GB1600579A

GB1600579A - Apparatus for supporting the walls of trenches

Info

Publication number: GB1600579A
Application number: GB1782278A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-05-07
Filing date: 1978-05-04
Publication date: 1981-10-21
Also published as: FR2389721A1; ATA316978A; DE2720719C2; AT372130B; FR2389721B1; DE2720719A1

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING THE WALLS OF TRENCHES (71) I, HANS THEISSEN, citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany, of 81 Wurmstrasse, 5138 Heinsberg-Unterbruch, the Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me,and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to an apparatus for supporting the walls of trenches, of the type comprising two opposed shoring plate units provided with vertically directed guides in which struts of adjustable length and extending normally to the shoring plate units and between same are supported so that the shoring plate units and struts are relatively displaceable in the vertical direction.

A number of apparatuses are already known which, particularly in the case of mechanically excavated trenches or channels for receiving conduits of any kind, are intended to shore these trenches or channels so that they will be certain to remain open during construction.

These apparatuses are removed from the trenches or channels after the conduits have been properly installed.

Thus, one apparatus for supporting trench walls is known that consists of two opposed shoring plate units in which there are a total of two compressible struts. The shoring plate units are not sub divided and can therefore be installed and removed only as a whole.

By reason of the indivisibility of the individual shoring plate units, considerable forces possibly calling for special equipment may sometimes be required when these units are to be withdrawn from the shoring during socalled striking. Further, the entire apparatus is assembled so that both opposed shoring plate units must be arranged at substantially the same elevation and their heights are practically not adjustable relatively to each other. In addition, it is found that the construction of the struts to be compressible is disadvantageous because the struts operate with difficulty or even become useless when soiled or damaged.

Another apparatus for supporting the walls of trenches is known (German Specification 1 956 337) in which the opposed shoring plate units are formed by rigidly interconnected vertically disposed sheet metal sections forming more or less box-shaped cavities between each other. In this known apparatus, a beam is inserted in one of these box-shaped cavities at the desired intervals, the top of this beam communicating with a guide support which is parallel thereto and which projects into the space between the shoring plates. This guide support has a box-shaped cross-section which is open towards the opposite shoring plate unit.

The heads of struts are arranged in this guide support for displacement in the vertical direction, these struts supporting the opposed shoring plate units against one another. It is thus possible to effect subsequent adjustment of the vertical position of the guide support in relation to the shoring plate unit and to set the height of the struts within certain limits in relation to the shoring plate units.

With the apparatuses here in question it is on the one hand desirable for the individual shoring plate units to cover as large an area as possible so that a minimum of operations is required when these apparatuses are installed.

On the other hand, apparatuses with relatively large areas for the shoring plates often present difficulties when these units are struck. In addition, they cannot be readily used in the vicinity of branches leading from the trench or channel.

The present invention provides an apparatus of the aforementioned kind in which each shoring plate unit consists of a plurality of invidividual plates which are of substantially identical construction, each comprise at least one vertical guide, and are coupled by a crossbar extending lengthwise of the trench and vertically displaceable with respect to the individual plates, and that the struts are connected to the crossbar.

This combines the advantages of large shoring plate units with those of smaller shoring plate units, particularly reducing forces during striking and a better adaptability to branch trenches and channels.

On installation, the apparatus according to the invention can be used in the same way as one of the hitherto known apparatuses. However, it is also possible to drive the individual plates in separately so as to reduce the required driving forces in this way. Further, the individual plates can be arranged at different levels and some of these plates can even be omitted so as to take branch trenches or ditches into consideration. The struts can be lifted relative to the individual plates, especially if the individual plates are driven into the bottom of the trench. During striking of the apparatus, it is possible to lift the individual plates separately so that the required forecs can thereby be kept small and it is thus possible to use relatively lightweight equipment. The apparatuses according to the invention can be used end-toend lengthwise of the trench in the usual manner.It is also possible to install a plurality of these apparatuses above one another. In this case guide members are inserted in the guides which ensure that the superposed apparatuses are aligned.

