GB2374371A

GB2374371A - Trench cover for use with permanently accessible trenches

Info

Publication number: GB2374371A
Application number: GB0105479A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Green; David Mann
Original assignee: QUANTUM COVERS Ltd
Current assignee: QUANTUM COVERS Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-06
Filing date: 2001-03-06
Publication date: 2002-10-16
Also published as: GB0105479D0

Abstract

The trench cover 200, primarily for use with accessible trenches for pipes, cables etc., has a substantially planar body with a first locking means at one end and a second locking means at the second, opposite end, whereby at least one of the locking means is configurable to releasably engage with locking means of a second trench cover. The first and second locking means on a cover may be lock engagers 201 or lock receivers 202 depending on the configuration of adjacent covers. The cover preferably includes at least one anchoring foot 203 that is designed to engage a portion of the wall of the trench and at least one locating foot 204 that is configured to reduce displacement of the trench cover in a direction parallel to the plane through the main, rectangular body. The lock engager preferably comprises a key-operated turning element that is connected to a displaceable arm which can be moved so as to engage a lock receiver of a second cover, the receivers preferably comprising a cavity for receiving the arm. The lock receiver may also comprise an arresting element which is engaged by a hooked end portion of the displaceable arm. The anchoring foot(s) may comprise at least two protrusions that are configured to engage a portion of the trench wall and the cover preferably includes two anchoring feet positioned at diagonally opposite regions of the cover and two locating feet positioned at two diagonally opposite regions of the cover. The cover may be formed from a polymer based material, concrete or reinforced concrete. Also claimed is a method of securely covering a trench with a plurality of covers.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO TRENCH COVERS Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improvements to trench covers.

Background to the Invention In order to supply services such as, for example, gas, electricity and water it is known to lay pipes transporting these services within trenches dug in the ground. Such trenches fall into 2 basic categories, refilled trenches and accessible trenches, and it is this latter form of trench with which the present invention is concerned.

Accessible trenches provide for easy access to the contents of the trench for such purposes as updating or maintaining the contents of the trench. For example, the contents of a trench may need to be accessed if new cables are to be laid or repairs undertaken to an existing water pipe.

In order to conceal such pipes and cables, while maintaining accessibility to them, it is known to cover the top of the trench with a suitable trench cover.

Generally, such trench covers are square or rectangular in shape and are substantially planar of only moderate thickness. A trench cover serves various functions including, for example, providing a surface upon which pedestrians or traffic may pass and protecting the contents of the trench from potentially damaging elements above ground.

Trenches using trench tops or covers are used widely to conceal pipe work and cabling at a variety of industrial sites, particularly, when high voltage cabling is used and other dangerous services which are too hazardous to be located above ground using overhead cabling.

It is known in the art to use trench covers consisting of a series of individual trench covers positioned adjacent one another so as to form a single uniform trench cover. Generally each individual trench cover rests upon the walls of the trench and sits"sandwiched"between 2 adjacent identical individual trench covers. Such trench covers known in the art may be easily lifted from the trench thereby exposing the trench contents. The ease with which individual trench covers are removed from the upper region of the trench, thereby exposing the contents of the trench, gives rise to a variety of problems. For example, individual trench covers may be accidentally removed, for example, by the continuous passage of heavy vehicles. Additionally, third parties wishing to cause deliberate damage often remove the trend covers and either smash them within the trench, damaging the trench and its contents or smash the trench covers in the neighboring area.

The problem with trench covers being removed by such persons, commonly referred to as vandals, is a problem frequently encountered within the rail industry where trench covers are removed and smashed in close proximity to railway lines. This practice is extremely dangerous with regard to potential derailment of passing trains due to trench cover fragments lying on the railway lines.

Accordingly, there exists an extremely high possibility of severe injury to humans travelling on trains passing through such areas or in some instances loss of life.

The inventors have realised a need for individual trench covers that are capable of being inter-linked or locked with one another and/or secured to the trench thereby preventing, for example, vandals from removing the individual trench covers and the subsequent damage or harm caused. Such a trench cover is described herein.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a trench cover configured for positioning at substantially an upper region of a trench, said trench cover comprising:

a substantially planar main body having a first end and a second end; first locking means being positioned at substantially said first end of said main body; and second locking means being positioned at substantially said second end of said main body; whereby at least one of said locking means of said trench cover is configurable to releasably engage with locking means of a second trench cover.

In a first preferred embodiment said first locking means is a lock engager configurable to engage with a lock receiver of a second trench cover and; said second locking means is a lock receiver configurable to receive a lock engager of a third trench cover.

