U.S. patent application number 10/198078 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-13 for support structure.
Invention is credited to Nicholson, Leslie.
Application Number | 20030031514 10/198078 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9918844 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030031514 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nicholson, Leslie |
February 13, 2003 |
Support structure
Abstract
The present invention provides a reusable support assembly for
use with an excavated channel or hole. The assembly includes a
support structure having a plurality of piles and a perimeter
frame, and at least one bracing clamp, wherein the bracing clamp
provides an adjustable support for the support structure. The
invention also relates to a bracing clamp for providing an
adjustable support to a support structure that is used with an
excavated channel or hole. The bracing clamp includes two engaging
members, at least one clamp stiffening device, and at least one
adjustable clamp extension mechanism. The engaging members are
located at opposite ends of an axis as defined by the clamp
stiffening device and the adjustable clamp extension mechanism. In
another embodiment of the invention the support structure includes
a perimeter frame having a plurality of beams and a plurality of
connectors for connecting two beams and securing said two beams in
position.
Inventors: |
Nicholson, Leslie; (Dundee,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLESHNER & KIM, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Family ID: |
9918844 |
Appl. No.: |
10/198078 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/133 ;
405/272; 405/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 17/083
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/133 ;
405/272; 405/282 |
International
Class: |
E02D 029/00; E21D
001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 20, 2001 |
GB |
0117667.6 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A reusable support assembly for use with an excavated channel or
hole comprising: a support structure having a plurality of piles
and a perimeter frame; and at least one bracing clamp, wherein the
bracing clamp provides an adjustable support for the support
structure.
2. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
bracing clamp is detachable from the support structure.
3. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
bracing clamp comprises engaging members for releasably connecting
the bracing clamp to the support structure.
4. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
piles comprise an attachment assembly that allows the perimeter
frame to be located relative to the piles.
5. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
attachment assembly comprises a plate, a support bracket and a
fastener for securing the plate to the pile.
6. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
plate comprises at least one locator.
7. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
locator is in the form of a wedge.
8. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
support bracket comprises a support and a wedge, and the support
bracket is attached to the plate by locating the wedge within the
locator.
9. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
perimeter frame comprises a plurality of beams and a plurality of
connectors for connecting two beams and securing said two beams in
position.
10. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
beams have an H-shaped cross sectional profile.
11. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
connectors comprise two brackets, the brackets being connected to
one another by a pivot.
12. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
brackets comprise a bracket locator adapted to locate the bracket
on a beam and a plurality of bracket fasteners adapted to secure
the bracket to the beam.
13. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
bracket fasteners include threaded screws.
14. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
bracing clamp comprises two engaging members, at least one clamp
stiffening device and at least one adjustable clamp extension
mechanism, the engaging members being located at opposite ends of
an axis as defined by the clamp stiffening device and the
adjustable clamp extension mechanism.
15. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
bracing clamp further comprises a hinge plug and a fitting assembly
associated with each of the said engaging members, the hinge plug
and fitting assembly being adapted to attach the engaging member to
the end of the bracing clamp.
16. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
engaging members comprise a main body, two off-axis clamp
stiffeners, a hinged locator, a pivoting port and a plurality of
connecting ports.
17. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
off-axis clamp stiffeners are connected to the fitting assembly and
the connecting ports such that manual adjustment of the off axis
clamp stiffeners allows the engaging member to pivot about the
pivoting port.
18. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
hinged locator comprises: a hinge adapted to allow the hinged
locator to be positioned about a beam of the perimeter frame, and;
a plurality of engaging member fasteners adapted to secure the
hinged locator to the beam.
19. A reusable support assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the
engaging member fastener comprises a threaded screw.
20. A bracing clamp for providing an adjustable support to a
support structure for use with an excavated channel or hole
comprising: two engaging members, at least one clamp stiffening
device, and at least one adjustable clamp extension mechanism,
wherein the engaging members are located at opposite ends of an
axis as defined by the clamp stiffening device and the adjustable
clamp extension mechanism.
21. A bracing clamp as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a
hinge plug and a fitting assembly associated with each of the said
engaging members, the hinge plug and fitting assembly being adapted
to attach the engaging member to the end of the bracing clamp.
