Apparatus for connecting and aligning frame member sections of a trench

A trench forming system for forming a trench of predetermined shape comprising:

• a pair of opposed frame members comprising a plurality of elongate sections arranged in an end-to-end relationship, wherein each frame member section comprises a horizontal leg defining a support surface for supporting a trench cover and a vertical leg, and wherein each of said horizontal and vertical legs of said frame member sections comprises an outwardly extending protrusion adjacent to at least one of the ends thereof;
• an elongate form body substantially defining said predetermined shape of said trench and comprising opposed side surfaces, wherein each side surface defines a longitudinal slot for receiving a horizontal leg of a respective frame member section;
• and
• a connector for connecting the adjacent ends of said frame member sections, said connector comprising:
• horizontal and vertical panel sections of a predetermined length, each panel section comprising opposed end portions and defining an opening within each respective end portion which is adapted to engage a protrusion of the respective leg of an adjacent frame member section such that the adjacent frame member sections can be securely interconnected;
• and
• a hinge member interconnecting said horizontal and vertical panel sections, wherein said hinge member has a predetermined length less than the predetermined length of said horizontal and vertical panel sections such that the end portions of said horizontal and vertical panel sections are substantially free to elastically deform outwardly as the protrusion of the respective leg of an adjacent frame member section is inserted within a respective opening.

A connector for connecting adjacent frame member sections of a trench forming system wherein the frame member sections include an outwardly extending protrusion of a predetermined thickness adjacent to at least one of the ends thereof, said connector comprising:

• at least one panel section having opposed end portions and defining an opening within each respective end portion which is adapted to engage the respective protrusion of an adjacent frame member section such that the adjacent frame member sections can be securely interconnected in an end-to-end relationship;
• wherein each end portion of said connector comprises a peripheral edge portion for at least partially defining the respective opening, said peripheral edge portion defining a gap which divides said peripheral edge portion and which opens into the respective opening, said gap having a width greater than the predetermined thickness of the respective protrusion of an adjacent frame member section when the protrusion is passed through said gap so as to be engaged by said opening, and
• wherein said peripheral edge portion comprises a side segment defining a compound inner edge having a guide edge which at least partially defines said gap and an engagement edge which at least partially defines said opening, wherein said compound inner edge defines an angle of less than 180.degree. between said guide edge and said engagement edge such that the width of said gap as defined by said guide edge widens in a direction toward the respective end of the connector to thereby guide the protrusion through said gap and into said opening and such that said engagement edge is adapted to securely seat behind the outwardly extending protrusion to thereby securely engage the protrusion within said opening.

A connector for connecting adjacent frame member sections of a trench forming system wherein the frame member sections include an outwardly extending protrusion of a predetermined thickness adjacent to at least one of the ends thereof, said connector comprising:

• at least one panel section defining a reference plane and having opposed end portions, said panel section also defining an opening of predetermined width within each respective end portion which is adapted to engage the respective protrusion of an adjacent frame member section such that the adjacent frame member sections can be securely interconnected in an end-to-end relationship;
• wherein each end portion of said connector comprises a peripheral edge portion for at least partially defining the respective opening, said peripheral edge portion defining a gap which divides said peripheral edge portion and which opens into the respective opening such that the protrusion can pass through said gap and be engaged by said opening,
• wherein said peripheral edge portion comprises an end segment immediately adjacent the respective end of said connector, wherein said end segment is bent along a bend line to define a guide surface adjacent to said gap and extending in a direction outwardly in a direction away from said frame member section for guiding the protrusion through said gap and into said opening,
• wherein the guide surface defines a guide surface plane which defines an included angle of less than 45.degree. with a reference plane defined by the one panel section, and wherein said end segment has a predetermined width at least as great as the predetermined width of the adjacent opening such that said end segment is adapted to elastically deform outwardly as the protrusion of the frame member section is guided through said gap and into said opening.