U.S. patent application number 14/881197 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-21 for trenching panels, panel assembly, system and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Peter Robert Spry. Invention is credited to Peter Robert Spry.
Application Number | 20160108599 14/881197 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55748600 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160108599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spry; Peter Robert |
April 21, 2016 |
TRENCHING PANELS, PANEL ASSEMBLY, SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A panel for shoring a wall of a trench, the panel including an
outer face arranged to face the wall, an opposing inner face,
opposing sides, a top end and a bottom end, wherein the panel
includes fixed couplings located at or adjacent to the inner face
and toward the opposing sides, the fixed couplings being adapted to
couple with a removable coupling which is inter-connectable in a
first installed condition between a respective one of the fixed
couplings of the panel and a respective one of the fixed couplings
of an adjacent further panel. A panel assembly including at least
two panels and a removable coupling is also disclosed as well as a
system and method including interchangeable panels and couplings
that allow for the formation of trenching supports in a variety of
geometric configurations.
Inventors: |
Spry; Peter Robert; (Eagle
Vale, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Spry; Peter Robert |
Eagle Vale |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
55748600 |
Appl. No.: |
14/881197 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 2220/00 20130101;
E02D 17/08 20130101; E02D 17/083 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E02D 17/08 20060101
E02D017/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 17, 2014 |
AU |
2014904145 |
Claims
1. A panel for shoring a wall of a trench, the panel including an
outer face arranged to face the wall, an opposing inner face,
opposing sides, a top end and a bottom end, wherein the panel
includes fixed couplings located at or adjacent to the inner face
and toward the opposing sides, the fixed couplings being adapted to
couple with a removable coupling which is inter-connectable in a
first installed condition between a respective one of the fixed
couplings of the panel and a respective one of fixed couplings of
an adjacent further panel.
2. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the fixed couplings are
arranged such that sides of the panel and the adjacent further
panel substantially abut with one another in the first installed
condition.
3. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the fixed couplings are
arranged such that in the first installed condition the removable
coupling extends at least partially across inner faces of the panel
and the adjacent further panel between the respective fixed
couplings thereof such that when a force applied to the outer faces
of the panel and the adjacent further panel, the removable coupling
is placed in tension and the respective adjacent opposing sides of
the panel and the adjacent further panel move toward one another
into compression.
4. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the fixed couplings are
located so as to be accessible from at least one of the inner face
and the top end thereby allowing decoupling of the panel assembly
to a disassembled condition from the first installed condition from
a position within the trench.
5. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the fixed couplings are
each provided in the form of at least one of a slot, channel and
recess adapted to receive and couple with the removable coupling in
the first installed condition.
6. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the panel includes a
strut coupling portion adapted to couple with a removable strut
that spans the trench to an opposing panel at an opposing side of
the trench in the first installed condition.
7. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the fixed couplings are
arranged to couple with the removable coupling such that in the
first installed condition the panel and an adjacent further panel
are substantially fixed relatively to one another.
8. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the fixed coupling is
arranged to pivotally couple with the removable coupling such that
the panel is pivotable from the first installed condition, in which
the panel and adjacent further panel are in a linear side-by-side
arrangement, to a second installed condition in which the panel and
adjacent further panels are angled relative to one another.
9. A panel assembly for trenching, the panel assembly including a
first panel attachable in a side-by-side arrangement by a
releasable coupling arrangement to a second panel in an installed
condition in which an outer face of each of the first and second
panels are locatable against a wall of the trench, wherein the
releasable coupling arrangement includes a removable coupling
arranged so as to be accessible from at least one of inner faces
and top ends of the first and second panels thereby allowing at
least one of coupling and decoupling of the first and second panels
from a position within the trench.
10. The panel assembly according to claim 9, wherein each of the
first and second panels include fixed couplings located at or
adjacent to the inner faces and toward the opposing sides of the
first and second panels, the fixed couplings being arranged such
that in the installed condition the adjacent opposing sides of the
first and the second panels substantially abut one another with the
removable coupling spanning across the respective inner faces
between the first and the second panels.
11. The panel according to claim 9, wherein each of the first and
second panels includes fixed couplings located at or adjacent to
the inner faces and toward the opposing sides of the first and
second panels, wherein the in the installed condition the removable
coupling is arranged to coupling extend at least partially across
inner faces of the first panel and the second panel between the
respective fixed couplings thereof such that when a force applied
to outer faces of the panel and adjacent further panel, the
removable coupling is placed in tension and the respective adjacent
opposing sides of the panel and the adjacent further panel move
toward one another into compression.
12. The panel assembly according to claim 9, wherein the releasable
coupling arrangement is configurable between a first configuration
in which the first and second panels are at a first installed angle
relative to one another, and a second configuration in which the
first and second panels are at a second installed angle relative to
one another.
13. The panel assembly according to claim 12, wherein the
releasable coupling arrangement is configurable by interchanging
the removable coupling with another removable coupling arranged to
angle the first and second panels relative to one another.
14. The panel assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first
installed angle is about 0 degrees with the panels being parallel
with one another and wherein the second installed angle is up to
about 90 degrees in either direction.
15. The panel assembly according to claim 9, wherein at least one
of the first and second panels include a strut coupling portion
adapted to couple with a removable strut that spans the trench to
an opposing panel at an opposing side of the trench in the
installed condition.
16. The panel assembly according to claim 10, wherein the fixed
couplings of each of the first and second panels are provided in
the form of two slots, each of the two slots being located toward
respective opposing sides of the first and second panels and at
least partially extending along the inner faces and between the top
and bottom ends thereof.
17. The panel assembly according to claim 16, wherein the removable
coupling is provided in the form of a coupling member having spaced
apart projections that are each respectively received by one of the
two corresponding slots of adjacently arranged first and second
panels in the installed condition, the coupling member thereby
spanning between adjacently arranged first and second panels along
the inner faces thereof.
18. A trenching system for shoring opposing walls of a trench, the
trenching system including: a plurality of interchangeable panels
having fixed couplings located toward opposing sides of the panels;
and a plurality of removable couplings arranged to interconnect and
span between the fixed couplings of adjacently arranged panels,
wherein the plurality of removable couplings are configured to
couple the plurality of interchangeable panels in at least one of a
first configuration wherein adjacently arranged panels are parallel
with one another and a second configuration wherein the adjacently
arranged panels are angled relative to one another.
