GB2522075A - A trench shoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a trench shoring system 100, a method of shoring a trench and a method of filling in a trench. The trench shoring system comprises a frame 200, consisting of a pair of elongate side bars 202, a pair of side walls 300 and a pair of end walls 400. The side walls and the end walls each comprise a plurality of panels 304, 404 and connectors 324, 326 for releasably engaging other panels and connecting to a side bar so that the walls may be suspended from the frame. The trench shoring system may be constructed from the top down and deconstructed from the bottom up and may be used when digging a grave. There may be a trench surround comprising planar walkways such as walkway panels. There may be uprights (226, figure 15) extending up from the side bars, and bridged adjacent their upper ends by upper side bars (232, figure 15).

Description

"A trench shoring system" I ntrod u oti on This invention relates to a trench shoring system, a method of shoring a trench using a trench shoring system and a method of filling in a trench shored with a trench shoring system. More specifically, the present invention is related to a trench shoring system particularly suited for use in grave digging.

When a grave has been dug and awaits interment of a coffin, it is preferable to shore up the grave to prevent accidental collapse of the side walls of the grave. Accidental collapse of the side walls of a grave is not only an inconvenience but is also extremely dangerous. Accordingly, various grave shoring systems and methods of shoring graves have been proposed to allow the grave to be temporarily shored up.

However, there are numerous problems with the known grave shoring systems. By and large, the known grave shoring systems are large, cumbersome devices that require several workmen and/or the use of a machine to position the shoring system correctly in the grave. This is far from ideal as in some cases the labour costs of digging the grave are increased and in other cases additional expensive equipment is required in order to install the grave shoring system. Furthermore, if a machine is required it is not always possible to rnanoeuver the machine into position adjacent the grave and either additional manpower will be required or other more traditional and less reliable methods of sholing up the grave must be used.

Another significant disadvantage of the known grave shoring systems is that the grave shoring systems are typically installed once the grave has been fully dug. Therefore, until the grave shoring system has been installed, there is up to that point a danger of the grave side walls collapsing. This is unsatisfactory as the grave side walls could collapse before the grave is fully dug and a grave digger could still be in the grave digging at the time of the side walls collapse. Similarly, the grave shoring system must be removed in its entirety before the grave may be filled in once more and there is a chance that when the grave shoring system is removed, the giave side walls will collapse before the grave can be filled in properly. Finally, with many of the known grave shoring systems, if the system is damaged, the entire grave shoring system has to be replaced which is costly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a grave shoring system and method of using same that overcome at least some of the above-mentioned problems. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a grave shoring system that provides a useful choice to the consumer.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a trench shoring system comprising a ground engaging frame and a plurality of subterranean trench walls for suspension from the ground engaging frame, the ground engaging frame comprising a pair of elongate side bars for placement on the ground adjacent the trench and spaced apart from each other on either side of the trench, the trench walls comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls and a pair of spaced apart end walls, each of the side walls comprising a plurality of elongate side wall panels releasably connectable together for arrangement in a substantially vertical configuration one below the other, each of the side wall panels having a side wall panel connector for releasable engagement of one of the elongate side bar of the frame and an adjacent side wall panel, the side wall panel connectors being arranged to allow construction and deconstruction of the trench side wall in a piecewise fashion in wtiich the trench side wall may be constructed side wall panel by side wall panel from the top down and deconstructed side wall panel by side wall panel from the bottom up, each of the end walls comprising a plurality of elongate end wall panels for arrangement in a substantially vertical configuration one below the other, each of the end wall panels being dimensioned to bridge the gap between a side wall panel of one of the side walls and a corresponding side wall panel of the other of the side walls, with one end of the end wall panel being releasably engageable to the side wall panel of one of the side walls and the other end of the end wall panel being releasably engageable to the corresponding side wall panel of the other of the side walls.

