U.S. patent application number 14/351576 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-04 for shoring box system and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUICKWAY CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD.. Invention is credited to Paul Breen.
Application Number | 20140248093 14/351576 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48140226 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140248093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Breen; Paul |
September 4, 2014 |
SHORING BOX SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A shoring box system (10) for use in a ground trench (60)
includes a pair of shoring panels (12) and a number of elongate
props (22). The props are attached to the two shoring panels to
maintain the panels in an erected position in which they are spaced
apart, with an open zone (19) between the panels. The props can be
detached from the shoring panels while the shoring panels are in
the erected position. In an embodiment each panel is hollow and has
a lower opening (36) with a closure flap (38) for closing the
opening, to enable filling material in the hollow to pour from the
panel as it is removed from the trench. Also in an embodiment, each
shoring panel is tapered in a downward direction.
Inventors: |
Breen; Paul; (Concord West,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUICKWAY CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD. |
Silverwater, New South Wales |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
48140226 |
Appl. No.: |
14/351576 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
October 18, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2012/001263 |
371 Date: |
April 14, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/284 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 17/083 20130101;
E02D 17/08 20130101; E02F 5/10 20130101; E21D 11/12 20130101; E02D
17/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/284 |
International
Class: |
E02D 17/08 20060101
E02D017/08; E02D 17/04 20060101 E02D017/04; E02F 5/10 20060101
E02F005/10; E21D 11/12 20060101 E21D011/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 19, 2011 |
AU |
2011904321 |
Claims
1. A shoring box system including: a pair of shoring panels; and a
plurality of elongate props, each adapted for releasable attachment
to the two shoring panels by prop connectors, so as to maintain the
shoring panels in an erected position in which the shoring panels
are spaced apart from each other with an interior zone between the
panels, wherein the prop connectors are adapted to enable the
props, when connected to the shoring panels, to be individually
detached from the shoring panels while the shoring panels are in
said erected position.
2. A shoring box system according to claim 1, wherein the prop
connectors are adapted to enable the props to be detached from the
shoring panels by movement of each prop at least partially
laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction in which the
prop extends.
3. A shoring box system according to claim 2, wherein each prop
connector includes a first connector portion on a respective prop
and a second connector portion on a shoring panel, the first and
second connector portions being releasably attachable to each other
by means of being superposed on each other and a locking element
adapted for releasably interlocking the first and second connector
portions.
4. A shoring box system according to claim 1 wherein each shoring
panel has an upright operational orientation and includes a
plurality of reinforcement elements each substantially traversing
the height of the panel.
5. A shoring box system according to claim 4 wherein each
reinforcement element includes an I-beam.
6. A shoring box system according to claim 4 wherein each shoring
panel includes shoring panel walls, the walls of each shoring panel
at least partly defining an interior space of that shoring panel,
wherein the reinforcement elements are disposed in the interior
space.
7. A shoring box system according to claim 6, wherein each wall has
a first face and a second face, the first faces facing into said
interior space, the system further including a plurality of spaced
apart, substantially horizontal reinforcement beams secured to the
second face of each shoring panel wall.
8. A shoring box system according to claim 1 wherein each shoring
panel includes shoring panel walls, and is configured such that,
when the shoring panels are in said erected position, a wall of
each shoring panel facing into said interior zone is non-vertical
so that an upper end of the wall is disposed more inwardly relative
to the interior zone than a lower end of the wall.
9. A shoring box system according to claim 6 wherein each shoring
panel is configured such that, when the shoring panels are in said
erected position, a wall of each shoring panel facing into said
interior zone is non-vertical so that an upper end of the wall is
disposed more inwardly relative to the interior zone than a lower
end of the wall.
10. A shoring box system according to claim 8 wherein each shoring
panel tapers in a downward direction.
11. A shoring box system according to claim 6 wherein each shoring
panel has an opening to said interior space at or adjacent to a
bottom extremity of the shoring panel, and includes a closure
component which is movable between a closed position in which it is
attached to at least one shoring panel wall of the respective
shoring panel and extends over, and thereby substantially closes,
the opening to the interior space of that panel, and an open
position in which the opening is substantially uncovered by the
closure component.
12. A shoring box system according to claim 11, wherein the closure
component is rotatably attached to the at least one shoring panel
wall so as to be movable between said closed and open positions by
rotation relative to the at least one panel wall.
13. A shoring box system according to claim 12, wherein the closure
component is adapted to fall from its closed position to its open
position under the effect of gravity.