19. The trenching system according to claim 18, wherein the
removable couplings are interchangeable and are of different sizes
and configurations to couple between the adjacently arranged panels
in the respective first and second configurations.
20. The trenching system according to claim 18, wherein the system
further includes a removable strut and at least one of the panels
locatable on each of the opposing walls of the trench includes
strut coupling portions to couple with the strut such that the
strut spans the trench between the respective panels.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from Australian provisional
patent application no. 2014904145 filed on 17 Oct. 2014, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to a trenching panel, a panel
assembly, a trenching system and a method of trenching using a
trenching system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Trenches are required to be supported or shored whilst open
to prevent the collapse of walls of the trench. This allows the
safe installation of piping and cabling in the trench. To support
the trench, trenching supports, also referred to as trench boxes,
may be used. Such trenching supports include two wall support
panels that are connected via a brace that spans between the two
wall support panels.
[0004] In use, the assembled trenching support may be lowered into
the trench with the two wall support panels being located adjacent
the walls of the trench and the brace arranged to span the width of
the trench. The two wall support panels may, for example, have a
height of two and half metres and a length of about 1 metre. For
long trenches multiples of the trenching supports may be used and
placed alongside each other lengthwise along the trench.
[0005] A problem with these trenching supports relates to the
weight of the trenching supports that are typically preassembled
and it is often required to use a crane or lifting machine to lower
the trenching supports into the trench. The use of a crane may be
expensive, and crane access may in some situations be limited or
not available.
[0006] Another problem with these trenching supports relates to the
adaptability of the trenching supports to trenches of different
shapes, lengths, heights, widths and installation situations.
[0007] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more
of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful
alternative.
SUMMARY
[0008] In accordance with a first main aspect there is provided, a
panel for shoring a wall of a trench, the panel including an outer
face arranged to face the wall, an opposing inner face, opposing
sides, a top end and a bottom end, wherein the panel includes fixed
couplings located at or adjacent to the inner face and toward the
opposing sides, the fixed couplings being adapted to couple with a
removable coupling which is inter-connectable in a first installed
condition between a respective one of the fixed couplings of the
panel and a respective one of the fixed couplings of an adjacent
further panel.
[0009] In another aspect, the fixed couplings are arranged such
that adjacent sides of the panel and an adjacent further panel
substantially abut with one another in the first installed
condition.
[0010] In yet another aspect, the fixed couplings are arranged such
that in the first installed condition the removable coupling
extends at least partially across inner faces of the panel and the
adjacent further panel between the respective fixed couplings
thereof such that when a force applied to the outer faces of the
panel and adjacent further panel, the removable coupling is placed
in tension and the respective adjacent opposing sides of the panel
and the adjacent further panel move toward one another into
compression.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the fixed couplings are located so as
to be accessible from at least one of the inner face and the top
end thereby allowing decoupling of the panel assembly to a
disassembled condition from the first installed condition from a
position within the trench.
[0012] In yet another aspect, the fixed couplings are each provided
in the form of at least one of a slot, channel and recess adapted
to receive and couple with the removable coupling in the first
installed condition.
[0013] In yet another aspect, the fixed couplings are provided in
the form of slots that each extend along the inner face between the
top and bottom ends and toward respective opposing sides of the
panel.
[0014] In yet another aspect, the panel includes a strut coupling
portion adapted to couple with a removable strut that spans the
trench to an opposing panel at an opposing side of the trench in
the first installed condition.
[0015] In yet another aspect, the fixed coupling is located
relative the inner face such that in the installed condition the
releasable coupling extends along the inner faces between the panel
and adjacent further panel so as to be placed in tension by a force
applied to the outer faces of the panel and adjacent further
panel.
[0016] In yet another aspect, the fixed coupling is provided in the
form of two slots that each at least partially extend along the
inner face between the top and bottom ends and toward respective
opposing sides of the panel.
[0017] In yet another aspect, the fixed coupling is arranged such
that in the first installed condition the panel and an adjacent
further panel are substantially fixed relatively to one
another.
[0018] In yet another aspect, the fixed coupling is arranged such
that in the first installed condition the removable coupling
extends at least partially across inner faces of the panel and the
adjacent further panel between the respective fixed couplings
thereof.
[0019] In yet another aspect, the fixed coupling is arranged to
pivotally couple with the removable coupling such that the panel is
pivotable from the first installed condition, in which the panel
and adjacent further panel are in a linear side-by-side
arrangement, to a second installed condition in which the panel and
adjacent further panels are angled relative to one another.
[0020] In yet another aspect, the panel includes at least two fixed
couplings, each of the at least two fixed couplings being located
at or adjacent to each of the opposing sides of the panel.
[0021] In yet another aspect, the fixed coupling part is arranged
to pivotally couple with the fixed coupling part such that the
panel is pivotable from the first installed condition, in which the
panel and adjacent further panel are in a side-by-side arrangement,
to a second installed condition in which the panel and adjacent
further panels are angled relative to one another.
[0022] In yet another aspect, the fixed coupling is located in a
recess in the inner face.
[0023] In accordance with a second main aspect there is provided, a
panel assembly or system including at least two panels as defined
above.
[0024] In accordance with a third main aspect there is provided, a
panel assembly for trenching, the panel assembly including a first
panel attachable in a side-by-side arrangement by a releasable
coupling arrangement to a second panel in an installed condition in
which an outer face of each of the first and second panels are
locatable against a wall of the trench, wherein the releasable
coupling arrangement includes a removable coupling arranged so as
to be accessible from at least one of inner faces and top ends of
the first and second panels thereby allowing at least one of
coupling and decoupling of the first and second panels from a
position within the trench.
[0025] In an aspect, each of the first and second panels include
fixed couplings located at or adjacent to the inner faces and
toward the opposing sides of the first and second panels, the fixed
couplings being arranged such that in the installed condition the
adjacent opposing sides of the first and the second panels
substantially abut with one another with the removable coupling
spanning across the respective inner faces between the first and
the second panels.
[0026] In another aspect, each of the first and second panels
includes fixed couplings located at or adjacent to the inner faces
and toward the opposing sides of the first and second panels,
wherein the in the installed condition the removable coupling is
arranged to coupling extend at least partially across inner faces
of the first panel and the second panel between the respective
fixed couplings thereof such that when a force applied to outer
faces of the panel and adjacent further panel, the removable
coupling is placed in tension and the respective adjacent opposing
sides of the panel and the adjacent further panel move toward one
another into compression.