22. A bracing clamp as claimed in claim 20, wherein the engaging
members comprise a main body, two off-axis clamp stiffeners, a
hinged locator, a pivoting port and a plurality of connecting
ports.
23. A bracing clamp as claimed in claim 22, wherein the off axis
clamp stiffeners are connected to the fitting assembly and the
connecting ports such that manual adjustment of the off-axis clamp
stiffeners allows the engaging member to pivot about the pivoting
port.
24. A bracing clamp as claimed in claim 22, wherein the hinged
locator comprises: a hinge adapted to allow the hinged locator to
be positioned about a beam of the perimeter frame, and; a plurality
of engaging member fasteners adapted to secure the hinged locator
to the beam.
25. A bracing clamp as claimed in claim 24, wherein the engaging
member fasteners comprise a threaded screw.
26. A support structure for use with an excavated channel or hole
comprising: a perimeter frame having a plurality of beams and a
plurality of connectors for connecting two beams and securing said
two beams in position.
27. A support structure as claimed in claim 26, wherein the beams
have an H-shaped cross sectional profile.
28. A support structure as claimed in claim 26, wherein the
connectors comprise two brackets, the brackets being connected to
one another by a pivot.
29. A support structure as claimed in claim 28, wherein the
brackets comprise a bracket locator adapted to locate the bracket
on a beam and a plurality of bracket fasteners adapted to secure
the bracket to the beam.
30. A support structure as claimed in claim 29, wherein the bracket
fasteners include threaded screws.
31. A bracing clamp for providing support to a support structure
for use with an excavated channel or hole comprising: two engaging
means, at least one clamp stiffening means, and at least one
adjustable clamp extension means, wherein the engaging means are
located at opposite ends of an axis as defined by the clamp
stiffening means and the adjustable clamp extension means.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of support
structures. In particular it discloses an adaptable and reusable
support structure for the provision of structural support for
excavated channels or holes.
[0002] In order to lay pipes, cables or telephone lines under
ground, it is necessary to excavate a hole or channel along the
route that such pipes or cables are required to be laid. These
excavated channels or holes require structural support in order
that they do not collapse while work is being carried out in laying
the pipes or cables. The level of support required for such
excavated sites depends directly on the dimensions of the channel
or hole.
[0003] The prior art teaches of support structures for excavated
channels or holes that comprise piles, brackets and waling beams.
The procedure for deploying such support structures requires the
piles to be driven down into the ground around the perimeter of the
area to be excavated. The piles are designed to interconnect with
each other so as to aid the structural support provided for the
excavated channel or hole. This process then requires the user to
weld a plurality of brackets to the piles around the entire
perimeter of the excavated channel or hole. Thereafter, waling
beams are cut and laid on top of the said brackets again being
secured by means of welding. Welding is also employed in order to
secure the intersection junctions of any two waling beams so as to
form a perimeter frame for the support structure.
[0004] The dimensions of the perimeter frame are then required to
be measured such that further support sections can be cut from
waling beams in order that they fit across the breadth of an
excavated channel or hole. These further support sections are once
again secured in place by means of welding.
[0005] Deploying such structural supports can be both time
consuming and costly as they require both on site cutting and
welding in order to secure the waling beams and brackets.
Traditionally, brackets are only welded at a pre-determined height
in order that a single waling beam can be laid across the top of
the brackets. Therefore, if an excavated channel or hole uncovers a
subterranean body that requires additional support to be deployed,
such as a gas mains, further welding and cutting of the brackets
and waling beams is required.
[0006] When the work that was required to be carried out within an
excavated channel or hole is complete, the support structure
requires to be removed before the channel or hole is re-filled. The
employment of welding for the various components complicates this
removal process. It also results in the fact that piles, waling
beams and brackets require to be cleaned before re-use.