By having such a trench shoring system, the trench shoring system can be manoeuvred into position and installed by a single individual. All of the main component parts of the trench shoring system are separable from each other and accordingly, the individual component parts may be moved into position by a single grave digger. Perhaps most importantly, the trench shoring system can be constructed side wall panel by side wall panel from the top down and deconstructed side wall panel by side wall panel from the bottom up. This is particularly advantageous as the trench shoring system can be installed as the grave is being dug rather than having to wait until the grave is fully dug.

This will provide protection to the grave digger while they are working in the grave and will obviate the possibility of the grave wall sides collapsing in on the grave digger while they work. Furthermore, the grave may be filled in gradually and only part of the trench shoring system will have to be removed at a time allowing the remainder of the trench shoring system to remain in place thereby preventing premature collapse of the side walls before the grave has been filled in correctly.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the side wall panel connectors extend upwardly from the side wall panel for engagement of one of the elongate side bar of the frame and the adjacent side wall panel located immediately above the side wall panel on which the side wall panel connector is located.

This is seen as particularly useful as it will enable the trench shoring system to be constructed one panel at a time from the top down and deconstructed one panel at a time from the bottom up.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which there is provided a complementary side wall panel connector receiver mounted on each side wall panel for location of the side wall panel connector. The receiver will ensure a secure connection between the side wall panels thereby obviating the possibility of the side wall panel separating under load and further will allow simple engagement of a pair of adjacent panels.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which there is provided a complementary side wall panel connector receiver mounted on each of the elongate side bars for location of the side wall panel connector. Similarly, by providing a side wall panel connector receiver on the elongate side bars of the frame, a secure connection between the side wall panel and the frame will be established. This is also seen as a useful way of connecting the side wall panels to the frame and ensuring that all of the side wall panels are uniform in construction. By providing a side wall panel connector receiver on the side bars of the frame, any one of the side wall panels can engage the frame and a special separate side wall panel to engage the frame does not have to be provided.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the end wall panels are dimensioned to form a push fit between the side wall panel of one of the side walls and the corresponding side wall panel of the other of the side walls.

This is seen as a simple way of connecting the end wall panels to the side wall panels and holding them in place.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which one of the side wall panel and the end wall panel is provided with an end wall panel connector for releasable engagement of the other of the side wall panel and the end wall panel. By providing a connector, a more secure engagement between the end wall panel and the side wall panel can be achieved.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the other of the side wall panel and the end wall panel without the end wall panel connector is provided with a complementary end wall panel connector receiver for location of the end wall panel connector.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the side wall panel connectors are mounted on an inner face of the elongate side wall panels. By having the side wall panel connectors mounted on the inner face of the elongate side wall panel, the side wall panels can be connected to the panel above in a very simple straightforward manner.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which, when constructed, there are provided a plurality of courses of panels extending do'Mlwardly from the frame, each course comprising a pair of side wall panels and a pair of end wall panels connected end to end in a substantially cuboid configuration open at a top side and a bottom side.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the frame's elongate side bars are extensible in length. This is seen as useful as the trench shoring system can be used ith different length graves, for example, graves for adults and graves for minors.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the extensible side bars are each box shaped in cross section.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the extensible side bars are telescopic with an outer section sleeved with an inner extension section slidable relative to the outer section.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which there is provided a trench surround for engagement of the frame and for placement on the ground surrounding the frame. This is seen as a particularly useful aspect of the present invention. The trench surround will be held securely in place on the frame surrounding the grave and the trench surround will provide very secure footing around the grave and will also minimize the amount of damage caused to the earth surrounding the grave.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the trench surround comprises a plurality of substantially planar walkway panels.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the plurality of substantially planar walkways comprise a pair of elongate side walkway panels and a pair of elongate end walkway panels.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the frame comprises a plurality of uprights extending upwardly from the elongate side bars, the plurality of uprights being bridged adjacent their upper ends by a pair of substantially horizontal longitudinal upper side bars and a pair of substantially horizontal lateral cross bars, and in which there is provided an abutment plate extending upwardly from one of the lateral cross bars. This is also seen as a particularly useful aspect of the present invention as the frame can be used to support a coffin during the burial ceremony. The frame can be placed over the opening of the trench where a separate stand need not be provided.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which there are provided a plurality of lateral rollers, detachably mounted to and spanning laterally from one of the longitudinal upper side bars to the other of the longitudinal upper side bars. By having detachably mounted rollers, the rollers can be used to facilitate easy sliding of the coffin for placement on the frame before being removed to allow lowering of the coffin into the grave. This will further enhance the usefulness of the frame.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which there is provided a stationary lateral roller located on the proximal end of the frame spanning the partial length of the proximal horizontal lateral cross bar. By having a fixed roller at the proximal horizontal lateral cross bar, the roller will provide support to the coffin and can be used to facilitate ease in placement of the coffin on the frame in order to hold the coffin during the entire ceremony prior to lowering into the grave. It is envisaged that the stationary lateral roller will be made of steel or stainless steel.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the uprights are each provided with a base that is dimensioned to releasably engage one of the elongate side bars placed on the ground adjacent the trench. For example, the base could be substantially U-shaped so that it sits on the box shaped extensible side bar. This will ensure that the frame is held relatively securely together and the frame will be correctly aligned with the grave below with ease.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which a plurality of the panels are provided with a step on an inner face thereof. This is seen as a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention. By having a step on the inner surface of the panels, an additional ladder does not need to be brought down into the grave in order to allow the grave digger get into and out of the grave. This will provide more space for the grave digger to operate while digging in the grave and will always provide an easy way for the grave digger to get into and out of the grave.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which there is provided a substantially rectangular cover dimensioned to overlay the frame.