[0027] In yet another aspect, the releasable coupling arrangement
is configurable between a first configuration in which the first
and second panels are at a first installed angle relative to one
another, and a second configuration in which the first and second
panels are at a second installed angle relative to one another.
[0028] In yet another aspect, the releasable coupling arrangement
is configurable by interchanging the removable coupling with
another removable coupling arranged to angle the first and second
panels relative to one another.
[0029] In yet another aspect, the first installed angle is about 0
degrees with the panels being parallel with one another and wherein
the second installed angle is up to about 90 degrees in either
direction in which the panels are substantially perpendicular with
one another.
[0030] In yet another aspect, the releasable coupling arrangement
includes fixed couplings carried by each of the first and second
panels and the removable coupling is adapted to interconnect the
fixed couplings of adjacent first and second panels in the
installed condition.
[0031] In yet another aspect, the fixed coupling of each panel is
provided in the form of two slots, each of the two slots being
located toward respective opposing sides of the panel and at least
partially extending along the inner faces of the panels between the
top and bottom ends of the panel.
[0032] In yet another aspect, the removable coupling is provided in
the form of a coupling member having spaced apart projections that
are each respectively received by one of the two corresponding
slots of adjacently arranged first and second panels in the
installed condition, the coupling member thereby spanning between
adjacently arranged first and second panels along the inner faces
thereof.
[0033] In yet another aspect, the releasable coupling includes
fixed coupling parts carried by each of the first and second panels
and a removable coupling part which hingedly interconnects the
fixed coupling parts in the installed condition.
[0034] In yet another aspect, wherein the releasable coupling is a
double hinge.
[0035] In yet another aspect, the releasable coupling is arranged
in a first configuration so as to allow pivoting of the first and
second panels a first direction in which the inner faces of the
first and second panels move relatively toward one another.
[0036] In yet another aspect, the releasable coupling is arranged
to allow hinging movement of the first panel relative to the second
panel.
[0037] In accordance with a fourth main aspect there is provided, a
trenching system for shoring opposing walls of a trench, the
trenching system including: a plurality of interchangeable panels
having fixed couplings located toward opposing sides of the panels;
and a plurality of removable couplings arranged to interconnect and
span between the fixed couplings of adjacently arranged panels,
wherein the plurality of removable couplings are configured to
couple the plurality of interchangeable panels in at least one of a
first configuration wherein adjacently arranged panels are parallel
with one another and a second configuration wherein the adjacently
arranged panels are angled relative to one another.
[0038] In an aspect, the removable couplings are interchangeable
and are of different sizes and configurations to couple between the
adjacently arranged panels in the respective first and second
configurations.
[0039] In another aspect, the system further includes a removable
strut and at least one of the panels locatable on each of the
opposing walls of the trench include strut coupling portions to
couple with the strut.
[0040] In yet another aspect, the system further includes removable
pins, and the fixed coupling parts and removable couplings each
include corresponding apertures to receive the pins.
[0041] In yet another aspect, the system further includes at least
one of a wedge or corner post arranged to fit between the opposing
sides of adjacently arranged in the second configuration.
[0042] In accordance with a fifth broad aspect there is provided, a
trenching system for shoring opposing walls of a trench, the
trenching system including at least two side panel assemblies
adapted to be locatable in an installed condition with outer faces
thereof adjacent to opposing walls of the trench with a removable
strut arranged to span between and support the at least two side
panel assemblies, wherein each of the at least two side panel
assemblies includes a first panel coupled to a second panel in the
installed condition by a releasable coupling, wherein the
releasable coupling is arranged so as to be accessible from inner
faces of the at least two side panel assemblies thereby allowing
decoupling of the panel assembly to a disassembled condition from
the installed condition.
[0043] In accordance with a sixth main aspect there is provided,
method for shoring walls of a trench using a trenching system
including a plurality of panels, the method including the steps of:
coupling at least two adjacent panels together to form a panel
assembly by fitting a removable coupling between fixed couplings
carried by each of the adjacent panels; locating the panel assembly
against at least one of the walls of a trench; and supporting the
panel assembly by coupling the panel assembly to at least one of a
further panel, panel assembly or strut extending laterally across
the trench.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0044] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example
only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;
[0045] FIG. 1 is perspective view illustrating a first example of a
trenching system include two side panel assemblies coupled by
struts;
[0046] FIG. 2 is an exploded parts perspective view illustrating a
first example of the trenching system;
[0047] FIG. 3a is a top view illustrating the trenching system;
[0048] FIG. 3b is an end view illustrating the trenching
system;
[0049] FIGS. 3c in an outer side view of the trenching system;
[0050] FIG. 3d is an inner side sectional view of the trenching
system along section A-A as shown in FIG. 3a;
[0051] FIG. 4 is perspective view illustrating a second example of
a trenching system include two side panel assemblies which each
include three panels;
[0052] FIG. 5a is a top view illustrating the trenching system;
[0053] FIG. 5b is an end view illustrating the trenching
system;
[0054] FIGS. 5c in an outer side view of the trenching system;
[0055] FIG. 5d is an inner side sectional view of the trenching
system along section A-A as shown in FIG. 3a;
[0056] FIG. 6a is a perspective view illustrating a releasable
coupling of the panels in a fitted or coupled condition between two
panels;
[0057] FIG. 6b is a perspective view illustrating the releasable
coupling of the panels in a decoupled or removed condition;
[0058] FIG. 7a is a perspective hidden detail view illustrating a
removable coupling part and a pin;
[0059] FIG. 7b is a perspective hidden detail view illustrating a
fixed coupling part of the panel;
[0060] FIG. 8 is a perspective hidden detail view illustrating a
coupling between the strut and the panel;
[0061] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating another example of
a coupling between the strut and the panel;
[0062] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a third example
of the trenching system in which the panels are formed into a box
or rectangular box and corner posts are fitted at the corners of
the panels;
[0063] FIG. 11a is a top view illustrating the trenching system
shown in FIG. 10;
[0064] FIG. 11b is an end sectional view illustrating the trenching
system along section C-C as shown in FIG. 11a;
[0065] FIGS. 11c in an outer side view of the trenching system;
[0066] FIG. 12 is a perspective view a fourth example of the
trenching system in which the panels are formed into a curve and
wedges are fitted at the junctions between the panels;
[0067] FIG. 13 is an exploded parts perspective view of the
trenching system as shown in FIG. 12;
[0068] FIG. 14 is a perspective view a fifth example of the
trenching system in which the panels are formed into a Z-shaped and
corner posts are fitted at the junctions between the panels;
[0069] FIG. 15 is an exploded parts perspective view of the
trenching system as shown in FIG. 14;
[0070] FIG. 16 is a perspective view a sixth example of the
trenching system in which the panels are formed into a further
shape with corner posts fitted at the junctions between the panels
and braces supporting the free ends of the panels;
[0071] FIG. 17a is a top view of illustrating the trenching system
as shown in FIG. 16;
[0072] FIG. 17b is a outside view of illustrating the trenching
system as shown in FIG. 16;
[0073] FIG. 17c is an inside view of illustrating the trenching
system as shown in FIG. 16;
[0074] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a seventh example of the
trenching system having adjustable struts between the panel
assemblies;
[0075] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an eighth example of the
trenching system having a lifting arrangement coupled between
panels for lifting the panels;
[0076] FIG. 20 is perspective view illustrating a ninth example of
a trenching system including two opposing panels coupled by
removable struts;
[0077] FIG. 21 is a detailed perspective view illustrating the
coupling of one of the struts to one of the panels shown in FIG.
