US 12,031,286 B2
Portable cofferdam system
Gary H. Strom, Moorhead, MN (US); and Brandon G. Strom, Vergas, MN (US)
Assigned to Subsurface, Inc., Fargo, ND (US)
Filed by Subsurface, Inc., Fargo, ND (US)
Filed on Apr. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/297,749.
Application 18/297,749 is a continuation of application No. 17/502,740, filed on Oct. 15, 2021, granted, now 11,624,167.
Application 17/502,740 is a continuation of application No. 17/062,854, filed on Oct. 5, 2020, granted, now 11,149,401, issued on Oct. 19, 2021.
Application 17/062,854 is a continuation of application No. 16/594,158, filed on Oct. 7, 2019, granted, now 10,794,033, issued on Oct. 6, 2020.
Application 16/594,158 is a continuation of application No. 16/159,917, filed on Oct. 15, 2018, granted, now 10,435,860, issued on Oct. 8, 2019.
Application 16/159,917 is a continuation of application No. 15/953,629, filed on Apr. 16, 2018, granted, now 10,100,483, issued on Oct. 16, 2018.
Application 15/953,629 is a continuation of application No. 15/292,977, filed on Oct. 13, 2016, granted, now 9,945,091, issued on Apr. 17, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0243118 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E02D 19/04 (2006.01); E02D 17/04 (2006.01); E02D 17/08 (2006.01); E02D 19/00 (2006.01)
CPC E02D 19/04 (2013.01) [E02D 17/04 (2013.01); E02D 17/08 (2013.01); E02D 19/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of using a portable cofferdam, wherein the portable cofferdam is comprised of a first sidewall having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge, wherein the first sidewall is vertically orientated, a second sidewall having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge, wherein the second sidewall is vertically orientated and wherein the second sidewall is distally spaced from the first sidewall, a middle wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the middle wall includes an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the middle wall is vertically orientated, and an opening formed between the rear edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the opening is adapted to be positioned about or near an inlet or an outlet of a culvert and wherein the rear edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall are adapted to be positioned upon a sloped ground surrounding the inlet or the outlet of the culvert to close in a water tight manner an interior space formed between the first sidewall, the middle wall, the second sidewall and the sloped ground to prevent water from entering the inlet or the outlet of the culvert, said method comprising:
positioning the portable cofferdam with the interior side of the middle wall facing the inlet of the culvert and the opening near the inlet of the culvert; and
driving the portable cofferdam into a ground surface to a desired depth to prevent external water from entering the inlet of the culvert, wherein the step of driving the portable cofferdam is comprises a vehicle attachment of a vehicle pressing downwardly upon the portable cofferdam.