Additionally, because of the cutting of the waling beams and of the
welding of the various sections these items are often left damaged
and unusable. Therefore, traditional support structures are
inherently wasteful as much of the support structure material is
disposed of after use. This has the direct result of significantly
increasing the costs involved in supplying such support
structures.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
reusable support structure for use with an excavated channel or
hole that does not require welding in order to be assembled.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
reusable support structure for use in an excavated channel or hole
that is inherently flexible so being suitable for deployment with a
variety of channels or holes that incorporate subterranean
bodies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a reusable support assembly
for use with an excavated channel or hole. The assembly comprises a
support structure having a plurality of piles and a perimeter
frame, and at least one bracing clamp, wherein the bracing clamp
provides an adjustable support for the support structure.
[0010] The invention also relates to bracing clamp for providing an
adjustable support to a support structure that is used with an
excavated channel or hole. The bracing clamp comprises two engaging
members, at least one clamp stiffening device, and at least one
adjustable clamp extension mechanism. The engaging members are
located at opposite ends of an axis as defined by the clamp
stiffening device and the adjustable clamp extension mechanism.
[0011] The invention in another aspect relates to a support
structure for use with an excavated channel or hole. The support
structure comprises a perimeter frame having a plurality of beams
and a plurality of connectors for connecting two beams and securing
said two beams in position.
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures,
in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic presentation of a reusable
support structure in situ with an excavated channel;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional profile of a waling
beam as used in the reusable support structure;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a corner bracket of the
reusable support structure;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the corner
bracket of the reusable support structure;
[0017] FIG. 5 presents a top view of an attachment means for a
perimeter frame and a pile of the reusable support structure;
[0018] FIG. 6 presents a front view of the attachment means for the
perimeter frame and the piles of the reusable support
structure;
[0019] FIG. 7 presents a support bracket hanger of the reusable
support structure;
[0020] FIG. 8 presents a front view of a piling support bracket of
the reusable support structure;
[0021] FIG. 9 presents a front view and side view of a wedge of the
piling support bracket;
[0022] FIG. 10 presents a bracing clamp of the reusable support
structure; and
[0023] FIG. 11 presents an exploded illustration of the bracing
clamp.
[0024] FIG. 12 presents a side profile of a clamp of the bracing
clamp.
[0025] FIG. 13 presents a clamp stiffener of the bracing clamp.
[0026] FIG. 14 presents a detail of a bracing clamp in accordance
with an alternative embodiment.
[0027] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a reusable support structure
1 can be seen to comprise of a plurality of piles 2, a surface
perimeter frame 3 and two bracing clamps 4.
[0028] The surface perimeter frame 3 can be seen to further
comprise four waling beams 5 and four corner brackets 6. FIG. 2
illustrates a cross sectional profile of the waling beams 5. It can
be seen that such waling beams 5 have an H shaped cross sectional
profile and so are ideal for the attachment of additional
components of the support structure 1, as described below.
[0029] In particular FIG. 3 presents a top view of one of the
corner brackets 6 attached to two waling beams 5. The corresponding
cross sectional profile is presented in FIG. 4. The corner bracket
6 can be seen to comprise two bracket sections 7 that are attached
via a pivoting means 8. Each bracket section 7 further comprises a
locator 9 and four threaded screws 10 that in combination provide
the securing mechanism for the bracket section 7 to a waling beam
5.
[0030] A locator 9 is positioned around a waling beam 5 and is
thereafter secured in place by the threaded screws 10. With both
bracket sections 7 attached as described, the corner bracket 6
provides a rigid securing means for the perimeter frame 3. However,
the corner brackets 6 permit easy adjustment of the perimeter frame
3 by simply loosening the threaded screws 10 and allowing the
corner bracket 6 to move about the pivoting means 8.
[0031] FIGS. 5 and 6 show how the perimeter frame 3 is attached to
the piles 2. In particular FIG. 5 presents a top view of a single
pile 2 including a section of the perimeter frame 3 and the
attachment means 11, while FIG. 6 presents the corresponding front
view. The attachment means 11 comprises at least one wedge shaped
locator 12 mounted on a hanger plate 13 and a piling support
bracket 14. A hanger plate 13 may incorporate a number of wedge
shaped locators 12 so as to provide flexibility in the height at
which the perimeter frame 3 is positioned.