The cover will minimize the effects of the elements, and rain in particular, on the grave.

Rain fall on the side walls can cause the side walls to become slippery and collapse. The cover will divert rain away from the grave helping to avoid flooding in the grave.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the cover is pitched to divert rain away from the trench.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a trench shoring system in which the component parts of the trench shoring system are constructed from galvanized steel or stainless steel.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of shoring a trench using the trench shoring system according to the invention comprising the steps of: (a) placing a pair of elongate side bars of a ground engaging frame on the ground adjacent the trench, one on either side of the trench; (b) suspending a side wall panel from the side bar on one side of the trench; (c) suspending another side wall panel from the side bar on the other side of the trench; (d) mounting a first end panel on the pair of side panels, the end panel bridging the gap between the side panels and extending from one end of one of the side panels to one end of the other of the side panels; (e) mounting a second end panel on the pair of side panels, the second end panel bridging the gap between the side panels and extending from the other, free end of one of the side panels to the other, free end of the other of the side panels, the side panels and the end panels forming a course of panels that is substantially cuboid in configuration open at a top side and a bottom side; (I') digging the trench deeper until there is sufficient room to lay another course of panels below the lowermost course of panels; (g) mounting a further pair of side panels, one on and below each of the lowermost side panels and mounting a further pair of end panels on the further pair of side panels, one end panel at each end of the further side panels extending across to the end of the other further side panel below the lowermost end panels; and (h) repeating steps (f) and (g) until the desired trench depth has been reached, thereby constructing the trench shoring in a piecewise fashion.

This is seen as a particularly effective way of constructing a trench shoring system. The trench shoring system will be constructed from the top down in a gradual, piecewise fashion. Once the grave has been dug a given depth, the first course of panels can be laid in the grave. The grave can then be dug deeper until there is sufficient room to lay another course of panels in the grave and so on until the grave has reached the desired depth. In this way, the grave digger will be provided with protection from the trench shoring system as the grave is being dug and it is not necessary to wait until the grave has been dug to its desired depth before inserting the trench shoring system.

