Modular Trench Box Sheeting

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to ditch shoring construction that is generally consisting of horizontal support frames and multiple vertically positioned wall sheeting panels to shore up a wall during ditch excavation.

2. Description of Prior Art

Prior art devices of this type have been directed to trench box and wall sheeting systems that use multiple abutting and overlapping wall sheeting panels and a support frame to provide temporary shoring of an excavated trench wall. Typically, the support frame is positioned on the ground and the multiple wall sheeting panels are then driven into the ground guided by the support frame in side to side abutting relationship. The material between the wall sheeting panels thus positioned is then progressively excavated defining a trench within the supporting frame and wall sheeting area, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,487,530, 4,376,599, 4,059,964, 3,729,938 and 3,584,465, 4,274,763 and 3,937,026.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,530 a method and apparatus for shoring a trench is disclosed wherein a horizontal whaling frame is positioned between sheet members after they have been driven into the ground.

U.S. Pat No. 4,376,599 is directed to a ditch shoring unit having a horizontal frame having transversely adjustable girders with guide heads and pile driving panels having cross-sectionally waved shape that are secured to the frame members by multiple guide heads.

A sheeting installation system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,964 wherein a rectangular frame is formed by framing panels, with a plurality of wall sheeting support panels positioned within the frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,938 is directed to a trench shoring frame having sidewalls with a plurality of vertically disposed plates movably connected to one another and said shoring frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,465 discloses a rectangular bracing frame used to guide sheeting members that are to be driven vertically into the ground.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,763 discloses an excavating sheeting unit having a pair of overlapping sheeting panels positioned within a frame structure, one of which defines a ground engagement plate on the end thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,026 is directed towards a lining apparatus for protection of trenches in which a plurality of lining plates are insertable in pairs in vertical sliding carriers on the side of the trench having outstanding flange elements on oppositely disposed sided thereof and an integral ground engagement plate.

A modular construction method and apparatus for trench box sheeting that is used to support the walls during a trench excavation. The method is directed to assembly of multiple components into a box panel that has a reinforced pounding plate and ground engaging knife edges with simplified welding and internal fabrication components.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of installation of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a sheeting panel of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an assembled sheeting panel of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a section on lines 4--4 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of a sheeting panel with portions broken away;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the sheeting panel of the invention shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top plan assembly view of the interengaging sheeting panels of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2-6 of the drawings, a sheeting panel 10 can be seen comprising a generally elongated rectangular base support element 11 having oppositely disposed upstanding longitudinally extending sides 12 and 13 and respective ends 14 and 15. A plurality of upstanding reinforcing plates 16 are secured in spaced transverse relation to one another on the base support element 11 inwardly from the end 14. A center support angle 17 is secured to the base supporting element 11 inwardly from the end portion 14 between said reinforcing plates 16 and extends longitudinally the length of the base support element 11 between respective ends 14 and 15.

A secondary support element 18 (best seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings) has a generally elongated matching rectangular configuration with oppositely disposed downturned longitudinally extending sidewalls 19 and 20 positioned for overlapping offset relation (see broken lines in FIG. 2 of the drawings) with the base supporting element 11 forming an enclosed panel section 21 of the invention having exposed respective sidewalls 20 and 12 as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

A ground engaging knife panel portion 22 is fabricated independently of the assembled panel section 21 and defines a base panel 23 having upstanding sidewalls 24 and 25 and an angular offset flange 26 on said sidewall 24.

A tapered portion 27 is formed between and in spaced relation to said upstanding sidewalls inwardly from one end of said base panel 23 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The completed panel portion 22 is secured to the end 14 of the panel section 21.

A rectangular generally flat pounding plate 28 is secured to the opposite end 15 of the panel section 21 completing the assembled sheet panel 10 of the invention as best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6 of the drawings.

Aligned circular apertures and inserts 28A and 29 respectively are formed in the respective base supporting elements 18 and 11 to provide a lifting insert point for the completed sheeting panel 10 of the invention as will be well known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7 of the drawings, the sheeting panel 10 is shown in use to form a trench box assembly 30 having a pair of guide frames 31 secured in spaced parallel relation to one another by multiple spreader members 32 on the respective ends as will be well known and understood by those skilled in the art.

Each of the guide frames 31 has a pair of elongated apertured frame sections secured to one another to form a panel guide channel 33 therebetween.

In use, the individual sheeting panels 10 are driven downwardly within the guide channels 31 in overlapping relationship as illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings with the respective sidewalls 12 and 20 being in overlapping engagement in repeating sequential relation between each of the adjoining sheeting panels 10. This arrangement allows for lateral adjustment of the panels while maintaining a secure interlocking sheeting wall within the respective guide frames 31 as hereinbefore described.

The sheeting panels are sequentially positioned and driven downwardly within the guide frames 31 as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings in solid and broken lines.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.