Alignment window for drive tool assembly
A drive tool for connecting a member to the drive tool of a drive tool assembly includes a flange connectable to the drive tool assembly. A wall has a first portion extending axially outwardly from the flange and defining a socket for receiving a first member. The wall has a second portion extending axially from the first portion of the wall and having a circumferential extent less than that of the first portion to facilitate receiving the first member by providing a laterally and axially open alignment opening. The first member can have a second portion extending axially further than a first portion and having a circumferential extent less than the first portion to facilitate connecting a second member to the first member by providing a laterally and axially open alignment opening.
1. A drive tool of a drive tool assembly, comprising:
a flange connectable to the drive tool assembly; and
a wall having a first portion extending axially outwardly from said flange and defining a socket for receiving a member, said wall having a second portion extending axially from said first portion of said wall and having a circumferential extent less than said first portion to facilitate receiving the member by providing a laterally and axially open alignment opening.
2. The drive tool according to claim 1 , wherein
said first portion of said wall has first and second oppositely disposed openings for receiving a locking member to secure the received member to said drive tool.
3. The drive tool according to claim 1 , wherein
said first portion has a substantially square shape in cross section transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof.
4. The drive tool according to claim 3 , wherein
said second portion of said wall is substantially C-shaped in cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis.
5. The drive tool according to claim 3 , wherein
said second portion of said wall is substantially L-shaped in cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis.
6. The drive tool according to claim 3 , wherein
said second portion of said wall extends from only one side of said first portion of said wall.
7. The drive tool according to claim 1 , wherein
said first portion of said wall has a substantially circular shape in cross section transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof.
8. The drive tool according to claim 7 , wherein
said second portion of said wall extends circumferentially between approximately 90 and approximately 180 degrees.
9. The drive tool according to claim 1 , wherein
locking dogs connected to said first portion of said wall secure the received member to said drive tool.
10. The drive tool according to claim 1 , wherein
said drive tool is unitarily formed as a single member.
11. The drive tool according to claim 1 , wherein
said member is an extension member having a socket formed at an end thereof to receive an anchor shaft, said socket having a first portion and a second portion extending axially further than said first portion and having a circumferential extent less than said first portion thereof to facilitate receiving the anchor shaft by providing a laterally and axially open alignment opening.
12. An extension member for connecting a helical pile to a drive tool, comprising:
a body having first and second ends, said first end being connectable to the drive tool;
a socket having a first portion formed at said second end of said body connectable to the helical pile; and
a second portion of said socket extending axially from said first portion and having a circumferential extent less than said first portion thereof to facilitate receiving the helical pile by providing a laterally and axially open alignment opening.
13. The extension member according to claim 12 , wherein
said first portion has a substantially square shape in cross section transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof.
14. The extension member according to claim 13 , wherein
said second portion of said wall is substantially C-shaped in cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis.
15. The extension member according to claim 13 , wherein
said second portion of said wall is substantially L-shaped in cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis.
16. The extension member according to claim 13 , wherein
said second portion of said wall extends from only one side of said first portion of said wall.
17. The extension member according to claim 12 , wherein
said first portion has a substantially circular shape in cross section transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof.
18. The extension member according to claim 17 , wherein
said second portion of said wall extends circumferentially approximately 90 and approximately 180 degrees.
19. A method of connecting a member to a drive tool, comprising the steps of
abutting a first member against an axially extending portion of the drive tool by moving the first member axially and laterally, the axially extending portion having a circumferential extent less than a socket portion from which the axially extending portion extends;
inserting the first member in the socket portion of the drive tool by axial movement after engagement of the first member and the axially extending portion; and
locking the first member in the socket portion.
20. The method of connecting a member to a drive tool according to claim 19 , further comprising
abutting a second member against an axially extending portion of the first member, the axially extending portion of the first member having a circumferential extent less than a socket portion of the first member from which the axially extending portion of the first member extends;
inserting the second member in the socket portion of the first member; and
locking the second member to the first member.