[0001] This application claims the benefit of copending U.S. provisional application,

Serial No. 81353148, filed on June 9, 2010, and copending U.S. nonprovisional application, Serial No. 13013636, filed on January 25, 201 1 , which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Background

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to trench shoring apparatuses, in particular, this disclosure relates to mobile trench shoring apparatuses and/or trench shoring apparatuses that shore trenches with a reduced need for the user to enter the trench. Additionally, this disclosure relates to remotely operable trench shoring apparatuses. This disclosure additionally relates to methods of shoring trenches that reduce the need for user entry in the trench during shoring.

[0003] Known trench shoring apparatuses and methods are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. Specifically, existing trench shoring apparatuses and methods may be slow and may create life threatening safety hazards. Specifically, conventional trench shoring apparatuses are often very difficult to move and to install along the length of a trench. Additionally, conventional trench shoring apparatuses and methods often require the user to enter the trench during shoring, which may be potentially life threatening if the trench wails cave in during shoring.

[0004] Thus, there exists a need for trench shoring apparatuses that improve upon and advance the design of known trench shoring apparatuses. Specifically, there exists a need for trench shoring apparatuses with greater mobility and the ability to be operated from outside the trench being shored.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a trench shoring apparatus positioned over a longitudinally extending trench.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a top-down view of the trench shoring apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 .

[0007] Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the trench shoring apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0008] Fig. 4 is a front elevation view of the trench shoring apparatus of Fig. 1 positioned over a trench, with the telescoping ram arm extended such that a strut and shoring panels are substantially within the trench.

[0009] Fig. 5 is a side elevation close up view of a track of the trench shoring apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 , with phantom lines of the track rotated to an alternative position. [0010] Fig. 6 is a side elevation close up view of a track of the trench shoring apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 .

[0011] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second example of a trench shoring apparatus over a trench, the trench shoring apparatus including two ram assemblies attached to connecting members.

[0012] Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of the trench shoring apparatus shown in Fig. 7 depicting a strut extending and retracting.

[0013] Fig. 9 illustrates a close up elevation view of a first shoring plate connected to a second shoring plate.

Detailed Description

[0014] The disclosed trench shoring apparatuses and methods will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

[0015] Throughout the following detailed description, a variety of trench shoring apparatus examples are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example, instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

[0016] This document may refer to certain features as included in collections and/or groups. For example, certain features may be described as being included in groups such as "electrical components" or "structural components." These collections are merely included for the sake of clarity and are not to be read into the substance of the underlying elements in any way.

[0017] The titles of such groups and/or collections, e.g. "electrical" and "structural" of the previous example, are merely illustrative, have no bearing on the substance of the underlying elements, and are not limited to elements that are generally understood to fall under the generic title of the collection. As an example, "electrical components" may include structural and other non-electrical components. Features in a collection may be read to have electrical and nonelectrical characteristics should not be limited to the electrical characteristics.

[0018] As discussed above, Figs. 1-6 illustrate a first example of a trench shoring apparatus 100 for shoring longitudinally extending trenches formed in the ground and defined by a first lateral trench wail and a second lateral trench wall opposite the first lateral trench wail, As shown in Figs. 1 -6, trench shoring apparatus 100 includes a frame 107, a first ram assembly 170, a second ram assembly 185 an onboard control unit 101 , a plurality of drive units 102, a power unit 103, and remote control unit 104, a first shoring plate 181 and a second shoring plate 183. Trench shoring apparatus 100 is configured to move along longitudinally extending trenches and selectively raise and lower a strut with selectively coupled shoring panels to a shoring position within the trench's walls.

[0019] Trench shoring apparatus 100 is additionally configured to telescope laterally to accommodate trenches of varying widths. Trench shoring apparatus 100 additionally includes individually telescoping members to accommodate uneven ground and/or adjust trench shoring apparatus 100's height relative the trench. Trench shoring apparatus 100 is configured for user control from a position spaced from the apparatus. Additionally, trench shoring apparatus 100 includes a collection of tracks each rotating and pivoting independent of the other tracks at the bottom of the support members to accommodate varying terrain.