14. A shoring box system according to claim 6 wherein each shoring
panel includes a first panel wall, and a second panel wall spaced
from, and opposed to, the first panel wall, one of the first and
second panel walls having a lower edge which is lower than a lower
edge of the other of the first and second panel walls such that the
bottom of the panel is substantially wedge-shaped.
15. A shoring box system according to claim 14, wherein said other
panel wall is on the same side of the panel as said interior
zone.
16. A shoring box system according to claim 1 wherein the pair of
shoring panels and the props attached thereto together constitute a
shoring panel unit, the unit being adapted for releasable
connection to an adjacent said unit.
17. A shoring box system according to claim 16, wherein each unit
is adapted for such releasable connection to two adjacent units,
one on each of two opposite sides thereof, so that said units
together constitute a series of units.
18. A shoring box system according to claim 16, wherein the
adjacent units are adapted for said releasable connection by means
of a connection element which is slidably engageable with at least
one of the adjacent units.
19. A shoring box system according to claim 18, wherein said at
least one of the adjacent units defines an upwardly extending slot,
the connection element being slidably receivable in the slot.
20. A shoring box system according to claim 18, wherein each of
said adjacent units defines an upwardly extending slot, the
connection element being slidably receivable in the slots.
21. A method of using a shoring box system according to claim 1, to
reinforce a ground cavity having opposing cavity walls, the method
including: 21.1 disposing, in the cavity, shoring panels of the
shoring box system such that the shoring panels abut two respective
said opposing cavity walls; and 21.2 attaching said props to the
shoring panels to maintain the panels in said erected position.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein step 21.2 includes
attaching said props such that there is a lowermost level of props,
and at least one level of props above the lowermost level, the
method further including: 22.1 after the props are so attached,
pouring a concrete floor in the cavity; 22.2 allowing the poured
floor to set; 22.3 after the poured floor has set, detaching the
props in said lowermost level from the shoring panels.
23. A method according to claim 22 including, after step 22.3,
building at least one wall on the floor, the wall extending above
the level at which the lowermost level of props were disposed prior
to said detachment.
24. A method according to claim 21 including: detaching, from the
shoring panels, each prop that is attached to the shoring panels,
such that the shoring panels are not connected to each other; and
then removing, from the ground cavity, each shoring panel.
25. A method of using a shoring box system to reinforce a ground
cavity having opposing cavity walls, the method including:
disposing, in the cavity, shoring panel units according to any one
of claim 18 such that the shoring panels of each unit abut two
respective said opposing cavity walls, wherein each pair of
adjacent panels of adjacent units are interconnected to each other
by a said connection element.
26. A shoring box system including: a pair of shoring panels each
having shoring panel walls, wherein each shoring panel has an
upright operational orientation and includes a plurality of
reinforcement elements spaced apart from each other along the
horizontal length of the panel, each element substantially
traversing the height of the panel, and the walls and each pair of
successive reinforcement elements define between them, respective
portions of an interior space of the shoring panel each portion
substantially traversing the height of the panel, and define, to
each portion of the interior space, an opening at or adjacent to a
bottom extremity of the shoring panel such that the opening of each
portion is substantially of the same horizontal breadth and length
as that portion; and a plurality of elongate props attached to the
two shoring panels so as to maintain the shoring panels in an
erected position in which the shoring panels are spaced apart from
each other with an interior zone between the panels.
27. A shoring box system according to claim 26 wherein each
reinforcement element includes an I-beam.
28. A shoring box system according to claim 26 wherein each shoring
panel further includes a closure component which is movable between
a closed position in which it is attached to at least one shoring
panel wall of the respective shoring panel, and extends over, and
thereby substantially closes, the opening to the interior space of
that panel, and an open position in which the opening is
substantially uncovered by the closure component.
29. A shoring box system according to claim 26 wherein, when the
shoring panels are in an erected position, a wall of each shoring
panel facing into said interior zone is non-vertical so that an
upper end of the wall is disposed more inwardly relative to the
interior zone than a lower end of the wall.
30. A shoring box system according to claim 26, wherein each wall
has a first face and a second face, the first faces facing into
said interior space, the system further including a plurality of
spaced apart, substantially horizontal reinforcement beams secured
to the second face of each shoring panel wall.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a shoring boxes. More
specifically, the invention relates to a shoring box system and to
a method of using a shoring box system.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] It is frequently necessary to dig trenches in the ground,
for example when laying pipes, or during other construction
activities. There is an inherent danger that the walls of a trench
can crumble and cave in, and this can pose a significant danger to
workers operating within the trench. Accordingly, it is known to
use shoring box systems for shoring up the walls of such
trenches.
