Rapid Change Vertical Shore

Abstract

The embodiments described herein include rapid change vertical shore used in the trench safety industry. Particular embodiments facilitate a rapid change between a single cylinder vertical shore and a double cylinder vertical shore.

1 . A rapid change vertical shore comprising:
 a first shore rail;   a second shore rail oriented parallel to the first shore rail;   a first hydraulic cylinder coupled perpendicularly between the first shore rail and the second shore rail, the first hydraulic cylinder coupled to the first shore rail via a first cylinder base; and   the first cylinder base comprises a hose fitting fluidly coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder, the hose fitting comprising a male quick disconnect connector.   
     
     
         2 . The rapid change vertical shore of  claim 1 , wherein the hose fitting is oriented perpendicular to the first cylinder base. 
     
     
         3 . The rapid change vertical shore of  claim 1 , wherein the hose fitting is positioned a distance away from the hydraulic cylinder to facilitate manual connection/disconnection of a pressure hose to the hose fitting. 
     
     
         4 . The rapid change vertical shore of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second hydraulic cylinder coupled perpendicularly between the first shore rail and the second shore rail, the second hydraulic cylinder coupled to the first shore rail via a second cylinder base;   the second cylinder base comprises a hose fitting fluidly coupled to the second hydraulic cylinder, the hose fitting comprising a male quick disconnect connector; and   a pressure hose comprising a female quick disconnect connector at both ends coupled to the first cylinder base hose fitting and the second cylinder base hose fitting.   
     
     
         5 . A rapid change cylinder base for a hydraulic vertical shore comprising:
 a threaded base for accepting a hydraulic cylinder; and   a hose fitting fluidly coupled to the hydraulic cylinder, the hose fitting comprising a male quick disconnect connector.   
     
     
         6 . The rapid change cylinder base of  claim 5 , wherein the hose fitting is oriented perpendicular to the cylinder base. 
     
     
         7 . The rapid change cylinder base of  claim 5 , wherein the hose fitting is positioned a distance away from the hydraulic cylinder to facilitate manual connection/disconnection of a pressure hose to the hose fitting. 
     
     
         8 . A method for converting a single cylinder vertical shore to a double cylinder vertical shore, the single cylinder vertical shore comprising:
 a first shore rail;   a second shore rail oriented parallel to the first shore rail;   a first hydraulic cylinder coupled perpendicularly between the first shore rail and the second shore rail, the first hydraulic cylinder coupled to the first shore rail via a first cylinder base; and   the first cylinder base comprises a hose fitting fluidly coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder, the hose fitting comprising a male quick disconnect connector;   the method comprising:   coupling a second hydraulic cylinder perpendicularly between the first shore rail and the second shore rail via a second cylinder base, wherein the second cylinder base comprises a hose fitting fluidly coupled to the second hydraulic cylinder, the hose fitting comprising a male quick disconnect connector; and   coupling a pressure hose comprising a female quick disconnect connector at both ends to the first cylinder base hose fitting and the second cylinder base hose fitting.   
     
     
         9 . A method for converting a double cylinder vertical shore to a single cylinder vertical shore, the double cylinder vertical shore comprising:
 a first shore rail;   a second shore rail oriented parallel to the first shore rail;   a first hydraulic cylinder coupled perpendicularly between the first shore rail and the second shore rail, the first hydraulic cylinder coupled to the first shore rail via a first cylinder base; and   the first cylinder base comprises a hose fitting fluidly coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder, the hose fitting comprising a male quick disconnect connector;   a second hydraulic cylinder coupled perpendicularly between the first shore rail and the second shore rail, the second hydraulic cylinder coupled to the first shore rail via a second cylinder base; and   the second cylinder base comprises a hose fitting fluidly coupled to the second hydraulic cylinder, the hose fitting comprising a male quick disconnect connector; and   a pressure hose comprising a female quick disconnect connector at both ends coupled to the first cylinder base hose fitting and the second cylinder base hose fitting;   the method comprising:
 uncoupling the pressure hose from the first cylinder base hose fitting and the second cylinder base hose fitting; and 
 uncoupling the second cylinder base and second hydraulic cylinder from the first shore rail.