Field of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to a trench angle guide and in particular to a trench angle guide for guiding the angle of inclination of a trench.

[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with the development of trenches and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

[3] At present, when excavating a trench that extends at an angle of inclination, for example using a backhoe digger or the like, a surveyor is typically required to keep checking on the angle at which the trench is being excavated at. This can require poles of a fixed length to be placed on the floor of the trench, and then having a surveyor measure the angle between the tops of the poles relative to the horizontal. However, this practice requires skilled labour, and in time-consuming and potentially costly.

[4] The present invention seeks to provide a trench angle guide, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[5] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[6] According to a first aspect, the present invention may be said to consist in a trench angle guide for guiding the angle at which a trench is being excavated, the trench angle guide including: a. a trench surface follower formation including a linear formation for engagement with the lower surface of a trench in use; b. an extension member extending from the trench surface follower at a desired angle relative to the trench surface follower, the extension member including a level measurement device for measuring the alignment of the extension member relative to one or more selected from the horizontal and the vertical in use. [7] In one embodiment, the trench angle guide includes a support member configured for extending between the horizontal extension member and the trench surface follower formation.

[8] In one embodiment, the extension member is pivotably connected to the trench surface follower formation for adjustment of the desired angle.

[9] In one embodiment, the trench angle guide includes a locking formation configured for locking the extension member relative to the trench surface follower formation.

[10] In one embodiment, the support member is adjustably connectable between the horizontal extension member and the trench surface follower formation to adjust the desired angle.

[11] In one embodiment, the level measurement device is a bubble level.

[12] In one embodiment, the bubble level is configured for measuring whether the extension member is oriented vertically.

[13] In one embodiment, the support member is removably connectable to one or more selected from the extension member and the trench surface follower formation.

[14] In one embodiment, the support member is pivotably connectable to one or more selected from the extension member and the trench surface follower formation.

[15] In one embodiment, the trench angle guide is reconfigurable between a deployed condition and a folded condition.

[16] In one embodiment, when the trench angle guide is in a folded condition, one or more selected from the trench surface follower formation, the extension member, and the support member are oriented substantially in parallel with each other.

[17] In one embodiment, when the trench angle guide is in a folded condition, one or more selected from the trench surface follower formation, the extension member, and the support member are located in close abutment with each other.

[18] In one embodiment, one or more selected from the extension member and the support member are marked for convenient configuration of a desired angle.

[19] In one embodiment, the trench surface follower formation is telescopic.

[20] In one embodiment, the trench surface follower formation

[21] According to a further aspect, the present invention may be said to consist in a method of guiding the excavation of a trench including a bottom surface at a desired angle of inclination, the method comprising the steps of: a. excavating at least part of the trench; b. providing a trench angle guide as described above with the extension member extending at a set desired angle; c. locating the trench surface follower formation along the bottom of the partly excavated trench; and d. checking whether the level measurement device indicates that the extension member is aligned with one selected from the vertical or the horizontal.

[22] In one embodiment, the step of checking whether the level measurement device indicates that the extension member is aligned with one selected from the vertical or the horizontal comprises the step of checking whether a bubble is aligned with markings in a bubble level.

[23] In one embodiment, the method includes a step of excavating the trench further in order to ensure alignment of the extension member with one selected from the vertical or the horizontal.

[24] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[25] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

[26] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[27] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[28] Figure 1 is a top front right perspective view of a first embodiment of a trench angle guide in a deployed condition; [29] Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the trench angle guide of figure 1 in a deployed condition;

[30] Figure 3 is a right elevation view of the trench angle guide of figure 1 in a deployed condition;

[31] Figure 4 is a top front right perspective view of a trench angle guide of figure 1 in a folded condition;

[32] Figure 5 is a top view of the trench angle guide of figure 1 in a deployed condition;

[33] Figure 6 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of a trench angle guide;

[34] Figure 7 is a close-up cutaway view of figure 2, showing the bubble level at the top of the extension member;

[35] Figure 8 is a close-up cutaway view of a third embodiment of a trench angle guide, showing the bubble level at the top of the extension member;

[36] Figure 9 is a top right perspective exploded assembly view of a third embodiment of a trench angle guide in a deployed condition;

[37] Figure 10 is a top right perspective view of a third embodiment of a trench angle guide in a folded condition;

[38] Figure 11 is a front view of a third embodiment of a trench angle guide showing how it can be moved to a folded condition;

[39] Figure 12 is a front view of a third embodiment of a trench angle guide in a deployed condition..

