Abstract:
A trench edging member to be placed adjacent a trench or hole in the ground is designed to retain the soil removed from the trench, not destroy the landscape beneath the device, and enable an individual to readily replace the soil back into the trench or hole. A plurality of these devices can be placed adjacent each other so that a long trench can be dug filled with the required equipment or utilities, and the soil replaced back into the trench. The material employed for the device is formed into an undulating or wavy pattern when viewed in cross section. This enables a plurality of the devices to be nested or stacked atop one another for storage and/or transportation. The undulations also add rigidity to the device without adding weight to the device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/376,947, entitled “Device For Excavating And Backfilling Soil”, filed Aug. 25, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The device and system for excavation of soil, retention and replacement of the soil disclosed herein; and relates generally to the placement and retention of soil removed from the earth when a trench or ditch is dug, and to the replacement of the soil back into the trench or ditch after the work has been completed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Trenches, ditches, and holes are formed in the earth for numerous reasons. One of the primary purposes is to bury utilities or other services underground. Trenches or ditches are also used to transport water and other fluids. Landscaping is another reason for digging holes and/or trenches, as well as hidden fences for animals, wiring for cable television or internet. Drainage is yet another reason to dig a trench. Trenches are normally excavated utilizing one of two methods, by machine or by hand. 
         [0004]    There are various types of mechanized devices for digging trenches. Trenchers are by far the most common piece of equipment that is utilized to dig a trench. One type of trencher is the walk behind trencher. This device is similar to a lawnmower in that it includes a small engine and the operator walks behind the device as the trench is cut into the earth with an elongated chain or wheel. Wheeled or ride-on trenches are also available. These devices are similar to the walk behind devices with the exception that the operator rides upon these devices as the chain or wheel creates the trench as the device moves across the land. Once work is completed, workers must backfill the trench by hand recovering as much soil as possible while the rest is lost to the grass where the soil was piled. A backhoe is another type of device that is utilized to dig a trench. The soil or earth is removed with a large bucket and is generally placed adjacent to the trenching area. Upon completion of the work in the trench or hole, the backhoe retrieves as much of the soil removed from the trench as possible and roughly places some of it back into the trench. However, a large portion of the soil is lost to the area where it was deposited, scarring the ground and leaving an unsightly mess. 
         [0005]    When a trench or ditch is dug by hand, the area in which the soil removed from the trench can be placed is normally limited by the length of the shovel. Therefore, the soil removed from the trench is usually placed adjacent the trench. If the trench is dug through an area with groomed grass, it is difficult to return all of the soil removed from the trench back into the trench because the soil falls to the ground and intermingles with the grass. The soil removed from the trench will not be able to be completely returned to the trench and will present an unsightly problem on the groomed grass once the trench is refilled. In some instances, rakes or the like are utilized in an attempt to return the soil back into the trench. However, this requires additional tools and additional labor. 
         [0006]    Thus, in order to recover as much soil as possible as well as minimize the mess after work has been completed, a tarp or piece of material, such as plywood, is often placed on the grass adjacent the trench. The soil removed from the trench or hole is then placed atop the tarp or piece of material. A shortcoming to this procedure is that the plywood and/or tarp becomes too heavy for movement or dumping of the soil back into the trench thereby still requiring the soil to be shoveled by hand from the tarp or material back into the trench. The tarp can then be removed from the grass. If any soil remains on the plywood or tarp, it can be poured back into the trench only after a suitable amount of the weight has been removed therefrom. In addition, tarps and/or plywood are difficult to manipulate for arrangement along the length of the trench as well as dumping. Still yet, plywood is cumbersome to move from one location to another and requires a controlled environment to prevent degradation thereof. Tarps are easier to move from one location to another; however, they are fragile for use in this type of environment and thus are not practical for extended or daily use. In addition, tarps must be cleaned after use, requiring them to be hanged for drying adding significant labor and cost. 