In a second preferred embodiment said first locking means is a lock engager configurable to engage with a lock receiver of a second trench cover and; said second locking means is a lock engager configurable to engage with a lock receiver of a third trench cover.

In a third preferred embodiment said first locking means is a lock receiver configurable to receive a lock engager of a second trench cover; and said second locking means is a lock receiver configurable to receive a lock engager of a third trench cover.

Preferably said trench cover further comprises at least one anchoring foot; whereby said at least one anchoring foot is configurable to engage a portion of a wall of a trench, said trench cover thereby being releasably securable to a trench.

Preferably said trench cover comprises a substantially rectangular shape and at least one locating foot; whereby said at least one locating foot is configured to reduce displacement of said trench cover in a direction substantially parallel to the plane through said main body.

Preferably said lock engager comprises a key interface being connected to: turning means, said turning means being connected to: a displaceable arm; whereby a said displaceable arm of said trench cover is displaced by said turning means, said turning means being displaced via a key inserted in said key interface, said displaceable arm being thereby configurable to releasably engage with a lock receiver of a second trench cover.

Preferably said lock receiver comprises: a suitable cavity in said main body of said trench cover, sad suitable cavity being configurable to receive said displaceable arm.

Preferably said lock receiver further comprises: arresting means; whereby said arresting means is configured to arrest displacement of said displaceable arm.

Preferably said displaceable arm further comprises a hooked end portion, said hooked end portion of said displaceable arm being configurable to releasably engage with arresting means of a second trench cover.

Preferably said first locking means and said second locking means are positioned substantially on the underside of said trench cover.

Preferably said at least one anchoring foot comprises at least two protrusions positioned substantially perpendicular to said main body; and whereby said at least two protrusions are configured to releasably engage a portion of said trench wall whereby said trench cover is releasably secured to said trench wall.

Preferably said trench cover comprises: two anchoring feet positioned at substantially diagonally opposed regions of said main body; and two locating feet positioned at substantially diagonally opposed regions of said main body.

Preferably said trench cover is constructed from a polymer based material.

Preferably said trench cover is constructed from a concrete material.

Preferably said trench cover is constructed from reinforced concrete.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a substantially an upper region of a trench, said trench cover comprising: a substantially planar main body; and

at least one anchoring foot; whereby said at least one anchoring foot is configurable to releasably engage a portion of a wall of said trench, said trench cover thereby being releasably securable to a said trench.

Preferably said trench cover further comprises: at least one locating foot; whereby said at least one locating foot is configured to reduce displacement of said trench cover in a direction substantially parallel to the main plane through said main body.

Preferably said at least one anchoring foot comprises at least two protrusions positioned substantially perpendicular to said main body; whereby said at least two protrusions are configured to engage a portion of a trench wall whereby said trench cover is releasably secured to said trench wall.

Preferably said trench cover comprises: two anchoring feet positioned at substantially diagonally opposed regions of said main body and; two locating feet positioned at substantially diagonally opposed regions of said main body.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securely covering a trench with a plurality of trench covers, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning a first trench cover on said trench; positioning a second trench cover against the said first trench cover; and securably locking said first trench cover to said second trench cover.

Preferably said method further comprises providing each said cover with at least one anchoring foot whereby said anchoring foot is configurable to releasably engage a portion of a wall of said trench.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a trench cover having means configurable to lock to at least one other trench cover.

Preferably said trench cover comprises a substantially rectangular shape with first and second locking means located at substantially opposite ends of said rectangle.

Preferably said cover comprises at least one edge configurable to at least partially interlocked with an edge of a second trench cover.

Preferably said partial interlocking of said edges is configured to substantially prevent access to said locking mechanism.

Preferably said interlocking comprises use of a staggered edge of said cover.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only,

specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates generally the application of a trench used for passing a pipe underground, the trench and pipe being protected by a series of individual trench covers; Fig. 2 illustrates schematically a plan view of a trench cover according to one specific embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 illustrates schematically an elevation view of a trench cover according to one specific embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4A illustrates the anchoring feet located on substantially the underside of the individual trench cover according to one specific embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4B illustrates a cross section view of the anchoring feet located on substantially the underside of the individual trench cover according to a further specific embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 illustrates schematically a cross section view of a trench being covered by a trench cover according to one specific embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates schematically an underside view of a trench cover according to one specific embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 illustrates schematically a lock engager portion and a lock receiver portion of two separate individual trench covers being positioned adjacent one another so as to form a interlocked trench cover.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

