TEMPORARY SAFETY BOX FOR ASSISTANCE IN EXCAVATION OF FOUNDATION

Abstract

A temporary safety box for assistance in excavation of an associated below grade foundation wall is placed in an associated trench located adjacent the associated foundation wall. The safety box comprises a wall member including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end face and a second end face. The inner surface faces the associated foundation wall and includes a reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member. The outer surface abuts a wall of the associated trench and is configured to assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench. The first and second end faces abut the associated foundation wall. The safety box and the associated foundation wall together substantially surround a worker in the associated trench to protect the worker from excavated debris.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/108,650, filed 27 Oct. 2008, which provisional patent application is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a retaining wall. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a temporary safety box for use during the excavation of a below grade building wall or foundation wall, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present disclosure is also amenable to other like applications.

The seepage of water into a building having a below ground foundation wall is an ongoing problem. To address this problem, drainage systems, such as the system shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,386, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, are known. During the installation of a drainage system or any other waterproofing process, a crack in the exterior below ground foundation wall may be discovered that extends toward or to a footer, which must be sealed so that water cannot seep into a below grade interior space, such as a basement. In addition, a pipe, water or gas line, which can extend through the foundation wall at a depth greater than 3 feet below the grade level of a structure, may need to be exposed or repaired. Alternately, a crack can develop in the below ground portion of the wall whether or not an exterior drainage system is present. Such water then can seep through the foundation wall and into the basement. To correct this problem, the foundation has to be excavated where the crack(s) exist, and any cracks repaired.

To enable work to be carried out safely in a trench dug in the earth, whether close to a building wall or otherwise, OSHA guidelines require that each worker in an excavation generally has to be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system (see 29 CFR 1926.652). Commonly used systems include special wood boards or sheets located against the wall of the trench, with hydraulic or steel struts extending between the foundation wall and the boards. The object of the boards or sheets is to hold out excavated debris so that work can proceed along the foundation wall without endangering lives of workers in the trench. Some shoring requires the employee(s) to enter the excavation at or below safe depths to install the shoring. Some commonly employed protective systems cannot be used for foundation and basement excavations. Such protective systems are not required as long as certain conditions (such a depth and width of the excavation and no heavy equipment in the vicinity of the trench) are met. Unfortunately, such conditions may not be possible. Also, conventional protective systems can be expensive, bulky, and difficult to use. If not installed and used properly, the protective systems can also present a danger to both the worker, and the wall structure that is supporting it.

The present disclosure provides a strong and relatively light weight, and easily repositioned temporary safety box for assistance in the excavation of a foundation wall of a building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments herein relate to a temporary safety box which is placed in an associated trench located adjacent an associated below grade foundation wall. The safety box assists in excavation of the associated foundation wall and protects a worker from excavated debris.

In accordance with one aspect, the temporary safety box comprises a wall member including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end face and a second end face. The inner surface faces the associated foundation wall and includes a reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member. The outer surface abuts a wall of the associated trench and is configured to assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench. The first and second end faces abut the associated foundation wall. The safety box and the associated foundation wall together substantially surround a worker in the associated trench to protect the worker from excavated debris.

In accordance with another aspect, the temporary safety box comprises a wall member including an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface includes at least one reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member. The outer surface is substantially smooth to assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench. The wall member has a generally arcuate shape for abutting against one of a straight section and a corner section of the associated foundation wall.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the temporary safety box comprises a wall member having a generally arcuate shape. The wall member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface includes at least one horizontally oriented reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member. The outer surface is substantially smooth to assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench. A handle is associated with an upper portion of the wall member to further assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a temporary safety box according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the safety box of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the safety box of FIG. 1 positioned within a trench against a portion of a below grade foundation wall of a building.

