Abstract: A trench box including a first plate to support a first side of a trench, a second plate to support a second side of a trench, and spreader bars extending between the first and second plates. One or both of the first and second plates is assembled from a plurality of modular panels arranged in a same plane and detachably secured to one another by a plurality of connectors and fasteners. A panel may be removed from one of the first plate and/or the second plate when an obstacle is encountered in the ground that runs across the trench. The removal of the panel creates an opening in the trench box to accommodate the obstacle without compromising the structural integrity of the trench box. Removal of the panel also does not negatively impact the trench box's ability to prevent collapse of the sides of the trench into the trench.

Abstract: A jib crane that includes an open column having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end that is adapted to operably engage with a ground surface. The jib crane also includes at least one interior space collectively defined by the open column between the first end and the second end. The jib crane also includes a crane beam operably engaged with the open column at the second end of the open column. The jib crane also includes a bearing assembly operably engaged with the crane beam and the open column, and the bearing assembly has at least one bearing positioned inside of the at least one interior space defined by the open column.

Abstract: A davit crane that includes a base adapted to operably engage with a ground surface. The davit crane also includes a drive assembly operably engaged with the base. The davit crane also includes an actuation assembly operably engaged with the drive assembly, wherein the actuation assembly is configured to move between a lowered position and a raised position via the drive assembly. The davit crane also includes a boom assembly operably engaged with the actuation assembly. The actuation assembly of the davit crane is operable to pivotably adjust the boom assembly between the raised position and the lowered position.

Abstract: A slew bearing that includes an inner ring. The slew bearing also includes a first outer ring positioned about a first portion of the inner ring. The slew bearing also includes a second outer ring operably engaged with the first outer ring, wherein the second outer ring is positioned about a second portion of the inner ring opposite to the first outer ring. The slew bearing also includes at least one set of ball operably engaged with the inner ring and one or both of the first outer ring and the second outer ring. The inner ring of the slew bearing is configured to rotate about the first outer ring and the second outer ring.

Abstract: A safety device for maintaining a load raised cylinder linkage in selected extended position. A combination cylinder engagement rod and locking sleeve with a piston rod engagement channel that will adjustably secure and extended piston rod from a cylinder assembly in a safe secure locked extended position. The cylinder safety stop of the invention is interposed between the cylinder sleeve and the piston end block by the incrementally adjustable engagement panel's positioning via removably positioned stop adjustment pin. An intermediate incrementally adjustable fitting provides for positioning between multiple aligned stop pin engagement apertures.

Abstract: An anchoring system to secure a mounting plate at a base of a pole or column to a concrete foundation includes a plurality of base plates. Each base plate has a planar surface, center-point, and plurality of fastener openings spaced about the center-point. A plurality of concrete anchoring fasteners having a common cross-sectional diameter secures each base plate to the foundation. An attachment bolt at the center-point of each base plate extends perpendicular to the planar surface for securing through an attachment bolt opening inside a peripheral edge of the mounting plate. The anchoring fasteners for securing the base plates to the foundation are spaced apart no less than ten times the common cross-sectional diameter.

Abstract: This invention relates to an open-ended wrench device, consisting of two pivoting arms diametrically opposed on either side of the open-ended wrench. The open-ended wrench device of the claimed invention can be used in plumbing situations in small, enclosed or obstructed spaces. Specifically, the device can be fitted over a fixture, such as a nut underneath a sink with the pivoting arms in the down position. In order to tighten or loosen the fixture in the enclosed space, the pivoting arms can be raised as much as the space permits in order to allow a user to apply the necessary toque to the wrench. The invention further consists of interchangeable plates which can be removably inserted into a slot of the wrench opening to accommodate fixtures of various sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A hand-held surface preparation apparatus comprising a frame, a hollow semi-circular shaped housing member connected to said frame, a drive housing connected to said housing member, a motor secured to said drive housing aligned directly over said hollow semi-circular shaped housing member, a roller rotatably positioned inside of the semi-circular shaped housing member in communication with said motor, front and rear guide handles extending from said frame, and removably connected front and rear debris guards.

Abstract: A hand-held surface preparation apparatus comprising a frame, a hollow semi-circular shaped housing member connected to said frame, a drive housing connected to said housing member, a motor secured to said drive housing aligned directly over said hollow semi-circular shaped housing member, a roller rotatably positioned inside of the semi-circular shaped housing member in communication with said motor, front and rear guide handles extending from said frame, and removably connected front and rear debris guards.