Each shoring plate unit to be formed from three individual plates.

Preferably, one cross-bar is provided for each shoring plate unit. This provides relatively large working spaces.

According to a further preferred feature, every individual plate possesses two vertical guides. This makes it possible for each individual plate to be reliably supported by way of the cross-bar.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the individual plates are corrugated. Such a cross-section is particularly suitable for the construction of the individual plates because of its high resistance to bending.

In addition, this cross-section presents a relatively low resistance during striking of the individual plates.

The guides may be arranged in channels of the corrugations that are open towards the trench, for the guides to be formed by two Usections having the open sides in confronting relationship, and for each guide to contain two superposed spaced round pins securely connected to the associated crossbar. This arrangement of the guides ensures that they do not cause an obstruction by projecting into the working space between the shoring plate units and that the ground pressure acting on the individual plates can be reliably transmitted to the struts by way of the crossbar.

The round pins are preferably connected to the cross-bar by a supporting plate extending transversely to the cross-bar to effect the transmission of ground pressure to the struts.

According to a further aspect the invention, provision is also made for the struts to consist of at least two telescopically engaged lengths of tubes each of which is securely connected to one crossbar and has apertures for locking pins.

By means of the apertures in the struts, the latter can be coupled together in a number of lengths. Such a connection functions reliably even with rough treatment.

It is possible to place hydraulic rams on the two struts of such a connection so that they can be pushed apart to a desired position before they can then locked in this position.

A even number of tubular extensions may be provided, all having apertures so that they can be telescopically engaged in pairs and engage in or over a tube member secured to one cross-bar.

This construction makes it possible for the lengths of the entire strut connection and thus the spacing of the opposed building plate units to be variable within very wide limits. The cross-section of the tube members is preferably rectangular or circular.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of two apparatuses according to the invention arranged in superposition in a trench; Figure 2 is a plan view of a shoring plate unit in the direction of the arrow I in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevation of the inside of a shoring plate unit in the direction of the arrow II in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an elevation of the outer support for the crossbar in one guide of an individual plate; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a further support for the cross-bar in one guide of an individual plate; Figure 6 shows a strut connection between two shoring plate units without the use of extension members, and Figure 7 shows a strut connection for support between two shoring plate units by using two extension members.

Referring to Figure 1, this shows a trench 1 in which a conduit (not shown) of any kind is to be laid. The walls 2 of the trench 1 are supported by two superposed apparatuses, each comprising two opposed shoring plate units 3 of steel supported against each other by a strut connection 4.

Figures 2 and 3 each show a shoring plate unit 3 assembled from three individual plates 5.

The individual plates 5 are identical. They have a corrugated cross-section composed of alternate channels 6 and ridges 7 as viewed from inside the trench. Every individual plate 5 has a guide 9 made of two U-sections in each of two channels 6 disposed near the longitudinal edges of the individual plate 5. These U-sections have one limb welded to the base of a channel 6 so that a slot 10 remains between the limbs of these sections that face the trench. The guides 9 do not project from the channels 6.

The channels 6 of the individual plates 5 that are not provided with a guide 9 are closed at the top by a trapezium-shaped cover plate 15 that is welded into position. A suspension hole 16 is provided in this cover plate 15.

The three individual plates 5 of a shoring plate unit 3 are coupled by a cross-bar 17 of I-section. One flange 18 of this cross-bar 17 is disposed directly in front of the ridges 7 of the individual plates 5. As shown particularly in Figures 4 to 7, substantially trapezium-shaped supporting plates 19,20 are welded to the cross-bar 17, each supporting plate 19,20 extending through the slot 10 of a guide 9 and carrying round pins 21 at the opposite ends of its longer base. In this way the cross-bar 17 can be displaced relatively to the individual plates 5 or the elevation of the individual plates 5 can be changed in relation to the cross-bar 17.

