Abstract: A trenching casing for the continuous excavation and refilling of trenches for the installation of conduits into the ground has spaced side walls consisting of at least upper and lower sections which are longitudinally movably relative to each other and each of which has a rear face plate with a hydraulic advancing cylinder for pushing the respective section forwardly, and the upper and lower sections are interconnected by hydraulic operating cylinders which facilitate the advancing of one of the sections relative to, and guided by, the other section which, meanwhile, remains in a firm position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shoring a trench.The trench shoring apparatus carries a plurality of sheet members movable vertically relative to said apparatus by driving means forming part of the apparatus which carries pre-formed horizontal waling frame carried by and movable relative to the apparatus.The horizontal waling frame is positionable between the sheet members after the sheet members have been driven by said driving means, so that an upward or downward pressure applied to said waling frame is converted, through the intermediary of said waling frame, into a lateral pressure onto the trench sides, so that the sheet members may be caused to move downwardly or upwardly by increasing the resistance to upward or downward movement of the apparatus. Similarly, a downward pressure applied to means supporting said waling frame, is converted into a lateral pressure, through the intermediary of said waling frame, so as to cause upward movement of said apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for centrally installing a shoring column into a predrilled hole includes a ring-shaped supporting structure which fits into the hole and includes a central opening large enough for the column. Clamp elements attached to the supporting structure clamp the column. A plurality of centralizing piston and cylinder units attached to the supporting ring extend outwardly to engage the side of the ground hole to centralize the support structure and column in the hole. The elements associated with the supporting structure are controlled remotely from control elements located at ground level outside of the ground hole.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a supporting beam, particularly adapted for bracing purposes in construction applications, such as trenching, shoring, and the like, and includes at least one elongated member having axially opposite end portions each carrying a generally C-shaped bracket pivoted thereto with the axes of the pivots being generally parallel to a groove defined between end walls of the C-shaped brackets, each bracket including a pair of legs and a bight therebetween, and first and second clamping means carried by the bight for selectively clamping an element to be braced against inner or outer surfaces of the end walls of the C-shaped brackets.

Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of a trench shoring device of the type having rails which are forced against the sides of the trench by one or more fluid actuated, extendible and retractible braces connected to and extending between the rails. In one embodiment, the rails extend vertically within the trench, and the opposite ends of the braces are so connected to the vertical rails that they may be swung folded positions during lowering into and raising from the trench. In another embodiment of the invention, the rails extend horizontally of the trench, and the ends of the braces are connected thereto in such a manner as to prevent substantial movement of the braces out of perpendicular positions with respect to the rails.

Abstract: The invention relates to the lining of an excavation with pile planking elements (7,8) placed one above the other, which are displaceable in vertical guide means (5) with the use of barrel-like rollers movable in guiding profiles. The lower pile planking element (8) may be removed after displacement behind the upper pile planking element. For this purpose the vertical guide elements attached to the vertical guide means are arranged in such a way that they are backwards displaceable, for example by means of hingeable levers (24,25). The planking element consists of two parallel flat plates (30,31), which are connected by terminal profiles (32,33) between which spacer elements (40) are present in the form of hat-like prolonged parts.

Abstract: A ditch shoring unit includes at least a horizontal support frame composed of longitudinally-extending, transversely-adjustable girders made of profile steel parts and having guide heads mounted thereon, as well as a plurality of pile-driving planks which in their cross section, are generally wave-shaped and which are provided on their inner side with a guide channel for a positive locking reception of an associated guide head of the support frame therein. Each pile-driving plank is also provided on its inner side with abutments which are arranged in a vertically, supermposed, spaced-apart manner and locking means are provided on the longitudinal girders of the support frame having a locking element which is moveable into and out of the area between two superimposed abutments of an associated pile-driving plank.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an excavation or trenching plate which includes one or more panels formed by a plurality of generally C-shaped vertically oriented beams collectively defining a plurality of side-by-side vertical chambers endmost ones of which open in opposite sidewise directions through associated grooves, upper and lower generally horizontal beams also of generally C-shaped configuration spanning the upper and lower ends of the vertical beams with the horizontal beams likewise having horizontal channels opening endwise in opposite directions through horizontal grooves, and tie bars extending horizontally and vertically through the various beams and being accessible through channels of the endmost vertical beams and upper and lower beams for retaining the beams in assembled relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for encasing, propping or erecting falseworks in soil excavations comprises a crane and extendible struts intended for installation in the excavation and for actuation by the crane boom. Each strut comprises a main inverted-T shaped tubular body and a pair of elements which are mounted, for sliding movement to and fro each other, on the bar of said "T" and are caused to slide by means of a nut-and-screw coupling and terminated externally with respective plate-like frames for propping the excavation walls.