20;
[0078] FIG. 22a is a perspective view illustrating the trenching
system include two opposing panels coupled by the struts with
locking pins removed;
[0079] FIG. 22b is a detailed perspective view illustrating the
coupling between one of the struts and panels as shown in FIG.
22a;
[0080] FIG. 23a is a perspective view illustrating the trenching
system having two side panel assemblies coupled by struts where
further panels are inserted between the end panels to extend the
length of the panel assemblies;
[0081] FIG. 23b is a top view illustrating a coupling member fitted
between two adjacent panels as shown in FIG. 23a;
[0082] FIG. 24a is a perspective view illustrating the trenching
system being assembled with elongate coupling members between the
adjacent panels to form the system as shown in FIG. 23a;
[0083] FIG. 24b is a part rear perspective view illustrating a
removable coupling member for the trenching system as shown in FIG.
24a;
[0084] FIG. 25a is a perspective view illustrating the trenching
system being formed into a box or rectangular shape with an angled
coupling as shown in FIG. 25b;
[0085] FIG. 25b is a top view illustrating the angled coupling for
forming the a box or rectangular shaped trenching system as shown
in FIG. 25a;
[0086] FIG. 25c is a top view illustrating the straight coupling as
shown in FIG. 25a;
[0087] FIG. 26a is a perspective view illustrating the trenching
system being formed into a non-straight or curved shape with an
angled coupling members as shown in FIG. 26b and FIG. 26c;
[0088] FIGS. 26b and 26c are a top views illustrating the angled
coupling members for forming the non-straight or curved shape
trenching system as shown in FIG. 26a;
[0089] FIG. 27a is a perspective view illustrating a further
example of an elongate coupling member for coupling adjacent panels
that are shown in FIG. 27a;
[0090] FIG. 27b is a perspective view illustrating a further
example of the panel assembly arranged to be coupled by the
elongate coupling member as shown in FIG. 27b;
[0091] FIG. 27c is a detailed perspective view illustrating a slot
of one of the panels as shown in FIG. 27b, the slot being arranged
to receive and fit with the elongate coupling member as shown in
FIG. 27a; and
[0092] FIGS. 27d and 27e respectively illustrate sectional views
along section D-D and section E-E as shown in FIG. 27c.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0093] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown an example of a
trenching system 10 for shoring or supporting opposing walls of a
trench (not shown). The trenching system 10 includes at least two
side panel assemblies 12 adapted to be locatable in an installed
condition with outer faces 14 thereof adjacent opposing walls of
the trench with one or more removable struts 16 arranged to span
between and support the inner faces 18 of the side panel assemblies
12.
[0094] Each of the at least two side panel assemblies 12 includes a
plurality of removable and interchangeable panels 20 which in this
example are provided in the form of a first panel 20a coupled to a
second panel 20b in the installed condition by a releasable
coupling arrangement 26. The releasable coupling arrangement 26 is
arranged so as to be accessible from inner faces 14 of the at least
two side panel assemblies 12 thereby allowing decoupling of the
panel assembly to a disassembled condition from the installed
condition from a position inside of the trench.
[0095] In more detail, and referring more specifically to FIG. 2,
each of the plurality of panels 20 are generally rectangular in
shape and includes relatively flat opposing sides 28 arranged to
abut with opposing sides of adjacent panels 20, a top end 30 having
lifting points 32 and a bottom end 34 including a tapered ground
engaging tip 36. Each of the panels 20 includes an inner panel face
38 and an outer panel face 40. The inner panel face 38 faces
inwardly of the trench and toward the inner panel faces 38 of the
panels 20 on the opposing side of the trench, and the outer panel
face 40 is arranged to be fitted against the trench wall. Each of
the inner panel faces 38 and outer panel faces 40 are generally
rectangular in plan form shape and are relatively flat.
[0096] The inner panel faces 38 each includes one or more strut
coupling locations 42 provided in the form of an aperture or female
socket 44 which receives and couple with the struts 16 in the
installed condition. In some cases, all of the female sockets 44
are not use and blanks or plugs may be inserted into the female
sockets 44 not in use.
[0097] The strut coupling locations 42 may be provided in the form
of sockets extending from the inner panel face 38 or apertures
recessed into the inner panel face 38 as is shown in this example.
The strut coupling locations 42 and variations thereof are further
described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0098] Each of the panels 20 includes a step or ledge 29 extending
lengthwise along the corner of the panel 20 between the opposing
sides 28 and the inner panel face 38. The step or ledge 29 is
utilised to accommodate further parts of the system 10 such as
corner posts that are further described below with reference to
FIG. 10.