According to the specific implementation of the present invention, a trench cover is provided which is capable of being positioned adjacent a series of trench covers so as to form a continuous trench cover, whereby each individual trench cover is capable of being releasably locked to its nearest neighbor. The individual interlocked trench covers are also provided with anchoring feet positioned substantially on their underside which are capable of securing to the walls of the trench such that the interlocked individual trench covers may not easily be removed from the trench. Locating feet also positioned substantially on the underside of each individual trench cover to provide additional resistance to any external forces which may be acting in an attempt to displace the interlocked individual trench covers, and possibly remove them from the upper region of the trench.

Broadly, the specific implementation of the present invention provides an extendable trench cover of variable length which is resistant to any force acting to remove the trench cover from the trench. A locking mechanism is provided according to the specific implementation of the present invention such that the individual trench covers may be locked and unlocked by use of a simple key. When an individual trench cover is suitable unlocked from its nearest neighbours it may be removed by the application of a moderate substantially vertical lifting force, thereby gaining access to the trench.

Fig. 1 illustrates a general application of the present invention being a trench cover for a trench located within the grounds. Fig. 1 illustrates trench 100 being located in the ground 101. Commonly, subterranean trenches of this kind are constructed from a hard-wearing material 102, for example, concrete. The walls of the trench 103 being required to be strong enough to withstand the pressure of the surrounding ground 101. A trench cover 104 is illustrated in Fig. 1 having a lip 105, whereby the lip 105 rests upon the upper most edge of the trench 100 such that the trench cover 104 is suspended in the upper region of the trench. Commonly, and alternatively, trench covers 104 do not have a recessed portion 106 and are simply placed on top of the trench 100. Individual trench covers 104 are arranged in series and are positioned adjacent a next nearest neighbor as shown in Fig. 1. Individual trench covers may be arranged so as to provide an extended trench cover consisting of individual trench covers which serve to protect the trench contents 107.

Fig. 2 illustrates schematically a plan view of the specific implementation of the present invention. The trench cover 200 is provided with a lock engager 201 and a lock receiver 202. The cover 200 further comprises and positioned substantially on the underside of its substantially planar main body, anchoring feet 203 and locating feet 204.

The main body of the trench cover 200 is substantially planar and according to the specific implementation approximately 100 cm in length and 30 cm in width. The lock engager means 201 is positioned at substantially one end of the cover 200. The lock receiver means 202 is positioned at substantially the opposite end of the cover 200 to the lock engager 201. The anchoring feet 203 are illustrated in Fig. 2 according to the specific implementation of the present invention as being positioned on the main body 200 at diagonally opposed regions. Similarly, locating feet 204 are positioned at diagonally opposed regions of the main body 200. Fig. 2 also illustrates a second and a third trench cover 200 positioned adjacent the main body of the first and central trench cover 200 such that the second and third trench covers are next nearest neighbors to the

central first trench cover. The series of trench covers are configured such that when individual covers 200 are positioned adjacently to one another the lock engager 201 and lock receiver 202 of a neighboring cover can releasably interlock.

Fig. 3 illustrates schematically an elevation view of a trench cover according to the specific implementation of the present invention. The trench cover 200 is illustrated as being positioned on top of, or in the upper region of, a trench 100 having vertical trench walls 103. Positioned at various intervals along the trench wall 103 are indentations 300, such indentations extending downwards from the uppermost region of the trench wall 103. Indentations 300 within the trench wall represent portions of the wall having reduced thickness. The primary function of such indentations 300 appearing along the length of the trench wall 103 is to allow the passage of, for example, wires and cables from within the trench to the outer surrounding regions. The indentations 300, being of reduced thickness are configured to be removed with the use of, for example, a hammer so as to present an entry or access hole to the interior of the trench.

According to the specific implementation of the present invention the anchoring feet 203 are configured to fit over indentations 300 such that the trench wall 103 is gripped by the anchoring feet both on the exterior side of the trench wall and the interior side of the trench wall. Anchoring feet 203 may alternatively be configured, in a further implementation of the present invention to grip onto a non-indented region of the trench wall 103.

Fig. 3 illustrates the main body of the trench cover 200 having a staggered end portion 301. The staggered end portion 301 of a first trench cover 200 is configured to fit in close proximity with a neighboring staggered end portion 301 of a second trench cover. This is shown in more detail below in Fig. 7.

According to the specific implementation of the present invention the anchoring feet 203 extend substantially the full length of the indentations 300.

