U.S. patent application number 12/221973 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-11 for trench shield with adjustable vertical panels.
Invention is credited to Robert Kundel, SR..
Application Number | 20100034597 12/221973 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41653094 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100034597 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kundel, SR.; Robert |
February 11, 2010 |
TRENCH SHIELD WITH ADJUSTABLE VERTICAL PANELS
Abstract
A trench shoring or shielding unit, for securing the sidewalls
of an earthen formation, trench or excavation, includes a plurality
of adjustable, vertically arranged panels forming a protective
wall. As a shielding unit, two opposing protective walls are spaced
and attached by at least two spreader bars. Each adjustable panel
has opposing top and bottom ends, a C-shaped channel traversing the
panel's height, and opposing side edges that inter-engage with the
side edges of adjacent panels. Further, each adjustable panel is
attached to at least one of two or more whalers along an inner
surface of the panel by a clamp-like fastener having a bolt passing
through the whaler and into the C-shaped channel of the
corresponding panel. The inter-engaging side edges are segmented,
preferable concave and convex, so that adjacent adjustable panels
inter-engage to resist lateral torque or twisting that may be
caused by shifting or collapse of the excavation.
Inventors: |
Kundel, SR.; Robert;
(Warren, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Roth,Blair,Roberts, Strasfeld & Lodge
100 Federal Plaza East, Suite 600
YOUNGSTOWN
OH
44503-1893
US
|
Family ID: |
41653094 |
Appl. No.: |
12/221973 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/283 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 17/08 20130101;
E02D 17/086 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/283 |
International
Class: |
E02D 17/00 20060101
E02D017/00 |
Claims
1. A trench shielding unit comprising: adjustable panels forming
first and second walls, each adjustable panel including a channel,
a convex edge and a concave edge, the convex edge having a contact
face formed in beveled and straight segments, and the concave edge
having a contact face formed in opposing beveled and straight
segments, the convex edge of a first one of the panels being
facially abutting and engaged without fastening in the concave edge
of a second one of the panels; a first whaler attached to each
panel of the first wall at the corresponding channel, the first
whaler having a U-shaped cross section with a corresponding back
engagement wall and legs extending perpendicular therefrom; a
second whaler attached to each panel of the second wall at the
corresponding channel, the second whaler having a U-shaped cross
section having a corresponding back engagement wall and legs
extending perpendicular therefrom; and at least two spreader bars
attached to and extending between the walls; and wherein the
engagement of each adjustable panel with its corresponding whaler
includes a panel fastener, the panel fastener having a retaining
washer fitted in the channel of said corresponding panel, the
retaining washer having a hole therein with a threaded section
aligned with the hole, and a threaded bolt that includes a head, a
shank secured to the head and passing through one of a plurality of
evenly spaced openings along the back engagement wall of the
corresponding whaler into said channel, through the hole of the
retaining washer and engaged with the threaded section, the head of
the bolt forcing the corresponding back engagement wall of the
whaler against said channel when secured.
2. (canceled)
3. The trench shielding unit of claim 1, wherein the retaining
washer has a width slightly smaller than a width of the channel,
preventing the nut from rotating when engaged by the shank.
4. (canceled)
5. The trench shielding unit of claim 1, wherein the spreader bars
further include: first and second spreader bars secured on opposing
ends of the trench shielding unit to the first whaler and the
second whaler in the corresponding U-shaped cross sections.
6. The trench shielding unit of claim 1, wherein the first spreader
bar is secured on opposing ends of the trench shielding unit to the
first whaler and the second whaler in the corresponding U-shaped
cross sections, and the first spreader bar further includes: a
hollow bar; an adjustment bar fitted within the hollow bar and able
to slide along a length of the hollow bar; one of the hollow bar
and the adjustment bar being formed with laterally spaced holes;
the other one of the hollow bar and the adjustment bar being formed
with an attachment hole; and an attachment engaged with the
attachment hole and one of the spaced holes.
