GB2614062A

GB2614062A - Trench support system

Info

Publication number: GB2614062A
Application number: GB2118419.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Beardsell Martyn
Original assignee: Beardsell & Sons Ltd
Current assignee: Beardsell & Sons Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-17
Filing date: 2021-12-17
Publication date: 2023-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2041-12-17
Also published as: GB2614062B; WO2023111505A1

Abstract

A trench support system (fig.1, 1) comprises a plurality of frames 2(a, b, etc), each comprising uprights and a transverse limb extended between the uprights. The frames are spaced apart along the trench and the first uprights 3a and 3b of a first and second frame are connected by a first lower strut 6 and upper strut 7, and the second uprights of the first and second frame are connected by a second lower and upper strut. The support system further comprises first and second panels 10, 11, connected between the first and second upper and lower struts, wherein each panel is formed of a fabric. The transverse limbs may be integral with the uprights, the struts may be releasable, and the fabric panel may be under tension. The system may be part of a kit and for use in military applications.

Description

TRENCH SUPPORT SYSTEM Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a trench support system, in particular, but not limited to, a trench support system for military use.

Background to the Invention

The use of trenches during battle, for example, has been established for over a century. The primary purpose of the trench is to protect humans from the effects of small, medium, and heavy calibre weapons, shrapnel, explosives, and blast effects including ground shock. The trench remains strategically important in the 21st century due in part to technological advances in both long range fires (artillery, mortar, offensive drones, missiles) and observation by drones, satellites, multi spectrum imagery, social media and locals with smart phones making armoured units harder to hide and easier to kill.

Trench support systems have evolved from open trenches, essentially comprising diverging sloped walls excavated from the ground, to trench support systems comprising comparably steeper walls and typically comprising two hays, a firing hay and a shelter hay. Such trench support systems, for example the 'Ridley Tin' system commonly used by the British Army, provides a system comprising a housing having multiple corrugated iron sheet supports formed in a U-shape. In a trench which has already been excavated, the U-shaped supports are arranged within the excavated trench to support the walls of the trench. At a shelter hay portion of the trench, corrugated U-shaped supports are positioned such that the sides of each support abut and support the sides of the trench, with the corresponding curved portion of each support defining a roof which can be covered with sandbags or similar. At a firing bay portion of the trench, corrugated U-shaped supports arc positioned having each side of each support abutting and supporting the sides of the trench and each corresponding curved portion of each support providing support to an end wall of the trench.

Disadvantageously, the Ridley Tin system takes several people, often over 12, hours to construct and in that time provides little protection to the person(s) constructing the system. Moreover, the Ridley Tin system has been found to he limited in providing protection against heavy calibre weapons, for example explosions from artillery, ground shock and bomb blasts.

Additional trench support systems are known to he in the form of a shoring device comprising a pair of elongated pads, for example metal sheets, provided in an upright, opposed parallel orientation. Outer faces of the metal sheets abut respective walls of the trench, and the inner faces of the metal sheets are joined by an expandable and contractable jack. In use, the shoring device is placed in a trench and the jack expanded such that the outer face of each metal sheet abuts and applies force to a wall of the trench, i.e. acts as a 'face support'. Such a device provides a reinforced space for a person, for example a soldier, to shelter. However, the device is bulky and heavy, with each metal sheet contributing considerable weight to the device, and is not configured to provide a roof portion, therefore, reducing the amount of shelter provided. Moreover, the device is not suitable for transportation and repeated installation, and often experiences problems in its construction within the trench. In addition, while attempting to provide a reinforced structure, the device provides little by way of protection against the effects of small, medium, and heavy calibre weapons, shrapnel, explosives, and blast effects including ground shock.

It is an aim of embodiments of the invention to overcome or mitigate at least one problem of the prior art, whether expressly disclosed herein or not.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a support system disposed in a trench, the support system comprising a plurality of frames, each frame comprising a first upright, a second upright and transverse limb extended between the first and second uprights, wherein the frames are spaced from each other along the trench, further wherein the first upright of a first frame is connected to the first upright of a second frame by a first lower strut and a first upper strut, and the second upright of a first frame is connected to the second upright of a second frame by a second lower strut and a second upper strut, wherein the support system further comprises a first panel disposed between, and connected to, the first upper strut and the first lower strut, and a second panel disposed between, and connected to, the second upper strut and the second lower strut, wherein each panel is formed of a fabric.