Description of Embodiments

[40] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[41] A trench angle guide according to a first aspect of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 1000.

[42] In one embodiment now described and as shown in figures 1 - 5 and 7, there is provided a trench angle guide 1000. The trench angle guide 1000 is for guiding the angle at which a trench (not shown) is being excavated, and includes a trench surface follower formation 1100, an extension member 1200 and a support member 1300. The trench surface follower formation 1100 is shown as a U-shaped channel bar, and is configured for following the bottom surface of a trench over preferably an extended distance. For this reason, the trench surface follower formation 1100 is straight and elongate, preferably being between 30 cm and 2 m long, more preferably between 50 cm and 1.5 m long, and most preferably about 1 m long. Typically, a trench being excavated typically includes a bottom surface and two opposed side surfaces. The trench surface follower formation 1100 preferably defines a linear, and more preferably a planar lower surface 1110 for close engagement or abutment with the bottom surface of a trench.

[43] The extension member 1200 is preferably composed of U-shaped channel bar, and extends from the trench surface follower 1100 at a desired angle relative to the trench surface follower formation 1100. The desired angle is shown in figure 2 as angle a, and will depend on the required angle of inclination of the bottom surface of the trench as it is excavated. The required angle of inclination of the bottom surface of the trench will typically be the right angle complement of the desired angle a. For example, if the required angle of inclination of the bottom surface of the trench is at 3° to the horizontal, then the desired angle a that the extension member 1200 extends from the trench surface follower 1100 at will be (90° - 3° =) 87°.

[44] The extension member 1200 is preferably pivotably connected to the trench surface follower 1100 at pivot pin 1210. At the top of the extension member 1200, there is provided a level measurement device in the form of a bubble level 1220, shown in detail in figure 7. The bubble level 1220 preferably includes a transparent liquid filled container 1222 that includes a trapped air bubble 1224. The liquid filled container 1222 is preferably marked with markings 1226 that, when the air bubble 1224 is aligned within the markings 1226, indicate when the liquid filled container 1222 is aligned with the horizontal. The bubble level is oriented at 90° to the longitudinal axis of the elongate extension member 1200. In this way, when the bubble level is aligned horizontally, the elongate extension member 1200 will be aligned vertically.

[45] In alternative embodiments (not shown), the extension member need not be pivotably fixed to the trench surface follower formation, and could instead be rigidly fixed to it. However

[46] In this way, the elongate extension member 1200 can be vertically aligned, thereby ensuring that the trench surface follower formation 1100 is aligned at the desired angle relative to the horizontal. If the trench surface follower formation 1100 is in close abutment to the bottom of the trench, this will mean that the trench has been excavated at the desired angle of inclination.

[47] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), it is envisaged that alternative level measurement devices could be used, for example electronic level measurement devices utilising either gyroscopes and/or accelerometers, and which are able to provide an electronic reading of the orientation of the extension member 1200. However, such embodiments are not preferred as they are cost prohibitive and potentially less reliable than a simple bubble level 1220.

[48] The support member 1300 preferably composed of angle bar, and is for providing rigid physical support between the trench surface follower formation 1100 and the extension member 1200, in order to ensure that the desired angle a is not inadvertently moved, for example by being bumped or if it falls over.

[49] The support member 1300 is pivotably connected to the trench surface follower formation 1100 at pivot pin 1310, which may be a bolt, rivet or any other suitable formation. The support member 1300 is also pivotably connected to the extension member 1200 by a locking formation in the form of a bolt 1320 and associated nut 1322. The support member 1300 further includes a slot 1330 towards its upper end. The bolt 1320 extends through slot 1330 as well as through an aperture (not shown) in extension member 1200. The bolt 1320 and nut can be tightened to securely fix the support member 1300 and extension member 1200 together, with the extension member 1200 at the desired angle a relative to the trench surface follower formation 1100.

