Attic work support device and attic work support method

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of performing support for securing safety of ceiling space work of a suspended ceiling structure from an indoor side.SOLUTION: An attic work support device supports work in an attic of a suspended ceiling structure having a plurality of ceiling joist receivers installed at an upper structure of a building skeleton via a plurality of suspension members at intervals, a plurality of ceiling joists fixed to the plurality of ceiling joist receivers, and a ceiling board attached to lower surfaces of the plurality of ceiling joists. Typically, the ceiling-interior work support device includes a lift device configured to be capable of self-standing on a floor surface and including an expansion / contraction mechanism that expands and contracts a support to a height of a ceiling board, and a top plate portion provided at a distal end portion of the support so that an upper surface faces the ceiling board. The top plate part includes a pair of square timber parts installed on the upper surface at an interval from each other, and the pair of square timber parts are configured to have a length longer than an installation interval of the plurality of ceiling joist receivers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ceiling work support technology suitable for confirming the safety of ceiling work in a suspended ceiling structure.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a floor board for in-ceiling work used as a scaffold in a ceiling with suspension bolts or obstacles. This floor board for in-ceiling work is carried into the ceiling, and a temporary scaffold in the ceiling is formed by bridging the arm portions at both longitudinal ends in a direction intersecting the edge receivers on each of the pair of parallel edge receivers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the ceiling space of a suspended ceiling structure, pipe work related to air conditioning etc. may be carried out. When there is an inspection walkway in the ceiling space, it is also conceivable to move from an inspection hole provided in the ceiling board to the work site using the inspection walkway. In this case, it is required to confirm the safety of the movement route and secure the movement route while making repairs etc. as necessary. The technology of the floor board for in-ceiling work in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the floor board for in-ceiling work needs to be carried into the ceiling from a narrow inspection hole, which places a large burden on the workers. Also, depending on the ceiling structure, there may be a risk of restrictions on the location where the floor board for in-ceiling work can be installed. Thus, there are limitations in providing support for work in the ceiling space of a suspended ceiling structure, and it is desired to establish a technology for providing support for ensuring work safety from the indoor side.

[0005] This disclosure was made to solve the problems described above, and aims to provide a technology that can provide support from the interior side to ensure the safety of work in the ceiling space of a suspended ceiling structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The ceiling work support device of this disclosure is a ceiling work support device that supports work in the ceiling space of a suspended ceiling structure having a plurality of joist hangers installed at intervals from each other on the superstructure of a building frame via a plurality of suspension members, a plurality of joists fixed to the plurality of joist hangers, and a ceiling board attached to the lower surface of the plurality of joists, and comprises a lift device comprising a telescopic mechanism configured to be self-supporting on the floor surface and extending and retracting a support column to the height of the ceiling board, and a top plate portion provided at the tip of the support column so that its upper surface faces the ceiling board, wherein the top plate portion comprises a pair of square timber portions installed at intervals from each other on its upper surface, and the length of the pair of square timber portions is longer than the installation interval of the plurality of joist hangers.

[0007] Furthermore, the ceiling work support method of this disclosure is a ceiling work support method that supports work by workers in the ceiling space using the ceiling work support device described above, and comprises a positioning step of positioning the lift device at a location that overlaps with the work area along the movement path from an inspection opening provided in the ceiling board to the work site in the ceiling space in a vertical projection view, and a support step of raising the top plate of the lift device to a height where a pair of square timbers are in contact with the ceiling board to support the suspended ceiling structure, wherein in the support step, each of the pair of square timbers supports the suspended ceiling structure such that, in a vertical projection view, each of the pair of square timbers overlaps with at least two of the multiple joist supports. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the technology disclosed herein, the lifting device of the ceiling work support system can support the space between two ceiling joist supports by sandwiching the ceiling board from the interior side. This makes it possible to ensure the safety of ceiling work in a suspended ceiling structure from the interior side. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic diagram of a suspended ceiling structure to which the ceiling work support device according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the suspended ceiling structure, viewed from the +Y direction in the figure. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the space above the ceiling, including the work area, viewed from above. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the overhead work support device. [Figure 5] This is a three-view drawing showing the tabletop section to which a pair of rectangular wooden beams are fixed. [Figure 6] This is a schematic vertical projection diagram showing an example of the arrangement of ceiling-level work support equipment for a suspended ceiling structure. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the placement process in a support method using an overhead work support device. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the support process in a support method using an overhead work support device. [Figure 9] This diagram shows an example of the installation of an intrusion prevention fence. [Figure 10] This figure shows other examples of intrusion prevention fence installations. [Figure 11] This diagram shows an example of installing a magnetic component on the top surface. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a ceiling-mounted work support system equipped with multiple lift devices. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Elements common to each figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0011] Embodiment. 1. Outline structure of a lightweight steel frame ceiling FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a suspended ceiling structure to which the ceiling space work support device according to the embodiment is applied. This suspended ceiling structure 100 is, for example, a structure of a lightweight steel ceiling in a building with a steel frame structure or an RC structure. In FIG. 1, a part of the suspended ceiling structure 100 as viewed from the indoor side is extracted and shown. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a part of the suspended ceiling structure shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the +Y direction in the figure. The suspended ceiling structure 100 mainly includes a suspension bolt 8, a hanger 10, a soffit support 12, a soffit 14, and a ceiling board 16.