Advantageously, the invention provides a support system disposed in a trench which relies on fabric panels to provide a 'face support', such that the fabric panels absorb the load of the trench wall and transfer this load onto the math structural members of the support system, i.e. the plurality of frames. In comparison to conventional trench support systems which rely on, for example, bulky metal panels as a face support, the invention provides a support system which is comparably light weight, allowing for easier transportation and storage, and less cumbersome assembly without any need for specialised tools.

In the present invention, each fabric panel is disposed between, and connected to, each corresponding upper strut and lower strut, i.e. the upper strut and lower strut which connect the first upright of a first frame to the first upright of a second frame, and a separate fabric panel is disposed between, and connected to, the upper strut and lower strut which connect the second upright of a first frame to the second upright of a second frame. Disposition of the fabric panel may be such that the fabric panel has a width equal to, or substantially equal to, the length of the corresponding upper strut and lower strut, and the fabric panel may have a length equal to, or substantially equal to, the length of the respective upright to which its upper and lower struts are connected. In such an arrangement, the fabric panel is provided between each pair of adjacent uprights along the sides of the trench.

Preferably, the first fabric panel is connected to an outer surface of the first upper strut and the first lower strut. Advantageously, this means that pressure exerted on the exterior of the support system by the trench walls is transmitted directly to the main structural members of the support system, i.e. the plurality of frames. Such connection may include the first fabric panel being wound around the first upper strut and the first lower strut.

Preferably, the second fabric panel is connected to an outer surface of the second upper strut and the second lower strut. Advantageously, this means that pressure exerted on the exterior of the support system by the trench walls is transmitted directly to the main structural members of the support system, i.e. the plurality of frames. Such connection may include the second fabric panel being wound around the second upper strut and the second lower strut.

The first fabric panel may be connected to the first upper strut and the first lower strut by being passed over and around the first upper strut, and by being passed under and around the first lower strut. In such an embodiment, the first fabric panel is primarily in contact with an outer surface of the first upper strut, and an outer surface of the first lower strut.

The second fabric panel may be connected to the second upper strut and the second lower strut by being passed over and around the second upper strut, and by being passed under and around the second lower strut. In such an embodiment, the second fabric panel is primarily in contact with an outer surface of the second upper strut, and an outer surface of the second lower strut.

Each frame may be made of a metal or metal alloy, for example steel or aluminium.

Each upper strut and lower strut may be made of a metal or metal alloy, for example steel or aluminium.

In each frame, the first upright and the second upright may be mutually parallel.

The first upright and the second upright may be rectilinear.

The transverse limb may be arranged perpendicular to the first upright and the second upright.

The transverse limb may be rectilinear.

The transverse limb may be the lowermost part of each frame. Alternatively, the transverse limb may be spaced upwardly from the lowest parts of the bends at opposite ends of the transverse limb. In such an arrangement, a floor portion, or similar, may be arranged below the transverse limb.

The first upright, second upright and transverse limb may be in the form of a U-shape, or substantially U-shape.

Each first upright may comprise at least one first lower recess and at least one first upper recess, in which is received a projection comprised on the first lower strut and the first upper strut, respectively. Beneficially, such interaction between each strut and the first upright allows for a releasable connection between each strut and the first upright.

Each second upright may comprise at least one second lower recess and at least one second upper recess, in which is received a projection comprised on the second lower strut and the second upper strut, respectively. Beneficially, such interaction between each strut and the second upright allows for a releasable I 0 connection between each strut and the second upright.

The transverse limb may be releasably connected to the first upright and the second upright.

The transverse limb may be integral with the first upright and the second upright, for example secured by welding. Advantageously, this provides additional strength and structural support to the main structural members of the support system.