[0020] Frame 107 includes a first lateral member 108, a second lateral member 109, a first connecting member 1 10, second connecting member 124, a first support member 130, a second support member 140, a third support member 150, and a fourth support member 160.

[0021] As Fig. 1-4 illustrates, second lateral member 109 is spaced from and extends substantially parallel to first lateral member 108. First and second lateral members extend longitudinaily relative the trench when in use over a trench.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 1-4, first connecting member 1 10 extends between first lateral member 108 and second lateral member 109. First connecting member 1 10 includes a sleeve member 1 1 1 , a first nested member 1 12, a second nested member 1 13, a first cylinder 1 14, and a second cylinder 1 15.

[0023] First nested member 1 12 is attached to first lateral member 108 on a first end and extends laterally towards second lateral member 109 on an opposite end.

[0024] Second nested member 1 13 is connected on a first end to second lateral member 109 and extends laterally towards first lateral member 108 on an opposite end. Second nested member 1 13 is substantially aligned with first nested member 1 12. [0025] Sleeve member 1 1 1 is positioned between first lateral member 108 and second lateral member 109 and is substantially aligned with first nested member 1 12 and second nested member 1 13. Sleeve member 1 1 1 includes a first opening on a first side and a second opening on its opposite side. Sleeve member 1 1 1 is configured to internally receive first nested member 1 12 through the first opening and to internally receive second nested member 1 13 through the second opening.

[0026] First cylinder 1 14 is positioned within sleeve member 1 1 1 and is drivingly connected to the nested end of first nested member 1 12. First cylinder 1 14 defines a hydraulic cylinder configured to extend first nested member 1 12 beyond sleeve member 1 1 1. When cylinder 1 14 is fully retracted, first nested member 1 12 is fully nested within sleeve member 1 1 1. In some examples, the first nested member is partially nested within the sleeve member when the cylinder is fully retracted.

[0027] Second cylinder 1 15 is positioned within sleeve member 1 1 1 and is drivingly connected to the nested end of second nested member 1 13. second cylinder 1 15 defines a hydraulic cylinder configured to extend second nested member 1 13 beyond sleeve member 1 1 1. When second cylinder 1 15 is fully retracted, second nested member 1 13 is substantially fully nested within sleeve member 1 1 1 .

[0028] First cylinder 1 14 and second cylinder 1 15 are configured to function cooperatively or individually to telescopicaily adjust first connecting member 1 10's length.

[0029] Second connecting member 124 extends between first lateral member 108 and second lateral member 109. Second connecting member 124 includes a sleeve member 125, a first nested member 128, a second nested member 127, a first cylinder 128, and a second cylinder 129, which share substantially similar designs and functions with sleeve member 1 1 1 , first nested member 1 12, second nested member 1 13, first cylinder 1 14, and second cylinder 1 15, respectively. Sub-elements of first connecting member 1 10 and second connecting member 124 interact in a substantially similar manner as well.

[0030] First cylinder 1 14 and first cylinder 128 are cooperatively configured to extend their corresponding nested members beyond the sleeve member in which they are contained. Specifically, they are configured to retract corresponding nested members to a position where they are substantially fully retracted within their corresponding sleeve member to a position where the nested member is extends beyond the sleeve member. Second cylinder 1 15 and second cylinder 129 are configured to similarly cooperate.

[0031] This telescopic cooperation allows first connecting member 1 10 and second connecting member 124 to telescope laterally in either direction relative the longitudinally extending trench. Stated another way, this allows adjustment of the laterai position of first lateral member 108 and second lateral member 109. This laterai adjustability of first lateral member 108 and second lateral member 109 is depicted using phantom lines in Fig. 2.

