U.S. patent application number 12/582750 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for temporary safety box for assistance in excavation of foundation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Everdry Marketing & Management, Inc.. Invention is credited to Carl Moore, Aaron Wesolowski.
Application Number | 20100104378 12/582750 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42117660 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100104378 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moore; Carl ; et
al. |
April 29, 2010 |
TEMPORARY SAFETY BOX FOR ASSISTANCE IN EXCAVATION OF FOUNDATION
Abstract
A temporary safety box for assistance in excavation of an
associated below grade foundation wall is placed in an associated
trench located adjacent the associated foundation wall. The safety
box comprises a wall member including an inner surface, an outer
surface, a first end face and a second end face. The inner surface
faces the associated foundation wall and includes a reinforcing
element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member. The
outer surface abuts a wall of the associated trench and is
configured to assist in removal of the safety box from the
associated trench. The first and second end faces abut the
associated foundation wall. The safety box and the associated
foundation wall together substantially surround a worker in the
associated trench to protect the worker from excavated debris.
Inventors: |
Moore; Carl; (Macedonia,
OH) ; Wesolowski; Aaron; (Macedonia, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY SHARPE LLP
1228 Euclid Avenue, 5th Floor, The Halle Building
Cleveland
OH
44115
US
|
Assignee: |
Everdry Marketing & Management,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
42117660 |
Appl. No.: |
12/582750 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61108650 |
Oct 27, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 17/08 20130101;
E02D 17/086 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/282 |
International
Class: |
E02D 17/04 20060101
E02D017/04 |
Claims
1. A temporary safety box for assistance in excavation of an
associated below grade foundation wall, the safety box being placed
in an associated trench located adjacent the associated foundation
wall, the safety box comprising: a wall member including an inner
surface, an outer surface, a first end face and a second end face,
the inner surface facing the associated foundation wall and
including a reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity
to the wall member, the outer surface abutting a wall of the
associated trench and being configured to assist in removal of the
safety box from the associated trench, the first and second end
faces abutting the associated foundation wall, the safety box and
the associated foundation wall together substantially surrounding a
worker in the associated trench to protect the worker from
excavated debris.
2. The safety box of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is
oriented generally perpendicularly to and extends between the first
and second end faces.
3. The safety box of claim 2, wherein the inner surface includes a
plurality of spaced apart reinforcement elements, the plurality or
reinforcement elements serving as steps allowing the worker to
climb out of the associated trench.
4. The safety box of claim 1, wherein the outer surface is
substantially smooth.
5. The safety box of claim 4, wherein the outer surface is coated
with a low friction material.
6. The safety box of claim 4, wherein the wall member includes a
first part having the reinforcement element and a second part
attached to the first part, the second part having the
substantially smooth outer surface.
7. The safety box of claim 4, wherein the safety box is of one
piece and is formed as a single molded unit.
8. The safety box of claim 1, further comprising at least one
handle located on an upper portion of the wall member.
9. The safety box of claim 1, further including a first flange
connected to the first end face and a second flange connected to
the second end face, each flange extending generally perpendicular
to the inner and outer surfaces of the wall member.
10. The safety box of claim 1, wherein the wall member has a
generally arcuate shape.
11. The safety box of claim 10, wherein the wall member spans about
180.degree. allowing the first and second ends to abut against a
straight section of the associated foundation wall.
12. The safety box of claim 10, wherein the wall member spans about
270.degree. allowing the first and second ends to abut against a
corner section of the associated foundation wall.
13. The safety box of claim 1, wherein the safety box has an
adjustable height and comprises first and second wall member
sections, wherein the second wall member section is adapted to be
releasably mounted on an upper portion of the first wall member
section.
14. A temporary safety box for placement in an associated trench
for assistance in excavation of an associated below grade
foundation wall and protection of a worker from excavated debris,
the safety box comprising: a wall member including an inner surface
and an outer surface, the inner surface including at least one
reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall
member, the outer surface being substantially smooth to assist in
removal of the safety box from the associated trench, the wall
member having a generally arcuate shape for abutting against one of
a straight section and a corner section of the associated
foundation wall.
15. The safety box of claim 14, further including at least one
handle associated with an upper portion of the wall member to
further assist in removal of the safety box from the associated
trench.
16. The safety box of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of
steps defined on the inner surface of the wall member.
17. The safety box of claim 14, wherein the wall member further
includes a first end and a second end, wherein a first flange is
connected to the first end of the wall member and a second flange
is connected to a second end of the wall member, the first and
second flanges each having a planar face configured to abut against
the associated foundation wall.