Each frame may be formed either by welding cut sections of stock or of a single length of metal stock by forming a bend at each end of the transverse limb.

The lower strut may be releasably connected to the first frame and the second frame. Beneficially, this allows for easier transportation and storage of the lower strut and the first frame of the support system, therefore, reducing insofar as is possible any hindrance in transportation and storage of the support system according to the invention.

The upper strut may be releasably connected to the first frame and the second frame. Beneficially, this allows for easier transportation and storage of the lower strut and the first frame of the support system, therefore, reducing insofar as is possible any hindrance in transportation and storage of the support system according to the invention.

The fabric panel may be under tension. Advantageously, a tensioned fabric panel will provide greater load hearing support against the trench wall. The fabric 30 panel may be tensioned by any means suitable for tensioning fabric. For example, the fabric panel may he tensioned by connection to the upper strut and stretching the fabric such that it may be connected to the lower strut.

The fabric panel may be wound around the lower strut to impart tension to the fabric.

The fabric panel may he wound around the upper strut to impart tension to the fabric.

The fabric panel may be wound around the lower strut and/or upper strut any number of times that is necessary to impart tension to the fabric.

Advantageously, winding the fabric around the lower strut and/or upper strut is a quick and easy way, without the need for specialist tools, of imparting tension to the fabric, such tension which may he required for the fabric panel to act as a load bearing support against the trench wall. Moreover, maximising the tension in the fabric panel minimises subsequent bulging of the trench wall into the internal space of the trench. As such, maximizing the tension in the fabric panel in turn maximises the available internal space of the trench.

The trench may be excavated in the ground and the excavated material may be placed upon the fabric panel wound around the upper strut such that movement of the wound fabric is restricted. In this embodiment, soil pressure from the excavated material prevents the tensioned fabric from losing its tension, such that the fabric panel maintains its load bearing support against the trench wall. In comparison to conventional support systems, in this embodiment, the present invention maintains a load bearing support against the trench wall by using excavated material rather than features of the support system. As such, this reduces the number of components required for the support system and, therefore, removes the need for bulky and heavy components which otherwise would create storage and transportation problems.

Excavated material, also known as backfill', may be placed between an outer surface of the or each fabric panel and the wall of the trench. Due to the arrangement of the fabric panels relative to the upper and lower struts, and the frame, the pressure exerted upon the or each fabric panel by the backfill material is transferred to the main structural members of the support system. Moreover, the pressure of the backfill prevents the tensioned fabric from releasing its tension, therefore, the face support of the support system is maintained using the backfill material, instead of any additional components of the support system, as is found in conventional support systems.

The support system may further comprise at least one tensioning bar disposed between the lower strut and the upper strut.

The at least one tensioning bar may be arranged perpendicular to the first upright and the second upright.

The at least one tensioning bar may be rectilinear.

The at least one tensioning bar may he made of metal or a metal alloy, for example steel or aluminium.

A first. tensioning bar may be releasably connected to the first upright of the first frame and to the first upright of the second frame.

A second tensioning bar may he releasably connected to the second upright of I 5 the first frame and to the second upright of the second frame.

The fabric panel may be wound around the first and/or second tensioning bar to impart tension to the fabric. Advantageously, winding the fabric panel around the first and/or second tensioning bar to impart tension to the fabric means that the fabric panel does not also need to be wound around the upper and/or lower strut in order to impart tension to the fabric. As such, in embodiments of the invention comprising a first and/or a second tensioning bar, sufficient tension may be imparted to the fabric panel by winding the or each fabric panel around the first and/or second tensioning bar, therefore, enhancing the load bearing support property of the fabric panel, minimising bulging of the fabric panel and, therefore, maximising the available internal space of the trench.

Each tensioning bar may be releasably connected to the first frame and to the second frame by a L-shape locking tab.

The transverse limb may be a lower transverse limb and may extend between the first and second uprights at a first end of each of the first and second uprights.

The first end of each of the first and second uprights may he the lowermost end of each of the uprights.

The support system may further comprise an upper transverse limb The upper transverse limb may extend between the first and second uprights at a second end of each of the first and second uprights. The second end of each of the first and second uprights may he the uppermost end of each of the uprights. In such an embodiment, the frame may he square shape, or substantially trapezoidal.

