Trench shield with adjustable vertical panels

Abstract

A trench shoring or shielding unit, for securing the sidewalls of an earthen formation, trench or excavation, includes a plurality of adjustable, vertically arranged panels forming a protective wall. As a shielding unit, two opposing protective walls are spaced and attached by at least two spreader bars. Each adjustable panel has opposing top and bottom ends, a C-shaped channel traversing the panel's height, and opposing side edges that inter-engage with the side edges of adjacent panels. Further, each adjustable panel is attached to at least one of two or more whalers along an inner surface of the panel by a clamp-like fastener having a bolt passing through the whaler and into the C-shaped channel of the corresponding panel. The inter-engaging side edges are segmented, preferable concave and convex, so that adjacent adjustable panels inter-engage to resist lateral torque or twisting that may be caused by shifting or collapse of the excavation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to a trench shielding unit for securing the sidewalls of a trench or excavation from cave-in, and particularly to a trench shielding unit having adjustable vertical panels to improve access and protection of workers and to underground utilities traversing the excavation area.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]In construction, it is often required to excavate underground utilities such as water, gas or sewer lines, pipes, cables, drainage conduit and / or culverts, by digging ditches, trenches and the like of various lengths and depth. Trench shielding units are often used to protect workers and property from cave-ins or landslides by safeguarding against shifts or the collapse of the walls of the excavation. In fact, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations require that any excavation over five feet deep be properly shielded to prevent cave-ins or to protect...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]An embodiment of this trench shield includes opposing protective walls, with each protective wall being formed by a plurality of adjustable, vertical panels having interengaging side edges. Each vertical panel has a height, opposing top and bottom ends, and a channel traversing the panel's height. Further, each adjustable panel is easily attached to a whaler, along an inner surface of the panel, by a fastener having a shank passing through a wall of the whaler to the corresponding channel of the panel. The channel is used to clamp the panel to the whaler by way of a retaining washer and nut secured against an inside of the channel and tightened by threads against the whaler. Further, the side edges of adjacent panels are segmented to inter-engage, preferably being concave and convex, respectively, to restrict twisting or torque of the panels caused by shifting or collapse of the excavation.

[0011]Notably, this invention is versatile. It allows for easy adjustment and securing of each panel in the desired vertical position to allow underground utilities or other known or unknown obstructions to pass through the excavation at various angles and elevations.

[0012]Further, this invention provides improved safety for workers, equipment, material and machinery, and provides the workers more flexibility, without sacrificing structural strength. In particular, the panels may be raised or lowered while in the trench as excavating continues inside the protective walls of the unit. More specifically, the invention facilitates small and large adjustments of individual panels, allowing the worker to adjust by lifting or lowering each panel individually as needed while the unit is in place.

[0013]Further yet, the engaging side edges of the adjustable vertical panels are strong and adjust easily into a composite shielding structure that is a safe work environment.

Problems solved by technology

None of these systems, however, is able to accommodate easily and quickly unplanned obstructions or unanticipated traversing structures passing through the trench.

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