[0032] As Fig. 1 illustrates, first support member 130 projects from a first end of first lateral member 108 toward the ground to a support end 131 on a first laterai side of the trench. First support member 130 includes a sleeve member 132, a nested member 134, and a cylinder 135. First support member 130 additionally includes a panel support member 139.

[0033] Sleeve member 132 is connected on a first end to first lateral member 108 and defines a sieve opening 133 on the opposite end. Nested member 134 is mounts within sleeve member 132 on a first end and extends downward to support end 131 on the opposite end.

[0034] Cylinder 135 is positioned within sleeve member 132 and is drivingly connected to the nested end of nested member 134. Cylinder 135 defines a hydraulic cylinder configured to extend nested member 134 beyond sleeve member 132. When cylinder 135 is fully refracted, nested member 134 is substantially fully nested within sleeve member 132. Cylinder 135 is configured to allow telescopic adjustment of the length of first support member 130.

[0035] Panel support member 139 defines a member projecting from first support member 130 to the inferior of frame 107, the member defining an upward facing slot. Panel support member 139 is sized to receive a shoring panel within its slot.

[0036] Turning attention to Figs. 5 and 6, first support member 130 additionally includes a track bearing 138 attached at support end 131 and a track 138 pivotally and rotationally connected to track bearing 138. Fig. 5 shows track 138 rotated to a rotated position in phantom lines. Fig. 6 shows track 138 pivoted to a pivoted position in phantom lines, in the example illustrated, track 138 may pivot and rotate 380°. In other examples, the track may rotate 270°, 180°, 90°, or some other angle between 0° and 360°.

[0037] Second support member 140 projects from a first end of second lateral member

109 toward the ground on a second laterai side of the trench opposite the first lateral side. Aside from being attached to second lateral member 109 rather than to first lateral member 108, second support member 140 is substantially similar in design to first support member 130. Specifically, second support member 140 includes a support end 141 , a sleeve member 142, a nested member 144, a cylinder 145, track bearing 146, track 148, and a panel support member 149, each substantially similar to the corresponding elements of first support member 130.

[0038] As Fig. 1 illustrates, third support member 150 projects from a second end of first lateral member 108 opposite the first end toward the ground on the first lateral side of the trench. Aside from being attached to first lateral member 108 in a different location than first support member 130, third support member 150 otherwise shares a substantially similar design with first support member 130. Specifically, third support member 150 includes a support end 151 , a nested member 154, a sleeve member 152, a cylinder 155, track bearing 156, track 158, and panel support member 159, each substantially similar to the corresponding elements of first support member 130.

[0039] Fourth support member 160 projects from a second end of second lateral member 109 opposite the first end toward the ground on the second lateral side of the trench. Aside from being attached to second lateral member 109 in a position different than second support member 140, fourth support member 160 otherwise shares a substantially similar design with second support member 140. Specifically, fourth support member 160 includes a support end 161 , a sleeve member 162, a nested member 164, a cylinder 165, track bearing 166, track 168, and panel support member 169, each substantially similar to the corresponding elements of first support member 130.

[0040] Cylinder 135, cylinder 145, cylinder 155, and cylinder 165 are configured to operate either in concert or individually to adjust the length of the support members. When acting in concert, cylinder 135, cylinder 145, cylinder 155, and cylinder 165 cooperatively operate to raise and lower the level of the frame. When acting individually, cylinder 135, cylinder 145, cylinder 155, and cylinder 165 operate to adjust the length of the respective support members to provide improved support on uneven ground. Fig. 3 depicts in phantom lines track 138 first support member 130 extended by cylinder 135 (shown in Fig. 1 ) a first distance and track 148 and second support member 140 extended by cylinder 145 (shown in Fig. 1 ) a second distance greater than the first distance.