[0099] The releasable coupling arrangement 26 is arranged to allow
hinging or pivoting movement of the first panel 20a relative to the
second panel 20b. The releasable coupling arrangement 26 includes
fixed coupling parts or coupling sections 50 carried by or formed
within each of the first and second panels 20a, 20b and a removable
coupling part 52 which hingedly interconnects the fixed coupling
parts 50 and hence the first and second panels 20a, 20b in the
installed condition. The fixed coupling parts 50 and removable
coupling part 52 are described in more detail below with reference
to FIGS. 6 and 7. It is noted that in some examples, the releasable
coupling arrangement 26 may be a fixed coupling which is
non-hinging or non-pivoting, in particular, in instances where the
first panel 20a and the second panel 20b are arranged side-by-side
and parallel with one another. An example of a non-pivoting
releasable coupling arrangement 26 is shown, for example, in FIGS.
23a and 23b.
[0100] In this example, the panels 20 include four of the fixed
couplings or coupling parts 50 with two of the fixed coupling parts
50 being located at to adjacent to each of the flat opposing sides
28 of the panels 20. The two fixed coupling parts 50 on each of
opposing sides 28 are spaced apart from one another with one of the
two fixed coupling parts 50 being located toward the top end 30
between the strut coupling locations 42, and the other of the two
fixed coupling parts 50 being located toward the bottom end 34 of
the respective panels 20.
[0101] Each of the fixed coupling parts 50 carried by each of the
first and second panels 20a, 20b include a vertically arranged
aperture 54 (shown best in FIG. 7b) into which a removable pin 56
is received in the coupled condition. The removable coupling part
52 also includes vertically arranged apertures 55 (shown best in
FIG. 7a) which align in a fitted or coupled condition with the
vertically arranged apertures 54 of the fixed coupling parts 50,
and receive the pin 56 to coupled the removable coupling part 52
between the fixed coupling parts 50 carried by each of the first
and second panels 20a, 20b.
[0102] The vertical axis of the aperture 54 of the fixed coupling
parts 50, as indicated by I in FIG. 3a, is inwardly spaced from the
inner panel faces 38 and is also inwardly spaced from the opposing
sides 28 of the panels 20. Accordingly, the releasable coupling
arrangement 26 is a double hinge having two vertically aligned
hinge points provided by the removable pins 56, the vertically
arranged apertures 54 of the fixed coupling parts 50 and the
vertically arranged apertures 55 of the removable coupling part
52.
[0103] The inner panel faces 38 of each of the first and second
panels 20a, 20b includes a recess 60 in which the releasable
coupling arrangement 26 is located. This allows the apertures 54 of
the fixed coupling parts 50 to be accessible and aligned relatively
close to the inner panel face 38 as well as being low profile to
inhibit damage.
[0104] The releasable coupling arrangement 26 is configurable or
changeable between a first configuration, such as that shown in
FIG. 1 or FIG. 4, in which the panels 20 are at first installed
angle, in this case 0 degrees, relative to one another, and a
second configuration, such as that show in FIG. 10, 12 or 14, in
which the first and second panels 20a, 20b are at a second
installed angle relative to one another. In FIG. 10, the second
installed angle is about 90 degrees and in FIG. 12 the second
installed angle is about 45 degrees.
[0105] The releasable coupling arrangement 26 allows the panels
20a, 20b to be pivotally moved or hinged into place in a direction
toward the trench wall. However, once the panels 20a, 20b are in
the installed assembled condition, as shown in FIG. 1 with panels
20a, 20b adjacent one another, the panels 20a, 20b are inhibited
from any further pivoting or hinging toward the trench wall by the
releasable coupling arrangement 26, in particular, the removable
coupling part 52, and the abutment of the opposing sides 28 of the
panels 20a, 20b. The opposing sides 28 of the adjacent panels 20a,
20b are also abutted with one another so as to inhibit further
rotation.
[0106] In use, when a load F.sub.1 (as shown in FIG. 3a) is applied
to the outer panel faces 38 the struts 16 become under compression
and the junction or joint between the panels 20a, 20b will also be
urged inwardly. This places the releasable coupling arrangement 26
under tension, in particular, the removable coupling part 52 under
tension, to maintain the panels 20a, 20b in a generally aligned and
parallel arrangement without significant bowing. The opposing faces
28 are placed into compression. The more specific features and
operation of the releasable coupling arrangement 26 are further
described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0107] The panels 20 and components of the releasable coupling
arrangement 26 thereof may preferable be formed from a metallic
material such as mild-steel or aluminium. The strut 16 may also be
formed from a suitable metallic material. Other materials are also
considered such as metal composite panels or high strength
plastics. The length of the panels 20 is about 2.5 m and the width
is about 1 m. However, other sizes of panels may also be
utilised.
[0108] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a second
example of the trenching system 10 in which a further panel 20, in
this example indicated as a central panel 20c, has been fitted
between the first and second panels 20a, 20b of as shown in the
first example in FIG. 1. Whilst one a single additional central or
further panel 20c is shown, any number of additional central or
further panels 20c may be added to extend the trenching system 10
lengthwise along the trench. In this example, the central or
further panel 20c is identical to the first and second panels 20a,
20b of the first example and is not again described here and like
numerals are used to denote like parts. However, it is noted that
the central or further panels 20c may be provided without the one
or more strut coupling locations 42.
[0109] In this example, the central panel 20c is coupled via
releasable coupling arrangement 26 on each of its opposing sides
28. Accordingly, in use, when a load or force F.sub.2 is applied to
the outer panel faces 38 of the central panel 20c the releasable
couplings 26 are placed under tension to keep the panels 20
including the central panel 20c and the flanking first and second
side or outer panels 20a, 20b in a relatively straight line so as
to maintain and support the walls of the trench. During the applied
of this force, each of the opposing sides 28 between the panels
20a, 20b and 20c are placed into compression.
[0110] In either of the first and second examples provided above,
the trenching system 10 may be assembled in a variety of ways
including: assembling out of the trench and then lowering into the
trench as a single unit; assembling the two side panel assemblies
12 out of the trench and the lowering the two side panel assemblies
12, in this example, including the central panel 20c between the
first and second end panels 20a, 20b, and then coupling the struts
16 between the two side panel assemblies 12 within the trench; and
the lowering the individual panels 20 and struts 16 into the trench
and assembling the trenching system 10 in-situ. Other examples of
use could also include fitting additional central panels 20c
in-situ to increase the length of the trenching system 10.