Abstract: Structural members widely adaptable for use to build various composite structures and assemblies having horizontal and vertical supports, such as columns, beams and rails, are shown and described. The composite structural members include a longitudinal channel having a web and first and second legs. Each leg includes a plane that extends from a side of the web and is inclined relative to the web, and a cylinder is located at an edge of the leg that is spaced from the web. Various fittings can be used to engage at least one of the cylinders of the channel to fix the channel in position relative to a second, third and/or fourth channel to form the column, beam or rail. Further, select brackets can be used to attach together columns, beams and rails of the assembly.

Abstract: A process for making a panel for supporting the sidewalls of an excavation includes a plate, longitudinal members and vertical members. Each longitudinal member includes a first leg extending along the length, substantially parallel to and spaced laterally from the plate. The first leg of each longitudinal member being located adjacent and secured to the first leg of another member. A second leg, integral with the first leg, extends along the length, away from the first leg and toward the plate, the second leg being secured to the plate. Axially spaced vertical members are welded to the plate and to the longitudinal members.

Abstract: Structural members widely adaptable for use to build various composite structures and assemblies having horizontal and vertical supports, such as columns, beams and rails, are shown and described. The composite structural members include a longitudinal channel having a web and first and second legs. Each leg includes a plane that extends from a side of the web and is inclined relative to the web, and a cylinder is located at an edge of the leg that is spaced from the web. Various fittings can be used to engage at least one of the cylinders of the channel to fix the channel in position relative to a second, third and/or fourth channel to form the column, beam or rail. Further, select brackets can be used to attach together columns, beams and rails of the assembly.

Abstract: Structural members widely adaptable for use to build various composite structures and assemblies having horizontal and vertical supports, such as columns, beams and rails, are shown and described. The composite structural members include a longitudinal channel having a web and first and second legs. Each leg includes a plane that extends from a side of the web and is inclined relative to the web, and a cylinder is located at an edge of the leg that is spaced from the web. Various fittings can be used to engage at least one of the cylinders of the channel to fix the channel in position relative to a second, third and/or fourth channel to form the column, beam or rail. Further, select brackets can be used to attach together columns, beams and rails of the assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable spreader bar of a trench box has male and female telescoping pipes. The male telescoping pipe has a plurality of indexed openings, and the female telescoping pipe has an outer threaded portion with a groove to receive a locking pin. A sleeve is threadably attached to the outer threaded portion of the female telescoping pipe, and the sleeve has a sleeve opening and an inside channel for receiving the locking pin therethrough, so that fine adjustments, in the relationship between opposing panels of the trench box, can be made by rotating the sleeve about the threaded portion of the female pipe for extension or retraction of the male pipe, by forcing the locking pin along the groove.

Abstract: Structural members widely adaptable for use to build various composite structures and assemblies having horizontal and vertical supports, such as columns, beams and rails, are shown and described. The composite structural members include a longitudinal channel having a web and first and second legs. Each leg includes a plane that extends from a side of the web and is inclined relative to the web, and a cylinder is located at an edge of the leg that is spaced from the web. Various fittings can be used to engage at least one of the cylinders of the channel to fix the channel in position relative to a second, third and/or fourth channel to form the column, beam or rail. Further, select brackets can be used to attach together columns, beams and rails of the assembly.

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.

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.

Abstract: A panel for supporting the sidewalls of an excavation includes a plate, longitudinal members and vertical members. Each longitudinal member includes a first leg extending along the length, substantially parallel to and spaced laterally from the plate. The first leg of each longitudinal member being located adjacent and secured to the first leg of another member. A second leg, integral with the first leg, extends along the length, away from the first leg and toward the plate, the second leg being secured to the plate. Axially spaced vertical members are welded to the plate and to the longitudinal members.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for moving with an excavator arm a trench box having a pair of adjacent spreader bars at a forward end. The apparatus has a bracket end for connecting to the excavator arm and a hooking fork. The hooking fork has a first surface that engages the first spreader bar of the trench box. The apparatus also includes a second surface for engaging the adjacent second spreader bar when used to lift the trench box from the trench or move the trench box along the trench floor.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for moving with an excavator arm a trench box having a pair of adjacent spreader bars at a forward end. The apparatus has a bracket end for connecting to the excavator arm and a hooking fork. The hooking fork has a first surface that engages the first spreader bar of the trench box. The apparatus also includes a second surface for engaging the adjacent second spreader bar when used to lift the trench box from the trench or move the trench box along the trench floor.