[0041] As illustrated in Figs. 1 , 3, and 4, panel support member 139 and panel support member 159 extend in substantially the same direction and panel support member 149 and pane! support member 169 extend in substantially the opposite direction. Pane! support member 139 and panel support member 159 are configured to cooperatively support a trench shoring plate in slots defined in the panel support members. The panel support members support the plates along the interior side of first support member 130 and third support member 150. Likewise, pane! support member 149 and pane! support member 169 cooperatively support a trench shoring plate in slots along the interior side of second support member 140 and fourth support member 160.

[0042] First ram assembly 170 includes a telescoping arm 171 , a strut 175, a first strut extender 177, a second strut extender 199, a first plate coupler 178, a second plate coupler 179, a third plate coupler 197, and a fourth plate coupler 198. [0043] As illustrated in Figs. 1 , 3, and 4, first ram assembly 170 extends towards the ground substantially near the center of first connecting member 1 10. First ram assembly 170 includes telescoping arm 171 projecting from first connecting member 1 10 towards the ground and strut 175 connected on the end of telescoping arm 171 opposite first connecting member 1 10.

[0044] Telescoping arm 171 is connected on a first end to first connecting member 1 10 and extends downward towards to a second end connected to strut 175. Telescoping arm 171 includes a sleeve member 172, a nested member 173, and cylinder 175. Telescoping arm 171 is generally configured to extend and retract longitudinally, thereby adjusting the vertical position of strut 175.

[0045] Sleeve member 172 is connected on a first end to first connecting member 1 10 and defines an opening on the opposite side. Nested member 173 is routed through the opening on a first end and extends vertically downward from sleeve member 172 to a lower end.

[0046] Cylinder 175 defines a hydraulic cylinder positioned within sleeve member 172 and is drivingiy connected to the first end of nested member 173. Cylinder 175 is configured to extend nested member 173 beyond sleeve member 172, thereby adjusting the length of telescoping arm 171.

[0047] As Figs. 1 -4 illustrate, strut 175 is attached to the lower end of telescoping arm

171. Strut 175 includes first strut extender 177, second strut extender 199, first plate coupler 178, second plate coupler 179, third plate coupler 197, and fourth plate coupler 198. Strut 175 is generally configured to brace shoring plates as the shoring plates shore trench walls and to laterally move the shoring plates.

[0048] First strut extender 1 77 and second strut extender 199 each include a pair of hydraulic cylinders mounted within strut 175. The hydraulic cylinders define a first strut cylinder directed towards the first lateral trench wail and a second strut cylinder directed in the opposite direction as the first strut cylinder. First strut extender 177 and second strut extender 199 are each additionally configured to extend and retract the strut in both lateral directions relative the longitudinal trench.

[0049] First plate coupler 178 is drivingiy connected to the first strut cylinder of first strut extender 177 and second plate coupler 179 is drivingiy connected to the second strut cylinder of the second strut extender 199. First plate coupler 178 is configured to extend towards the first lateral trench wall as first strut extender 177 extends, whereas second plate coupler 179 is configured to extend to the opposite trench wall. [0050] First plate coupler 178 is configured to magnetically couple with first shoring plate

181 and second plate coupler 179 is configured to magnetically couple with second shoring plate 183. However, in other examples the plate couplers mechanically couple to the shoring plates.

[0051] Magnetic coupling enables the plate couplers to selectively couple to the shoring plate. Magnetic coupling facilitates selective coupling to the shoring plates without manual intervention. Indeed, a user can instruct the plate couplers to selectively couple with the shoring plates from a remote position.

[0052] First ram assembly 170 also includes third plate coupler 197 drivingiy connected to the first strut cylinder of second strut extender 199 and fourth plate coupler 198 drivingiy connected to the second strut cylinder of second strut extender 199. Third plate coupler 197 is configured to extend towards the first lateral trench wall as second strut extender 199 extends, whereas fourth plate coupler 198 is configured to extend to the opposite trench wall. Third plate coupler 197 is configured to magnetically couple with first shoring plate 181 and fourth plate coupler 198 is configured to magnetically couple with second shoring plate 183. in other examples, the plate couplers employ mechanical coupling mechanisms.