7. The trench shielding unit of claim 1, wherein each adjustable
panel further includes a top end, and L-shaped a top plate secured
to the top end at the channel.
8. The trench shielding unit of claim 1, wherein each adjustable
panel further includes: a top end; a top plate; a washer fitted to
the channel of the adjustable panel and having a hole therein; a
threaded nut aligned with the washer hole and secured to the
washer; and a threaded top plate fastener that includes a head, a
shank secured to the head and passing through a hole in the top
plate, into the channel of the panel, through the hole of the
washer, and engaged with the nut, so that the head forces the top
plate against the channel.
9. The trench shielding unit of claim 1, wherein each adjustable
panel further includes a bottom end and a wedge assembly attached
to the bottom end at the channel.
10. The trench shielding unit of claim 1, wherein each adjustable
panel further includes: a bottom end; a wedge assembly having
lateral and vertical legs, a wedge fastening channel attached to
the lateral leg, and an inclined gusset attached to the legs; a
washer fitted in the channel of each adjustable panel and having a
hole therein; a threaded nut aligned with the washer hole and
secured to the washer; and a threaded wedge assembly fastener that
includes a head, a shank secured to a head and passing through a
hole in the channel of the wedge assembly, into said corresponding
channel of the panel, through the hole of the washer, and engaged
with the nut, the head forcing the channel of the wedge assembly
against the channel of the corresponding panel.
11. A trench shield unit comprising: panels forming first and
second walls, at least some of the panels being adjustable and
including a channel, a convex edge, and a concave edge, the convex
edge has a contact face formed in beveled and straight segments,
and the concave edge has a contact face formed in opposing beveled
and straight segments, the convex edge of a first one of the
adjustable panels being facially abutting and engaged without
fastening in the concave edge of a second one of the adjustable
panels to resist displacement due to torsion relative to an
adjacent adjustable panel; first and second whalers located at an
inner surface of the first wall, and each adjustable panel of the
first wall is engaged at the corresponding channel with the first
and second whalers, each whaler having a U-shaped cross section
with a corresponding back engagement wall and legs extending
perpendicular therefrom; third and fourth whalers located at an
inner surface of the second wall, and each adjustable panel of the
second wall is engaged at the corresponding channel with the third
and fourth whalers; at least two spreader bars attached to and
extending between the first whaler and the third whaler; and
wherein the engagement of each adjustable panel with its
corresponding whalers includes panel fasteners, each panel fastener
includes a retaining washer fitted in the channel of said
corresponding panel, the retaining washer having a hole therein
with a threaded section aligned with the hole, and a threaded bolt
that includes a head, a shank secured to the head and passing
through one of a plurality of evenly spaced openings along the back
engagement wall of the corresponding whaler into said channel,
through the hole of the retaining washer and engaged with the
threaded section, the head of the bolt forcing the corresponding
back engagement wall of the whaler against said channel when
secured.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. The trench shielding unit of claim 11, wherein the retaining
washer has a width slightly smaller than a width of the
corresponding channel, preventing the threaded section of the panel
fastener from rotating when engaged by the shank.
15. The trench shielding unit of claim 14, wherein the spreader
bars further include: first and second spreader bars secured on
opposing ends of the trench shielding unit to the first whaler and
the third whaler in the corresponding U-shaped cross section of
each whaler.
16. The trench shielding unit of claim 14, wherein the spreader
bars further include: first and second spreader bars secured on
opposing ends of the trench shielding unit to the first whaler and
the third whaler in the corresponding U-shaped cross section of
each whaler, and each of the first and second spreader bars further
includes: a hollow bar; an adjustment bar fitted within the hollow
bar and able to slide along a length of the hollow bar; one of the
hollow bar and the adjustment bar being formed with laterally
spaced holes; the other one of the hollow bar and the adjustment
bar being formed with an attachment hole; and an attachment engaged
with the attachment hole and one of the spaced holes.
