Interlocking shoring panels

Abstract

The present invention is an interlocking shoring panel for excavation with implied 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 surfaces have 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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, each of the aforementioned edges having attachment means for connecting to one or more adjacent shoring panels, said inner surface of each shoring panel 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 each shoring panel,
 each shoring panel penetrated from inner surface to outer surface by a cylindrical slot, said cylindrical slot holding an anchor pin,   each shoring panel penetrated from inner surface to outer surface by an injection port, said injection port projecting a short distance above the inner surface 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 . 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 a plurality of horizontal channels and a plurality of 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.   
     
     
         8 . The interlocking shoring panel of  claim 7 , wherein the top edge further comprises a tongue and the bottom edge further comprises a groove complementary to the tongue. 
     
     
         9 . The interlocking shoring panel of  claim 7 , wherein the bottom edge further comprises a tongue and the top edge further comprises a groove complementary to the tongue. 
     
     
         10 . The interlocking shoring panel of  claim 7 , wherein the first side edge further comprises a ridge and the second side edge further comprises a channel complementary to the ridge. 
     
     
         11 . A system for shoring an excavation site using a plurality of the interlocking shoring panels of  claim 7 , 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.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , 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.