Furthermore, such a method is simple and will allow smaller components to be used in creating a secure structure.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of filling in a trench that is shored with the trench shoring system according to the present invention comprising the steps of: (i) removing the lowermost end wall panel of each of the trench end walls from the trench shoring system; (j) removing the lowermost side wall panel of each of the trench side walls from the trench shoring system; (k) partially filling the trench in to a point where it is still possible to remove the new lowermost end wall panel of the trench end walls and the new lowermost side wall panel of the trench side walls from the trench shoring system; and (I) repeating steps (i) to (k) inclusive until all the side wall panels of the trench side walls and all the end wall panels of the trench end walls have been removed and thereafter filling in the remainder of the trench.

This is seen as a useful way of filling in a grave without the risk of the side walls collapsing prematurely and causing subsidence damage around the grave, before the grave can be filled in properly. The side panels and the end panels are removed gradually in a piecewise fashion to allow the grave or trench to be filled in gradually.

Once the grave has been filled in to a level just below the next course of panels, the next course of panels is removed and the grave is filled in some more up to a level just below the next, still connected, course of panels. This process is repeated until the grave has been filled in completely.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- -10-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trench shoring system according to the invention; Figure 2(a) is a front view of a side wall panel of the trench shoring system according to the invention; Figure 2(b) is a rear view of the side wall panel shown in Figure 2(a); Figure 2(c) is a cross sectional view of the side wall panel along the lines D-D in Figure 2(a); Figure 2(d) is a cross sectional view of the side wall panel along the lines A-A in Figure 2(a); Figure 3(a) is a front view of a wall panel of the trench shoring system according to the invention; Figure 3(b) is a rear view of the end wall panel shown in Figure 3(a); Figure 3(c) is an end view of the end wall panel shown in Figure 3(a); Figure 3(d) is a cross sectional view of the end wall panel along the lines B-B in Figure 3(a); Figure 4(a) is a side view of an elongate side bar in a contracted configuration; Figure 4(b) is a side view of the elongate side bar in an extended configuration; Figure 4(c) is an end view of the elongate side bar; Figure 5 is a front view of a plurality of side wall panels connected together suspended from an elongate side bar; -11 -Figures 6 to 8 are perspective views of a course of panels of the trench shoring system in various stages of construction; Figure 9 is a plan view of the course of panels shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the portion of Figure 9 delineated by dashed line C showing the engagement between the side wall panel and the end wall panel; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a plurality of courses of panels connected together; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the elongate side bars in position beside a grave; Figure 13 is a side view of the trench shoring system according to the invention with a cover attached thereto; Figure 14 is an end view of the trench shoring system shown in Figure 13; Figure 15 is a perspective view of a frame of the trench shoring system according to the invention; Figure 16 is a side view of the frame shown in Figure 15; Figure 17 is an end view of the frame shown in Figure 15; and Figure 18 is a perspective view of the trench shoring system according to the invention with a plurality of walkway panels attached thereto.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a trench shoring system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, comprising a frame 200, a pair of spaced apart side walls 300, 302 and a pair of spaced apart end walls 400, 402. The frame 200 comprises a pair of spaced apart elongate side bars 202, 204, for placement on either side of a trench (not shown). The side walls 300, 302 are each suspended from one of the side bars 202, 204 -12 -respectively and the end walls 400, 402 bridge the gap between the pair of side walls 300, 302 adjacent the ends of the side walls. The side walls 300, 302 each comprise a plurality of side wall panels 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 releasably connectable to each other and arranged in a substantially vertical configuration one below the other. The end walls 400, 402 each comprise a plurality of end wall panels 404, 406, 408, 410, 412 releasably connectable to a pair of corresponding side wall panels and arranged in a substantially vertical configuration one below the other.