Abstract: A construction plate for a ditch construction device consists of profiled steel elements which are rigidly coupled with each other and covered with cover plates. At the small sides of the construction plate, profiled steel elements are provided in the form of hollow profiles which are provided with guide heads for coupling adjacent supports or construction plates. The construction plate is provided with at least one vertical hollow profile having on the inner side of the construction plate superimposed horizontal slot openings. A C- or U-shaped profiled guide bar supports horizontally-disposed joints on the rear side of its ribs which are insertable through the slot openings of the vertical throughput openings which are aligned with respect to each other, and insertable therein is a locking rod which engages the joints and/or the hollow profile with wedge elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for excavating and pile reinforcing trenches which requires the removal of, and access to, no more top soil than is defined by the actual dimensions of the ditch. A box-like central structure serves as a frame within which excavation by customary means, e.g., externally positioned hoes, takes place. The outside walls of said central structure form temporary trench walls supporting the surrounding dirt. The inside walls of said central structure form a rear section, narrower in width than the front section and set off therefrom in a step-like fashion, behind which flat piling is driven in before the entire unit advances. Advancement is carried out by means of lateral anchoring base and a longitudinal propulsion mechanism both riding on a trolley structure extending from the rear of the box frame and alternatively expanding and contracting periodically.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an excavating sheeting unit having an outside adapted to bear against a trench surface and including a pair of spaced generally vertically disposed guide rails of C-shaped transverse cross section opening toward each other, a pair of sheeting plates having lateral edges disposed within the confines of the C-shaped guide rails, rollers carried by the lateral edges of the sheeting plates to permit relative sliding motion of the latter relative to each other and relative to the guide rails, and a plurality of supporting members located inside of the sheeting unit rigidly connecting together the guide rails and defining therewith a guide frame.

Abstract: Herein described is an anchor for use in an open earth trench which is adapted for use with equipment performing construction functions within the trench. A cable is attached to a winch on the equipment and to the anchor. The equipment is moved along by the winch. The anchor is comprised of a pair of elongated concave sleeve sections each being hinged together at the bottom of the trench. A plurality of earth engaging blades are disposed on the outer periphery of the sleeve section. The blades are angled in the direction of pull. A pair of top ribs are placed longitudinally along the top of the sleeve sections form a channel for engaging the walls of the trench to prevent upward movement of the anchor. A first arm has one end thereof pivotally mounting to the interior side of one of the sleeve sections. A second arm has a first end pivotally mounted to interior side of the second sleeve section.

Abstract: An articulated deformable panel structure, for lining the walls of excavation trenches, formed of a plurality of individual panel elements co-planarly disposed side by side in interlocked relationship and interconnected by means of ties permitting each panel element to be displaced longitudinally relative to an adjacent panel element such as to progressively deform the panel structure by progressively displacing one panel element relative to the next one to insert the whole panel structure into the ground by applying pressure alternatively on the top of the panel element at one end or the other of the panel structure, and to remove the panel structure from the ground by pulling on the panel element at one end or the other of the panel structure.

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 support and connecting member permanently attached or, in the alternative, removably mounted on the internal surface of panels lining an excavation. The support and connecting members are in the form of a profiled liner beam or tie defining at least one slide channel allowing easy and quick positioning or removing of complementary profiled members providing a connection with cross-bars or struts, and which act as reinforcement and stiffening members which, when mounted in accordance with the work to be effected in the lined trench or excavation, reinforce the strength of the liners supporting the walls of the trench or excavation. The invention provides a modular-like system which, by the rational use of a few like components, permits to achieve by quick and simple means a trench lining adapted to either the requirement of the work to be effected in the trench or to the nature of the shored surrounding ground.

Abstract: In order to maintain the shape of a hole, such as a grave, dug in the ground, an inflatable bag is lowered into the hole and then inflated to a low pressure so as substantially to fill the hole, thus maintaining the sides of the hole against subsidence and also largely preventing water seeping into the hole. A protective cover is then placed over the hole and means are provided for anchoring this cover to the bag itself, which is wedged against the sides of the hole.

Abstract: The trenching machine of the present invention comprises a support frame, a continuous member either of the wheel or chain type having a plurality of excavating members mounted thereon, mounting means retentively movably mounting the continuous member to the frame, for movement of the excavating members in a continuous path, the mounting means comprising at least two rotatable wheels mounted to said frame for rotation and positioned as to engage the continuous member for rotatable retentive engagement therewith, at least one of the wheels being movable toward and away from the other of the wheels, and power means for moving the movable wheel away from the other wheel so that the wheels may be adjusted to take up the slack between them and the continuous member. The excavating members are of semi-circular construction, some of the members facing in one direction and the other of the members facing in the opposite direction so that each excavating member excavates approximately half of the trench.

Abstract: A trench lining assembly comprising at least two panels placed on each side of the trench and connected transversely together by at least one frame constituted by profiled pillars fixed at least temporarily on inner sides of the panels, said pillars cooperating with struts to form holding frames of the panels, and further providing means for longitudinally blocking the panels.

Abstract: A support element for pipe ditches is provided which consists of support plates which are pressed against the ditch walls in pairs by longitudinally adjustable spreading means, and are guided and retained in vertical supports. The foot of at least one support plate includes a closable opening for guiding a branch pipe or the like, therethrough. Most desirably, the support plates are composed of two plates, an inner and an outer plate which are detachably coupled together and which have the same outer dimensions as a single support plate. The outer plate is provided with an opening in the area of the lower end thereof and the inner plate is movable between an open and closed position relative to the opening of the outer plate.

Abstract: A glide shoe which is mounted on the end of a bracing device and is slidably guided within a support member of a generally C-shaped cross-section. The glide shoe includes a generally rectangular frame glidingly received within the support member and having pivotally connected thereto by means of a pivot pin an end piece which is engageable with an end of the bracing member. The end piece includes a bearing plate having a pair of bearing members extending therefrom, one on each side of the pivot pin, and there being telescoped over the bearing members and engaging the bearing plate compression springs. The compression springs react against the glide plates which bear against a bearing wall of the support member. The bearing plate is of a width less than the longitudinal opening in the support member and the bearing members are engageable with the glide plates to limit the pivoting of the bearing plate about the pivot pin.

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.