[0111] Referring now to FIGS. 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b, the releasable
coupling arrangement 26 is shown in further detail. Each of the
fixed couplings 50 include a wedge shaped body 74 tapering away
from the outer panel faces 38 and the aperture 54 extends
lengthwise through the wedge shaped body 74.
[0112] In this example, the removable coupling 52 is provided in
the form of an I-shaped coupling part 51 that includes an I-shaped
(also known as dog-bone) shaped body 76 arranged to span between
and couple the fixed couplings 50. However, it is noted that other
shaped coupling could also be used such as double forked (3 prongs
each side), or belt buckle style with backed edge bearing (under
load) on outside edge of attaching cleat.
[0113] The I-shaped body 76 includes ends 78 which each include two
apertures 55 arranged to align with the apertures 54, and a neck 80
which extends between the ends 78. The neck 80 is recessed relative
to the ends 78 and is shaped to fit with and receive part of the
corresponding wedged shaped bodies 74 of the fixed couplings 50 in
the fitted condition. The pins 56 may then the inserted though the
aligned apertures 54, 55. The recess 60 includes walls 61 which are
sized to accommodate the I-shaped body 76 in the fitted condition
and to provide clearance for a user to hand or manually insert and
remove the pins 56. The wall 61 provides a ledge or step 63 between
the surface 65 of the recess 60 and the inner panel face 38.
[0114] The pins 56 include a head 82, a shank 84 and a tip 86. The
aligned apertures 54, 55 and head 82 of the pin 56 are arranged
such that when the pins 56 are in the fitted condition, as shown
for example in FIG. 6a, the walls 61 of the recess 60 partially
capture the heads 82 of pins 56. This assists to retain the pins 56
as part of the coupling 26 whilst in use. More specifically, the
pin head 82 has a diameter that prevents the pin 56 from passage
through the apertures 54, 55, but clears the main inside face 38 of
the panels 20 so as to be insertable and removable.
[0115] Referring now to FIG. 8, the strut coupling portions 42
between the strut 16 and the panel 20 is shown in more detail. The
strut 16 includes spigots 17 which carry keys 19, and the aperture
44 of the strut coupling portions 42 include a keyway 21 provided
in the form of radial channels 23 which are arranged to receive and
twist-lock with the keys 19 of the spigots 17. Accordingly, the
struts 16 may be hand fitted and secured between any opposing set
of panels 20 either in-situ or prior to the panels 20 or an
assembly of the panels 20 being lowered into the trench.
[0116] Referring now to FIG. 9, in other examples the strut
coupling portions 42 of the panels 20 may be provided in the form
of spigots 27 carried by and extending from the panels 20 and
dimensioned to be received by hollow ends 25 of the struts 16. The
ends 25 of struts 16 and the spigots 17 include corresponding
apertures 37 which are coupled by a pin 39.
[0117] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the trenching system 10 is
shown in another or third configuration and like numerals are used
to denote like parts. In this example, the panels 20 are formed
into a box or rectangular box like structure 150 having corner
posts 110 located at each of the corners. Each of the opposing
sides includes two panels 20a and 20b, or panel assemblies 12, and
each of the ends includes a single panel 20d. The couplings 26 are
similar to those described in relation to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 and
allow the end panels 20d to be pivoted to the second configuration
which in this example has the end panels 20d perpendicular or at 90
degrees to the panel assemblies 12.
[0118] The corner post 110 is provided in the form of an outward or
trench wall facing corner post 112 (as opposed to an inward facing
corner post as is further described below with reference to FIG.
14). The outward facing corner post 112 includes two generally flat
and perpendicular sides 116, which face the trench walls, and two
abutting sides 118 which abut with the opposing sides 28 of the
panels 20 in use. The two abutting sides 118 meet at a retaining
portion 118 extending lengthwise between the two abutting sides
118. The retaining portion 119 is shaped to be captured and
retained by the ledges 29 of the adjacent panels 20. The outward
facing corner post 112 is dimensioned such that two generally flat
sides 116 fit substantially flush with the outer panel faces 40 of
the adjacent panels 20.
[0119] The retaining portion 119 include an inward face 121 which
is angled at about 45 degrees relative to the inner panel faces 40
of the adjacent panels 20. The coupling 26, in particular the
removable coupling part 52, is arranged to being correspondingly
located at about 45 degrees relative to the adjacent panels 20 and
is snuggly captured between the fixed coupling parts 52 and the
inward face 121 which supports the removable coupling part 52.
Accordingly, in this arrangement, when an external force F.sub.3 is
applied, the removable coupling part 52 between the perpendicular
panels 20 is placed into compression and the retaining portion 119
also serves to retain the ledges 29 of the perpendicular panels 20
thereby ensuring the structural integrity of the arrangement of
panels 20. The two side-by-side panels 20a and 20b are coupled and
function in a similar way to that described in relation to FIG. 1
and are not again described here.
[0120] In this example, one of the end panels 20d is shown as a
short panel 20e (shown best in FIG. 11b) which is configured
generally as the upper half of one of the longer panels 20. It is
noted that the bottom 34 of the short panel 20e includes lifting
points 32 and is symmetrical between its top 30 and bottom 34. The
short panel 20e, however, only include a singe fixed coupling 52 on
each of its opposing sides 28.
[0121] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the trenching system 10 is
shown in a another or further configuration in which the panel
assembly 12 may be formed as a curved panel arrangement in which
are series of posts 110 in the forms of elongate wedges 160 are
placed between the opposing sides 28 of adjacent panels 20. In this
example, the wedges 160 are arranged to provide an angle of about
45 degrees between the adjacent panels 20. However, the wedges 160
may be configured for any angle up to about 90 degrees in which
case the wedges 160 become outer corner posts 112 as are described
above in relation to FIG. 10.
[0122] The wedges 160 include tapered sides 162 which are arranged
to taper from an outward face 164 to an inward retaining portion
166 which is captured and retained by the ledges 29 of the opposing
side walls 28 of the adjacent panels 20. The coupling part 52 in
the form of the I-shaped coupling 51 is used to interconnect the
fixed coupling parts 52 of the adjacent panels 20 in a similar
manner as described above in relation to FIGS. 6 and 7, and the
coupling part 52 is placed into compression when a force F.sub.4 is
applied to, for example panel 20a, with the coupling part 52 being
supported by the inward retaining portion 166 and between the fixed
coupling parts 50 in a similar manner to that described above in
relation to FIG. 10.