[0012] The suspension bolt 8 is suspended from an upper slab H which is an upper structure of the building body. The suspension bolt 8 is attached to, for example, an insert provided in the upper slab H. In the example shown in FIG. 1, six suspension bolts 8 are shown.

[0013] A hanger 10 is attached to the lower end of each suspension bolt 8. The hanger 10 supports the soffit support 12. That is, the suspension bolt 8 and the hanger 10 function as suspension members for suspending the soffit support 12 from the upper slab H.

[0014] The soffit support 12 is for supporting the soffit 14. A plurality of soffit supports 12 are installed at a determined interval D1 so as to be parallel to each other. The installation interval D1 here is, for example, 900 mm. In FIG. 1, three soffit supports 12 are shown.

[0015] The soffit 14 is for supporting the ceiling board 16. A plurality of soffits 14 are attached to the soffit support 12 using clip members not shown. The plurality of soffits 14 are installed parallel to each other at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the soffit support 12. In FIG. 1, five soffits 14 are shown.

[0016] The ceiling board 16 constitutes the ceiling surface of the indoor space. The ceiling board 16 is, for example, a gypsum board. The ceiling board 16 is attached to the lower surface side of a plurality of furring strips 14 so as to cover the entire suspended ceiling structure 100. In FIG. 1, a part of the ceiling board 16 attached to the suspended ceiling structure 100 is shown by a dashed line. In the following description, the upper space partitioned by the ceiling board 16 is denoted as "ceiling space A1", and the lower space is denoted as "indoor space A2". An inspection opening 18 is formed in the ceiling board 16. The inspection opening 18 is a rectangular opening for an operator to enter from the indoor space A2 into the ceiling space A1. Usually, the inspection opening 18 is closed and is opened by the operator during inspection.

[0017] 2. Features of the ceiling space work support device according to the embodiment When installing, replacing, repairing, etc. air conditioning equipment, work such as piping work may be required at the work site in the ceiling space A1. In this case, the operator needs to open the inspection opening 18 and enter from the indoor space A2 into the ceiling space A1, and move inside the ceiling space A1 to the work site. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the ceiling space including the work site as seen from above. As in the case of the site of the ceiling space A1 shown in this figure, an inspection walkway 20 for the operator to move may be permanently installed. At such a site, while using the inspection walkway 20, the relatively strong furring strip support 12 is also used as a scaffold to move along the movement path to the work site.

[0018] Here, depending on the site, there may be cases where the support hardware for hanging the inspection walkway 20 in the ceiling space A1 drops off or the like, and a safe movement path to the work site is not ensured. In such a case, before the actual work such as piping work, additional work such as inspection and repair of the movement path to the work site is required. However, there are many places in the suspended ceiling structure 100 that do not have sufficient strength assuming that people will ride on them, and there is a risk of difficulty in working in the ceiling space A1. Also, the inspection opening 18 for the operator to enter is relatively small, and the auxiliary tools that can be carried into the ceiling space A1 are limited.

[0019] Therefore, the inventors of this application have devised a ceiling work support device for supporting the suspended ceiling structure 100 from the side of a large indoor space A2. Figure 4 is a front view of the ceiling work support device. The ceiling work support device 30 is installed and used on the floor surface F of the indoor space A2. The ceiling work support device 30 is equipped with a lift device 32.

[0020] The lifting device 32 comprises a support column 34 and a top plate 36. The support column 34 has a base 34a and a retractable telescopic mechanism 34b fixed to the base 34a. The base 34a fixes the telescopic mechanism 34b so that it can stand vertically on its own relative to the floor surface F. The base 34a is fitted with wheels so that it can move along the floor surface F. The telescopic mechanism 34b is a support column configured to extend and retract to the height of the ceiling board 16 when the lifting device 32 is installed in the indoor space A2. The telescopic mechanism 34b extends and retracts the support column using an actuator. The power source for the actuator can be a known technology such as pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric.

