Abstract: A trench shield stacking bracket provided for facilitating the stacking of trench shields. The trench shield stacking bracket comprises an elongate hollow body frame which defines a pair of spaced apart trench shield spreader bar engaging Wall having upper and lower portions. The trench shield spreader bar engaging walls define upwardly opening trench shield spreader bar engaging slots in the upper portions thereof. The trench shield spreader bar engaging walls define downwardly opening trench shield spreader bar engaging slots in the lower portions thereof in opposed spaced apart register with the upwardly opening trench shield spreader bar engaging slots. Means are provided to selectively retain trench shield spreader bars selectively positioned within the upper and lower spreader bar engaging slots-during trench shield stacking operations.

Abstract: A rotatable trench shield handling assembly provided with upwardly extending excavator hook-engaging means. The rotatable trench shield handling assembly provided with rear downwardly extending trench shield wall engaging means and with an opposed forward transversely positioned horizontally oriented trench shield wall engaging guide stabilizer bar means which cooperates with the rear spaced apart trench shield wall engaging means to positively and easily engage the trench shield so as to enable the excavator operator to have positive control of the trench shield while lifting, handling, lowering, and selectively stacking the trench shield into its operative use position within a trench and subsequently removing the trench shield therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in conjunction with material handling equipment having a pivotable working member, and comprising cooperatively lever acting extension members attached to opposite sides of the pivotable working member of the material handling equipment is disclosed. One extension member is flexible, and the other is rigid. The rigid extension member is attached to the equipment working member through a hinge mechanism. The hinging of the rigid extension member, in combination with the flexibility of the other extension member, protects the material handling equipment from damage by large mechanical impulses to which the extension apparatus may be subjected in use. An extension apparatus working member is attached to the rigid extension member. In one embodiment, the extension apparatus working member includes a wrecking member, such as a wrecking ball. In other embodiments, the extension apparatus working member may be a hook, tongs, a magnet, a splitting wedge, or the like.

Abstract: A trench box panel with an especially lightweight foamed filler located between the inner and outer panel surfaces in a trench box panel and between structural, vertical and horizontal elements in prevention of the intrusion of water, mud and grime. The impermeable panels thus produced are more convenient to use, require less inspection in production against leakage and do not become so heavy as to be almost impossible to move and maneuver during usage. The procedures of filling the panels with lightweight unfilled foam is by use of blocks, foaming in situ, and fill foaming.

Abstract: A front plate for trench boxes located at one end of a rectangular trench box and attached between a pair of spaced apart adjacent trench box walls. The front plate has a chisel edge smooth skin bottom with means to achieve attachment of the front plate to adjacent trench box walls. Vertical and horizontal structural members are structurally interrelated and attach to the bottom and the bottom extends beneath the lowermost horizontal structural element and includes the bottom closure plate closing on a plurality of spaced apart gusset plates extending in vertical planes below the lowermost horizontal structural member.

Abstract: A portal frame attached to the open end of a trench box structure and assembling and rigidifying the stacked plural boxes forming the smooth wall sides of the consequent trench box whereby side sections or panels of trench boxes are stackably adjustable as to depth or trench served and the portal span provides maximum clearance for the pipe and including thrust plates in the portal frame for transmitting thrust from the boxes and into the portal frame.

Abstract: A portal frame attached to the open end of a trench box structure and assembling and rigidifying the stacked plural boxes forming the smooth wall sides of the consequent trench box whereby side sections or panels of trench boxes are stackably adjustable as to depth or trench served and the portal span provides maximum clearance for the pipe.