[0053] First shoring plate 181 is a rigid member formed from a magnetically attractable material. First shoring plate 181 includes a protection and recess complimenting the slots defined in storage panel support member 139 and panel support member 159. First shoring plate 181 is an otherwise generally understood shoring panel.

[0054] Second shoring plate 183 is configured to be magnetically attached to second plate coupler 179 and fourth plate coupler 198 and/or stored in the slots of panel support member 149 and panel support member 189. First shoring plate 181 is an otherwise generally understood shoring panel.

[0055] The first shoring plate 181 's projection and recess allow first shoring plate 181 to intermesh with an adjacent lower showing plate. Using two vertically plates shores a greater surface area of trench wails than a single shoring plate would allow.

[0056] Second ram assembly 185 includes a telescoping arm 188, a strut 190, a first strut extender 191 , a second strut extender 192, a first plate coupler 193, a second plate coupler 194, a third plate coupler 195, and a fourth plate coupler 196.

[0057] Second ram assembly 185 connects to second connecting member 124 near the center of second connecting member 124. Second ram assembly 185 includes telescoping arm 188, strut 190, first strut extender 191 , second strut extender 192, first plate coupler 193, second plate coupler 194, third plate coupler 195, and fourth plate coupler 198. Each of the elements of second ram assembly 185 are substantially similar in structure and function to the corresponding elements of first ram assembly 1 70,

[0058] Specifically, first plate coupler 193 and third plate coupler 195 are configured to selectively magnetically couple with first shoring plate 181 on the lateral side of first shoring plate 181 opposite first plate coupler 178. Second plate coupler 194 and fourth plate coupler 196 are configured to selectively magnetically couple with second shoring plate 183 on the lateral side opposite second plate coupler 179. This laterally spaced plate coupler design allows first ram assembly 170 and second ram assembly 185 to provide substantially even force to first shoring plate 181 and second shoring plate 183.

[0059] Onboard control unit 101 is operationally connected to the frame, the ram assemblies, and the drive units 102. Onboard control unit 101 is configured to control the features to which it is operativeiy connected. Specifically, onboard control unit 101 is configured to control when and how the connecting members, the support members, and the telescoping arm extend and retract. Additionally, onboard control unit 101 controls when and how strut 175 retracts, the plate couplers selectively couple to and decouple from shoring plates, and drive units 102 independently drive each track.

[0080] Drive units 102 are drivingiy connected to each the tracksand are configured to independently drive each track. As previously mentioned, drive units 102 are operationally connected to and controlled by onboard control unit 101.

[0061] Remote control unit 104 includes a user interface 105 and is in electric communication with onboard control unit 101 via a communciation interface 108. User interface 105 defines a control panel configured to receive user input data from a user.

[0062] Communciation interface 108 is configured to receive the user input data from the user interface 105 and communicate the user input data to onboard control unit 101 . Onboard control unit 101 is configured to receive and implement the user input data for controlling trench shoring apparatus 100.

[0083] Trench shoring apparatus 100 additionally includes a power unit 103 attached to frame 107. Power unit 103 is operationally connected to onboard control unit 101 , and is configured to generate the energy necessary to control and operate onboard control unit 101 's connected elements. Power unit 103 is an internal combustion engine. However, in other examples the power unit is an electric motor or a fuel ceil.

[0064] Although plate couplers are discussed as specifically implementing a magnetic means for coupling to first shoring plate 181 and second shoring plate 183, respectively, other means are equally within this disclosure, including the use of static complimentary support members or other electromagnetic and/or mechanical coupling means.

[0065] Cylinders in this disclosure have primarily been referred to as hydraulic cylinders, which are powered by a pressurized hydraulic fluid. However, cylinders are not so limited, and cylinders according to this disclosure may include any generally understood means of applying a unidirectional force. Specific other examples of means for applying an equivalent unidirectional force may include, but are not limited to, pneumatic and screw-type mechanical actuators, as well as electric or magnetic implements that may be used to serve the same purpose.