[0123] Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, the trenching system 10 is
shown in yet another or fifth configuration and like numerals are
used to denote like parts. In this configuration, the first and
second panels 20a, 20b are each perpendicular to the central panel
20c and corner posts 110 are fitted between the central panel 20c
and each of the first and second panels 20a, 20b. The trenching
system 10 may be considered to be in a Z-shaped configuration.
[0124] In this example, two different type of corner posts 110 are
provided, the first type being the wall or outward facing corner
post 112 (as shown in FIG. 10 above) and the second type being an
inward facing corner post 114.
[0125] The releasable coupling arrangement 26, more specifically
the I-shaped coupling part 51, allows the inward hinging of the
panels 20, in this example the pivoting of the inner panels faces
38 of the central panel 20c and the second panel 20b toward one
another to a perpendicular angle or about 90 degrees (as is shown
in FIG. 10 above). Accordingly, similarly to that described in
relation to FIG. 10, the retaining portions 118 of the outward
facing corner posts 112 are shaped to be captured and retained by
the ledges 29 of the adjacent panels 20b and 20c. The outward
facing corner post 112 is dimensioned such that two generally flat
sides 116 fit substantially flush with the outer panel faces 40 of
the central panel 20c and the second panel 20b.
[0126] However, as the I-shaped coupling part 51 does not allow for
hinging of the outwardly or in a direction bringing the outward
panel faces 40 together, a longer coupling part 116 is required to
coupled between the fixed couplings 50 of the central panel 20c and
the first panel 20a. The longer coupling part 116 includes a part
C-shaped body 119 arranged to fit with and capture the inward
facing corner post 114 and apertures 120 at opposing ends 122 of
the body 119 arrange to receive the pins 56 and interconnect the
longer coupling part 116 with the fixed coupling parts 50. The body
119 includes free end portions 121 which are angled at about 45
degrees to a central portion 123.
[0127] The inward facing corner post 114 includes abutting sides
130 arranged to abut with the opposing sides of the first panel 20a
and the central panel 20c. The abutting sides 130 fan outwardly
from an inner face 132, which faces the corner, to an outer face
134 which faces away from the corner and abuts with the longer
coupling part 116. The outer face 134 is angled at about 45 degrees
to the abutting sides 130 and opposing sides 136 of the outer face
134 are chamfered at about 45 degrees to the outer face 134. The
chamfered opposing sides 136 of the outer face 134, when fitted as
shown in FIG. 14, are parallel and flush with the inner panel faces
38 of the central panel 20c and the first panel 20a.
[0128] Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, the trenching system 10
may be configured in a wide range of arrangements which include
straight sections or panel assemblies and corner or perpendicular
sections formed using the corner posts. The braces 16 may also be
placed between the panels 20 for support. Such configurations may
use a selection of the couplings 26 and corner posts as has been
described above. This example demonstrates the flexibility of the
trenching system 10 to be arranged to support trenches of differing
sizes and shapes.
[0129] Referring to FIG. 18, the struts 16 may be provided in the
form of adjustable struts 120 having two parts 172 and 174 which
are coupled together by a rotatable threaded coupling 176. The
rotatable threaded coupling 176 may be rotated by a tool to extend
and retract the adjustable struts 120. The opposing threads are
opposite hand so strut extends (or retracts) to lengthen or shorten
strut, other options such as the use of hydraulic or pneumatic
cylinder could be employed to achieve the same effect.
[0130] Referring to FIG. 19 there is shown a lifting arrangement
175 including the strut 16 coupled between two lifting brackets 180
at opposing ends of the strut 16. Each of the lifting brackets 180
is coupled to opposing ends of a lifting element 182 (that may be
provided in the formed of a wire, rigging or chains) that spans
between the lifting brackets 180. The lifting brackets 180 are each
coupled between the lifting points 32 located toward the tops 30 of
the panels 30. The lifting element 182 may be coupled to a hoist or
crane to lift the panels 20 via the lifting points 32.
[0131] Referring now to FIGS. 20 to 29 there is shown a further
example of a trenching system 210 for shoring or supporting
opposing walls of a trench (not shown). In this example, the
overall function of the trenching system 210 is similar to the
first example described above and like sequences of numerals i.e.
10, 210 are used to denote like or similar parts. Accordingly, all
parts and functionality are not again described here. Rather, the
description here will focus on the alternative means of coupling
the panels 220 together including side-by-side coupling of adjacent
panels and the coupling of panels 220 on opposing sides of the
trench with the one or more removable struts 216.
[0132] Referring to FIGS. 20 to 22b and turning firstly to the
coupling of the struts 216, in this example, the one or more strut
coupling locations 242 are provided in the form of an aperture or
female socket 244 that is arranged to receive corresponding male
ends 245 of removable struts 216. More specifically, in this
example, the socket 244 is arranged to slidably receive the male
ends 245 in a vertical direction, indicated by Arrow "A" in FIG.
22a, generally aligned with the same plane as the inner panel face
238, and restrict movement in both a lateral direction between the
panels and in a direction across the trench. Each of the panels 220
includes two female sockets 244 that are positioned
one-above-the-other such that when assembled two struts 216 span
between the panels 220 likewise one-above-the-other.
[0133] The socket 244 includes opposing lateral channels 247 that
stand proud of the inner panel face 238 and the male ends 245 of
the struts 216 include flanges 249 that are slidably received
between the channels 247. The male and female arrangement could, of
course, be reversed with the struts 216 having the female socket
and the panels have a male flange or the like.
[0134] The opposing lateral channels 247 are blinded by a ledge 251
on which the male ends 245 are seated in the installed or fitted
condition, and the opposing lateral channels 247 include aperture
253 through which a locking pin 255 is fitted to secure the
removable struts 216 to the panels 220. In this example, the
removable struts 216 also include handles or lifting points 257
arranged to allow the lifting of the removable struts 216, and also
the assembled panel assemblies 212 when secured together by the
removable struts 216.
[0135] Referring now to FIGS. 23a, 23b, 24a and 24b, in this
example, the releasable coupling arrangement 226 includes a fixed
coupling or coupling section 250 that is provided in the form of
channels or slots 221 extending along and within the inner panel
faces 238 toward or adjacent to the opposing sides 228, and the
removable coupling part or section 252 is provided in the form of
an elongate member 227 adapted to fit with and span between the
slots 221 of adjacently arranged panels 220.