FIG. 4 is a schematic, partially exploded and broken away, side elevational view of the safety box of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the safety box of FIG. 3 positioned within the trench.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a temporary safety box according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a temporary safety box according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a temporary safety box according to still yet another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are side perspective views of alternative handle configurations for the temporary safety box of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a vertical section of the portion of the building of FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the safety box of FIG. 1 being moved within a trench.

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a temporary safety box according to still yet another aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the temporary safety box illustrated in the drawings and should not be construed as limiting the claims appended hereto.

Referring now to drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, a removable, light weight safety box 100 according to one aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the temporary safety box 100 assists in the excavation of a below grade building wall or foundation wall 102 by holding out excavated debris so that work can proceed in a trench or like opening 104 located adjacent the foundation wall, without endangering the life of a worker in the trench.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the safety box 100 comprises a wall member 106 including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end face and a second end face. The inner surface faces the foundation wall 102 and includes a reinforcing element 108 for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member. The outer surface abuts a wall of the trench 104 and is configured to assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench. The first and second end faces abut the foundation wall 102. The safety box 100 and the foundation wall 102 together substantially surround a worker in the trench 104 to protect the worker from excavated debris.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the wall member 106 includes a first wall member 110 and a second wall member 112 fixedly secured to the first wall member (FIG. 4). The first wall member 110 includes an inner surface 120, an outer surface 122, a top edge 124 and a bottom edge 126. As shown in FIG. 4, the first wall member is a ribbed member having a generally constant thickness. Alternatively, an outer surface of the first wall member can be generally smooth. It should also be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the safety box can be of one piece construction.

The first wall member further includes an arcuate wall section 130 and end wall sections 132 and 134. Each end wall section 132 and 134 can include a respective flange 140 and 142 which can extend generally normal from both the inner and outer surfaces 120, 122. As shown in FIG. 5, the arcuate wall section and the end wall sections together form a generally semi-circular first wall member (i.e., a retaining wall 100, in this embodiment, which spans about 180°). This allows the flanges 140, 142 of the retaining wall to abut against a straight section of the foundation wall 102. It should be appreciated that the arcuate wall section and the end wall sections can together form a first wall member which can span about 270°. This configuration (shown in FIG. 6) of a safety box 100′ allows the flanges 140′, 142′ of the safety box to abut against a corner section of the foundation wall 102.

With reference to FIG. 1, the reinforcing element 108 includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations 150 located on the inner surface 120 of the first wall member 110. The corrugations provide strength and rigidity to the first wall member 110. Each corrugation is horizontally oriented and spans perpendicularly between the end walls sections 132 and 134. The corrugations can vary in dimension, if so desired. For example, the corrugations can be spaced further apart and be more pronounced near the two side edges of the first wall member 110 than near the center of the first wall member. This design is shown in FIG. 1. But, such a design is not required. As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of corrugations 150′ can further serve as steps, as in a ladder, which allows a worker to climb out of the trench 104.

With reference to FIG. 4, the second wall member 112 includes an inner surface 158 and an outer surface 160. The outer surface is generally smooth and can be coated with a relatively low friction material, such as a polystyrene material, in order to assist in the removal of the safety box 100 from the trench 104. The second wall member 112 can be dimensioned to approximately cover the outer surface 122 of the first wall member 110.

Alternatively, according to another exemplary embodiment, the first and second wall members can be combined into a single, unitary wall element 210, as shown in FIG. 8, such as being formed from a single material and mold. That wall element can be provided with one or more sets of steps 212, instead of corrugations. In other words, the corrugations or steps do not need to extend along the entire inner surface of the wall element. The unitary wall element 210 can be injection molded of a solid thermoplastic material or can be blow molded so as to have a central void. Alternatively, it could be rotationally molded from a suitable thermoplastic material. Also, while reinforcement of the types disclosed herein is beneficial, other known types of reinforcing elements than the horizontally oriented corrugations mentioned previously are contemplated for the wall element as well. As one example, metal reinforcing bars or the like could be employed with the safety box, either as separate members, or, more likely, integrated into the retaining wall.