Accordingly, substantially all of the indentation region 300 is covered by the outer surface of the anchoring feet 203. As such, no opportunity is provided for a leverage point between the anchoring feet 203 and the indentation region 300 that would allow the trench cover 200 to be prized away from the trench 100.

In a further specific embodiment of the present invention anchoring feet 203 do not extend the full length of the indentation region 300 and as such a small surface area is provided within the indentation region 300 so that access may be gained to the interior of the trench by the method described above.

Fig. 4A illustrates schematically a cross-section view of a portion of the trench wall 103 and a anchoring foot 203 according to the specific implementation of the present invention.

The anchoring foot 203 extends substantially perpendicular to the main body of the trench cover 200 and is located substantially on the underside of the main body of the trench cover 200 in the region as indicated in Fig. 2. According to the present specific implementation of the present invention the anchoring foot 203, when the trench cover 200 is positioned on top of a suitable trench, extends the full length of the indentation 300 forming part of the trench wall 103.

Anchoring feet 203 according to the specific implementation of the present invention are approximately 60 cm in length extending from the underside of the main body 200 to substantially the end of the indented region 300 of the trench wall 103.

The inner face 400 of anchoring feet 203 may according to a specific implementation of the present invention, include a suitable friction increasing aid, such that a greater friction is created between the anchoring feet 203 and the trench walls 103 whereby a greater vertical lifting force is required to remove the trench cover 200 from the upper region of the trench. A suitable friction

increasing aid 400 may consist of dimples, abrasions, corrugations, grooves, protrusions, or a planar material such as rubber sheeting.

The width between the end portions of the two protrusions that comprise a particular anchoring foot 203 is configured to be slightly less than the width of the wall of the trench 103 within the indented region 300. The width, between the two protrusions of the anchoring foot 203, being slightly than the width of the trench wall in the indented portion 300, allows the anchoring foot 203 to grip the trench walls due to the resistance created in the substantially vertical protrusions of the particular anchoring foot 203.

Fig. 4B illustrates schematically a cross section view of the trench cover 200, an anchoring foot 203 and trench side wall 103 together with the indented portion 300. In this further specific embodiment of the present invention the anchoring feet 203 are of reduced length with respect to those described for the first embodiment of the present invention detailed in Fig. 4A.

The vertical protrusions that correspond to the anchoring feet 203, when the main body of the trench cover 200 is located above the trench 100, extend only a partial distance along the length of the indented portion 300 thereby exposing region 401. Region 401 of the indented portion 300 may be removed to allow entry from the exterior of the trench to the trench interior. This is advantageous to allow the passage of, for example, wires and cables into the trench.

In this further specific implementation of the present invention the inner faces of anchoring fee 203 may be coated with a suitable friction increasing aid as detailed in Fig. 4A.

Fig. 5 illustrates schematically a cross section view of the specific implementation of the present invention. Fig. 5 illustrates the trench cover 200 having a main body being located in the upper region of a trench 100 having side walls 103 and indented regions 300 as detailed above. The trench cover 200 is

illustrated together with the anchoring feet 203 and the locating feet 204. Anchoring feet 203 as described in Figs. 4A and 4B are located towards the outer edge of the main body of the trench cover 200 and located substantially on its underside. Locating fee 204 are off-set with respect to the positioning of the anchoring feet 204 and are located more towards the central region of the trench cover main body 200. The positioning of the locating feet 204 according to the specific implementation of the present invention, are such so as to fit"snugly" against the interior face of the trench walls 103. As can be seen from Fig. 5 the positioning of locating feet 204 in the absence of any other resisting forces, effectively prevents any lateral movement of the trench cover 200 which may result from a laterally applied force in the plane of the main body of the trench cover 200.

The length by which the locating feet 204 extend perpendicular to the main body of the cover 200, is sufficient so as to provide a reasonable overlap between the locating feet 204 and the upper region of the trench wall 103.

Fig. 6 illustrates schematically an underside view of the specific implementation according to the present invention. The underside of the main body of the trench cover 200 is constructed primarily from a polymer based material 601 having cross sectional support struts 600 also constructed from the polymer based material. According to further specific implementation of the present invention the trench cover 200 may be constructed from a variety of materials including, for example, an organic based material ; a steel based material ; a waste organic material ; a re-cycled waste organic material; a polymer based organic material; compressed wood fibres; concrete; reinforced concrete; steel reinforced concrete; or a suitable thermal setting plastic.