17. The trench shielding unit of claim 14, wherein each adjustable
panel further includes: a top end; a L-shaped top plate; and a
plate fastener having a washer fitted in the channel of each
adjustable panel with a hole therein, a threaded portion aligned
with the washer hole and secured to the washer, a threaded bolt
that includes a head, a shank secured to the head and passing
through a hole in the top plate, into said corresponding channel,
through the hole of the washer, and engaged with the threaded
portion, the head forcing the top plate against said channel.
18. The trench shielding unit of claim 14, wherein each adjustable
panel further includes: a bottom end; a wedge assembly; and a wedge
fastener having a washer fitted in the channel of each adjustable
panel with a hole therein, a threaded portion aligned with the
washer hole and secured to the washer, a threaded bolt that
includes a head, a shank secured to the head and passing through a
hole in the wedge assembly, into said corresponding channel,
through the hole of the washer, and engaged with the threaded
portion, the head forcing the wedge assembly against said
channel.
19. A trench shield comprising: panels forming first and second
walls, at least some of the panels being adjustable and having a
channel, a convex edge, and a concave edge, the convex edge is
formed with a contact face having beveled and straight segments,
and the concave edge is formed with a mating contact face having
opposing beveled and straight segments, the convex edge of a first
one of the adjustable panels being facially abutting and engaged
without fastening in the concave edge of a second one of the
adjustable panels to resist displacement due to torsion relative to
an adjacent adjustable panel, each adjustable panel further
includes top and bottom ends, a top plate at the top end having a
top plate fastener fitted in the corresponding channel, and a wedge
assembly at the bottom end having a wedge fastener fitted in the
corresponding channel; first and second whalers, each having a
U-shaped cross section with a back engagement wall and legs
extending perpendicular therefrom, the first and second whalers
being located at an inner surface of the first wall, and each
adjustable panel of the first wall is engaged at the corresponding
channel with said back engagement walls of the first and second
whalers; third and fourth whalers, each having a U-shaped cross
section with a back engagement wall and legs extending
perpendicular therefrom, the third and fourth whalers being located
at an inner surface of the second wall and each adjustable panel of
the second wall is engaged at the corresponding channel with said
back engagement walls of the third and fourth whalers; and at least
two spreader bars attached to and extending between the first
whaler and the third whaler; and wherein the engagement of each
adjustable panel with its corresponding whalers includes panel
fasteners, and each panel fastener comprises: a washer having a
threaded portion, and the washer fitted in the channel of each
adjustable panel having width slightly smaller than a width of the
corresponding channel, preventing the threaded portion of the panel
fastener from rotating; and a threaded bolt that includes a head, a
shank secured to the head and passing through one of a plurality of
evenly spaced openings along the back engagement wall of the
corresponding whaler, into said channel, and engaged with the
threaded portion of the fitted washer, the head of the bolt forcing
the corresponding back engagement wall of the whaler against said
channel when secured.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to a trench shielding unit
for securing the sidewalls of a trench or excavation from cave-in,
and particularly to a trench shielding unit having adjustable
vertical panels to improve access and protection of workers and to
underground utilities traversing the excavation area.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In construction, it is often required to excavate
underground utilities such as water, gas or sewer lines, pipes,
cables, drainage conduit and/or culverts, by digging ditches,
trenches and the like of various lengths and depth. Trench
shielding units are often used to protect workers and property from
cave-ins or landslides by safeguarding against shifts or the
collapse of the walls of the excavation. In fact, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations require that
any excavation over five feet deep be properly shielded to prevent
cave-ins or to protect workers inside an excavation in the event of
a cave-in.
[0005] By contrast, shoring is often used as a more permanent
landscaping structure to prevent the sidewall of earthen formations
from moving or collapsing, so as not to damage nearby building
foundations, shorelines, walkways, bridges, roadways or other
architectural structures. More particularly, the positive
supporting of a sidewall in this field is called "shoring" while
the protection against collapse is called "shielding."