If desired, one or two handle members 170 and 172 can be attached to the safety box 100. The handle members can be located on an upper portion of the safety box. Such handle members allow for easier maneuvering of the safety box within the trench, or in pulling the safety box out of the trench from outside of the trench. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the handle members 170, 172 can be ropes which are threaded through respective apertures 176 in the safety box. However, it should be appreciated that alternative handle members, such as fabric or thermoplastic bands, metal hoops or straps, are also contemplated. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, fixed handles 220, 222 can be secured to the top edges of at least one of the first and second wall members 110 and 112. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, openings 230, 232 can be provided in the first and second wall members 110 and 112.

As indicated previously, a crack can develop in the foundation wall 102, and there can be a build-up of hydrostatic pressure outside the building. Water will then seep through the foundation wall and into the basement. To correct this problem, the foundation wall has to be repaired. With reference now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the trench 104 can be dug along the foundation wall 102. The trench can be about four to six feet deep. Prior to any repair work, the safety box 100 is positioned within the excavated trench 104 between a section of the below grade foundation wall 102 and the ground surface 204. The smooth outer surface 160 of the second wall member 112 allows the safety box to easily slide against the dirt trench wall. Again, it should be appreciated that the arcuate shape of the safety box 100 can depend on its position along the foundation wall 102. The safety box extends vertically from adjacent the ground surface 204 to a level which can be about four feet below the ground surface. The width of the safety box 100 (i.e., the distance from arcuate wall section 130 to the flanges 140, 142) is sufficiently sized to allow a worker to stand and remove dirt at the bottom of the safety box, or stand or squat in the trench and repair the foundation wall 102, for example, by applying a mastic, concrete, or any repair substance to selected portions of the foundation wall, and, if necessary, to further excavate the trench 104. After the section of the foundation wall is attended to, the safety box 100 can be at least partially removed from the trench 104 and repositioned against another section of the foundation wall 102, should that be necessary (see FIG. 12).

To repair only a section of the foundation wall, the ground surface is marked to the shape of the safety box 100. A hole is then dug to the general shape and size of the safety box. The depth of the hole is such that the top edge of the safety box is generally level with the existing grade. The safety box is then placed in the hole and the flanges 140 and 142 are positioned against the foundation wall. The safety box should not be used on an unsupported or structurally unsound foundation wall. Soil or fill material can then be placed between the safety box and the wall of the hole to firmly hold the safety box in place. If necessary, excavation can continue to about two feet below the bottom edge of the safety box so long as site conditions and soil type allows. Additional depths can require an adjustable height safety box 300 (see FIG. 13) or additional safety boxes, which are designed so that they can be stacked on top of each other. The foundation wall can now be repaired. The safety box can subsequently be removed via the handle members 170, 172. For example, this can be done by two persons located above and outside the hole.

It should be appreciated that the height of the safety box 100 can be varied, depending on the depth of the excavation necessary. For example, six or eight foot high safety boxes may be needed for some applications while four foot high safety boxes are adequate for other applications. As shown in FIG. 13, according to another exemplary embodiment, an adjustable height safety box 300 can be formed of a first wall element 302 and at least one second wall element 304, which is mounted on or stacked atop the first wall element. The first wall element 302 can be structurally similar to the safety box 100 except that a top edge 310 of the first wall element has a stepped configuration. The first wall element can be about four foot high and would be the bottom wall element. The second wall element can also be structurally similar to the safety box 100 except that a bottom edge 320 has a stepped configuration. It should be appreciated that a top edge 322 of the second wall element can also have a stepped configuration. The second wall element 304 can be about two foot high. The stepped configuration of the wall elements 302, 304 allows the second wall element to be easily stacked atop the first wall element to form a six foot high safety box. To form an eight foot high safety box, a separate, additional second wall element (not shown) can be stacked atop the second wall element 304. If desired, the first and second wall elements could be releasably secured to each other via conventional connectors or fasteners.

