge extending substantially perpendicularly from an axis of said shaft.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said plate may include a bottom edge extending at an angle of incline from a plane normal to the axis of the shaft.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second plate rotatably connected to said shaft above said first plate.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said second plate is substantially alignable with said first plate.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second plate is independently rotatable of said first plate.
14 . The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said second plate extends between first and second side edges.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first and second side edges are substantially parallel with said central axis.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said first and second side edges have connectors for engagement with a corresponding adjacent plate.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said connectors comprise a u-shaped channel adapted to intermesh with corresponding u-shaped channel of adjacent plates so as to be interlocked therewith.
18 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each u-shaped channel comprises a flange extending from each of said first and second side edges to a parallel spaced apart end plate.
19 . A method for engaging a member within a soil formation comprising:
locating a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound and having a first plate, axially rotatably connected to the shaft above a soil formation; and
rotating said shaft into the soil formation so as to draw said first plate into said soil formation.
20 . The method of claim 19 further comprising interlocking a second plate rotatably connected to said shaft to an adjacent plate.