Utility trench system components

A component set for being installed at a selected location along the length of a utility trench between substantially vertical, substantially parallel-extending side panels that define opposite sidewalls of the utility trench, with the component set, when assembled, comprising:

• a) two identical, elongate, metal uprights of substantially uniform channel-shaped cross-section along substantially the full lengths of the uprights, with the uprights each having an open upper end region, an open lower end region, and a back wall that extends substantially vertically along and in engagement an interior surface of a different one of the two side panels;
• and,
• b) an elongate, one-piece, metal, upper connecting member bridging transversely between and serving to connect the upper end regions of the two uprights, with the upper connecting member having an elongate central region of channel-shaped cross-section that extends substantially horizontally between substantially identically configured end regions of the upper connecting member that each is configured 1) to overlie a portion of, 2) to extend downwardly into, and 3) to be snugly received within the open upper end region of a different one of the two metal uprights to connect the upper end regions of the two metal uprights, and to hold the upper end regions of the two metal uprights in spaced relationship.