[0136] The elongate member 227 includes a supporting elongate body
229 and two-spaced apart coupling projections 231 extending from
the elongate body 229. In this example, the two-spaced apart
coupling projections 331 are provided in the form of two-spaced
apart "T-shaped" flanges 333 that extend along the length of the
supporting elongate body 229. The two-spaced apart coupling
projections 331 are spacing inwardly from each of the opposing
sides 235 of the supporting elongate body 229.
[0137] The channels or slots 221, best shown in FIG. 23b, are
correspondingly T-shaped so as to receive and fit with the flanges
333 of the coupling part 252. The slots 221 are open at or toward
the top end 230 of the panels 220 to allow the coupling part 252 to
be slidably fitted to the slots 221, in the direction as shown by
Arrow B in FIG. 24a and thereby coupling adjacent panels 220
together.
[0138] Similarly to the first example, in this example, in a
coupled condition, opposed sides 228 of the panels 220, such as
opposing sides 228a and 228b as shown in FIG. 23b, are located very
close to or abutting with one another. In this arrangement, the
removable coupling part 252 in the form of the elongate member 227
is generally in tension when wall loads from the trench walls are
applied to outer faces 240 of the panels 220 and the opposing sides
228a and 228b of the panels 120 are in direct contact and
compression with one another. Accordingly, when the removable
coupling part 252 goes into tension the opposing sides 228a and
228b of the panels 220 are moved or pivoted toward another and
ultimately into compression. The utilisation of the opposing sides
228a and 228b to take the main compressive load allows the overall
system 10 to be relatively lightweight. The T-shaped flanges 333
also assist to provide resistance to bending from the opposing
direction when loads are applied to the inner faces 238 of the
panels toward the trench walls.
[0139] Accordingly, in this example, two or more panels 220 may be
coupled to form panel assemblies 212 that substantially remain in
shape without folding or pivoting. This allows the panel assemblies
212 to be formed outside of the trench and then lowered into the
trench where the panel assemblies 212 may be coupled together with
the struts 216. The panel assemblies 212 may also be more easily
transported and stored as complete assemblies rather than
individual panels 220. The supporting elongate body 229 also serves
to cover and extend over the opposing sides 228a and 228b and slots
221 thereby keeps the releasable coupling arrangement 26 generally
covered or sealed in use. The arrangement of the removable coupling
part 252 in the form of the elongate member 227 makes it accessible
from at least the top 230 or inner face 238 of the panels 220
thereby allowing the removable coupling part 252 to inserted and
removed from a position inside of the trench.
[0140] In this example, the panels 220, elongate member 227 and
struts 216 may be formed from a metal such steel or other suitable
material.
[0141] Referring now to FIG. 25a to FIG. 26c, the removable
coupling part 252 in the form of the elongate member 227 as
described above, may take a variety of forms such as a corner or
angled coupling member 227a as shown in FIG. 25b that allow panels
220 to be formed into a box-like shape and be connected with
further panels 220, and an angled connectors 227b, 227c that may
include stiffeners 239 as shown in FIGS. 26b and 26c that allows
the panels 20 to be connected at various angles to one-another. The
angled connectors 227b and 227c preferably define per-determined
angles and a variety of angled connectors 227b and 227c may be
provided to accommodate various angles. Accordingly, the same
panels 220 may be interchangeably used with a variety of different
interchangeable straight and angled connectors in a modular
trenching system 10.
[0142] Referring now to FIGS. 27a to 27e, the two-spaced apart
coupling parts 231 extending from the elongate body 229 may be
provided a discrete intervals with gaps 241 there between, and the
channels or slots 221 of the panels 220 may also include likewise
spaced apart entry apertures or recesses 237 that allow the
coupling projections 331 to be inserted or fitted to the panels 220
directly from the inner panel face 238 and then the coupling parts
231 may be slid downward into the slots 221 where the, preferably,
"T-shaped" flanges 233 are received by the correspondingly shaped
slots 221 thereby coupling the adjacent panels 220 and 220
together. It is noted that the slots 221 are still open at the top
ends 230 of the panel 220 and the elongate member 227 may be also
fitted and removed from the top ends 230 of the panel 220 in a
similar way to that shown in FIG. 24a.
[0143] Advantageously, there has been described a trenching system
including panel assemblies include a plurality of panels which may
be pivotally coupled to one another with a releasable coupling. The
panels may be interconnected at a variety of angles and moved into
place or retained at various angles to one another using corner
posts, wedges and removable couplings of a varied of sizes. Each of
the panels are relatively lightweight and the panels may be
installed in-situ, which the trench, or out of the trench. The
trenching system may also be formed in sections and then multiple
sections may be coupled within the trench. Likewise, to
disassemble, the panels may be decoupled in-situ, by the manually
realisable couplings, or the panels, panel assemblies or entire
system may be lifted out of the trench as a single unit. In
particular, as the panels may be installed and uninstalled in-situ
one-by-one so that the trenching system may be installed by hand on
sites where there is no or limited crane access or limited crane
capacity.
[0144] Accordingly, the trenching system accommodates a wide range
of shapes, sizes, assembly configurations and installation
conditions. Importantly, the panels are generally interchangeable
and may be re-used and reconfigured for different trenches or
sections of the trench. This allows a user to purchase the set of
interchangeable panels and the required coupling components such as
the struts, pins, removable couplings, corner posts and wedges to
form the panels into any required shaped or configurations. In some
example, the removable couplings are advantageously interchangeable
and may be provide in a variety of straight and angled forms.
[0145] It is also noted that the trenching system, panel assemblies
and panel may be utilised in other applications that are not
specifically "trenching". For example, the system, panel assemblies
and panel may be utilised to construct isolated wall or barriers
that may be required for situation like flood levy banks Other
configurations may also include doubled walling and propping a
single wall from the ground.
[0146] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow,
unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and
variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood
to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of
integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or
step or group of integers or steps.
[0147] The reference in this specification to any known matter or
any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an
acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or
prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in
the field to which this specification relates.
[0148] While specific examples of the invention have been
described, it will be understood that the invention extends to
alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from
the disclosure provided herein.
[0149] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided
herein.
* * * * *