The upper transverse limb may comprise a clamp for clamping each fabric panel to an outer face of the upper transverse limb to form a roof. Advantageously, such an embodiment provides a lightweight roof upon which can be placed excavated material, sandbags, or any materials which can provide additional shelter and ballistic protection to occupants of the trench. Further, such an embodiment may provide a shelter hay portion of the trench.

The trench may be excavated in the ground and the excavated material may be placed upon the fabric panel on the outer face of the upper transverse limb.

Advantageously, this imparts further tension to the fabric panel.

Beneficially, therefore, the arrangement provided by the present invention allows for excavated material to he used to impart tension to the fabric panels, therefore, excavated material, not additional components of the support system as with conventional systems, is used to enhancing the load bearing support property of the fabric panel, minimising bulging of the fabric panel and, therefore, maximising the available internal space of the trench.

The fabric panel may be a high strength geotextile. The fabric panel may he a fabric mesh.

Releasable connection of any feature of the support system as described herein advantageously means that the support system is collapsible to enable it to be conveniently handled and transported. Moreover, erection and installation of the support system is simple and quick, and can be carried out without the need for specialised tools.

At an end of the trench, there is an end frame of the form as described above. However, the end frame further comprises an upper transverse limb and a fabric panel disposed between the first upright and the second upright, and connected to, and wound around, the upper transverse limb and the lower transverse limb.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a frame of a support system according to the first aspect, the frame comprising a first upright, a second upright and transverse limb extending between the first and second uprights.

The frame according to the second aspect may optionally include any of the optional features of the invention according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a fabric panel of a support system according to the first aspect.

The fabric panel according to the third aspect may optionally include any of the optional features of the invention according to the first or second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for assembling a support system according to the first aspect, the kit of parts comprising at least: a. a plurality of frames, each frame comprising a first upright, a second upright and transverse limbs extending between the first and second uprights; b. a pair of lower struts; c. a pair of upper struts; and d. a pair of fabric panels.

The kit of parts according to the fourth aspect may optionally include any of the features, including any of the optional features, of the invention according to any former aspect.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may he more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now he described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a frame of a support system according to an embodiment of the invention in a trench; Figure 2 shows a front view of the frame of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of the frame of Fig. 2; Figure 4 shows a side view of a part of a support system according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a front view of the part of the support system according to Fig. 4; Figure 6 shows a front view of a frame of the support system of Fig. 4; Figure 7 shows the front view of the frame of Figure 6 with a fabric panel; Figure 8 shows a front view of a frame of a support system according to an embodiment of the invention in a trench; and Figure 9 shows a plan view of the support system of Fig. 1.

As shown in the Figures, there is provided a support system 1 comprising a frame 2a having a first upright 3a and a second upright 4a, and a lower transverse limb 5a extended between the first upright 3a and second upright 4a. The first upright 3a, second upright 4a and lower transverse limb 5a are integrally formed. The first upright 3a and the second upright 4a are mutually parallel, and the lower transverse limb 5a is arranged perpendicular to the first upright 3a and the second upright 4a such that the frame 2a presents a U-shape. The lower transverse limb 5a is the lowermost part of the frame 2a.

The first upright 3a, second upright 4a and lower transverse limb 5a are each made of metal.

The first upright 3a is connected to a first upright 3b of a second frame 2b by a first lower strut 6 and a first upper strut 7. The first lower strut 6 is releasably connected to the first upright 3a and to the first upright 3b. The first upper strut 7 is rcleasably connected to the first upright 3a and to the first upright 3h.

The second upright 4a is connected to a second upright 4b of a second frame 2b by a second lower strut 8 and a second upper strut 9. The second lower strut 8 is releasably connected to the second uptight 4a and to the second upright 4b. The second upper strut 9 is releasably connected to the second upright 4a and to the second upright 4b.

A first fabric panel 10 is disposed between, and connected to, the first upper strut 7 and the first lower strut 6.