Referring to Figures 2(a) to 2(d) inclusive, there is shown a plurality of views of the side wall panel 304. The side wall panel 304 is identical in construction to the other side wall panels 306, 308, 310 and 312 and therefore only one side wall panel 304 will be described in detail. The side wall panel 304 comprises a substantially rectangular body 314 having a top 316, bottom 318, and pail of ends 320, 322. The side wall panel 304 further comprises a pair of side wall panel connectors 324, 326 for releasable engagement of one of the elongate side bars of the frame and another side wall panel 306, 308, 310, 312. The side wall panel connectors 324, 326 each comprise a plate 328 mounted on the inner face 330 of the side wall panel, the plate 328 extending upwardly from the side wall panel 304 and having a through hole 332 adjacent its upper end and a locking pin 334 adjacent its lower end. The through hole 332 and the locking pin 334 are both dimensioned for complementary engagement of a locking pin or a through hole respectively of another side wall panel 306. 308, 310, 312. The through holes 332 are also dimensioned for alternative engagement of a locking pin mounted on an elongate side bar of the frame (not shown). Engagement of a pair of side panels together will be described in more detail below with respect to Figure 5.

Referring specifically to Figure 2(d), there is shown a cross-sectional view of the side wall panel 304 along the lines A-A of Figure 2(a). The side wall panel 304 comprises an end plate 336 with an end wall engaging pin 338 mounted thereon. The side wall panel 304 is substantially C-shaped in cross section with a back portion 340 and a pair of substantially parallel arms 342, 344 extending forwardly and substantially orthogonal to the back portion 340. The arms 342, 344 are each cranked at elbow joints 346, 348, respectively and cranked again at wrist joints 350, 352 respectively, so that the arms effectively turn back on themselves with the free ends of the arms 342, 344 facing towards the back portion 340. That portion of the ami between the wrist joint 352 and the -13-free end of the arm 344 provides a platform that may operate effectively as a step of a ladder when two or more of the side wall panels 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 are constructed together.

Referring to Figures 3(a) to 3(d) inclusive, there is shown a plurality of views of the end wall panel 404. The end wall panel 404 is identical in construction to the other end wall panels 406, 408, 410 and 412 and therefore only one end wall panel 404 will be described in detail. The end wall panel 404 comprises a substantially rectangular body 414 having a top 416, a bottom 418, and a pair of ends 420, 422. The end wall panel 404 further comprises a pair of through holes 424, 426 each for releasable engagement of a locking pin (not shown) of a side wall panel 304, 306, 308, 310, 312. Engagement of the end panel with a pair of side panels will be described in more detail below with respect to Figures 6 to 8 inclusive.

Referring specifically to Figure 3(d), there is shown a cross-sectional view of the end wall panel 404 along the lines B-B of Figure 3(a). The end wall panel 404 is substantially C-shaped in cross section with a back portion 426 and a pair of substantially parallel arms 430, 432 extending forwardly and substantially orthogonal to the back portion 428. The arms 430, 432 are each cranked at elbow joints 434, 436, respectively and cranked again at'Mist joints 436, 440 respectively, so that the arms 430, 432 effectively turn back on themselves with the free ends of the aims 430, 432 facing towards the back portion 428. That portion of the arm between the wrist joint 440 and the free end of the arm 432 provides a platform that may operate effectively as a step of a ladder when two or more courses of wall panels are constructed together.