[0006] As previously stated, the current practice in the
construction industry is to use a trench shielding unit inside an
excavation to protect workers, equipment and underground
structures. These units are generally open between opposing walls
and at the bottom so that digging can continue while the unit is in
place. Of course, the top of the unit is also open for easy access
by workers and machinery for removal of dirt or other debris, as
well as pipe, equipment and/or tools.
[0007] Generally, the structure of a trench unit includes opposing
side panels to hold the excavation in place. Additionally, the
trench unit has a plurality of bars or beams, more commonly
referred to as spreader bars, that transverse the lateral width of
the trench unit to hold opposing side panels in spaced
relationship. Upon completion of the excavation work, the trench
unit is either removed or abandoned in place, and the excavation
site is filled.
[0008] There are a variety of trench units in use, such as, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,185 to Griswold which shows a typical
trench shield assembly having protective sidewalls maintained in
space relation by spreader bars. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,290
to Viollaz shows another such shielding unit having legs which
telescopically adjust to provide clearance about a structure
traversing the trench. Further yet, the shoring unit shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,021,868 to Farrag et al. describes a lightweight unit
that can be assembled above ground and lowered into the excavation
to accommodate access to utility pipelines traversing the
excavation area, in addition to protecting the worker from sidewall
collapse. None of these systems, however, is able to accommodate
easily and quickly unplanned obstructions or unanticipated
traversing structures passing through the trench.
[0009] This invention improves the current field of trenching units
by providing opposing sidewalls having a plurality of interengaging
panels that are easily adjustable vertically without sacrificing
structural strength and reliability of the unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An embodiment of this trench shield includes opposing
protective walls, with each protective wall being formed by a
plurality of adjustable, vertical panels having interengaging side
edges. Each vertical panel has a height, opposing top and bottom
ends, and a channel traversing the panel's height. Further, each
adjustable panel is easily attached to a whaler, along an inner
surface of the panel, by a fastener having a shank passing through
a wall of the whaler to the corresponding channel of the panel. The
channel is used to clamp the panel to the whaler by way of a
retaining washer and nut secured against an inside of the channel
and tightened by threads against the whaler. Further, the side
edges of adjacent panels are segmented to inter-engage, preferably
being concave and convex, respectively, to restrict twisting or
torque of the panels caused by shifting or collapse of the
excavation.
[0011] Notably, this invention is versatile. It allows for easy
adjustment and securing of each panel in the desired vertical
position to allow underground utilities or other known or unknown
obstructions to pass through the excavation at various angles and
elevations.
[0012] Further, this invention provides improved safety for
workers, equipment, material and machinery, and provides the
workers more flexibility, without sacrificing structural strength.
In particular, the panels may be raised or lowered while in the
trench as excavating continues inside the protective walls of the
unit. More specifically, the invention facilitates small and large
adjustments of individual panels, allowing the worker to adjust by
lifting or lowering each panel individually as needed while the
unit is in place.
[0013] Further yet, the engaging side edges of the adjustable
vertical panels are strong and adjust easily into a composite
shielding structure that is a safe work environment.