[0032] The hanger plate 13 is secured to the piles 2 via a support
bracket hanger 15, a side view of which is presented in FIG. 7. The
support bracket hanger 15 is tightened in place by two threaded
screws 10.
[0033] FIG. 8 presents a front view of the piling support bracket
14 that can be seen to comprise a support 16 and a wedge 17. FIG. 9
presents a front and side view of the wedge 17 of the pile support
bracket 14.
[0034] The bracing clamp 4, as employed by the reusable support
structure 1, is presented in FIG. 10 and in an exploded form in
FIG. 11. It comprises two clamps 18, two hinge plugs 19, two
fitting assemblies 20, a clamp extension pipe 21, an on-axis clamp
stiffener 22, and four off-axis clamp stiffeners 23.
[0035] A side profile of the clamp 18 is shown in FIG. 12. The
clamp 18 can be seen to comprise a main body 24, a hinged locator
25, a hinge 26, two location ports 27, a central pivoting port 28,
and threaded screws 29 for securing the clamp 18. The hinge 26
within the hinged locator 25 allows the clamp 18 to be readily
position about a waling beam 5. Thereafter, the clamp 18 can be
secured in place by tightening the threaded screws 29. The clamp 18
is designed such that when it is incorporated with the other
components of the bracing clamp 4 it can be manually pivoted about
the central pivoting port 28.
[0036] The clamp extension pipe 21 is step-wise extendible such
that the bracing clamp 4 can be employed with a range of channels
or holes. It is the dimensions of the channel or hole that dictates
the choice of length of the clamp extension pipe 21. The clamp
extension pipe 21 is also interchangeable so as to allow for
substitution if the dimensions of the channel or hole are out with
the range of extension of a particular clamp extension pipe 21.
[0037] Further detail of the on axis clamp stiffener 22 is
presented in FIG. 13. The clamp stiffeners 22 comprise an
extendible ratchet means 30 and two connection ports 31 that enable
the extendible ratchet means 30 to be connected to the other
components of the bracing clamp 4. It should be noted that the off
axis clamp stiffener 23 acts in an identical manner to the on axis
stiffener 22 but simply on a smaller scale. Incorporation of the
extendible ratchet means 30 in the clamp stiffeners 22 and 23
allows the bracing clamp to be manually adjusted and secured once
in position.
[0038] The hinge plugs 19 and the fitting assemblies 20 incorporate
connection ports 32 that allow them to be employed as adapter units
within the bracing clamp 4. This allows the bracing clamp 4 to be
constructed from the various modular components. The modular nature
of the bracing clamp 4 results in it being highly adaptable and so
suitable for use with a range of channels and holes.
[0039] In order to deploy the support structure 1 a series of
interconnected piles 2 are driven into the ground around the
perimeter of the area to be excavated. Thereafter, pile support
brackets 14 are attached to the hanger plates 13 via the wedge
shaped locators 12.
[0040] At this stage by cutting waling beams 5 to the required
length the perimeter frame 3 can be constructed. Employing the
corner brackets 6 allows the cut lengths of waling beam 5 to be
secured together so forming the perimeter frame 3 as required. The
perimeter frame 3 is then rested on top the pile support brackets
14.
[0041] As further excavation takes place the stress and strain
experienced by the piles 2 and the perimeter frame 3 increases,
therefore requiring the provision of additional support. This
additional support is provided in the form of the bracing clamps
4.
[0042] The bracing clamps 4 have one end attached to one side of
the perimeter frame 3 via one of the clamps 18. The length of the
clamp extension pipe 21 is then chosen to be of the required length
for the dimensions of the channel. The on axis clamp stiffener 22
is then manually adjusted such that the second clamp 18 is in a
position to be attached to the opposite side of the perimeter frame
3. The incorporation of the off-axis clamp stiffeners 23 allows the
angle of the clamps to be varied so as to take account of
non-parallel sides of the perimeter frame.
[0043] FIG. 14 shows a bracing clamp in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the
bracing clamp 4 is provided with additional jack gussets 33, 34
mounted either side of the on-axis clamp stiffener 22. The jack
gusset 33 is welded to the fitting assembly 20, with the jack
gusset 34 welded on the clamp pipe. The jack gussets extend in a
radial direction from the main axis of the clamp, and provide inner
surfaces 35, 36 (or partial surfaces) in planes perpendicular to
the main axis.