[0021] The top plate 36 is a rectangular board and is fixed to the tip of the telescopic mechanism 34b of the support column 34 so that its upper surface faces the ceiling board 16. The long side dimension of the top plate 36 is shorter than the spacing between the ceiling joist supports 12. As the support column 34 extends and retracts vertically, the top plate 36 is raised to a height where it contacts the ceiling board 16. Figure 4(A) shows the ceiling work support device 30 in the retracted state of the support column 34, and Figure 4(B) shows the ceiling work support device 30 in the extended state of the support column 34.

[0022] A pair of square timber sections 40 are fixed to the upper surface of the top plate section 36. Figure 5 is a three-view drawing showing the top plate section to which the pair of square timber sections are fixed. The pair of square timber sections 40 are longer than the long side dimension of the top plate section 36. The pair of square timber sections 40 are fixed parallel to the long edge of the top plate section 36. The longitudinal dimension D2 of the pair of square timber sections 40 is longer than the installation spacing D1 of the joist support 12, for example, 1500 mm. The material of the pair of square timber sections 40 is, for example, wood, and they are detachably screwed to the top plate section 36.

[0023] The attic work support device 30 is used by extending the support column 34 from the interior space A2 to raise the top plate 36 and bringing the pair of square timber sections 40 into contact with the ceiling board 16. Figure 6 is a schematic vertical projection showing an example of the arrangement of the attic work support device for a suspended ceiling structure. As described above, the longitudinal length dimension D2 of the pair of square timber sections 40 is greater than the installation spacing D1 of the joist hangers 12. Therefore, as shown in this figure, the attic work support device 30 can be positioned and oriented such that, in a vertical projection view, each of the pair of square timber sections 40 intersects with at least two joist hangers 12 within the working range in the attic A1. As a result, the attic work support device 30 can support the suspended ceiling structure 100 from the interior space A2 side within the intersection range of the pair of square timber sections 40 and the joist hangers 12 in a vertical projection view.

[0024] Furthermore, when the pair of square timber sections 40 come into contact with the ceiling board 16, a gap equal to the height of the pair of square timber sections 40 is formed between the upper surface of the top plate section 36 and the ceiling board 16. Therefore, even if the upper surface of the top plate section 36 faces a protrusion on the ceiling board 16, the likelihood of avoiding contact with the protrusion increases.

[0025] 3. Work procedure using the ceiling work support device 30 Next, a series of support methods for ensuring the safety of movement paths in the attic A1 using the attic work support device 30 will be described. This work is performed by at least two workers, including an attic worker working in the attic A1 and an indoor worker providing support in the indoor space A2. First, as a preparation step, the attic worker opens the inspection hatch 18 and enters the attic A1 from the indoor space A2. Then, the attic worker plans the movement path from the inspection hatch 18 to the work site. The following explanation will use the movement path using the inspection walkway 20 shown in Figure 3 as an example, but the movement path will be planned as appropriate depending on the site.

[0026] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the placement process in a support method using the ceiling work support device 30. In the placement process, under the direction of the ceiling work worker, the indoor worker moves the lift device 32 to a location near the area directly below the work area A1 in the ceiling space. First, the lift device 32 is moved to a location near the starting point of the movement path. Then, the indoor worker fine-tunes the position and orientation of the lift device 32 so that the pair of square timber sections 40 intersect with two adjacent ceiling joist supports 12 in a vertical projection view.

[0027] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the support process in a support method using the ceiling work support device 30. In the support process, the indoor worker operates the telescopic mechanism 34b to raise the top plate 36 to a height where the pair of square timber sections 40 contact the ceiling board 16. Within the support area supported by the ceiling work support device 30, the ceiling worker performs safety checks, including inspection and repair of the movement path.

[0028] Once the work by the ceiling workers is completed, the process moves on to the next step, the lowering step. In the lowering step, the indoor workers operate the telescopic mechanism 34b to lower the top plate 36 to a position where the pair of timber sections are separated from the ceiling board 16. Once the lowering step is completed, the placement step, support step, and lowering step are performed again. In the placement step at this time, the lift device 32 is moved to a position near the immediate vicinity of the next work area along the movement path. These placement, support, and lowering steps are repeated while the work area is moved step by step along the movement path. With this work method, it is possible to sequentially inspect and repair the movement path from the inspection hatch 18 to the work site while ensuring safety.

