Trench support method and apparatus

A method comprising:

• inserting an apparatus into a trench to provide support for the trench;
• wherein the apparatus is comprised of:
• a first beam;
• a second beam;
• a third beam;
• a fourth beam;
• a first strut;
• a second strut;
• a first plate;
• first and second L-shaped brackets configured to be attached to the first plate;
• a second plate;
• and
• third and fourth L-shaped brackets configured to be attached to the second plate;
• wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth beams is comprised of an outer member;
• a divider member, and an inner member, which are spaced apart from each other and substantially parallel to each other, and connected together by a central member which is substantially perpendicular to the outer, divider, and inner members;
• where each outer member of the first, second, third, and fourth beams has fixed thereto first and second extensions, which are substantially perpendicular to the respective outer member;
• wherein the first and second extensions of each of the outer members, together with at least part of the respective outer member, a least part of the divider member, and at least part of the central member, form first and second L-shaped channels;
• wherein each inner member of the first, second, third and fourth beams has at least one protrusion, which is substantially perpendicular to the respective inner member;
• wherein the first strut has a first end which is configured to attach to a first protrusion of the inner member of the first beam, and the first strut has a second end which is configured to attach to a first protrusion of the inner member of the second beam, wherein the second end of the first strut opposes the first end of the first strut;
• wherein the second strut has a first end which is configured to attach to a first protrusion of the inner member of the third beam, and the second strut has a second end which is configured to attach to a first protrusion of the inner member of the fourth beam, wherein the second end of the second strut opposes the first end of the second strut;
• wherein the first L-shaped bracket, when attached to a first end of the first plate, is configured to be slid within the second L-shaped channel of the first beam;
• wherein the second L-shaped bracket, when attached to a second end of the first plate, which is opposite the first end of the first plate, is configured to be slid within the first L-shaped channel of the third beam;
• wherein the third L-shaped bracket, when attached to a first end of the second plate, is configured to be slid within the first L-shaped channel of the second beam;
• and
• wherein the fourth L-shaped bracket, when attached to a second end of the second plate, which is opposite the first end of the second plate, is configured to be slid within the second L-shaped channel of the fourth beam.