18. The safety box of claim 14, wherein the safety box has an
adjustable height and comprises first and second wall member
sections adapted to be releasably mounted to each other such that
the second wall member section can be mounted on an upper portion
of the first wall member section, the second wall member section
being structurally similar to the first wall member section.
19. A temporary safety box for placement in an associated trench
for assistance in excavation of an associated below grade
foundation wall, the safety box comprising: a wall member having a
generally arcuate shape and including an inner surface and an outer
surface, the inner surface including at least one horizontally
oriented reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity to
the wall member, the outer surface being substantially smooth to
assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench; and
a handle associated with an upper portion of the wall member to
further assist in removal of the safety box from the associated
trench.
20. The safety box of claim 19, wherein the safety box has an
adjustable height and comprises first and second wall member
sections, the second wall member section being adapted to be
releasably secured to an upper portion of the first wall member
section, the second wall member section having a height less than a
height of the first wall member section.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/108,650, filed 27 Oct.
2008, which provisional patent application is expressly
incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a retaining wall. More
specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a temporary
safety box for use during the excavation of a below grade building
wall or foundation wall, and will be described with particular
reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the
present disclosure is also amenable to other like applications.
[0003] The seepage of water into a building having a below ground
foundation wall is an ongoing problem. To address this problem,
drainage systems, such as the system shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,538,386, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, are known. During the installation of a
drainage system or any other waterproofing process, a crack in the
exterior below ground foundation wall may be discovered that
extends toward or to a footer, which must be sealed so that water
cannot seep into a below grade interior space, such as a basement.
In addition, a pipe, water or gas line, which can extend through
the foundation wall at a depth greater than 3 feet below the grade
level of a structure, may need to be exposed or repaired.
Alternately, a crack can develop in the below ground portion of the
wall whether or not an exterior drainage system is present. Such
water then can seep through the foundation wall and into the
basement. To correct this problem, the foundation has to be
excavated where the crack(s) exist, and any cracks repaired.
[0004] To enable work to be carried out safely in a trench dug in
the earth, whether close to a building wall or otherwise, OSHA
guidelines require that each worker in an excavation generally has
to be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system (see
29 CFR 1926.652). Commonly used systems include special wood boards
or sheets located against the wall of the trench, with hydraulic or
steel struts extending between the foundation wall and the boards.
The object of the boards or sheets is to hold out excavated debris
so that work can proceed along the foundation wall without
endangering lives of workers in the trench. Some shoring requires
the employee(s) to enter the excavation at or below safe depths to
install the shoring. Some commonly employed protective systems
cannot be used for foundation and basement excavations. Such
protective systems are not required as long as certain conditions
(such a depth and width of the excavation and no heavy equipment in
the vicinity of the trench) are met. Unfortunately, such conditions
may not be possible. Also, conventional protective systems can be
expensive, bulky, and difficult to use. If not installed and used
properly, the protective systems can also present a danger to both
the worker, and the wall structure that is supporting it.
[0005] The present disclosure provides a strong and relatively
light weight, and easily repositioned temporary safety box for
assistance in the excavation of a foundation wall of a
building.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] Exemplary embodiments herein relate to a temporary safety
box which is placed in an associated trench located adjacent an
associated below grade foundation wall. The safety box assists in
excavation of the associated foundation wall and protects a worker
from excavated debris.
[0007] In accordance with one aspect, the temporary safety box
comprises a wall member including an inner surface, an outer
surface, a first end face and a second end face. The inner surface
faces the associated foundation wall and includes a reinforcing
element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member. The
outer surface abuts a wall of the associated trench and is
configured to assist in removal of the safety box from the
associated trench. The first and second end faces abut the
associated foundation wall. The safety box and the associated
foundation wall together substantially surround a worker in the
associated trench to protect the worker from excavated debris.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect, the temporary safety box
comprises a wall member including an inner surface and an outer
surface. The inner surface includes at least one reinforcing
element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member. The
outer surface is substantially smooth to assist in removal of the
safety box from the associated trench. The wall member has a
generally arcuate shape for abutting against one of a straight
section and a corner section of the associated foundation wall.
[0009] In accordance with yet another aspect, the temporary safety
box comprises a wall member having a generally arcuate shape. The
wall member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The
inner surface includes at least one horizontally oriented
reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall
member. The outer surface is substantially smooth to assist in
removal of the safety box from the associated trench. A handle is
associated with an upper portion of the wall member to further
assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a temporary safety box
according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the safety box of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the safety box of FIG.
1 positioned within a trench against a portion of a below grade
foundation wall of a building.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic, partially exploded and broken away,
side elevational view of the safety box of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the safety box of FIG. 3
positioned within the trench.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a temporary safety box
according to another aspect of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a temporary safety box
according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a
temporary safety box according to still yet another aspect of the
present disclosure.