[0014] The scope of applicability of the preferred embodiment will
become apparent from the following detailed description, claims and
drawings. It should be understood, that the description and
specific examples, although indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are given by way of illustration only. Various changes
and modifications to the described embodiments and examples will
become apparent to those skilled in the art.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Having generally described the nature of the invention,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings used to
illustrate and describe the preferred embodiments thereof. Further,
these and other advantages will become apparent to those skilled in
the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments
when considered in the light of these drawings in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the preferred embodiment of
a trench shielding unit;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an end view of the trench shielding unit shown in
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a wall of the shielding
unit;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along plane 4-4 of
FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of a sidewall taken along plane 5-5 of
FIG. 4 showing a bottom cutting edge and top pounding plate spaced
from the wall;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a top view of a panel of a sidewall attached to a
whaler with the top plate removed and showing partial adjacent
panels;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a top view of a panel;
[0023] FIG. 8 is an end view of a whaler;
[0024] FIG. 9A is an side view of a top plate;
[0025] FIG. 9B is a side view showing a top plate attached to a
panel;
[0026] FIG. 9C is a top view showing a top plate attached to a
panel;
[0027] FIGS. 10A and 10B are side and front views, respectively, of
a knife edge assembly; and
[0028] FIG. 11 is top sectional view of the wedge assembly attached
to a panel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, a trench shielding unit 10
includes opposing first and second sidewalls 12, 14, with each
sidewall having an inside face 12', 14' and an outside face 12'',
14.'' Each sidewall 12, 14 includes a plurality of vertical panels
20, each panel having a height and opposing concave and convex side
edges 28, 29, respectively, which extend along the full height of
the panel for inter-engaging with its adjacent panels. Each
vertical panel 20 also includes a C-shaped channel 26 having a
constant width traversing the panel's height at its center.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, two longitudinal beams 16, also known as
whalers, each of which traverses the length of the trench unit 10
along an inside face 12', 14' of a sidewall 12, 14, are each
secured to each panel 20 of the respective sidewall 12, 14. Each
whaler 16 has a U-shaped cross section, as shown in FIG. 8. Each
panel 20 is secured to each corresponding whaler 16 by a clamp-like
fastener 42, which includes a threaded fastener 40 and a retaining
washer 43 having a nut 46 secured thereto, preferably by a weld, as
best seen in FIGS. 6 through 8. More specifically, each panel 20 is
attached at its inner surface 12', 14' by the fastener 40, whose
threaded shank 44 passes through a hole 50 in the whaler engagement
wall 51, through an opening 47 in the C-shaped channel 26 of the
panel 20, and through a central hole in washer 43. The panel 20 is
then secured to the whaler 16 using fastener 40 by securing the
head 45 of fastener 40 against the whaler wall 51, and driving the
nut 46 into engagement with the threaded shank 44 such that the
attached retaining washer 43 is located within the C-shaped channel
26 of the panel 20. The width of the retaining washer 43 is
noncircular and slightly smaller than the width of the C-shaped
channel 26; therefore, the nut 46 and washer 43 are prevented from
rotating within the channel 26 when the fastener head 45 is
tightened and loosened on the nut 46.
[0031] FIGS. 6 and 7 show that each panel 20 is formed with a
concave edge 28 and a convex edge 29, located at the opposite side
from the concave edge. The panels 20 are assembled such that the
convex edge 29 of one panel nests in the concave edge 28 of the
adjacent panel as seen in FIG. 4. Again viewing FIGS. 6 and 7, the
concave edge 28 is formed by beveled surfaces 21 and a flat surface
22. The convex edge 29 is formed by beveled surfaces 23 and a flat
surface 24. Any twisting or bending of panel 20 is resisted by
contact engagement of its beveled surfaces 21, 23 with the
corresponding beveled surfaces of the immediately adjacent panels.
As an alternative, the flat surface 22, 24 may be scored with
traversing teeth for added inter-engagement with the adjacent
panels.
