Support system, excavation arrangement, and process of supporting an object

1. A support system, comprising:

weight-bearing device; and

a camming mechanism positioned below the weight-bearing device;

wherein a downward force on the weight-bearing device at least partially secures the camming mechanism to opposing surfaces; and

wherein one or more cables directly or indirectly connected to the camming mechanism are operable to apply a force to the camming mechanism to engage the camming mechanism to the opposing surfaces.

2. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the opposing surfaces are a wall of a borehole.

3. The support system of claim 2 , wherein the borehole is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical.

4. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the opposing surfaces are a portion of an excavation.

5. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the opposing surfaces are opposing walls.

6. The support system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuation feature arranged and disposed to adjust the camming mechanism from a disengaged configuration to an engaging configuration.

7. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more cables extend from below at least a portion of the weight-bearing device to above the weight-bearing device.

8. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the weight-bearing device includes a support portion for supporting an object and an engagement portion for engaging the camming mechanism.

9. The support system of claim 8 , wherein the camming mechanism is positioned entirely below the support portion.

10. The support system of claim 8 , wherein the engagement portion includes a threaded region.

11. The support system of claim 10 , wherein the threaded region is spiraled.

12. The support system of claim 10 , wherein the threaded region includes ridges.

13. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the camming mechanism includes teeth for engaging the weight-bearing device.

14. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the camming mechanism includes teeth for engaging the opposing surfaces.

15. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the camming mechanism includes a cam and a body, the body arranged and disposed to permit the cam to contact a first surface of the opposing surface while the body contacts a second surface of the opposing surfaces.

16. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the camming mechanism includes two or more cams.

17. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the weight-bearing device is arranged and disposed to permit fluid flow from below the weight-bearing device to above the weight-bearing device during an operational period.

18. An excavation arrangement, comprising:

a borehole;

a support system positioned within and secured to the borehole; and

an object positioned on and supported by the support system;

wherein the support system includes a weight-bearing device and a camming mechanism positioned below the weight-bearing device;

wherein a downward force on the weight-bearing device at least partially secures the camming mechanism to opposing surfaces of the borehole; and

wherein one or more cables directly or indirectly connected to the camming mechanism apply a force to the camming mechanism to engage the camming mechanism to the borehole.

19. A process of supporting an object within a borehole, the process comprising:

positioning and securing a support system, the support system including a weight-bearing device and a camming mechanism positioned below the weight-bearing device;

operating one or more cables directly or indirectly connected to the camming mechanism by pulling on the one or more cables to engage the camming mechanism to the borehole;

and

positioning the object on the weight-bearing device;

wherein a downward force from the positioning of the object on the weight-bearing device at least partially secures the camming mechanism to opposing surfaces of the borehole.