GB2170525A

GB2170525A - Soldier propping system

Info

Publication number: GB2170525A
Application number: GB08502803A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Collins
Original assignee: Mabey Hire Co Ltd
Current assignee: Mabey Hire Co Ltd
Priority date: 1985-02-04
Filing date: 1985-02-04
Publication date: 1986-08-06
Also published as: GB2170525B; GB8502803D0

Abstract

A system for propping soldiers in soldier and waling systems comprises an adjustable length prop (P) having a fixed length centre unit (C) and a pair of separately attached articulated end units (B, D) respectively intended for engagement with the ground and attachment to a soldier (S). One (B) of the units is adjustable for length to enable the overall length of the prop (B,C,D) to be adjusted when in its operative position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Soldier propping system This invention relates to a system for propping soldiers in soldier and waling structures such as are used for supporting trench sheets and other linings in civil engineering excavations. It has been devised with the object of providing a propping system which is easier to use and more efficient in operation than currently available propping systems.

In accordance with the invention, a soldier prop ping system comprises an adjustable length prop having a fixed length centre unit and a pair of separately attached articulated end units adapted respectively for engagement with the ground and attachment to a soldier, one of the said units being adjustable for length to enable the overall length of the prop to be adjusted when in its operative position.

Normally the ground engageable unit is adjustable for length, and the end units are bolted to the centre unit which may have a similar cross-section to that of the soldier, to which the other end unit is connected by means of bolts.

Atypical and preferred form of soldier propping system in accordance with the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary side view of the system components in their operative position; Figure 2 is a section on line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an adjustable bottom end unit of the prop; Figure 4 shows a fixed top end unit of the prop; and Figure shows details of the mode of connecting the top unit of the prop to the soldier.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a soldier S which is constructed in the manner described in our co-pending patent application 8322388 ( ), and an adjustable prop P which has its bottom end supported on the ground and its top end connected to the soldier S. The soldier S essentially comprises a pair of steel beam elements mounted in parallel opposite facing spaced relation and connected at top and bottom by rectangular tie plates 3, one only of which is shown. Each beam element has a flat web 1 formed with a series of large lipped openings 1 a long its length, eight of such openings being visible.

The web 1 is laterally extended to as to enter and give support to a pair of hollow profile chord plates 2 of somewhat channel-shaped configuration which are attached to the web by welding.

The adjustable prop P is constructed as three units, namely an adjustable length articulated base unit B (Figure 3) a central fixed length unit C and a fixed length articulated top end unit D (Figure 4).

The base unit B comprises a ground-engageable base plate 4 from which there is pivotally supported an adjustment screw 5. The screw 5 is rotatable about its axis by means of a handle 6 and its upper end is engaged with a screw threaded bush 7 which is integral with a plate 8 attachable to an end plate of the central unit C by bolts 9.

The top end of the screw 5 penetrates into the central unit C which is constructed in the same manner as the soldier S.

The top unit D of the adjustable length prop comprises a base plate 10 attachable to the central unit C by bolts 11 and to which there is fixed a square section hollow strut 12. To the top end of the strut 12 there is pivotally attached a coupling plate 13. The coupling plate 13 is attached to the soldier S by means of a pair of bolts 14. The bolts 14 enter holes formed in the soldier opposite two of the openings la. These openings are each lined with a tube nut 15 with which a bolt 14 is engaged.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, by rotating the handle 6 in one direction or the other, the overall length of the prop P can be adjusted so as to push or pull the soldier even when under load and thereby alter its angle of inclination or the pressure applied thereto.

Because the prop P is composed of three separate units, transport and handling to, at, and from the site of use is facilitated.

It is preferably arranged that the length of the screw 5 of the base unit is greater than the difference in length between a range of standard soldiers so that a prop of infinitely variable length is, in effect, provided.

Since the end units are both articulated the thrust load can be transmitted at any angle.

It is a further advantage of the system that, by reason of the mode of attachment of the prop to the soldier, the stronger axis - that is to say an axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 1 is maintained in correct orientation at all times. Thus where a plurality of adjustable props is used they can easily be braced one to another because they all have the same orientation.

A still further advantage of the invention is that adjustments to the prop can be made at or adjacent ground level so as to ensure the safety of the operators of the system.