Referring to Figures 4(a) to 4(c) inclusive, there is shown a plurality of views of an elongate side bar 202 of the frame 200. The side bar 204 is identical in construction to the side bar 202 and therefore it is deemed necessary to only describe one of the elongate side bars in detail. The side bar 202 is an extensible side bar and comprises an outer section 206 sleeved by a pair of inner sections 208, 210 that are slidable relative to the outer section. Figure 4(a) shows the elongate side bar in a contracted configuration whereas Figure 4(b) shows the elongate side bars in an extended configuration. The side bar 202 comprises a pair of plates 212, 214 downwardly depending therefrom. Each of the plates 212, 214 has a locking pin 216, 218, respectively, mounted thereon. The -14 -locking pins 216, 218 are arranged to releasably engage the side wall panel. The locking pins 216, 218 are suitably dimensioned for insertion into the through hole 332 of the plate 328 of the side wall panel connector 324, 326 of a side wall panel 304. The locking pins 216, 218 each have a pivoting pin 220, 222 respectively adjacent their free end that is mounted about an axle 224 (Figure 4(c)) to allow pivoting of the pin 220, 222 to and from a release configuration substantially in line with the remainder of the locking pin 216, 218 and a locking configuration substantially perpendicular to the remainder of the locking pin 216, 218. The elongate side bar inner and outer sections are box-shaped in cross section.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a side wall consisting of the plurality of side wall panels 304, 306, 308 and 310 constructed together and suspended from an elongate side bar 202 of the frame 200. The other side wall 302 and the end walls 400, 402 have been omitted for clarity. In order to construct the side wall 300, the uppermost side wall panel 304 is first introduced to the elongate side bar 202 of the frame 200 and the locking pins 216, 218 of the elongate side bar 202 are inserted through the through holes 332 of the side wall panel connectors 324, 326. The pivoting pins 220, 222 are rotated about their pivot points into a locking configuration and in this configuration, the side wall panel 304 is attached to the elongate side bar. Once the side wall panel 304 is in position, the next side wall panel 306 is ready for placement. The side wall panel 306 is brought into engagement with the side wall panel 304 and the locking pins 334 of the side wall panel 304 are inserted through the through holes 332 of the side wall panel connectors 324, 326 of the lower side wall panel 306. The locking pins 334 are of similar construction to the locking pins 216, 218 with a pivoting pin rotatably mounted about an axle (not shown) and pivotable to and from a locking configuration and a release configuration. The pivoting pins of the locking pins 334 are rotated about their pivot points into a locking configuration and in this configuration, the side wall panel 306 is attached to the side wall panel 304. Once the side wall panel 306 is in position, the next side wall panel 308 is ready for placement.

The side wall panel 308 is brought into engagement with the side wall panel 306 and the locking pins 334 of the side wall panel 306 are inserted through the through holes 332 of the side wall panel connectors 324, 326 of the lower side wall panel 308. The pivoting pins (not shown) of the locking pins 334 are rotated about their pivot points into a locking -15-configuration and in this configuration, the side wall panel 308 is attached to the side wall panel 306. Once the side wall panel 308 is in position, the next side wall panel 310 is ready for placement. The side wall panel 310 is brought into engagement with the side wall panel 308 and the locking pins 334 of the side wall panel 308 are inserted through the through holes 332 of the side wall panel connectors 324, 326 of the lower side wall panel 310. The pivoting pins (not shown) of the locking pins 334 are rotated about their pivot points into a locking configuration and in this configuration, the side wall panel 310 is attached to the side wall panel 308. It will be readily understood that further side wall panels can be added in the manner described above.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 8 inclusive, there is shown a series of drawings with a course of wall panels in various stages of construction. In Figure 6, a pair of side wall panels 304 are mounted on and suspended from a pair of elongate side bars (not shown). Once in position, a first end panel 404 is placed intermediate the pair of side wall panels 304 adjacent the ends thereof (Figure 7). The first end panel 404 forms a push fit between the end 322 of the first side wall panel 304 and the end 320 of the second side wall panel. The first end 420 of the end wall panel 404 engages the end 322 of the first side wall panel 304 and the second end 422 of the end wall panel 404 engages the end 320 of the second side wall panel 304. The end wall engaging pin 338 of the first side wall panel 304 is inserted through the through hole 424 in the end wall panel and the end wall engaging pin 338 of the second side wall panel 304 is inseited through the through hole 426 in the end wall panel, thereby securing the end wall panel in position relative the two side wall panels. The end wall engaging pin 338 may comprise a pivoting pin similar to the locking pins 216, 218 described above. Once the first end wall panel 404 is in position, the second end wall panel 404 is brought into engagement with the side wall panels 304 at their other end and secured in position (Figure 8). The two side wall panels 304 and the two end wall panels 404 connected together in this manner as illustrated in Figure 8 constitute a course of panels. Once constructed, a further course of panels may be connected thereto and so on until the trench shoring system is at the desired depth.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, there is shown a plan view of a course of panels connected together. The side wall panels 304 are bridged at either end by an end wall panel 404. The end wall panels 404 are preferably push fit between the side wall panels -16 -and are connected to the side wall panels 304 through the end wall engaging pins 338 that extend inwardly from the end plate 336 of the side wall panel through the through holes 424, 426 of the end plate. The connection of one of the end wall panels and the side wall panels is illustrated more dearly in Figure 10.