[0044] The jack gussets 33, 34 function to aid in the removal of
the bracing clamp. When the clamps are in use, they are braced
against the perimeter frame. A reaction force from the surrounding
earth acts on the clamp via the perimeter frame. This force tends
to resist the loosening of the threaded collar 37 on the threaded
shaft 38 which forms part of the on-axis clamp stiffener 22.
Depending on the magnitude of the compression provided by the
clamps, the threaded collar may prove to be difficult to loosen,
hampering the removal of the device.
[0045] This embodiment allows a jack 39, such as a hydraulic jack,
to be placed between the jack gussets 33, 34 during the removal of
the clamp. The jack abuts the inner surfaces and forces the jack
gussets away from one another, thereby providing a temporary,
supplementary, support to the clamp. This support relieves the
resistance to the loosening of the threaded collar, which can be
undone without the same degree of effort. The jack can then be
released, and the clamp removed.
[0046] FIG. 14 shows the clamp in plan view, with the jacking
gussets provided at one side of the main axis of the clamp, for the
purposes of clarity. However, it is important to note that the jack
gussets could be mounted in any position about the main axis of the
clamp, for example, so that they protrude radially from the main
axis in an upward direction.
[0047] Once deployed, as outlined above, the bracing clamp 4
provides the additional structural support required. It is known to
those skilled in the art that the spacing of the bracing clamps 4
depends on its own dimensions and the depth of the excavation. On
passing certain depths it may be required to incorporate a second
layer of support comprising a second perimeter frame 3 and a second
series of bracing clamps 4.
[0048] Other unforeseen factors can lead to the requirement of
further localised support. For example subterranean bodies such as
gas mains, water pipes or telephone cables can be uncovered. The
presence of such bodies requires the provision of additional
support so as to avoid damage to the subterranean body.
[0049] The present invention is ideal for employment with
excavations of considerable depths and with the scenario of
unexpected subterranean bodies. Added to the fact that an
excavation is rarely regular in its geometry a degree of
flexibility is highly desirable.
[0050] The presence of additional wedge shaped locators 12 on the
hanger plates 13 allows for a second layer of support to be easily
incorporated in a similar fashion to the first. The present
invention also allows additional bracing clamps 4 to be easily
added around subterranean bodies. The additional problem of
irregular excavations can also be easily dealt with by adjusting
the corner brackets 6 on the perimeter frame 3 and the clamp
stiffeners 22 and 23 of the bracing clamps 4.
[0051] The flexibility of the reusable support structure 1 can be
exploited still further. Although the above embodiment refers to
predominately rectangular excavations the present invention is not
restricted to such geometrical shapes. The corner brackets 6 and
clamp stiffeners 22 and 23 permit the support structure 1 to employ
other regular and irregular shaped perimeter frames 3.
[0052] The support structure 1 of the present invention is also
inherently reusable. As no welding is required in deploying the
piles 2, perimeter frames 3 or bracing clamps 4 there is no
requirement for cleaning leading to a significantly reduced chance
of damage to these components. Therefore the component parts can be
easily re-deployed so cutting down the wastage inherent with
systems as taught in the prior art.
[0053] An advantage of the present system is that it provides a
reusable support structure for use with an excavated channel or
hole that is formed from modular components and does not require
welding in order to be assembled.
[0054] A further advantage of the present invention is that it
provides a reusable support structure for use in an excavated
channel or hole that is inherently flexible so being suitable for
deployment with channels or holes of both regular or irregular
shape.
[0055] A yet further advantage of the present invention is that it
provides a reusable support structure for use in an excavated
channel or hole that that can easily be adapted to strengthen areas
around subterranean bodies.
[0056] A yet further advantage of the present invention is that it
provides a reusable support structure for use in an excavated
channel or hole that significantly reduces wastage of the component
parts.
[0057] Further modifications and improvements may be added without
departing from the scope of the invention herein intended.
* * * * *