1. A soldier propping system comprising an adjustable length prop having a fixed length centre unit and a pair of separately attached articulated end units adapted respectively for engagement with the ground and attachment to a soldier, one of the said units being adjustable for length to enable the overall length of the prop to be adjusted when in its operative position.

2. A system according to Claim 1 wherein the ground-engaging unit is adjustable for length, and comprises a screw-threaded shaft which penetrates into the central unit and is pivotally connected to a base plate.

3. A system according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the soldier-connectable unit comprises a hollow strut which is pivotally connected at one end to a plate which is connectable to the soldier by means of bolts.

4. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein each ofthe end units has an end plate by which it is attachable to the centre unit using bolts.

5. A system according to Claim 3 in which the said

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Soldier propping system This invention relates to a system for propping soldiers in soldier and waling structures such as are used for supporting trench sheets and other linings in civil engineering excavations. It has been devised with the object of providing a propping system which is easier to use and more efficient in operation than currently available propping systems. In accordance with the invention, a soldier prop ping system comprises an adjustable length prop having a fixed length centre unit and a pair of separately attached articulated end units adapted respectively for engagement with the ground and attachment to a soldier, one of the said units being adjustable for length to enable the overall length of the prop to be adjusted when in its operative position. Normally the ground engageable unit is adjustable for length, and the end units are bolted to the centre unit which may have a similar cross-section to that of the soldier, to which the other end unit is connected by means of bolts. Atypical and preferred form of soldier propping system in accordance with the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary side view of the system components in their operative position; Figure 2 is a section on line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an adjustable bottom end unit of the prop; Figure 4 shows a fixed top end unit of the prop; and Figure shows details of the mode of connecting the top unit of the prop to the soldier. Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a soldier S which is constructed in the manner described in our co-pending patent application 8322388 ( ), and an adjustable prop P which has its bottom end supported on the ground and its top end connected to the soldier S. The soldier S essentially comprises a pair of steel beam elements mounted in parallel opposite facing spaced relation and connected at top and bottom by rectangular tie plates 3, one only of which is shown. Each beam element has a flat web 1 formed with a series of large lipped openings 1 a long its length, eight of such openings being visible. The web 1 is laterally extended to as to enter and give support to a pair of hollow profile chord plates 2 of somewhat channel-shaped configuration which are attached to the web by welding. The adjustable prop P is constructed as three units, namely an adjustable length articulated base unit B (Figure 3) a central fixed length unit C and a fixed length articulated top end unit D (Figure 4). The base unit B comprises a ground-engageable base plate 4 from which there is pivotally supported an adjustment screw 5. The screw 5 is rotatable about its axis by means of a handle 6 and its upper end is engaged with a screw threaded bush 7 which is integral with a plate 8 attachable to an end plate of the central unit C by bolts 9. The top end of the screw 5 penetrates into the central unit C which is constructed in the same manner as the soldier S. The top unit D of the adjustable length prop comprises a base plate 10 attachable to the central unit C by bolts 11 and to which there is fixed a square section hollow strut 12. To the top end of the strut 12 there is pivotally attached a coupling plate 13. The coupling plate 13 is attached to the soldier S by means of a pair of bolts 14. The bolts 14 enter holes formed in the soldier opposite two of the openings la. These openings are each lined with a tube nut 15 with which a bolt 14 is engaged. As will be apparent from the foregoing, by rotating the handle 6 in one direction or the other, the overall length of the prop P can be adjusted so as to push or pull the soldier even when under load and thereby alter its angle of inclination or the pressure applied thereto. Because the prop P is composed of three separate units, transport and handling to, at, and from the site of use is facilitated. It is preferably arranged that the length of the screw 5 of the base unit is greater than the difference in length between a range of standard soldiers so that a prop of infinitely variable length is, in effect, provided. Since the end units are both articulated the thrust load can be transmitted at any angle. It is a further advantage of the system that, by reason of the mode of attachment of the prop to the soldier, the stronger axis - that is to say an axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 1 is maintained in correct orientation at all times. Thus where a plurality of adjustable props is used they can easily be braced one to another because they all have the same orientation. A still further advantage of the invention is that adjustments to the prop can be made at or adjacent ground level so as to ensure the safety of the operators of the system. CLAIMS

5. A system according to Claim 3 in which the said bolts are engageable with tube nuts which are mounted within side openings of the soldier.

6. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 5 including a plurality of centre units of different lengths and of which any one is attachable between a pair of said respective end units.

7. A soldier propping system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.