A second fabric panel 11 is disposed between, and connected to, the second upper strut 9 and the second lower strut 8.

Each fabric panel 10, 11 is made of a high strength geotextile mesh.

In erection of the support system 1, the first fabric panel 10 is passed over and around the first upper strut 7 and pulled downwardly toward the first lower strut 6 and passed under and around the first lower strut 6 to impart tension to the first fabric panel 10. Excavated material 23, generated during excavation of the trench, is backfilled between an outer face 10a of the first fabric panel 10 and a trench wall 25.

The presence of the backfilled excavated material 23 results in pressure being applied to the outer face 10a of the first fabric panel 10 which in turn increases the tension of the fabric panel 10. The first fabric panel 10 absorbs the load of the trench wall 25 (including backfilled excavated material 23) and transfers this load onto the main structural members of the support system, i.e. the frames 2a, 2b.

The second fabric panel 11 is passed over and around the second upper strut 9 and pulled downwardly toward the second lower strut 8 and passed under and around the second lower strut 8 to impart tension to the second fabric panel 11. Excavated material 24, generated during excavation of the trench, is backfilled between an outer face 1 la of the second fabric panel 11 and a trench wall 26. The presence of the backfilled excavated material 24 results in pressure being applied to the outer face 1 la of the second fabric panel 11 which in turn increases the tension of the fabric panel 11. The second fabric panel 11 absorbs the load of the trench wall 26 (including backfilled excavated material 24) and transfers this load onto the main structural members of the support system, i.e. the frames 2a, 2b.

Each first upright 3a, 36 comprises a first lower recess 12a, 12h, respectively. Each first upright 3a, 3b comprises a first upper recess 13a, 13b, respectively. The first lower strut 6 comprises a projection 21a, 21b at each end, and which are releasably received by first lower recesses 12a, 12b, respectively. The first upper strut 7 comprises a projection 22a, 22h at each end, and which are releasably received by first upper recesses 13a, 13b, respectively.

Each second upright 4a, 4h comprises a second lower recess 14a, 14b, respectively. Each second upright 4a, 4b comprises a second upper recess 15a, 15b, respectively. The second lower strut 8 comprises a projection 23a, 23b at each end, and which are releasably received by second lower recesses 14a, 14h, respectively.

The second upper strut 9 comprises a projection 24a, 24h at each end, and which are releasably received by second upper recesses 15a, 156, respectively.

A first tensioning bar 16 is positioned between the first lower strut 6 and the first upper strut 7. The first tensioning bar 16 is positioned parallel to each of the first lower strut 6 and the first upper strut 7. In erection of the support system 1, the first fabric panel 10 is, in addition to being passed under and around the first lower strut 6 and over and around the first upper strut 7, wound around the first tensioning bar 16 to impart further tension to the first fabric panel 10. The first tensioning bar 16 may be positioned at any height between the first lower strut 6 and the first upper strut 7.

A second tensioning bar 17 is correspondingly positioned between the second lower strut 8 and the second upper strut 9. The second tensioning bar 17 is positioned parallel to each of the second lower strut 8 and the second upper strut 9. In erection of the support system 1, the second fabric panel 11 is, in addition to being passed under and around the second lower strut 8 and over and around the second upper strut 9, wound around the second tensioning bar 17 to impart further tension to the second fabric panel 11.

An upper transverse limb 18 is arranged parallel to the lower transverse limb 5. The upper transverse limb 18 is extended between the first upright 3a and the second upright 4a at a second end of each of the firs( upright 3a and second upright 4a. The upper transverse limb 18 comprises a clamp 19 for damping each fabric panel 10, 11 to an outer face of the upper transverse limb 18 to form a roof 20, upon which can he placed excavated material, sandbags, or any materials 29 which can provide additional shelter and ballistic protection to occupants of the trench.

As shown in, for example, Fig. 7, an end frame of the support system comprises an upper transverse limb 18 arrange parallel to the lower transverse limb 5.

