Patent ID: 7381011

Claim:
A pile casing for being driven into an earthen surface, comprising a tubular casing body having a length, an upper end, a lower end, a 360-degree circumference adjacent its lower end, an exterior surface, and an interior surface defining an interior space, and a lubrication system comprising: a conduit for transferring lubricant running along the length of the casing body and having a first end adapted for fluid communication with a source of lubricant, and a second end; a manifold adjacent the lower end of the casing body defining a manifold chamber disposed above the lower end of the casing body and extending around the exterior surface of the casing body in fluid communication with the second end of the conduit for flow of lubricant into the manifold chamber; a plurality of first orifices extending from the manifold chamber through said exterior and interior surfaces of the tubular casing body to the interior space for delivery of lubricant from the manifold chamber to said interior space, said plurality of first orifices being spaced around the 360-degree circumference of the casing body at intervals no greater than about 50% of said 360-degree circumference; and a plurality of second orifices for delivery of lubricant from the manifold chamber to said exterior surface of the pile body, said plurality of second orifices being spaced around said 360-degree circumference of the casing body at intervals no greater than about 50% of said 360-degree circumference; the arrangement being such that lubricant delivered to the manifold chamber is delivered through said pluralities of first and second orifices for distribution to said interior space and to said exterior surface of the casing body to facilitate driving of the casing.