[0066] By the same token, first strut extender 177 was discussed above as specifically defining two opposing hydraulic cylinders. However, strut extenders may implement any understood selectively extending and retracting member capable of applying a bidirectional force sufficient to shore a trench wail. For example, both automatic and manual selectively extending and retracting strut extenders may be used.

[0067] Fig. 1 illustrates communciation interface 108 defining a wired connection.

However, this is not required, and wireless communication interfaces are equally within this disclosure. Such wireless communication interfaces may include, but is not limited to, infrared, radio, and wireless networking protocols.

[0068] Turning attention to Figs. 7-9, a second example of a trench shoring apparatus

200 for shoring longitudinally extending trenches formed in the ground and defined by a first lateral trench wail and a second lateral trench wall opposite the first lateral trench wall will now be described. Specifically, trench shoring apparatus 200 serves an example of a trench shoring apparatus in which multiple shoring plates may be used in a vertical arrangement. Trench shoring apparatus 200 includes many similar or identical features to trench shoring apparatus 100 combined in unique and distinct ways. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of trench shoring apparatus 200 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between trench shoring apparatus 100 and trench shoring apparatus 200 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two trench shoring apparatuses.

[0069] As Fig. 7-9 show, trench shoring apparatus 200 includes a frame 207, including a first lateral member 208, a second lateral member 209, a first connecting member 21 1 , a second connecting member 218, a third connecting member 224, a fourth connecting member 225, a first support member 230, a second support member 240, a third support member 250, and a fourth support member 260. [0070] Trench shoring apparatus 200 additionally includes a first ram assembly 270, a second ram assembly 275, a third ram assembly 280, and a fourth ram assembly 290. Trench shoring apparatus 200 also includes a first shoring plate 281 , a second shoring plate 284, a third shoring plate 291 , and a fourth shoring plate 294.

[0071] Many elements of frame 207 are substantially the same as the corresponding elements of frame 107. A difference between frame 207 and frame 107 is two additional connecting members extending between the lateral members, second connecting member 218 and third connecting member 224. Second connecting member 218 and third connecting member 224 are otherwise substantially similar to other the other disclosed connecting members. As illustrated, first connecting member 21 1 and fourth connecting member 225 have essentially the same position relative frame 207 that first connecting member 1 10 and second connecting member 124 have relative frame 107.

[0072] As Fig. 7 shows, trench shoring apparatus 200 includes four ram assemblies, each of which is similar in design and function to first ram assembly 170.

[0073] First connecting member 21 1 supports first ram assembly 270 substantially near its center, and fourth connecting member 225 supports second ram assembly 275 substantially near its center. First ram assembly 270 and second ram assembly 275 are configured to couple with first shoring plate 281 and second shoring plate 284 in a similar manner to first ram assembly 170 and second ram assembly 185.

[0074] A difference between trench shoring apparatus 200 and trench shoring apparatus

100, however, lies in third ram assembly 280 connected substantially near the center of third connecting member 224 and fourth ram assembly 290 substantially near the center of fourth connecting member 225. Third ram assembly 280 and fourth ram assembly 290 are configured to selectively telescope and are configured to couple with third shoring plate 291 and fourth shoring plate 294, respectively, in similar manner to first ram assembly 170's and second ram assembly 275's coupling with first shoring plate 281 and second shoring plate 284.

