Interlocking shoring panel and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention is an interlocking shoring panel for excavation and methods of use. In one preferred embodiment the panel comprises a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface. The edges have attachment means such as complementary interlocking features for connecting the panel to one or more adjacent shoring panels. The inner surface having two or more horizontal channels and two or more vertical support struts at spaced intervals along the length of the shoring panel. A plurality of shoring panels are interconnected to form a shoring ring, and a plurality of shoring rings are interconnected to form a shoring structure.

1 . A shoring panel for excavation, comprising: a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface, said edges having attachment means for connecting to one or more adjacent shoring panels, said inner surface comprising two or more horizontal channels and two or more vertical support struts at spaced intervals extending between the first and second side edges of said shoring panel. 
   
   
       2 . The shoring panel of  claim 1 , wherein said shoring panel forms a semicircle between the first side edge and the second side edge. 
   
   
       3 . The shoring panel of  claim 1 , wherein said panel further comprises apertures adapted to connect said shoring panel to one or more adjacent shoring panels. 
   
   
       4 . The shoring panel of  claim 3 , wherein said apertures are adapted to receive a bolt. 
   
   
       5 . The shoring panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a snap fitting. 
   
   
       6 . The shoring panel of  claim 1 , wherein the shoring panel is made of a material selected from the group consisting of high density polymer, low density polymer, non-recycled plastic and recycled plastic. 
   
   
       7 . A method for shoring an excavation site, comprising:
 digging an excavation site with walls and a bottom;   providing at least first, second, third and fourth shoring panels each having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface;   creating a first shoring ring comprising the first and second shoring panels by connecting the first side edge of the first shoring panel to the second side edge of the second shoring panel, the first shoring ring having a top edge;   placing the first shoring ring at the bottom of the excavation site adjacent to the walls of the excavation site;   creating a second shoring ring comprising the third and fourth shoring panels by connecting the first side edge of the third shoring panel to the second side edge of the fourth shoring panel, the second shoring ring having a bottom edge; and   connecting the top edge of the first shoring ring to the bottom edge of the second shoring ring to form a shoring structure with a top edge.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising connecting additional shoring rings to the top edge of the shoring structure as the excavation site becomes deeper. 
   
   
       9 . An interlocking shoring panel for excavation, comprising:
 a semicircular top edge having a first plurality of conduit apertures;   a semicircular bottom edge having a second plurality of conduit apertures aligned with the first plurality of conduit apertures on the top edge;   first and second side edges between the top edge and the bottom edge; and   an inner surface having at least two horizontal channels and at least two vertical support struts;   wherein the top edge and the bottom edge have first complementary interlocking features to connect the bottom edge of the shoring panel to a top edge of an identical second shoring panel; and   wherein the first side edge and the second side edge have second complementary interlocking features to connect the first side edge of the shoring panel to a second side edge of an identical third shoring panel.   
   
   
       10 . The interlocking shoring panel of  claim 9 , wherein the top edge further comprises a tongue and the bottom edge further comprises a groove complementary to the tongue. 
   
   
       11 . The interlocking shoring panel of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom edge further comprises a tongue and the top edge further comprises a groove complementary to the tongue. 
   
   
       12 . The interlocking shoring panel of  claim 9 , wherein the first side edge further comprises a ridge and the second side edge further comprises a channel complementary to the ridge. 
   
   
       13 . A system for shoring an excavation site using a plurality of the interlocking shoring panels of  claim 9 , the system comprising:
 a first shoring ring comprising first, second and third interlocking shoring panels interlocked together, the top edges of the first, second and third interlocking shoring panels at least partially forming a top edge of the first shoring ring;   a second shoring ring comprising fourth, fifth and sixth interlocking shoring panels interlocked together, the bottom edges of the fourth, fifth and sixth interlocking shoring panels at least partially forming a bottom edge of the second shoring ring;   wherein the bottom edge of the second shoring ring is connected to the top edge of the first shoring ring by engaging the complimentary interlocking features of the bottom edges of the fourth, fifth and sixth interlocking shoring panels with the complimentary interlocking features of the top edges of the first, second and third interlocking shoring panels; and   wherein the first and second shoring rings are assembled inside an excavation site to shore the excavation site.   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the top edge of the first interlocking shoring panel is engaged with both the bottom edge of the fifth interlocking shoring panel and the bottom edge of the sixth interlocking shoring panel.