[0018] FIGS. 9 and 10 are side perspective views of alternative
handle configurations for the temporary safety box of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a vertical section of the portion of the building
of FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the safety box of FIG.
1 being moved within a trench.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a
temporary safety box according to still yet another aspect of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] It should, of course, be understood that the description and
drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various
modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed
without departing from the present disclosure. All references to
direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the
orientation of the temporary safety box illustrated in the drawings
and should not be construed as limiting the claims appended
hereto.
[0023] Referring now to drawings, wherein like numerals refer to
like parts throughout the several views, a removable, light weight
safety box 100 according to one aspect of the present disclosure is
illustrated. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the
temporary safety box 100 assists in the excavation of a below grade
building wall or foundation wall 102 by holding out excavated
debris so that work can proceed in a trench or like opening 104
located adjacent the foundation wall, without endangering the life
of a worker in the trench.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the safety box 100 comprises a
wall member 106 including an inner surface, an outer surface, a
first end face and a second end face. The inner surface faces the
foundation wall 102 and includes a reinforcing element 108 for
providing strength and rigidity to the wall member. The outer
surface abuts a wall of the trench 104 and is configured to assist
in removal of the safety box from the associated trench. The first
and second end faces abut the foundation wall 102. The safety box
100 and the foundation wall 102 together substantially surround a
worker in the trench 104 to protect the worker from excavated
debris.
[0025] According to one exemplary embodiment, the wall member 106
includes a first wall member 110 and a second wall member 112
fixedly secured to the first wall member (FIG. 4). The first wall
member 110 includes an inner surface 120, an outer surface 122, a
top edge 124 and a bottom edge 126. As shown in FIG. 4, the first
wall member is a ribbed member having a generally constant
thickness. Alternatively, an outer surface of the first wall member
can be generally smooth. It should also be appreciated by one
skilled in the art that the safety box can be of one piece
construction.
[0026] The first wall member further includes an arcuate wall
section 130 and end wall sections 132 and 134. Each end wall
section 132 and 134 can include a respective flange 140 and 142
which can extend generally normal from both the inner and outer
surfaces 120, 122. As shown in FIG. 5, the arcuate wall section and
the end wall sections together form a generally semi-circular first
wall member (i.e., a retaining wall 100, in this embodiment, which
spans about 180.degree.). This allows the flanges 140, 142 of the
retaining wall to abut against a straight section of the foundation
wall 102. It should be appreciated that the arcuate wall section
and the end wall sections can together form a first wall member
which can span about 270.degree.. This configuration (shown in FIG.
6) of a safety box 100' allows the flanges 140', 142' of the safety
box to abut against a corner section of the foundation wall
102.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 1, the reinforcing element 108
includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations 150 located on
the inner surface 120 of the first wall member 110. The
corrugations provide strength and rigidity to the first wall member
110. Each corrugation is horizontally oriented and spans
perpendicularly between the end walls sections 132 and 134. The
corrugations can vary in dimension, if so desired. For example, the
corrugations can be spaced further apart and be more pronounced
near the two side edges of the first wall member 110 than near the
center of the first wall member. This design is shown in FIG. 1.
But, such a design is not required. As shown in FIG. 7, the
plurality of corrugations 150' can further serve as steps, as in a
ladder, which allows a worker to climb out of the trench 104.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 4, the second wall member 112
includes an inner surface 158 and an outer surface 160. The outer
surface is generally smooth and can be coated with a relatively low
friction material, such as a polystyrene material, in order to
assist in the removal of the safety box 100 from the trench 104.
The second wall member 112 can be dimensioned to approximately
cover the outer surface 122 of the first wall member 110.
[0029] Alternatively, according to another exemplary embodiment,
the first and second wall members can be combined into a single,
unitary wall element 210, as shown in FIG. 8, such as being formed
from a single material and mold. That wall element can be provided
with one or more sets of steps 212, instead of corrugations. In
other words, the corrugations or steps do not need to extend along
the entire inner surface of the wall element. The unitary wall
element 210 can be injection molded of a solid thermoplastic
material or can be blow molded so as to have a central void.
Alternatively, it could be rotationally molded from a suitable
thermoplastic material. Also, while reinforcement of the types
disclosed herein is beneficial, other known types of reinforcing
elements than the horizontally oriented corrugations mentioned
previously are contemplated for the wall element as well. As one
example, metal reinforcing bars or the like could be employed with
the safety box, either as separate members, or, more likely,
integrated into the retaining wall.