The safety box of the present disclosure can be at least partially formed from a fiberglass or plastic or other non-corrosive material. However, it should be appreciated that the first wall member can be formed from, for example, a corrugated aluminum or galvanized steel sheet, which are well-known in the construction industry and readily-available at low cost, as long as strength minimums were maintained.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art. It is intended that all of these, or equivalents thereof, are encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. A temporary safety box for assistance in excavation of an associated below grade foundation wall, the safety box being placed in an associated trench located adjacent the associated foundation wall, the safety box comprising:

a wall member including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end face and a second end face, the inner surface facing the associated foundation wall and including a reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member, the outer surface abutting a wall of the associated trench and being configured to assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench, the first and second end faces abutting the associated foundation wall, the safety box and the associated foundation wall together substantially surrounding a worker in the associated trench to protect the worker from excavated debris.

2. The safety box of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is oriented generally perpendicularly to and extends between the first and second end faces.

3. The safety box of claim 2, wherein the inner surface includes a plurality of spaced apart reinforcement elements, the plurality or reinforcement elements serving as steps allowing the worker to climb out of the associated trench.

4. The safety box of claim 1, wherein the outer surface is substantially smooth.

5. The safety box of claim 4, wherein the outer surface is coated with a low friction material.

6. The safety box of claim 4, wherein the wall member includes a first part having the reinforcement element and a second part attached to the first part, the second part having the substantially smooth outer surface.

7. The safety box of claim 4, wherein the safety box is of one piece and is formed as a single molded unit.

8. The safety box of claim 1, further comprising at least one handle located on an upper portion of the wall member.

9. The safety box of claim 1, further including a first flange connected to the first end face and a second flange connected to the second end face, each flange extending generally perpendicular to the inner and outer surfaces of the wall member.

10. The safety box of claim 1, wherein the wall member has a generally arcuate shape.

11. The safety box of claim 10, wherein the wall member spans about 180° allowing the first and second ends to abut against a straight section of the associated foundation wall.

12. The safety box of claim 10, wherein the wall member spans about 270° allowing the first and second ends to abut against a corner section of the associated foundation wall.

13. The safety box of claim 1, wherein the safety box has an adjustable height and comprises first and second wall member sections, wherein the second wall member section is adapted to be releasably mounted on an upper portion of the first wall member section.

14. A temporary safety box for placement in an associated trench for assistance in excavation of an associated below grade foundation wall and protection of a worker from excavated debris, the safety box comprising:

a wall member including an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface including at least one reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member, the outer surface being substantially smooth to assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench, the wall member having a generally arcuate shape for abutting against one of a straight section and a corner section of the associated foundation wall.

15. The safety box of claim 14, further including at least one handle associated with an upper portion of the wall member to further assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench.

16. The safety box of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of steps defined on the inner surface of the wall member.

17. The safety box of claim 14, wherein the wall member further includes a first end and a second end, wherein a first flange is connected to the first end of the wall member and a second flange is connected to a second end of the wall member, the first and second flanges each having a planar face configured to abut against the associated foundation wall.

18. The safety box of claim 14, wherein the safety box has an adjustable height and comprises first and second wall member sections adapted to be releasably mounted to each other such that the second wall member section can be mounted on an upper portion of the first wall member section, the second wall member section being structurally similar to the first wall member section.

19. A temporary safety box for placement in an associated trench for assistance in excavation of an associated below grade foundation wall, the safety box comprising:

a wall member having a generally arcuate shape and including an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface including at least one horizontally oriented reinforcing element for providing strength and rigidity to the wall member, the outer surface being substantially smooth to assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench; and

a handle associated with an upper portion of the wall member to further assist in removal of the safety box from the associated trench.

20. The safety box of claim 19, wherein the safety box has an adjustable height and comprises first and second wall member sections, the second wall member section being adapted to be releasably secured to an upper portion of the first wall member section, the second wall member section having a height less than a height of the first wall member section.