[0029] 4. Modified example of the ceiling work support device 30 The ceiling work support device 30 according to the embodiment may adopt the following modified form.

[0030] 4-1.Intrusion prevention fence The ceiling work support device 30 may further include an intrusion prevention fence 50. Figure 9 shows an example of the installation of an intrusion prevention fence. In Figure 9, the suspended ceiling structure 100 is viewed from above in a vertical projection. As shown in this figure, the intrusion prevention fence 50 is installed on the floor surface F of the indoor space A2 so as to surround the intrusion prevention area, including the lift device 32 and the inspection opening 18, in a vertical projection view. This process is hereinafter referred to as the "fence installation process". The intrusion prevention fence 50 is not particularly limited in shape and structure as long as it effectively prevents intrusion into the fence. Such an intrusion prevention fence 50 makes it possible to ensure safety during work in the indoor space A2.

[0031] Furthermore, the intrusion prevention fence 50 may be installed so as to gradually expand its intrusion prevention range to further surround the movement trajectory of the lift device 32. Figure 10 shows another example of the installation of the intrusion prevention fence. Directly above the movement trajectory of the lift device 32, there is a possibility that workers in the ceiling space A1 are performing some kind of work. The intrusion prevention fence 50 shown in Figure 10 makes it possible to ensure safety against any falling objects from the ceiling space A1.

[0032] 4-2. Magnetic components During the support process, the ceiling worker is required to instruct the indoor worker on the position and orientation of the top plate 36 so that, in a vertical projection view, a pair of square timber sections 40 intersect with the two ceiling joist supports 12. However, the ceiling worker cannot accurately determine the position and orientation of the lift device 32 from the ceiling space A1.

[0033] Therefore, the ceiling work support device 30 may be equipped with a magnetic member 60 on the upper surface side of the top plate portion 36. Figure 11 shows an example of the installation of a magnetic member on the top plate portion. As shown in this figure, the magnetic member 60 is positioned, for example, near the center of the upper surface of the top plate portion 36, within a height dimension that does not protrude beyond the pair of square timber portions 40. With this configuration, when the top plate portion 36 is brought close to the ceiling board 16, the ceiling worker can determine the position and orientation of the top plate portion 36 by identifying the position where the magnetic material is applied to the ceiling board 16 from the ceiling space A1 and magnetized. This makes it possible for the ceiling worker to indicate the position and orientation of the top plate portion 36 while visually confirming the position of the joist support 12 in the ceiling space A1. There are no limitations on the type, number, or arrangement of the magnetic member 60.

[0034] 4-3. Multiple lifting devices Depending on the conditions of the indoor space A2, there may be obstacles in the indoor space A2 directly below the work area. In such cases, the lift device 32 cannot be placed directly below the work area. Therefore, the attic work support device 30 may be equipped with multiple lift devices 32. Figure 12 shows an example of an attic work support device equipped with multiple lift devices. The attic work support device 30 shown in this figure is equipped with two lift devices 32. The pair of square timber sections 40 are common members of the two lift devices 32 and are arranged to span across the respective top plates 36. With an attic work support device 30 configured in this way, the degree of freedom in arranging the lift devices 32 is increased, making it possible to flexibly respond to the conditions of the indoor space A2.

[0035] 4-4. Top panel section 36 The top plate section 36 may also be constructed by placing a rectangular board on top of a pair of square timber sections 40. In this case, the longitudinal dimension of the board is greater than or equal to the longitudinal dimension of the pair of square timber sections 40. With this configuration, the lift device 32 can support the ceiling board 16 on the surface of the board of the top plate section 36, thus avoiding stress concentration.