The main body of the trench cover 200 further comprises support struts 602 and 603 across the width and length of the main body, respectively. Fig. 6 also details the lock engager 201 together with lock receiver 202 of a single trench cover unit. A portion of a neighboring trench cover unit is also illustrated having a

lock receiver 202 positioned adjacent to a lock engager means 201 of the first trench cover. Located substantially on the underside of the trench cover 200 are anchoring feet 203 and locating feet 204. Anchoring feet 203 and locating feet 204 being constructed from substantially the same material used to construct the main body of the trench cover 200.

Fig. 7 illustrates a cross section view of the lock engaging and lock receiving means of a first and a second trench unit according to the specific implementation of the present invention. The lock engaging means 201 are located substantially at one end of the main body of the trench cover 200, while the lock receiver 202 is located at substantially the opposite end of the main body 200. The lock engager according to the specific implementation of the present invention comprises a displaceable arm 700 having a hooked end portion 701.

Dispersible arm 700 is connected to turning means whereby the turning means according to the specific implementation of the present invention comprise a spindle 702 such that the arm 700 is configured to pivot about the spindle 702.

Spindle 702 is further connected to a key interface 703. In further specific implementations of the present invention turning means may comprise at least one cogs and/or a plurality of cogs and spindles.

The second trench cover as illustrated in Fig. 7, having a main body 200 located adjacent the first trench cover is considered to be the next nearest neighbor of the first trench cover. The first trench cover and the second trench cover arranged as shown in Fig. 7 can be considered as forming a part of a plurality of individual trench covers located adjacent one another so as to form an extendable trench cover. A portion of the main body 200 of the first trench cover and a portion of the main body of the second trench cover overlap at the staggered end portion 301. The two trench covers are configured to sit close to one another when locked together such that a small gap is maintained between the main bodies 200 of the first and second trench cover. This small gap between the two main bodies 200 functions to allow thermal expansion of the

trench covers when an increase in temperature occurs in the immediate environment surrounding the trench covers.

The partial overlap (or interlock) of a portion of the main bodies of the first and second trench cover at the staggered end portion 301 prevents direct vertical access from above the trench cover to the lock engager 201 and lock receiver 202 of the trench covers. Accordingly, this prevents a person from gaining access to the interlocking mechanism and thereby forcing any two neighboring trench covers 200 to become unlocked and thereby potentially removed from the upper region of the trench.

The lock receiving means 202 of the second trench cover as illustrated in Fig. 7, comprises a cavity 704, this cavity 704 being configured to allow partial passage of the dispersible arm 700 of an adjacent trench cover. According to the specific implementation of the present invention the lock receiving means is configured with a vertical rod 705 such that a dispersible arm 700 of an adjacent trend cover is displaced via pivot 702 so as to enter the cavity 704 of the lock receiver 202 whereby the hooked end portion 701 is brought into contact with the vertical rod 705. The hooked end portion 701 substantially surrounds the vertical rod 705 such that separation of the first and second trench covers is prevented by this interaction of the lock engager 201 and lock receiver 202. Vertical rod 705 functions as an arresting means to arrest the displacement of the displaceable arm 700.

In a further specific implementation of the present invention lock receiving means 202 is configured without vertical bar 705 such that when displaceable arm 700 is displaced so as to be positioned within cavity 704 displacement of the first and second trench covers in a direction in the plane of the main body 200 is not prevented directly by the interaction of lock engager 201 and lock receiver means 202. In this further specific implementation of the present invention only a displacement substantially perpendicular to the main body 200 is prevented when

displaceable arm 700 is displaced to as to enter cavity 704 of lock receiving means 202.

A user of the trench cover can lock and unlock two neighboring individual trench covers by inserting a suitable key into the key interface means 703 whereby rotation of this suitable key indirectly rotates displaceable arm 700 via rotation of spindle 702.

The skilled person will realise that the invention may be implemented in a variety of ways. Thus, for example the invention includes locking of substantially identical trench covers together and also to locking trench covers of a first type to trench covers of a second type wherein the trench covers differ by virtue of the type of locking mechanism present on that particular cover.

Claims

Claims :

1. A trench cover configured for positioning at substantially an upper region of a trench, said trench cover comprising: a substantially planar main body having a first end and a second end; first locking means being positioned at substantially said first end of said main body; and second locking means being positioned at substantially said second end of said main body; whereby at least one of said locking means of said trench cover is configurable to releasably engage with locking means of a second trench cover.