[0075] Including four ram assemblies, each on various connecting members, allows trench shoring apparatus 200 to separately telescopically adjust and shore two shoring plates. Specifically, first ram assembly 270 and second ram assembly 275 are configured to cooperatively telescope relative first connecting member 21 1 and fourth connecting member 225, respectively, and third ram assembly 280 and fourth ram assembly 290 are configured to cooperatively telescope relative second connecting member 218 and third connecting member 224, respectively. [0076] First shoring plate 281 and third shoring piate 291 are substantially similar to first shoring plate 181 . As Fig. 9 illustrates, first shoring plate 281 includes a first intermeshing member at its top defining a projection 282 on a first lateral side of the top of the first shoring plate. Laterally adjacent projection 282 is a first recessed area 283 on a second lateral side of the top of the first shoring piate complimentary to the first portion. Third shoring piate 291 includes a second projection 285 on a second lateral side of third shoring plate 291 opposite the first lateral side of first shoring plate 281 . Second projection 285 substantially aligned with first recessed area 283 and a second recessed area 288 is substantially aligned with projection 282.

[0077] Second shoring piate 284 and fourth shoring plate 294 are substantially similar to second shoring plate 183. However, second shoring piate 284 and fourth shoring plate 294 include complimentary projections and recesses similar to first shoring piate 281 and third shoring plate 291 .

[0078] The complimentary projections and recesses allow vertically aligned shoring plates to substantially intermesh when collectively shoring a trench wall. This intermeshed four piate design allows trench shoring apparatus 200 to shore a greater amount of trench wall area than the dual piate design of trench shoring apparatus 100. Additionally, the intermeshing allows a more even distribution of force against the trench wail than a non-intermeshed four piate design would accommodate.

Industrial Applicability

[0079] The inventions described in this application may be made by a variety of industrial processes, including by various mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic assembly techniques. Further, the inventions described herein may be used in industrial contexts, including trench shoring endeavors.

[0080] The inventions described above may be alternatively described according to the following non-limiting embodiments:

[0081] in a first embodiment for a self-propelled trench shoring apparatus for shoring longitudinally extending trenches formed in the ground and defined by a first lateral trench wail and a second lateral trench wail opposite the first lateral trench wall, the trench shoring apparatus may include a frame, including a first lateral member, a second lateral member spaced from the first lateral member, a connecting member extending between the first lateral member and the second lateral member, a first support member projecting from the first lateral member toward the ground to a first support end on a first lateral side of the trench, and a second support member projecting from the second lateral member toward the ground to a second support end on a second lateral side of the trench opposite the first lateral side, a ram assembly attached to the frame, including a telescoping arm including a first end proximate the frame and a second end opposite the first end, the telescoping arm extending between a retracted position and an extended position, and a strut attached to the second end of the telescoping arm and including a first end proximate the first lateral trench wall and a second end opposite the first end, the strut including a strut extender configured to selectively extend and retract laterally across at least a portion of the longitudinally extending trench, a first plate coupler attached to the first end of the strut and configured to couple with a shoring plate, and a second plate coupler attached to the second end of the strut and configured to couple with a shoring plate.

[0082] in some examples of the first embodiment for a trench shoring apparatus, the connecting member additionally comprises a nested member, a sleeve member internally receiving the nested member, and a connecting member cylinder configured to extend the nested member beyond the sleeve member. In other examples of the first embodiment for a trench shoring apparatus the first support member additionally comprises: a nested member, a sleeve member internally receiving the nested member, a support member cylinder configured to extend the nested member beyond the sleeve member. In still further examples, the strut includes a hydraulic cylinder configured to extend and retract the strut.

[0083] In some examples of the first embodiment for a trench shoring apparatus, the frame additionally comprises a first track attached to the first support end, and a second track attached to the second support end and configured to operate independent of the first track. In such examples, the first track may be pivotally attached to the first support end. Further in such examples, the first track may be rotatably attached to the first support end. Moreover in the examples of this paragraph, the frame may comprise a drive unit drivingly connected to the first track and the second track, the drive unit being configured to independently drive the first track and the second track.

[0084] In examples where the trench shoring apparatus includes a drive unit, the trench shoring apparatus may further comprise an onboard controi unit operationally connected to the drive unit, the onboard control unit configured to control the operation of the drive unit.