[0003] A typical shoring box system includes shoring panels which
are positioned immediately adjacent to the trench walls, to prevent
the walls from crumbling. Such a typical shoring box system is
conventionally assembled before being placed in a trench. Indeed,
in a typical shoring box system, the shoring panels are provided
with inwardly projecting spigots, and props or struts are engaged
with the spigots, typically by locking pins which are passed
through aligned holes in the props and spigots, to lock the
components together.
[0004] The props typically extend between two opposite shoring
panels, and maintain the panels in a spaced-apart relationship.
This essentially prevents the shoring panels from moving towards
each other, and thus enables the panels to suitably shore up the
walls of the trench.
[0005] Such conventional shoring box systems are generally not
designed in a manner which facilitates the pouring of concrete
floors or walls in the trenches. Firstly, once the shoring box
system has been inserted in the trench, it is not possible to
remove the props without removing the entire assembly from the
trench. This is due to the manner of connection between the props
and shoring panels as described above. The presence of the props,
particularly lower props, could hinder the pouring of concrete
floors into such trenches. The props, both lower and upper props,
would also act as an obstacle that may prevent or hinder the
pouring of concrete walls. Accordingly, as it is not practicable to
construct walls which might serve to reinforce the walls of the
trench, this role must continue to be performed by the shoring box
systems. Accordingly, such conventional shoring box systems are
designed to be used for the full duration of operations occurring
in the trench. This could give rise to undesirable cost, as
multiple shoring box systems may be required, especially when
extensive lengths of trenches are involved, and especially when the
trenches are in use for extended periods of time.
[0006] One of the types of trench in which shoring box systems may
be employed, is a so-called pulling pit. This is a pit or cavity
created especially to provide access to cables that extend along
underground cable conduits. Such access is required in order to
pull the cables inside the conduits. The pulling is typically
performed by cable-pulling apparatus. This often necessitates the
construction of floors in such pits to support the apparatus.
However, in the traditional shoring box systems, the props are
essentially fixed in place and do not provide sufficient space for
the apparatus. Accordingly, it is usually required to remove the
shoring box systems and construct concrete walls to reinforce the
pit, so that the props are no longer present to prevent
accommodation of the apparatus. However, as the purpose of such
pits is limited to pulling the cables, it is often considered that
the need to build such walls gives rise to a waste of
resources.
[0007] Even if concrete walls are poured into such trenches as a
means of replacing the shoring box systems, this gives rise to
additional difficulties. For example, if the concrete is poured so
that it is in contact with the shoring panels, as the concrete
sets, a bond will be established between the concrete wall and
shoring panel.
[0008] When it is time to remove the shoring panels, significant
force may be required, firstly to break the bond between the panels
and the concrete walls, and also because of continued frictional
engagement between the concrete walls and panels as the panels are
withdrawn.
[0009] In addition, once such panels are removed, voids will be
left between the walls of the trench and the outer faces of the
newly poured concrete walls. Such voids could increase the risk of
the trench walls crumbling as portions of the wall fall into the
voids, and could thus result in the surrounding ground surface
becoming unstable.
[0010] It is an object of the invention to overcome or ameliorate
disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provide a useful
alternative thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a shoring box system including:
[0012] a pair of shoring panels; and
[0013] a plurality of elongate props, each adapted for releasable
attachment to the two shoring panels by prop connectors, so as to
maintain the shoring panels in an erected position in which the
shoring panels are spaced apart from each other with an interior
zone between the panels,
[0014] wherein the prop connectors are adapted to enable the props,
when connected to the shoring panels, to be individually detached
from the shoring panels while the shoring panels are in said
erected position.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the prop connectors are adapted
to enable the props to be detached from the shoring panels by
movement of each prop at least partially laterally with respect to
the longitudinal direction in which the prop extends.
[0016] Preferably, each prop connector includes a first connector
portion on a respective prop and a second connector portion on a
shoring panel, the first and second connector portions being
releasably attachable to each other by means of being superposed on
each other and a locking element adapted for releasably
interlocking the first and second connector portions.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, each shoring panel has an upright
operational orientation and includes a plurality of reinforcement
elements each substantially traversing the height of the panel.
[0018] Preferably each reinforcement element includes an
I-beam.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, each shoring panel includes
shoring panel walls, the walls of each shoring panel at least
partly defining an interior space of that shoring panel, wherein
the reinforcement elements are disposed in the interior space.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, each shoring panel includes
shoring panel walls, and is configured such that, when the shoring
panels are in said erected position, a wall of each shoring panel
facing into said interior zone is non-vertical so that an upper end
of the wall is disposed more inwardly relative to the interior zone
than a lower end of the wall.