2. A trench cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first locking means is a lock engager configurable to engage with a lock receiver of a second trench cover and; said second locking means is a lock receiver configurable to receive a lock engager of a third trench cover.

3. A trench cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first locking means is a lock engager configurable to engage with a lock receiver of a second trench cover and; said second locking means is a lock engager configurable to engage with a lock receiver of a third trench cover.

4. A trench cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first locking means is a lock receiver configurable to receive a lock engager of a second trench cover; and said second locking means is a lock receiver configurable to receive a lock engager of a third trench cover.

5. A trench cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said trench cover further comprises at least one anchoring foot; whereby said at least

one anchoring foot is configurable to engage a portion of a wall of a trench, said trench cover thereby being releasably securable to a trench.

6. A trench cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said trench cover comprises a substantially rectangular shape and at least one locating foot; whereby said at least one locating foot is configured to reduce displacement of said trench cover in a direction substantially parallel to the plane through said main body.

7. A trench cover as claimed in any of claims 2-6 wherein said lock engager comprises a key interface being connected to: turning means, said turning means being connected to: a displaceable arm; whereby a said displaceable arm of said trench cover is displaced by said turning means, said turning means being displaced via a key inserted in said key interface, said displaceable arm being thereby configurable to releasably engage with a lock receiver of a second trench cover.

8. A trench cover as claimed in any of claims 2-7, wherein said lock receiver comprises : a suitable cavity in said main body of said trench cover, sad suitable cavity being configurable to receive said displaceable arm.

9. A trench cover as claimed in claim 8, wherein said lock receiver further comprises: arresting means;

whereby said arresting means is configured to arrest displacement of said displaceable arm.

10. A trench cover as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said displaceable arm further comprises a hooked end portion, said hooked end portion of said displaceable arm being configurable to releasably engage with arresting means of a second trench cover.

11. A trench cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said first locking means and said second locking means are positioned substantially on the underside of said trench cover.

12. A trench cover as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein said at least one anchoring foot comprises at least two protrusions positioned substantially perpendicular to said main body; and whereby said at least two protrusions are configured to releasably engage a portion of said trench wall whereby said trench cover is releasably secured to said trench wall.

13. A trench cover as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12 wherein said trench cover comprises: two anchoring feet positioned at substantially diagonally opposed regions of said main body; and two locating feet positioned at substantially diagonally opposed regions of said main body.

14. A trench cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said trench cover is constructed from a polymer based material.

15. A trench cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said trench cover is constructed from a concrete material.

16. A trench cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said trench cover is constructed from reinforced concrete.

17. A trench cover configurable for positioning at substantially an upper region of a trench, said trench cover comprising: a substantially planar main body; and at least one anchoring foot; whereby said at least one anchoring foot is configurable to releasably engage a portion of a wall of said trench, said trench cover thereby being releasably securable to a said trench.

18. A trench cover as claimed in claim 17, wherein said trench cover further comprises: at least one locating foot; whereby said at least one locating foot is configured to reduce displacement of said trench cover in a direction substantially parallel to the main plane through said main body.

19. A trench cover as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18 wherein said at least one anchoring foot comprises at least two protrusions positioned substantially perpendicular to said main body;

whereby said at least two protrusions are configured to engage a portion of a trench wall whereby said trench cover is releasably secured to said trench wall.

20. A trench cover as claimed in claim 19, wherein said trench cover comprises: two anchoring feet positioned at substantially diagonally opposed regions of said main body and; two locating feet positioned at substantially diagonally opposed regions of said main body.

21. A method of securely covering a trench with a plurality of trench covers, said method comprising the steps of: positioning a first trench cover on said trench; positioning a second trench cover against the said first trench cover; and securably locking said first trench cover to said second trench cover.

22. A method of covering a trench as claimed in claim 21, wherein said method further comprises providing each said cover with at least one anchoring foot whereby said anchoring foot is configurable to releasably engage a portion of a wall of said trench.

23. A trench cover having means configurable to lock to at least one other trench cover.

24. A trench cover as claimed in claim 23, wherein said trench cover comprises a substantially rectangular shape with first and second locking means located at substantially opposite ends of said rectangle.

25. A trench cover as claimed in claim 23, wherein said cover comprises at least one edge configurable to at least partially interlocked with an edge of a second trench cover.

26. A trench cover as claimed in claim 25, wherein sad partial interlocking of said edges is configured to substantially prevent access to said locking mechanism.

27. A trench cover as claimed in Claim 25 or 26, wherein said interlocking comprises use of a staggered edge of said cover.

28. A trench cover as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.