[0085] Some examples of the first embodiment for a trench shoring apparatus include an onboard control unit operationally connected to the ram assembly, the onboard control unit configured to controi the frame and the ram assembly. In such examples, the trench shoring apparatus may further comprise a remote control unit including a user interface configured to receive user input data from a user, a communication interface operationally connected to the user interface and the onboard controi unit, the communication interface configured to receive the user input data from the user interface and to communicate the user input data to the onboard contro! unit, wherein the onboard control unit is configured to receive and implement the user input data.

[0086] In a second embodiment for a self-propelled trench shoring apparatus, the trench shoring apparatus includes a frame defining an interior space and movab!y supported from the ground on each lateral side of the longitudinally extending trench, a ram assembly attached to the frame in the interior space and including: an arm, a strut attached to the arm in a lateral orientation, the strut being configured to extend and retract and including a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end, a first plate coupler attached to the first lateral end of the strut and configured to selectively couple with a first shoring plate without manual intervention, and a second plate coupler attached to the second end of the strut and configured to selectively couple with a second shoring plate without manual intervention,

[0087] in some examples, the second embodiment of the trench shoring apparatus includes a first panel support member extending from the frame on a first lateral side of the frame proximate a first lateral side of the longitudinally extending trench, the first panel support configured to support a shoring plate, and a second panel support member extending from the frame on a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, the second panel support member configured to support a shoring plate. In other examples of the second embodiment, the first plate coupler is configured to magnetically couple with the first shoring plate.

[0088] In some examples of the second embodiment, the trench shoring apparatus further comprises a second ram assembly attached to the frame, including: a second arm, a second strut attached to the second arm in a lateral orientation, the strut being configured to extend and retract and including a third lateral end and a fourth lateral end opposite the third lateral end, a third plate coupler attached to the third lateral end of the second strut and configured to selectively couple with a shoring plate, and a first shoring plate coupled with the first plate coupler, the first shoring plate including a first intermeshing member at its top, a second shoring plate coupled with the third plate coupler, the second shoring plate including a second intermeshing member configured to intermesh with the first intermeshing member on its bottom. In examples where the trench shoring apparatus includes first and second intermeshing members, the first intermeshing member may include a projected surface on a first portion of the top of the first shoring plate and a recessed area on a second portion of the top of the first shoring plate complimentary to the first portion, and the second intermeshing member may define a downwardly extending projection on the a portion of the bottom of the second shoring plate substantially aligned with the recessed area. [0089] In a third example of a self-propelled trench shoring apparatus, the trench shoring apparatus includes a frame defining an inferior space and including a first Iateral member, a second lateral member spaced from the first Iateral member, the second Iateral member extending substantially parallel to the first Iateral member, and a connecting member extending between the first lateral member and the second Iateral member, a first support member projecting from the first Iateral member toward the ground on a first lateral side of the trench, a second support member projecting from the second lateral member toward the ground on a second Iateral side of the trench, a ram assembly attached to the frame in the interior space and including: a telescoping arm, a strut attached to the telescoping arm in a Iateral orientation, the strut being configured to extend and retract and including a first iateral end and a second Iateral end opposite the first Iateral end, a first plate coupler attached to the first end of the strut configured to couple with a shoring plate, and a second plate coupler attached to the second end of the strut and configured to couple with a shoring plate, wherein the ram assembly moves between a stowed position substantially within the frame and an operating position substantially within the longitudinally extending trench.

[0090] In some examples of the third embodiment, the trench shoring apparatus includes a first panel support member extending from the first support member to the interior of the frame, the first panel support member configured to support a shoring plate, and a second panel support member attached to the second support member substantially within the interior of the frame, the second panel support member configured to support a shoring plate. In other examples, the connecting member selectively extends and retracts relative the first Iateral member and the second lateral member. In further examples, the trench shoring apparatus includes a first track attached to an end of the first support member proximate the ground, and a second track attached to an end of the second support member proximate the ground.

[0091] The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes ail novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite "a" element, "a first" element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. [0092] Appiicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.