The upper transverse limb 18 is extended between the first upright 3a and the second upright 4a at a second end of each of the first upright 3a and second upright 4a. The second end of each of the first and second uprights may he the uppermost end of each of the uprights. In such an embodiment, the frame is substantially square or rectangular in shape. The end frame comprises a tensioning bar 27 releasably attached to an outer face of each of the first upright 3a and the second upright 4a. A fabric panel 28 is wound around the upper transverse limb 18, tensioning bar 27 and the lower transverse limb 5.

The support system 1 comprises nine frames 2, each frame 2 being spaced from each other along the trench. Adjacent frames comprising an upper transverse limb 18 may form a shelter bay portion of the support system 1 due to the formation of a roof 20 (see for example Fig. 8). Adjacent frames not comprising an upper transverse limb 18 may form a firing hay portion of the support system I (see for example Fig. 1).

The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A support system disposed in a trench, the support system comprising a plurality of frames, each frame comprising a first upright, a second upright and transverse limb extended between the first and second uprights, wherein the frames are spaced from each other along the trench, further wherein the first upright of a first frame is connected to the first upright of a second frame by a first lower strut and a first upper strut, and the second upright of a first frame is connected to the second upright of a second frame by a second lower strut and a second upper strut., wherein the support system further comprises a first panel disposed between, and connected to, the first upper strut and the first lower strut, and a second panel disposed between, and connected to, the second upper strut and the second lower strut, wherein each panel is formed of a fabric.
2. A support system according to claim I, wherein each first upright comprises at least one first lower recess and at least one first upper recess, in which is received a projection comprised on the first lower strut and the first. upper strut, respectively.
3. A support system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each second upright comprises at least one second lower recess and at least one second upper recess, in which is received a projection comprised on the second lower strut and the second upper strut, respectively.
4. A support system according to any preceding claims, wherein the transverse limb is integral with the first upright and the second upright.
5. A support system according to any preceding claim, wherein each lower strut.is releasably connected to the first frame and the second frame.
6. A support system according to any preceding claim, wherein each upper strut is releasably connected to the first frame and the second frame.
7. A support system according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabric panel is under tension.
8. A support system according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabric panel is wound around the lower strut to impart tension to the fabric.
9. A support system according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabric panel is wound around the upper strut to impart tension to the fabric.
10. A support system according to claim 9, wherein the trench is excavated in the ground and the excavated material is placed upon the fabric panel wound around the upper strut such that movement of the wound fabric is restricted.
11. A support system according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one tensioning bar disposed between each lower strut and each upper strut.
12. A support system according to claim 11, wherein a first tensioning bar is releasably connected to the first upright of the first frame and to the first upright of the second frame.
13. A support system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a second tensioning bar is releasably connected to the second upright of the first frame and to the second upright of the second frame.
14. A support system according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the fabric panel is wound around the first and/or second tensioning bar to impart tension to the fabric.
15. A support system according to claim 12 and/or claim 13, wherein the tensioning bar is releasably connected to the first frame and to the second frame by a L-shape locking tab.
16. A support system according to any preceding claim, wherein the transverse limb is a lower transverse limb and extends between the first and second uprights at a first end of each of the first and second uprights.
17. A support system according to claim 16, further comprising an upper transverse limb, wherein the upper transverse limb extends between the first and second uprights at a second end of each of the first and second uprights.
18. A support system according to claim 17, wherein the upper transverse limb comprises a clamp for clamping each fabric panel to an outer face of the upper transverse limb to form a roof.
19. A support system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the trench is excavated in the ground and the excavated material is placed upon the fabric panel on the outer face of the upper transverse limb.
20. A support system according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabric panel is a high strength geotextile.
21. A support system according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabric panel is a fabric mesh.
22. A frame of a support system according to any preceding claim, the frame comprising a first upright, a second upright and transverse limb extending between the first and second uprights.
23. A fabric panel of a support system according to any of claims 1 to 21.
24. A kit of parts for assembling a support system according to any of claims 1 to 21, the kit of parts comprising at least: a. a plurality of frames, each frame comprising a first upright, a second upright and transverse limb extending between the first and second uprights; h. a pair of lower struts; c. a pair of upper struts; and d. a pair of fabric panels.