[0021] Preferably, each shoring panel tapers in a downward
direction.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, each shoring panel has an opening
to said interior space at or adjacent to a bottom extremity of the
shoring panel. The shoring panel preferably includes a closure
component which is movable between a closed position in which it is
attached to at least one shoring panel wall of the respective
shoring panel and extends over, and thereby substantially closes,
the opening to the interior space of that panel, and an open
position in which the opening is substantially uncovered by the
closure component.
[0023] Preferably, the closure component is rotatably attached to
the at least one shoring panel wall so as to be movable between
said closed and open positions by rotation relative to the at least
one panel wall.
[0024] Preferably, the closure component is adapted to fall from
its closed position to its open position under the effect of
gravity.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, each shoring panel includes a
first panel wall, and a second panel wall spaced from, and opposed
to, the first panel wall, one of the first and second panel walls
having a lower edge which is lower than a lower edge of the other
of the first and second panel walls such that the bottom of the
panel is substantially wedge-shaped.
[0026] Preferably said other panel wall is on the same side of the
panel as said interior zone.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the pair of shoring panels and
the props attached thereto together constitute a shoring panel
unit, the unit being adapted for releasable connection to an
adjacent said unit.
[0028] Preferably, each unit is adapted for such releasable
connection to two adjacent units, one on each of two opposite sides
thereof, so that said units together constitute a series of
units.
[0029] Preferably, the adjacent units are adapted for said
releasable connection by means of a connection element which is
slidably engageable with at least one of the adjacent units.
[0030] Preferably, said at least one of the adjacent units defines
an upwardly extending slot, the connection element being slidably
receivable in the slot.
[0031] Also preferably, each of said adjacent units defines an
upwardly extending slot, the connection element being slidably
receivable in the slots.
[0032] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of using a shoring box system according to the
first aspect of the invention, to reinforce a ground cavity having
opposing cavity walls, the method including:
[0033] A.1 disposing, in the cavity, shoring panels of the shoring
box system such that the shoring panels abut two respective said
opposing cavity walls; and
[0034] A.2 attaching said props to the shoring panels to maintain
the panels in said erected position.
[0035] Preferably, step A.2 includes attaching said props such that
there is a lowermost level of props, and at least one level of
props above the lowermost level, the method further including:
[0036] B.1 after the props are so attached, pouring a concrete
floor in the cavity;
[0037] B.2 allowing the poured floor to set;
[0038] B.3 after the poured floor has set, detaching the props in
said lowermost level from the shoring panels.
[0039] Preferably, the method includes, after step B.3, building at
least one wall on the floor, the wall extending above the level at
which the lowermost level of props were disposed prior to said
detachment.
[0040] Preferably, the method includes:
[0041] detaching, from the shoring panels, each prop that is
attached to the shoring panels, such that the shoring panels are
not connected to each other; and then removing, from the ground
cavity, each shoring panel.
[0042] According to a third aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of using a shoring box system to reinforce a
ground cavity having opposing cavity walls, the method
including:
[0043] disposing, in the cavity, shoring panel units according to
the first aspect if the invention such that the shoring panels of
each unit abut two respective said opposing cavity walls, wherein
each pair of adjacent panels of adjacent units are interconnected
to each other by a said connection element.
[0044] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is
provided a shoring box system including:
[0045] a pair of shoring panels each having shoring panel walls,
wherein each shoring panel has an upright operational orientation
and includes a plurality of reinforcement elements spaced apart
from each other along the horizontal length of the panel, each
element substantially traversing the height of the panel, and
[0046] the walls and each pair of successive reinforcement elements
define between them, respective portions of an interior space of
the shoring panel, and define, for each portion of the interior
space, an opening at or adjacent to a bottom extremity of the
shoring panel such that the opening of each portion is
substantially of the same horizontal breadth and length as that
portion; and a plurality of elongate props attached to the two
shoring panels so as to maintain the shoring panels in an erected
position in which the shoring panels are spaced apart from each
other with an interior zone between the panels.
[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of the
invention, each reinforcement element includes an I-beam.
[0048] In a preferred embodiment, each shoring panel further
includes a closure component which is movable between a closed
position in which it is attached to at least one shoring panel wall
of the respective shoring panel, and extends over, and thereby
substantially closes, the opening to the interior space of that
panel, and an open position in which the opening is substantially
uncovered by the closure component.