         [0007]    Thus, what is needed in the art is a device or system for use in excavation and backfilling of soil. The device or system should be formed of relatively few component parts that are inexpensive to manufacture by conventional techniques. The device or system should be capable of being shipped or transported in a nested arrangement to minimize space requirements. In addition, the system must be modular and facilitate the creation of a variety of trench edgers that vary in length/size but which share common, interchangeable components. The trench edgers must also be capable of overlapping engagement with respect to an adjacent trench edger to create elongated edgers. Finally, there are ergonomic needs that a trench edger device/system must satisfy in order to achieve acceptance by the end user. The system must be easily and quickly assembled using minimal hardware and requiring a minimal number of tools. Further, the system must not require excessive strength to assemble or include heavy component parts. Moreover, the system must assemble together in such a way so as not to detract from the storage volume of the trench edger, or otherwise negatively affect the utility of the trench edger. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A device or system to be placed adjacent a trench or hole in the ground is designed to retain the soil removed from the trench, not destroy the landscape beneath the device, and enable an individual to readily replace the soil back into the trench or hole. A plurality of these devices can be placed adjacent each other in interlocking engagement to accommodate a long trench so that the soil can be replaced back into the trench. The material employed for the device is preferably plastic formed into an undulating or wavy pattern, when viewed in cross section. This enables a plurality of the device to be nested or stacked atop one another for storage and/or transportation. The undulations also add rigidity to the device without adding weight to the device. The undulations also allow overlapping interlocking engagement between edger components to create a trench edger of infinite length. The assembly is completed without the need for tools or fastener components. Hand grips are provided along a top portion of each edger member to allow the soil placed thereon to be easily dumped back into the trench without undue effort. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide a device that enables soil removed from a trench to be readily stored and easily replaced back into the trench. 
         [0010]    It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide a device for retention of soil removed from a trench which can be easily manipulated by an individual. 
         [0011]    It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a device for retention of soil removed from a trench whereby a plurality of edger devices can be placed in a side by side arrangement along the length of a trench. 
         [0012]    It is still a further objective of the instant invention to provide a device for retention of soil removed from a trench formed with undulations or waves, in cross section, so that a plurality of devices can be stored or nested atop one another. 
         [0013]    It is still a further objective of the instant invention to provide a device for retention of soil removed from a trench with undulations or waves, in cross section, so that a plurality of devices can be partially nested atop one another to enable them to be connected so as to form a substantially continuous piece. 
         [0014]    It is still yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a device for the retention of soil removed from a trench whereby all of the soil is returned to the trench and none remains on the landscape adjacent the trench. 
         [0015]    Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating overlapping interlocking engagement between multiple edging members; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a left end view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of edger members in a nested arrangement; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-8 , an illustrative embodiment of the soil excavation and backfilling device referred to herein as a trench edging member is indicated by the reference numeral  10 . The trench edging member  10  can be made from various materials, such as polyethylene, high impact styrene, polycarbonates, or similar materials known to one skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the trench edging member  10  is integrally molded into a single piece by a vacuum or injection molding process. Alternatively, the trench edging member  10  can be formed from multiple pieces which are later secured to each other to form the trench edging member  10 . The method of manufacturing the trench edging member  10  will normally be determined by the finished size of the device. The larger sizes will be manufactured in sections and assembled prior to use. To increase longevity, the trench edging member  10  may also include or be constructed of materials which make the device resistant to the weather, leaching, and biodegradation, and retain their mechanical and chemical properties under low and/or high temperatures. Use of ultraviolet light inhibitors may be used to provide further protection from weather conditions. 
         [0028]    The trench edging member  10  includes a substantially horizontal section  12  and an inclined vertical section  14 . While in a preferred embodiment sections  12  and  14  are integrally formed, they could also be formed separately and later joined together. Section  12  is constructed so that it can be placed on the ground or earth  50  adjacent a trench  52  or hole to be excavated, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Section  14  is positioned to be angled to vertical to form a back stop for soil as it is thrown onto the trench edging member. Section  12  includes a longitudinal edge  16 , rear edge  18 , and side edges  56 ,  58 . In the preferred embodiment, the longitudinal edge  16  is formed straight so that it may be employed as a guide line for digging a trench. To use the present invention in this manner, a line or string can be set along the ground indicating one side of a trench to be dug. A plurality of trench edging members  10  can be placed adjacent each other, end to end or in overlapping engagement, along the line. The line or string can then be removed and the trench dug along the longitudinal edge. This avoids the problem of breaking the line or string with a shovel when the trench is being dug. The trench edging members  10  are made from a material which can readily absorb hits or blows from a shovel without moving from the position in which they were placed. 
