Patent ID: 7611308
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: E02D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A panel for supporting the sidewalls of an excavation, comprising: a seamless, single-piece flat plate having a width, a length, an inner surface and an outer surface; multiple longitudinal members being stacked, each longitudinal member is a unitary, one-piece member having a cross-section consisting of an L-shape, wherein the L-shape cross-section has a bend with first and second legs, each leg having an outer longitudinal edge, the first leg extending along the length and along a portion of the width, substantially parallel to and spaced laterally from the single-piece plate, the first leg of each longitudinal member being located and secured at its outer longitudinal edge by a weld to the first leg at the bend of an adjacent L-shaped longitudinal member, the second leg to the longitudinal member extends along the length, away from the first leg and toward the single-piece plate, the second leg being secured at its outer longitudinal edge by a weld to the inner surface of the single-piece plate; and a lower edge member extending along a portion of the width, secured by a first lower edge weld to a first leg of a lowermost longitudinal member, inclined toward and secured by a second lower edge weld to the single-piece plate to form a wedge with the plate that extends along the length, the wedge having a tip located at a lower edge of the panel.