Apertures 22 (Figures 4, 5) are provided in the supporting plates 19, 20 as well as in the struts of the guide 9 so that the cross-bar 17 can be fixed at a particular elevation relatively to the individual plates 5.

The two supporting plates 19 which are welded to the cross-bar 17 at the ends thereof have a longer base than the other supporting plates 20, which is particularly evident from Figures 3 to 5. This construction is chosen to facilitate a better transfer of the ground pressure onto the struts.

Particularly Figures 6 and 7 show that the flange 23 of the cross-bar 17 remote from the associated shoring plate unit 3 is connected to a tube member 24,25. The external dimensions of the cross-section of the tube member 24 are substantially the same as the internal dimensions of the cross-section of the tube member 25 so that the tube member 24 secured to one cross-bar 17 can be inserted in the tube member 25 secured to the oppositely disposed cross-bar 17. Both tube members 24, 25 are provided with a series of apertures 30 to enable the tube members to be locked to each other in different relative positions by means of pins. The cross-section of the tube members 24, 25 is square in the illustrated example but could, inter alia, be circular.

Figure 7 shows the use of two additional tube members 31,32 as extension pieces. The cross-section of the tube member 31 corresponds to that of the tube member 25 secured to the crossbar 17 whilst the cross-section of the tubular extension 32 corresponds to that of the tube member 24 secured to the other crossbar 17. In the illustrated strut connection, the tube member 24 engages in the one end of the extension tube 31 whilst the extension tube 32 extends into the other end of the extension tube 31. Finally, the second end of the extension tube 32 is introduced in the tube member 25. All tube members are provided with a series of apertures 30 so that the length of the entire strut connection can be varied in many ways to adapt the spacing of the two shoring plate units 3 to particular requirements.

It is possible to push the tube members of the strut connection to the desired position by hydraulic means and then to lock them in position by pins.

The apparatus as described can be installed as a unit in a trench that is to be shored. It is possible to pile-drive the individual plates 5, the appropriate forces being exerted on the upper edge of the individual plates 5. With such pile driving, the respective individual plate 5 will be displaced relatively to the associated cross-bar 17. In the final position the cross-bar 17 can then again be coupled to the individual plate 5. Each plate 5 can be installed at a different depth relatively to the cross-bar 17. When the shoring is completed, the strut connections can if required be partially lifted together with the associated crossbars 17 to increase the working space below the strut connections.

When the apparatus is struck, the individual plates 5 can be removed separately, the appropriate equipment being connected to the suspension holes 16.

Each shoring plate unit is preferably 3.60 m long with a height of 2.85 m.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for supporting the walls of trenches, comprising two opposed shoring plate units provided with vertically directed guides in which struts of adjustable length and extending normal to the shoring plate units and between same are supported so that the shoring plate units and struts are relatively displaceable in the vertical direction characterised in that each shoring plate unit (3) consists of a plurality of individual plates (5) which are of substantially identical construction, each comprising at least one vertical guide (9), and are coupled by a cross-bar (17) extending lengthwise of the trench and vertically displaceable with respect to the individual plates (5), and that the struts (24, 25) are connected to the cross-bars (17).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that each shoring plate unit (3) is formed from three individual plates (5).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that one cross-bar (17) is provided for each shoring plate unit (3).

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that every individual plate (5) comprises two vertical guides (9).