Referring to Figure 11, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a plurality of courses of panels connected together, thereby forming the side walls 300, 302 and the end walls 400, 402 of the trench shoring system. The courses of panels have been constructed in the manner described with reference to Figures 6 to 8 inclusive above.

Referring to Figure 12, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of part of the frame being placed adjacent the opening of an excavation 500, in this case a grave. The soil has been broken and a shallow grave 500 has been dug up to this point. The elongate side bars are placed on the ground 502 at each end of the grave and the elongate side bars extend along the side of the grave. The elongate side bars may be extended to the required length so that they reach the ground at the opposite ends of the grave. The downwardly depending plates 212, 214 on the elongate side bars extend do'Mlwardly into the excavation and side wall panels (not shown) may be connected thereto and suspended therefrom in the manner described above. Once the first course of panels is in position, the grave may be dug deeper until there is sufficient room for a second course of panels in the grave and so on until the grave has been dug to the desired depth and the courses of panels have been inserted in a piecewise fashion.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, there is shown a side view and an end view of the trench shoring system according to the invention with a cover 600 connected thereto. The cover 600 is mounted on the frame and provides protection to the grave from the elements. In this way, the grave may be dug well in advance as additional protection against damage caused by rain to the side walls of the grave is provided by the cover. Furthermore, the cover 600 will obviate the possibility of a third person accidentally falling into the grave.

The cover 600 comprises a plurality of side walls 602 and a pitched roof 604. The pitched roof will direct water away from the grave preventing flooding of the grave.

Referring to Figures 15 to 17 indusive, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of the frame 200 in which, in addition to the pair of elongate side bars 202, there is further -17-provided a plurality of uprights 226 extending upwardly from the elongate side bars 202, the plurality of uprights 226 being bridged adjacent their upper ends 228 by a pair of substantially horizontal longitudinal upper side bars 230, 232 and a pair of substantially horizontal lateral cross bars 234, 236. There is further provided an abutment plate 238 extending upwardly from one of the lateral cross bars 236. In addition to the above, there is provided a plurality of lateral rollers 240 242, 244 detachably mounted to and spanning laterally from one of the longitudinal upper side bars 230 to the other of the longitudinal upper side bars 232. The lateral roller 240 may be fixedly or detachably mounted on the proximal horizontal lateral cross bar 234. The uprights 226 are each provided with a base 246 that is dimensioned to releasably engage one of the elongate side bars 202 placed on the ground adjacent the trench (not shown). In the present embodiment, the uprights 226 terminate in a bifurcated portion forming the base 246 and the base 246 is effectively U-shaped with a pair of downwardly depending arms 248, 250. The downwardly depending arms 248, 250 are positioned on either side of the elongate side bar 202 to secure the upright in position relative the elongate side bar 202.

Referring specifically to Figure 15, the lateral rollers 242, 244 are each provided with a handle 252, 254 respectively, that allows manipulation of the roller 242, 244. It is envisaged that the rollers 242, 244 may be removed so that a coffin may be lowered into the grave.