[0049] According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is
provided a shoring box system including:
[0050] a pair of shoring panels each having a shoring panel wall;
and
[0051] a plurality of elongate props, each attached to the two
shoring panels so as to maintain the shoring panels in an erected
position in which the shoring panels are spaced apart from each
other with an interior zone between the panels,
[0052] wherein each shoring panel is configured such that, when in
the erected position, the wall of the panel faces into said
interior zone and is non-vertical so that an upper end of the wall
is disposed more inwardly relative to the interior zone than a
lower end of the wall.
[0053] Any discussion of the prior art in this specification is not
intended, and is not to be construed, as any statement, implication
or admission that that prior art constitutes part of the common
general knowledge in Australia or anywhere else.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0055] FIG. 1 is a schematic end of view of a shoring box system
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0056] FIG. 2 is a front view of one of the shoring panels of the
system of FIG. 1;
[0057] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the panel of FIG. 2;
[0058] FIG. 4 is a schematic view, similar to that of FIG. 1, but
showing the shoring box system located in a trench;
[0059] FIGS. 5a and 5b are schematic cross-sections showing details
of the bottom end of the left-hand shoring panel as shown in FIG.
1, with its closure flap in a closed position and open position,
respectively;
[0060] FIG. 6 is a plan view of adjacent shoring panels of two
shoring box systems similar to the one shown in FIG. 1, the systems
being joined together;
[0061] FIGS. 7a and 7b are detailed views of the circled part of
FIG. 6, showing the joint between the adjacent panels of the
shoring box systems, in the separated and joined conditions,
respectively;
[0062] FIG. 7c is a different embodiment of the features shown in
FIGS. 7a and 7b;
[0063] FIG. 7d is a different embodiment of the features shown in
FIG. 7c; and
[0064] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of two shoring box
systems joined together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0065] Referring to the drawings, there is showing a shoring box
system 10. The system 10 includes two shoring panels 12. Each
shoring panel 12 has an outer wall 14 defining an outer face of the
panel, an inner wall 16 defining an inner face of the panel, and
two edge walls 18. The shoring panels 12 are in a spaced-apart
relationship as shown, defining a substantially open zone 19
between them.
[0066] Each shoring panel 12 is shaped so that its outer wall 14
and inner wall 16 converge on one another in a downward direction,
whereby the panel tapers from its upper extremity to its lower
extremity. More specifically, the inner walls 16 of the two panels
12 are each angled to the vertical such that the inner walls of the
two panels diverge from each other in a downward direction.
[0067] Indeed, according to one preferred embodiment, the thickness
of the top of each panel 12 is around 180 mm, while the thickness
of the bottom of the panel is around 155 mm.
[0068] Each panel 12, on its inner wall 16, has a lower and an
upper support structure 20. Each support structure 20 is in the
form of a box-section (rectangular section) beam, extending along
the length of the panel 12. Each lower support structure,
referenced as 20.1, is attached to the respective panel 12 by bolts
or other removable fasteners (not shown) whereby those support
structures are removable from the relevant panels.
[0069] Each upper support structure, referenced as 20.2, is
attached to the respective panel 12 in a permanent fashion, for
example by welding.
[0070] The system 10 also includes upper and lower props 22. Each
prop 22 includes an elongate strut 24 of substantially rectangular
or square cross-sectional shape, and a pair of attachment plates
26, joined to the strut at each of the two opposite ends 28 of
thereof, so as to protrude beyond those ends.
[0071] The walls 14, 16, 18 of each shoring panel 12 define an
interior space 30 of the panel (see FIGS. 5a and 5b).
[0072] It will be noted that the outer wall 14 of each panel 12 has
a lowermost edge 32 which is lower than the corresponding lowermost
edge 34 of the inner wall 16 of that panel. Accordingly, the lower
end of each panel 12 is substantially wedge-shaped.
[0073] An opening 36 to the interior space 30 is defined by the
outer walls 14, inner wall 16 and edge walls 18 of each panel 12
(see FIG. 5b). Thus, the outer perimeter of the opening 36 is
defined by those walls.
[0074] Also provided are closure components 38, each attached to a
respective shoring panel 12. Each closure component 38 is
effectively in the form of a flap which is rotatably joined to the
shoring panel 12, and more specifically, to the inner wall 16 of
the panel, by means of a hinge 40. Accordingly the closure
components 38 are referred to below as flaps.
[0075] As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, each closure flap 38 is movable
between a closed position in which it extends across, and
substantially closes, the opening 36, and an open position in which
it does not cover the opening.
[0076] When the closure flap 38 is in its closed position, it forms
part of the lower wedge shape of the respective shoring panel
12.
[0077] As described in more detail below, according to a preferred
embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b, each shoring panel 12 is
provided, at each of its opposite ends, with connection means to
enable the interconnection between two adjacent shoring box systems
10 (that is, between the shoring panels 12 of the two adjacent
shoring box systems 10). It will be appreciated that each such
shoring box system 10 effectively constitutes a separate modular
unit, and will be referred to as such below.