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the individual plates (5) are corrugated.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the guides (9) are arranged in channels (6) of the corrugation that are open towards the trench (6), that the guides are formed by two U-sections having their openings in confronting relationship, and that each guide (9) contains two superposed spaced round pins (21) securely connected to the associated cross-bar (17).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the round pins (21) are connected to the cross-bar (17) by a supporting plate (19, 20) extending transversly of the cross-bar.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. I-section. One flange 18 of this cross-bar 17 is disposed directly in front of the ridges 7 of the individual plates 5. As shown particularly in Figures 4 to 7, substantially trapezium-shaped supporting plates 19,20 are welded to the cross-bar 17, each supporting plate 19,20 extending through the slot 10 of a guide 9 and carrying round pins 21 at the opposite ends of its longer base. In this way the cross-bar 17 can be displaced relatively to the individual plates 5 or the elevation of the individual plates 5 can be changed in relation to the cross-bar 17. Apertures 22 (Figures 4, 5) are provided in the supporting plates 19, 20 as well as in the struts of the guide 9 so that the cross-bar 17 can be fixed at a particular elevation relatively to the individual plates 5. The two supporting plates 19 which are welded to the cross-bar 17 at the ends thereof have a longer base than the other supporting plates 20, which is particularly evident from Figures 3 to 5. This construction is chosen to facilitate a better transfer of the ground pressure onto the struts. Particularly Figures 6 and 7 show that the flange 23 of the cross-bar 17 remote from the associated shoring plate unit 3 is connected to a tube member 24,25. The external dimensions of the cross-section of the tube member 24 are substantially the same as the internal dimensions of the cross-section of the tube member 25 so that the tube member 24 secured to one cross-bar 17 can be inserted in the tube member 25 secured to the oppositely disposed cross-bar 17. Both tube members 24, 25 are provided with a series of apertures 30 to enable the tube members to be locked to each other in different relative positions by means of pins. The cross-section of the tube members 24, 25 is square in the illustrated example but could, inter alia, be circular. Figure 7 shows the use of two additional tube members 31,32 as extension pieces. The cross-section of the tube member 31 corresponds to that of the tube member 25 secured to the crossbar 17 whilst the cross-section of the tubular extension 32 corresponds to that of the tube member 24 secured to the other crossbar 17. In the illustrated strut connection, the tube member 24 engages in the one end of the extension tube 31 whilst the extension tube 32 extends into the other end of the extension tube 31. Finally, the second end of the extension tube 32 is introduced in the tube member 25. All tube members are provided with a series of apertures 30 so that the length of the entire strut connection can be varied in many ways to adapt the spacing of the two shoring plate units 3 to particular requirements. It is possible to push the tube members of the strut connection to the desired position by hydraulic means and then to lock them in position by pins. The apparatus as described can be installed as a unit in a trench that is to be shored. It is possible to pile-drive the individual plates 5, the appropriate forces being exerted on the upper edge of the individual plates 5. With such pile driving, the respective individual plate 5 will be displaced relatively to the associated cross-bar 17. In the final position the cross-bar 17 can then again be coupled to the individual plate 5. Each plate 5 can be installed at a different depth relatively to the cross-bar 17. When the shoring is completed, the strut connections can if required be partially lifted together with the associated crossbars 17 to increase the working space below the strut connections. When the apparatus is struck, the individual plates 5 can be removed separately, the appropriate equipment being connected to the suspension holes 16. Each shoring plate unit is preferably 3.60 m long with a height of 2.85 m. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for supporting the walls of trenches, comprising two opposed shoring plate units provided with vertically directed guides in which struts of adjustable length and extending normal to the shoring plate units and between same are supported so that the shoring plate units and struts are relatively displaceable in the vertical direction characterised in that each shoring plate unit (3) consists of a plurality of individual plates (5) which are of substantially identical construction, each comprising at least one vertical guide (9), and are coupled by a cross-bar (17) extending lengthwise of the trench and vertically displaceable with respect to the individual plates (5), and that the struts (24, 25) are connected to the cross-bars (17).

8. Apparatus according to any preceding

claim, characterised by the struts consisting of at least two telescopically engaged lengths of tubes (24, 25) each of which is securely connected to one crossbar (17) and comprises apertures (30) for locking pins.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised by the struts including an even number of additional tubular extensions (31, 32) which have throughholes, are telescopically engaged in pairs, and engage in or over a tube member (24, 25) secured to one cross-bar (17).

10. Apparatus for supporting the walls of trenches substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.