Referring to Figure 18, there is shown a perspective view of a trench shoring system according to the invention in which there is provided a trench surround 700 for engagement of the frame 200 and for placement on the ground 502 surrounding the frame 200. The trench surround 700 comprises a plurality of substantially planar walkway panels including a pair of elongate side walkway panels 702, 704 and a pair of elongate end walkway panels 706, 708. The walkway panels are releasably connectable to one of the frame and another walkway panel to temporarily secure the walkways in position and allow the ground surrounding the grave to be protected from damage caused by excessive footfall. Preferably, the walkway panels are provided with a non-slip surface which may be provided by a plurality of upstanding protrusions (not shown) on the upper surface of the walkway panels 702, 704, 706, 708. Alternatively, a rubber coating or grip tape could be provided to the walkway panels. -18-

In use, in order to install the trench shoring system, a workman will carry out the following steps. First of all, the workman will place the pair of elongate side bars 202 of the ground engaging frame 200 on the ground adjacent the trench, one on either side of the trench (as illustrated in Figure 12). The workman will then suspend a side wall panel 304 from the side bar 202 on one side of the trench and then suspend another side wall panel 304 from the side bar 202 on the other side of the trench. Once the side wall panels 304 are in position, the workman will mount a first end panel 404 on the pair of side panels 304, the end panel bridging the gap between the side panels and extending from one end of one of the side panels to one end of the other of the side panels (as illustrated in Figure 7, in which the elongate side bars 202 are not shown). A second end panel 404 is then mounted on the pair of side panels 304, the second end panel 404 bridging the gap between the side panels 304 and extending from the other, free end of one of the side panels to the other, free end of the other of the side panels. The side panels 304 and the end panels 404 form a course of panels that is substantially cuboid in configuration, open at a top side and open at a bottom side (as illustrated in Figure 8, where once again the elongate side bars are not shown).

The workman will then dig the trench deeper until there is sufficient room to lay another course of panels 306, 406 below the existing, lowermost course of panels 304, 404. The workman mounts a further pair of side panels 406, one on and below each of the lowermost side panels 304, and mounts a further pair of end panels 406 on the further pair of side panels 306. One end panel 406 is mounted at each end of the further side panels 306 and extends across to the end of the other further side panel 306 below the existing lowermost end panels 404. The workman repeats the steps of installing further sets of side panels 308, 310, 312 and end panels 408, 410, 412 until the desired trench depth has been reached. In this way, the trench shoring system is constructed in a piecewise fashion.

In order to deconstruct the trench shoring system, a workman will first of all remove the lowermost end wall panel 412 of each of the trench end walls 400, 402 from the trench shoring system 100. Then, the lowermost side wall panel 312 of each of the trench side walls 300, 302 may be removed from the trench shoring system 100. The workman will then partially fill in the trench to a point where it is still possible to remove the new lowermost end wall panel 410 of the trench end walls 400, 402 and the new lowermost -19-side wall panel 312 of the trench side walls 300, 302 from the trench shoring system 100. The steps of removing the end wall panels, removing the side wall panels and filling the grave in to a point just below the next end wall and side wall panels are repeated until all the side wall panels of the trench side walls and all the end wall panels of the trench end walls have been removed. The remainder of the trench is then filled in.

It will be understood that various modifications to the embodiments shown may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the wall panel connectors and wall panel connector receivers as well as the end panel connectors and the end panel connector receivers are provided by way of locking pins and through holes. However, other connectors and receivers are also equally well envisaged provided that they allow construction of the trench shoring system from the top down and deconstruction of the trench shoring system from the bottom up. The panels have been described as subterranean panels and it will be understood that the panels will be subterranean only once put in position on the frame. The elongate side bars are box shaped and extendable however neither of these features is absolutely essential.

Throughout the specification, reference is made to a grave and for use of the device with a grave. It will be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to other types of trenches and excavations and is not limited to use with a grave although it is particularly effective applied in the field of grave digging.

In this specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" and the terms "include, includes, included and including" are all deemed totally interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is in no way limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described and may be varied in both form and construction within the scope of the claims.