[0030] If desired, one or two handle members 170 and 172 can be
attached to the safety box 100. The handle members can be located
on an upper portion of the safety box. Such handle members allow
for easier maneuvering of the safety box within the trench, or in
pulling the safety box out of the trench from outside of the
trench. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the handle members 170, 172 can
be ropes which are threaded through respective apertures 176 in the
safety box. However, it should be appreciated that alternative
handle members, such as fabric or thermoplastic bands, metal hoops
or straps, are also contemplated. Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
9, fixed handles 220, 222 can be secured to the top edges of at
least one of the first and second wall members 110 and 112.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, openings 230, 232 can be
provided in the first and second wall members 110 and 112.
[0031] As indicated previously, a crack can develop in the
foundation wall 102, and there can be a build-up of hydrostatic
pressure outside the building. Water will then seep through the
foundation wall and into the basement. To correct this problem, the
foundation wall has to be repaired. With reference now to FIGS. 11
and 12, the trench 104 can be dug along the foundation wall 102.
The trench can be about four to six feet deep. Prior to any repair
work, the safety box 100 is positioned within the excavated trench
104 between a section of the below grade foundation wall 102 and
the ground surface 204. The smooth outer surface 160 of the second
wall member 112 allows the safety box to easily slide against the
dirt trench wall. Again, it should be appreciated that the arcuate
shape of the safety box 100 can depend on its position along the
foundation wall 102. The safety box extends vertically from
adjacent the ground surface 204 to a level which can be about four
feet below the ground surface. The width of the safety box 100
(i.e., the distance from arcuate wall section 130 to the flanges
140, 142) is sufficiently sized to allow a worker to stand and
remove dirt at the bottom of the safety box, or stand or squat in
the trench and repair the foundation wall 102, for example, by
applying a mastic, concrete, or any repair substance to selected
portions of the foundation wall, and, if necessary, to further
excavate the trench 104. After the section of the foundation wall
is attended to, the safety box 100 can be at least partially
removed from the trench 104 and repositioned against another
section of the foundation wall 102, should that be necessary (see
FIG. 12).
[0032] To repair only a section of the foundation wall, the ground
surface is marked to the shape of the safety box 100. A hole is
then dug to the general shape and size of the safety box. The depth
of the hole is such that the top edge of the safety box is
generally level with the existing grade. The safety box is then
placed in the hole and the flanges 140 and 142 are positioned
against the foundation wall. The safety box should not be used on
an unsupported or structurally unsound foundation wall. Soil or
fill material can then be placed between the safety box and the
wall of the hole to firmly hold the safety box in place. If
necessary, excavation can continue to about two feet below the
bottom edge of the safety box so long as site conditions and soil
type allows. Additional depths can require an adjustable height
safety box 300 (see FIG. 13) or additional safety boxes, which are
designed so that they can be stacked on top of each other. The
foundation wall can now be repaired. The safety box can
subsequently be removed via the handle members 170, 172. For
example, this can be done by two persons located above and outside
the hole.
[0033] It should be appreciated that the height of the safety box
100 can be varied, depending on the depth of the excavation
necessary. For example, six or eight foot high safety boxes may be
needed for some applications while four foot high safety boxes are
adequate for other applications. As shown in FIG. 13, according to
another exemplary embodiment, an adjustable height safety box 300
can be formed of a first wall element 302 and at least one second
wall element 304, which is mounted on or stacked atop the first
wall element. The first wall element 302 can be structurally
similar to the safety box 100 except that a top edge 310 of the
first wall element has a stepped configuration. The first wall
element can be about four foot high and would be the bottom wall
element. The second wall element can also be structurally similar
to the safety box 100 except that a bottom edge 320 has a stepped
configuration. It should be appreciated that a top edge 322 of the
second wall element can also have a stepped configuration. The
second wall element 304 can be about two foot high. The stepped
configuration of the wall elements 302, 304 allows the second wall
element to be easily stacked atop the first wall element to form a
six foot high safety box. To form an eight foot high safety box, a
separate, additional second wall element (not shown) can be stacked
atop the second wall element 304. If desired, the first and second
wall elements could be releasably secured to each other via
conventional connectors or fasteners.
[0034] The safety box of the present disclosure can be at least
partially formed from a fiberglass or plastic or other
non-corrosive material. However, it should be appreciated that the
first wall member can be formed from, for example, a corrugated
aluminum or galvanized steel sheet, which are well-known in the
construction industry and readily-available at low cost, as long as
strength minimums were maintained.
[0035] It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be
desirably combined into many other different systems or
applications. Also various presently unforeseen or unanticipated
alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may
be subsequently made by those skilled in the art. It is intended
that all of these, or equivalents thereof, are encompassed by the
following claims.
* * * * *