[0078] It will be noted, in both the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and
the embodiment of FIG. 6, that each shoring panel 12 is reinforced
by I-beams 42 which extend vertically within the interior space 30,
between the inner wall 16 and outer wall 14 of the shoring
panel.
[0079] It will be appreciated that, as the I-beams 42 extend
through the interior space 30, they divide the space into vertical
portions. Similarly, the I-beams 42 divide the opening 36 into
portions corresponding to those portions of the interior space 30,
with each portion of the opening being of the same horizontal
breadth and length as the corresponding portion of the interior
space.
[0080] For ease of reference, in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the left hand
shoring panel 12 as shown (i.e. the shoring panel 12 of the left
hand shoring box unit 10) is referenced as 12.1, while the right
hand panel as shown (i.e. the shoring panel 12 of the right hand
shoring box unit 10) is referenced as 12.2. The particular I-beam
42 in the panel 12.1 closest to the shown edge of that panel is
referenced as 42.1, while the corresponding I-beam of the other
panel 12.2 is referenced as 42.2.
[0081] The left-hand panel 12.1 is provided with a flange 44, which
extends inwardly from the outer wall 14, and an L-section member
46. The L-section member 46 includes two flanges 48 and 50. The
flange 48 extends towards the flange 44, so that these two flanges
define a gap 52 between them, and, together with the nearest I-beam
42.1, define a space 54, which essentially constitutes a slot in
the left-hand panel unit 12.1. The other flange 50 of the L-section
member 46 extends parallel to the outer and inner walls 14 and 16
of the shoring panels 12.1 and 12.2.
[0082] The adjacent, right hand panel 12.2 is provided with an
engagement plate 56. The engagement plate 56 is connected to the
I-beam 42.2 by means of a connector portion 58.
[0083] The flange 44, L-section member 46 and engagement plate 56
all extend substantially the height of the respective shoring
panels 12.1, 12.2.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 7b, the two adjacent panels 12.1 and 12.2
can be interlocked by sliding the panels vertically with respect to
each other such that the engagement plate 56 is received in the
space 54, with the connector portion 58 passing through the gap
52.
[0085] It will be understood that the flanges 44 and 48 hold the
engagement plate 56 captive in the slotted space 54, thereby
preventing the two panels 12.1 and 12.2 from being pulled apart
from each other.
[0086] In FIG. 7c, there is shown an embodiment which uses a
somewhat different means of connection of the two adjacent shoring
box units 10 to that shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b. In the embodiment of
FIG. 7c, parts corresponding to parts in FIGS. 7a and 7b are
indicated with similar reference numbers.
[0087] In this embodiment, instead of the connector portion 58
connecting an engagement plate 56 to the I-beam 42.2, it
interconnects two similar engagement plates 56, with neither
engagement plate, nor the connector portion, being attached to
either of the shoring panels 12.1, 12.2 of the two adjacent shoring
box units 10. Indeed, the connector portion 58 and two engagement
plates 56 form an independent connector element, generally
referenced as 57, which has an I-shaped cross section along its
length.
[0088] In addition, instead of the left hand shoring panel 12.1
having the flange 44 and the L-section member 46, it is provided
with two-differently orientated L-section members 59, and these
together define the gap 52. The other, right hand shoring panel
12.2 is essentially a mirror image of the left hand shoring panel
12.1.
[0089] The connector element 57 formed by the connector portion 58
and two engagement plates 56 interconnects the two shoring panels
12.1 and 12.2 to each other by being slid into the slots
constituted by the spaces 54 in the two panels. This can be
achieved by placing the two panels 12.1 and 12.2 adjacent to each
other, and then sliding the connector element downwards into these
two slots, with the connector portion 58 extending through the gaps
52 and each engagement plate being accommodated in the slotted
space 54 of a respective panel.
[0090] In FIG. 7d there is shown an alternative embodiment to that
shown in FIG. 7c. In the embodiment of FIG. 7d, the two adjacent
shoring panel units 10 are at an angle to each other. This
configuration may be used, for example, where the trench in which
the shoring panel units 10 are placed is not straight, but curves.
The shoring panel units 10 are placed at an angle to each other to
follow the curved shape of the trench. In this case, the connector
portion 58 of the connector element 57 is bent (or may be curved),
to accommodate the different angles of the shoring panel units
10.
[0091] It will be understood that the configuration shown in FIG.
