Shoring system, beam assembly for a shoring system, and shoring system components

Abstract

A beam assembly for a shoring system may include a drophead that is configured to attach to a shore. The drophead may include a load plate for supporting at least one beam of the beam assembly. A first beam may be included, the first beam having an end coupled to the drophead. A second beam may be included, the second beam having a second end, which can attach to the drophead or to the first beam. In some examples, a panel can be supported on the first beam or the second beam.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A beam assembly for a shoring system that includes a shore, the beam assembly comprising:
 a drophead configured for attachment to the shore, wherein the drophead includes a central shaft; a load plate that comprises a receiving area and that is movable relative to the central shaft between a higher position and a lower position; and a slide plate for supporting the load plate in the higher position;   a first beam comprising a first end coupled to the drophead and comprising a channel extending along a side of the first beam; and   a second beam having a second end, the second end comprising a lip that is engaged in the receiving area or the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The beam assembly of  claim 1 , wherein, when the first beam is coupled to the drophead, the channel is vertically aligned with the receiving area. 
     
     
         3 . The beam assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lip is engaged in the channel; the first beam comprises a bumper protrusion that is above the channel, and an abutment surface associated with the second end is adjacent the bumper protrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The beam assembly of  claim 3 , wherein second beam end comprises a notch located between the abutment surface and the lip. 
     
     
         5 . The beam assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lip is engaged in the receiving area and the lip engages a top surface of the load plate. 
     
     
         6 . The beam assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the receiving area is adjacent to a fin of the load plate. 
     
     
         7 . The beam assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the load plate includes two endstops located at opposite sides of the fin, and wherein the endstops each have an inner surface configured for engaging an outer surface of the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The beam assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the slide plate comprises a runner received within a groove of the load plate, and wherein the groove of the load plate is located on a bottom of the load plate. 
     
     
         9 . The beam assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the slide plate includes at least one of an impact knob and an impact protrusion configured to receive an input force for moving the slide plate linearly relative to the load plate. 
     
     
         10 . The beam assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the slide plate includes a wedge configured to at least partially overlap a central opening of the load plate. 
     
     
         11 . The beam assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the wedge of the slide plate engages the central shaft of the drophead when the load plate is in the higher position. 
     
     
         12 . The beam assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the wedge of the slide is disengaged from the central shaft when the load plate is in the lower position. 
     
     
         13 . The beam assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the drophead includes a first abutment surface that corresponds to a second abutment surface on an endpiece of the first beam such that the first abutment surface is adjacent to the second abutment surface. 
     
     
         14 . The beam assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first beam comprises a first nailstrip retained in a nailstrip channel. 
     
     
         15 . The beam assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first beam comprises a cavity beneath the nailstrip and configured to receive a portion of a faster driven into the nailstrip. 
     
     
         16 . The beam assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the channel comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein the nailstrip is retained between the upper surface and the lower surface and is impeded from uplift by the upper surface. 
     
     
         17 . The beam assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the channel of the main beam is a first channel, and wherein the main beam further includes a second channel located above the first channel. 
     
     
         18 . The beam assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second channel is configured to receive a portion of a panel of the shoring system; and wherein the panel comprises a removable corner. 
     
     
         19 . A drophead for a shoring system, the drophead comprising:
 a base plate for attaching to a shore;   a central shaft extending from the base plate, the central shaft comprising a rectangular tubular body;   a load plate coupled to the central shaft and movable, relative to the central shaft between a higher position and a lower position, wherein the load plate comprises a fin or a tab for engaging a beam, and wherein the fin of the tab is oriented at an angle relative to a wall of the central shaft, the angle being about 45 degrees; and   a slide plate moveably coupled to the shaft and to the load plate and configured to support the load plate in the higher position.   
     
     
         20 . A panel for a shoring system, the panel comprising:
 a frame configured to comprise a border around a periphery of a sheet material; and   a support member coupled to the frame and beneath the sheet material, the support member comprising:
 a support leg configured to engage a beam of the shoring system; and 
 a removable corner that selectively attaches and detaches from the support member.