[50] In the embodiment shown in figure 6, the extension member 1200 is marked with markings on preferably both opposed sides. The markings can be denoted in degrees, in percentages or in slope/grade (for example 1 in 10, or 1 in 20). In order to set the desired angle, it is envisaged that the support member 1300 will be pivoted to align an edge of the support member 1300 with these markings, and then the bolt 1320 and nut will be tightened to fix the extension member 1200 in relation to the trench surface follower formation 1100.

[51] In use, the desired angle will initially be set between the extension member 1200 and the trench surface follower formation 1100. The planar lower surface 1110 of the trench surface follower formation 1100 will then be placed on the bottom surface of a trench being excavated. The bubble level 1220 will then be checked to establish if the air bubble 1224 is within the markings 1226. If it is, this indicates that the bottom surface of the trench is at the required inclination. If the air bubble 1224 is not aligned within the markings 1226, then the operator of, for example a backhoe digger (not shown) can make the requisite adjustments.

[52] It is envisaged that the extension member 1200 and the support member 1300 will preferably be able to be pivoted to abut up against the trench surface follower formation 1100 along their full length to reconfigure the trench angle guide 1000 from a deployed condition to a folded condition for storage and/or transportation. In the folded condition, the support member 1300, the trench surface follower formation 1100 and the extension member 1200 will extend in parallel with each other. In order to do so, the bolt 1320 and that will be removed to disconnect the support member 1300 from the extension member 1200, and the extension member 1200 and support member 1300 fold up against the trench surface follower formation 1100. Figures 4 and 5 show the trench angle guide 1000 in its folded condition, while figures 1 - 3 show the trench angle guide 1000 and its deployed condition.

[53] A further embodiment of a trench angle guide is shown in figures 8 - 12. In this embodiment, the extension member 1200 is composed of a rectangular tube, and the bubble level 1220 is inserted into the hollow portion of the rectangular tube at the top. The bubble level is preferably riveted in place by rivets 1228. Further, in this embodiment, the trench surface follower formation 1100 is composed of a first portion 1112 and a second portion 1114. The first portion 1112 has a protrusion 1113 extending from it which is received into a hollow in the second portion 1114. In this way, the trench surface follower formation 1100 can be broken up into pieces to reduce the overall length of the trench angle guide for storage and/or transport and/or postage.

[54] The trench surface follower formation 1100 also includes mounting plates 1116 extending upwardly from it. The mounting plates 1116 include holes 1118 for receiving a pivot pin, in the form of bolt 1210 and which includes an associated nut 1212. The bolt 1210 is also receivable through hole 1214 in the extension member 1200. In this way, extension member 1200 pivots about bolt 1210.

[55] In addition to bolt 1320 and associated nut 1322 for attachment of the extension member 1200 to the support member 1300, extension member 1200 is also provided with storage bolt 1240 and associated nut 1242. As may be seen in figure 11 , for transport and/or storage, extension member 1200 can be pivoted over until it is parallel with trench surface follower formation 1100. In this position, the storage bolt 1240 can be received into the slot 1330 of support member 1300, and secured in place using nut 1242. In this way, the trench angle guide 1000 can be secured rigidly in its folded position.

[56] In alternative embodiments (not shown), it is envisaged that the first portion 1112 and second portion 1114 of the trench surface follower formation 1100 can extend telescopically from each other in order to increase the length of the trench surface follower formation 1100.

Interpretation

Markush Groups

[57] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. Chronological sequence

[58] For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

Embodiments:

[59] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[60] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[61] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[62] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details

[63] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[64] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[65] For the purposes of this specification, the term “plastic” shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

[66] As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

[67] As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Comprising and Including

[68] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[69] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[70] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[71] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

[72] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the excavating an industrial tool industries.