7d relates to the joint between the two adjacent panels 12.1 and
12.2 on the inner side of the bend or curve in the trench. Because
of the angle between the two shoring panel units 10, there will be
a space between the two adjacent panels of the adjacent panel units
on the outer side of the bend or curve (that outer side not being
shown), and those two outer adjacent panels will therefore not be
connected to each other by a connector element 57.
[0092] The shoring box system 10 can be used to shore up a trench
60 which has been dug in the surface of the ground 62, as shown in
FIG. 4.
[0093] Unlike conventional shoring box systems, the shoring box
system 10 of the present invention need not be pre-assembled before
being installed in the trench 60. Rather, each of the shoring
panels can 12 be individually placed in the trench 60 such that the
two panels are disposed opposite each other, with their outer walls
14 abutting the walls of the trench 60.
[0094] The props 22 can then be engaged with the shoring panels 12
to brace the panels in a spaced-apart relationship as shown in FIG.
4. The props 22 can be secured to the shoring panels 12 by placing
the attachment plates 26 of each prop in an overlapping
relationship with the support structures of 20 of the two shoring
panels, and then passing locking elements in the form of pins 64
through aligned holes (not shown) in the attachment plates and
support structures. Thus, the attachment plates 26 and support
structures of 20 may together be regarded as prop connectors for
connecting the props.
[0095] Once the shoring panels 12 and props 22 have been assembled
in this manner, concrete can be poured into the trench 60 to form a
floor 68 of the trench. According to a preferred embodiment,
concrete blinding 70 is first placed in the trench 60, and the
concrete floor 68 then poured on the blinding.
[0096] In addition, starter bars 72 can be installed in the
concrete floor 68 in the conventional manner, to provide
reinforcement for walls that are to be constructed.
[0097] The lowermost props 22, when secured to the shoring panels
12, can hinder or prevent the building of concrete walls in the
trench 60. However, given the nature of attachment between the
props 22 and shoring panels 12, the lower props 22 can be easily
removed, by removing the locking pins 64, and simply lifting the
props away from the lower support structures 20.1 of the shoring
panels. This method of removal essentially involves moving the
props 22 laterally with respect to the direction in which they
extend, and can therefore be achieved without the need to move the
shoring panels 12.
[0098] The lower support structures 20.1 are then detached from the
panels 20 by removing the fasteners (not shown) securing those
structures to the panels. This essentially leaves each panel 12
with a substantially smooth face at the location where the lower
support structure 20.1 was positioned prior to being removed.
[0099] It will be appreciated that, once the lower props 22 are
removed, they no longer provide reinforcement to the shoring panels
12. On the other hand, the floor 68, once set, can serve to support
the shoring panels 12. However, the distance between the upper
props 22 and floor 68, is greater than the distance that existed
between the upper props and lowermost props before the latter were
removed. Accordingly, it is important that the shoring panels 12 be
sufficiently strong to resist forces from the walls of the trench
60 which might cause the panels to deflect or collapse. According
to one embodiment, the extent of such forces for which the shoring
box system 10 may be designed is around 20 kilopascal (kPa). The
I-beams 42 are orientated substantially vertically in the shoring
panels 12 and assist in providing such strength to the panels (i.e.
to brace the panels against deflection in a vertical plane).
[0100] Thereafter, with the use of suitable form-work (not shown),
concrete for forming side walls 74, indicated in phantom lines in
FIG. 4, can be poured in the trench 60. It can be seen that these
walls 74 are formed such that the previously exposed parts of the
starter bars 72 are embedded in the walls. As the lower support
structures 20.1 were removed from the panels 12 as described above,
they are not in the way of the walls 74.
[0101] However, the tops of the walls 74 are lower than the upper
support structures 20.2, and those structures need not be removed
in order to make room for the walls. Indeed, as mentioned above,
those upper support structures 20.2 are attached to the panels 12
in a permanent fashion, and they serve to brace the panels against
deflection in the horizontal plane, while the I-beams 42, as
mentioned above, brace the panels against deflection in the
vertical plane.
[0102] The shoring panels 12 constitute the outer form-work for
forming the concrete walls 74.
[0103] Once the walls 74 have set, the upper props 22 can be
removed, in a similar manner to that in which the lower props were
removed. The shoring panels 12 can also be removed.
[0104] While the embodiment described above has a lowermost level
of props 22 and one level of props above that, in other
embodiments, there may be one or more additional level of props
above the lowermost level. In such embodiments, the walls 74 can be
constructed in sequential stages. The first stage will be after the
lowermost props 22 have been removed to accommodate that first
stage of the wall. The next stage of the wall 74 will be built on
top of the first stage after the next level of props 22 has been
removed to accommodate that next stage of the wall.