[0032] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opposing first and second
sidewalls 12, 14 are spaced mutually across the width of the trench
shielding unit 10 by upper and lower spreader bars 75, located at
oppose ends of the unit. One end of each spreader bar 75 is fitted
into the channel of a whaler 16 located at one of the sidewalls 12,
14 and is secured to that whaler by an attachment pin 73, which
passes through the holes 53 in the legs 52 of the whaler, best seen
in FIG. 8. The width of the trench shielding unit 10 is
incrementally adjustable because the male spreader bar component 71
is telescopically engaged in the female spreader bar component 70,
and the spreader bar components are interconnected by bolts or pins
72 fitted in holes 74 mutually spaced along the length of the male
spreader bar component 71 and a hole in the female spreader bar
component 70. The incrementally adjustable length of the spreader
bars 75 is typically established during assembly, before the trench
unit 10 is placed inside the excavation.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1, 9A, 9B and 9C, the upper end of each
panel 20 is fitted with a top plate 60 in the form of an angle
having a top leg 61, a side leg 62 and a doubler 63, located under
and secured to the top leg. The side leg 62 is secured to the panel
20 by a threaded fastener 64, whose head 65 bears against leg 62
and whose shank passes through a hole 66 in leg 62, through the
opening 47 in the C-channel 26 of the panel 20 and through a hole
in the retaining washer 43. The nut 46 is secure to the washer 43
so that they are retained as a unit in the C-shaped channel, as
previously described with reference to attachment of the panels 20
to the whaler 16. Specifically, the width of the retaining washer
43 is noncircular and slightly smaller than the width of the
C-shaped channel 26; therefore, the nut 46 and washer 43 are
prevented from rotating within channel 26 when the fastener head 65
is tightened and loosened on the nut 46.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the lower end of each panel 20
is fitted with wedge assembly 80. Referring now to FIGS. 10A and
10B, each wedge assembly 80 includes an angle having a lateral leg
82 and a vertical leg 84, an inclined gusset 86 welded to the legs
82, 84, and a channel 88 welded to the lateral leg 82. The web of
the channel 88 is formed with two holes 90. Gusset 86 and leg 84
form a wedge that facilitates staking the lower end of each panel
20 in the ground when force is applied to the top plate 60.
[0035] FIG. 11 shows that the wedge assembly 80 secured to the
lower end of the panel 20 by installing the channel 88 over the
C-channel 26 such that the web of channel 88 is adjacent the inner
surface 12' of the panel 20. The web of channel 88 is secured to
the panel 20 by inserting the shank of a threaded fastener 92 into
each of the holes 90 in the channel, through the opening 47 in
C-channel 26 and through the holes in a retaining washer 43, which
are aligned with holes 90. Again, nut 46 is secure to its
respective washer 43 as described above. The head 94 of each
fastener 92 bears against channel 88. The width of the retaining
washer 43 is noncircular and slightly smaller than the width of the
C-shaped channel 26; therefore, the nut 46 and washer 43 are
prevented from rotating within channel 26 when the fastener head 94
is tightened and loosened on the nut 46.
[0036] In use, the trench unit 10 is typically assembled outside of
the trench to a desired length and width, by assembling the walls
12, 14 using the appropriate length whalers 16 and attaching
adjustable panels 20 thereto as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Each panel
20 is assembled with its pounding plate 60 and wedge cutting edge
80 attached as described above. The assembled walls 12, 14 are then
spaced, raised and attached by the spreader bars 75. Before or
after the assembled trench unit 10 is lifted and lowered into the
trench, individual panels 20 may be vertically adjusted, as seen in
FIGS. 1 and 3, from inside the unit 10 at its inner surfaces 12',
14'. More specifically, fasteners 40 of an individual panel 20 are
loosened, but not removed, from the corresponding whaler walls 51
to unsecure the panel 20. The panel is then raised or lowered as
the retaining washer 43 of fasteners 40 run along and are retained
inside of the panel's C-shaped channel 26. Once in place, the
fasteners 40 are re-tightened such that each corresponding
retaining washer 43 is secured against the C-shaped channel 26 of
the panel 20.
[0037] As digging continues and the unit 10 is set, pounded or
advanced further into the ground, individual panels 20 of walls 12,
14 may be continually adjusted to accommodate uncovered
obstructions and underground utilities, such as traversing water,
gas or sewer lines, pipes, cables, drainage conduit and/or
culverts, as discussed above.
[0038] Notably, the invention described in this application
pertains to a shoring unit, as with the shielding unit described
herein. It should be further noted that the present invention can
be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and
described, without departing from its spirit or scope. It is
intended that all such modifications and alterations be included
insofar as they are consistent with the objectives and spirit of
the invention.
* * * * *