Trench shield wheel assembly devoid of a transverse axle

Abstract

A wheel assembly for supporting a shoring shield is described, which beneficially does not require the use of an axle. The assembly may comprise a main support brace and an axle support brace, operably coupled by an upper transverse arm and a lower transverse arm pivotably connected to both support braces forming a parallel or quasi-parallel linkage. A rocker arm, coupled to a spring, may also be provided.

1 . A wheeled shoring shield support system comprising:
 a main support brace and an axle support, wherein a rocker arm is operably coupled to the main support brace;   an upper transverse arm operably coupled to the main support brace and the axle support brace;   a lower transverse arm operably coupled to the main support brace and the axle support brace; and   a connector attached to the main support brace for connection to a trench shield.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rocker arm comprise a first, proximal end operably coupled to a spring cap and a second, distal end operably coupled to the main support brace. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a spring, the spring comprising a top end and a bottom end, the top end operably coupled to the spring cap and the bottom end attached to a spring base plate. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a spring cylinder. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the spring base plate is attached to the main support brace. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the upper transverse arm is operably coupled to the axle support brace and the main support brace by a pivotable connection. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the pivotable connection comprises at least one of a ball joint, a bushing, and a bearing. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the lower transverse arm is operably coupled to the axle support brace and the main support brace by a pivotable connection. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the pivotable connection comprises at least one of a ball joint, a bushing, and a bearing. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the spring comprises a progressive spring. 
     
     
         11 . A method of supporting a shoring shield within an excavation, the method comprising:
 selecting the wheeled shoring shield support system of  claim 1 , and   attaching the connector of the wheeled shoring shield support system to the shoring shield.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising moving the shoring shield from a first location within the excavation to a second location within the excavation via the wheeled shoring shield support system. 
     
     
         13 . A support system used in a wheel suspension of a trench shoring shield support comprising:
 an axle support brace and a main support brace,   an upper transverse arm and a lower transverse arm extending between the axle support brace and the main support brace, the upper transverse arm and the lower transverse arm pivotably connected to the axle support brace and the main support brace; and   a rocker arm operably coupled to the upper transverse arm and a coil spring.   
     
     
         14 . The support system of  claim 13 , wherein the upper transverse arm and the lower transverse arm pivotably connected to the axle support brace and the main support brace via a pivotable connection, and wherein the pivotable connection comprises at least one of a ball joint, a bushing, and a bearing. 
     
     
         15 . The support system of  claim 14 , further comprising a spring base plate connected to the main support brace and a lower end of the coil spring. 
     
     
         16 . The support system of  claim 15 , wherein an upper end of the coil spring is attached to a spring cap, the spring cap pivotably connected to the rocker arm. 
     
     
         17 . The support system of  claim 16 , further comprising a coil spring cylinder attached to one of the spring base plate and the spring cap.