[0105] In such embodiments, as the shoring panels 12 are likely to
have greater heights than the types described with reference to the
drawings, they will have to be designed to have sufficient strength
to withstand potentially greater deflection forces. In particular,
such design may take into account the potentially greater distance
between the higher props 22 and the floor than between those props
and lower props that have been removed.
[0106] It will be appreciated that, on removal of the shoring
panels 12, the space vacated by the panels would constitute a gap
between the walls of the trench 60 and the outer faces of the newly
formed concrete walls 74. The presence of such gaps could be
disadvantageous as it could allow material from the walls of the
trench 60 to fall into the vacated space, and indeed could allow
crumbling or collapse of the trench's walls.
[0107] According to an embodiment of the invention, filling
material, such as suitable stable sand, can be placed in the
interior space 30 of each shoring panel 12. This can be achieved
either before the panels 12 are initially installed in the trench
60, or subsequent to installation of the panels in the trench.
According to the preferred embodiment, the tops of the panels 12
are open and the filling material can be inserted via the open tops
into the panels.
[0108] When it is desired to remove the shoring panels 12 from the
trench 60, they can be lifted from the trench by suitable lifting
means, such as winch or hoist, which can be connected to the panels
at designated lifting points or eyes (not shown).
[0109] As the concrete walls 74 set, there is likely to be some
adhesion between the outer faces of the concrete walls and the
outer surfaces of the inner walls 16 of the shoring panels 12. As
the shoring panels 12 are lifted, this will result in the adhesion
between the shoring panels and concrete walls 74 being broken.
However, in light of the tapering (wedge) shape of the shoring
panels 12 as described above, and more specifically the angles of
the inner walls 16, once the seal between each shoring panel and
the relevant concrete wall 74 is broken, and after the panel has
begun to be lifted, a space will be created between the shoring
panel and the concrete wall. As a result, as the shoring panel 12
is lifted, there will be no engagement with, and hence no fictional
resistance from, the concrete wall 74.
[0110] In addition, as each shoring panel 12 has begun to be
lifted, a space will be formed below the panel. Consequently, there
will be nothing holding the closure flap 38 in its closed position,
and it will thus be allowed to rotate, under the effect of gravity,
to its open position as shown in FIG. 5b. Once this occurs, the
filling matter that had been placed inside the interior space 30 of
the shoring panel 12 will be allowed to pour out via the opening 36
into the space below the panel 12. Thus, as the shoring panel 12 is
removed in its entirety, all of the filling matter will be allowed
to exit the interior space 30, and will have substantially the same
volume as the removed shoring panel. The filling matter will
therefore essentially fill the vacated space formed due to removal
of the shoring panel 12, between the wall of the trench 60 and the
outer face of the concrete wall 74.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to use two or more
shoring box systems (units) 10 in series, for example in a
sufficiently long trench 60. This is achieved by connecting the
shoring panels 12 of the two adjacent shoring box units 10, using
the connection means described above with reference to FIGS. 6, 7a
and 7b, or FIG. 7c.
[0112] Because the connection involves or enables relative vertical
sliding between the adjacent shoring panels 12 of the two shoring
box units 10, the two shoring box units can be at different
elevations to each other, as shown in FIG. 8. Accordingly, shoring
box units 10, according to the present embodiment of the invention,
may be suitable for use in a trench 60 having uneven or sloped
floors.
[0113] It will be appreciated that advantages of the present
invention, at least embodiments thereof, are as follows: [0114] the
components of the shoring box system 10 can be assembled and
disassembled within the trench 60 itself, rather than this having
to be done outside the trench; [0115] the props 22 (in particular,
the lower props) can be easily removed after the concrete floor 68
is cast, to enable pouring of the walls 74 within the trench 60;
removal of the upper props can be left until the walls have
hardened sufficiently to be able to take load; [0116] the tapered
shape of each of the shoring panels 12 facilitates withdrawal of
the panels from the trench 60 and, more particularly, from the
space between the outer faces of the newly poured concrete walls 74
and walls of the trench 60; [0117] the closure flaps 38 allow for
filling matter such as sand to be placed within the interior spaces
30 of the shoring panels 12 and for this filling matter to run out
the bottom of the shoring panels as they are removed, to fill up
the space vacated by the shoring panels; and [0118] the hollow
construction of the components of the shoring box system 10 results
in their being of relatively low weight such that they can, at
least in preferred embodiments, be installed and removed without
the use of lifting equipment such as a crane.
[0119] Although the invention is described above in relation to
preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be
embodied in many other forms.
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