         [0029]    The excavation and backfilling device  10  includes an inclined substantially vertical section  14 . Inclined vertical section  14  includes a rear longitudinal edge  18  which extends along a top portion of section  14 . The rear longitudinal edge  18  may include a rounded top  20 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , which extends along the length of edge  18 . The rounded top  20  is designed to assist an individual in carrying and manipulating the trench edging member  10  into position for use. Rounded top  20  is also used to assist an individual in raising the rear portion of the trench edging member  10  for dumping the dirt contained thereon back into the trench or hole. Edge  18  can also be provided with a plurality of hand apertures  22 . These apertures function as hand grips to assist an individual in raising trench edging member  10  for dumping the dirt contained thereon back into the trench or hole. The number of apertures  22  varies dependent on the length of the trench edging member  10 . In a most preferred embodiment, two holes are provided to allow an operator to utilize both hands to manipulate the device. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a plurality of trench edging members are illustrated in a nested configuration. The trench edging member  10  is formed with a plurality of projections or undulations  24 . The projections  24  include peaks  26  and are separated by valleys  28 . The peaks and valleys of the preferred embodiment are evenly spaced and designed so that a plurality of the trench edging members  10  can be nested or stacked atop one another, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The peaks  26  of one of the trench edging members  10  will readily fit under the peak  26  of another trench edging member  10 . This construction enables one device to be nested or stacked atop another device while the only vertical distance between the devices is the thickness of the material used to form the devices. Without this type of construction the distance between each of the devices in a stack would be at least the height of each of the projections. In addition to occupying less space, this type of construction and stacking permits a plurality of devices to be stacked and interlocked together. This interlocking prevents the devices from separation from one another during shipping and storage. This feature is very useful when a large number of trench edging members  10  are shipped or transported to a construction site. In addition, this nesting feature enables adjacent trench edging members  10  to be partially overlapped or nested and secured to one another. A plurality of devices can be connected to each other in this manner so as to create a substantially continuous piece as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . This feature aids in the alignment of a plurality of the devices along a trench. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-7 , the height of projections  24  is increased as it approaches the junction of sections  12  and  14 , as seen in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7 . The height of projection  24  at the outer edges of sections  12  and  14  is indicated along lines  5 - 5  and  7 - 7  and the height of projections  24  at the junction of sections  12  and  14  is indicated along lines  6 - 6 . It can be clearly seen that the height of the projections at line  6 - 6 ,  FIG. 6  is larger than line  5 - 5 ,  FIG. 5  and line  7 - 7   FIG. 7 . This increase in the height of the projections  24  adds to the rigidity of the junction of sections  12  and  14 . This increase in rigidity enables an individual to lift the trench edging member  10  by handles  22  having rounded top  20  of without the device breaking or buckling. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , use of the trench edging member  10  is illustrated. To use the trench edging member  10 , an individual will place the trench edging member  10  adjacent a trench  52  or hole to be dug in the ground or earth  50 . The dirt or soil  60  removed from the ground is placed on section  12  of the trench edging members  10 . This prevents the soil  60  removed from the trench from contacting the ground  50 . When the trench edging member  10  is used on a lawn or other area containing groomed grass or groundcover, the soil  60  removed from the trench is prevented from contacting the underlying grasses or groundcover. After the trench  52  or hole has been dug and the work performed within the trench finished, the soil  60  removed from the trench  52  can readily and quickly be replaced into the trench  52 . This is accomplished by lifting the trench edging members  10  by the handles  22 , thus tilting section  12  towards the trench. The soil  60  contained on section  12  will now slide back into the trench  52 . This avoids the laborious task of shoveling the soil  60  back into the trench  52 . In addition, all of the soil  60  removed from the trench  52  will be returned to the trench since it is contained on the trench edging members  10 . None of the soil will fall onto the underlying ground or grass. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , an alternative embodiment of the trench edging member  10  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the rear edge  18  is provided with a rolled or rounded top  20 . The rolled or rounded top edge  20  provides a comfort grip to a user of the trench edging member  10  and further allow the use of the user&#39;s legs and/or knees to help with dumping of the soil back into the trench. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment of the trench edging member  10  is illustrated. In the embodiment of the device illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the longitudinal front edge  16  is replaced by a depending front edge portion  30 . This depending front edge portion  30  extends downwardly and away from section  12 . This embodiment can be employed when a further extension of section  12  is required. 
         [0035]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0036]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
         [0037]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.