[0036] 5. Others Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0037] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0038] (Note 1) A ceiling work support device for assisting work in the ceiling space of a suspended ceiling structure, comprising: a plurality of joist supports installed at intervals from each other on the superstructure of a building frame via a plurality of suspension members; a plurality of joists fixed to the plurality of joist supports; and ceiling boards attached to the lower surface of the plurality of joists, The lift device comprises a telescopic mechanism that allows the support column to extend and retract to the height of the ceiling board and is configured to be self-supporting on the floor, and a top plate provided at the tip of the support column so that its upper surface faces the ceiling board, The top plate portion comprises a pair of square wooden pieces installed on the top surface at intervals from each other, The length of the pair of square timber sections is longer than the spacing between the installation intervals of the multiple ceiling joist supports. A device to assist with working in the ceiling space. (Note 2) The lifting device comprises multiple such devices, The pair of square timber sections are installed so as to span across the multiple lifting devices. The ceiling work support device described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The ceiling board further comprises a magnetic member installed on the upper surface of the ceiling board. The ceiling work support device described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Note 4) An overhead work support device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, further comprising an intrusion prevention fence installed on the floor surface so as to surround the intrusion prevention area, including the inspection opening and the lift device, in a vertical projection view. (Note 5) The above-mentioned intrusion prevention range further includes the range of the movement trajectory of the lift device in a vertical projection view, as described in Appendix 4, for the ceiling space work support device. (Note 6) A method for supporting work in an attic using an attic work support device described in any one of the items 1 to 3 of the appendix, the method for supporting work performed by workers in the attic, In a vertical projection view, the lift device is positioned at a location that overlaps with the work area along the movement path from the inspection opening provided in the ceiling board to the work site in the ceiling space; The system includes a support step of raising the top plate of the lift device to a height where the pair of square timber sections are in contact with the ceiling board, thereby supporting the suspended ceiling structure. The support step is a method for supporting the suspended ceiling structure in a ceiling space, such that, in a vertical projection view, each of the pair of square timber sections overlaps with at least two of the plurality of ceiling joist supports. (Note 7) The lifting device further comprises a lowering step in which the top plate of the lifting device is lowered after the support step and after the safety check work in the work area is completed. The method for assisting with work in the ceiling space, as described in Appendix 6. (Note 8) The aforementioned work area is moved step by step along the aforementioned movement path, while the placement step, the support step, and the lowering step are repeatedly performed. The ceiling work support method described in Appendix 7 is configured as follows. (Note 9) A ceiling work support method according to any one of Appendix 6 to Appendix 8, further comprising a fence installation step of installing an intrusion prevention fence on the floor surface so as to surround the intrusion prevention area including the inspection opening and the lift device in a vertical projection view. (Note 10) The intrusion prevention range includes the range of the movement trajectory of the lift device, The fence installation step involves installing the intrusion prevention fence in such a way that the area surrounded by the intrusion prevention fence expands in accordance with the expansion of the intrusion prevention area. The ceiling work support method described in Appendix 9 is configured as follows. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 8 Suspension bolt, 10 Hanger, 14 Joist, 16 Ceiling board, 18 Inspection hatch, 20 Inspection walkway, 30 Ceiling work support device, 32 Lift device, 34 Support column, 34a Base, 34b Telescopic mechanism, 36 Top plate, 40 Square timber, 50 Intrusion prevention fence, 60 Magnetic component, 100 Suspended ceiling structure, A1 Ceiling space, A2 Interior space, F Floor surface, H Upper slab

Claims

1. A ceiling work support device for assisting work in the ceiling space of a suspended ceiling structure, comprising: a plurality of joist supports installed at intervals from each other on the superstructure of a building frame via a plurality of suspension members; a plurality of joists fixed to the plurality of joist supports; and ceiling boards attached to the lower surface of the plurality of joists, The lift device comprises a telescopic mechanism that allows the support column to extend and retract to the height of the ceiling board and is configured to be self-supporting on the floor, and a top plate provided at the tip of the support column so that its upper surface faces the ceiling board, The top plate portion comprises a pair of square wooden pieces installed on the top surface at intervals from each other, The length of the pair of square timber sections is longer than the spacing between the installation intervals of the multiple ceiling joist supports. A device to assist with working in the ceiling space.

2. The lifting device comprises multiple such devices, The pair of square timber sections are installed so as to span across the multiple lifting devices. The ceiling work support device according to claim 1.

3. The ceiling board further comprises a magnetic member installed on the upper surface of the ceiling board. The ceiling work support device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The ceiling work support device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising an intrusion prevention fence installed on the floor surface so as to surround the intrusion prevention area including the inspection opening and the lift device in a vertical projection view.

5. The ceiling work support device according to claim 4, wherein the intrusion prevention range further includes the range of the movement trajectory of the lift device in a vertical projection view.

6. A method for supporting work in an attic using the attic work support device described in claim 1, wherein work is supported by workers in the attic, In a vertical projection view, the lift device is positioned at a location that overlaps with the work area along the movement path from the inspection opening provided in the ceiling board to the work site in the ceiling space; The system includes a support step of raising the top plate of the lift device to a height where the pair of square timber sections are in contact with the ceiling board, thereby supporting the suspended ceiling structure. The support step is a method for supporting the suspended ceiling structure in the ceiling space, such that, in a vertical projection view, each of the pair of square timber sections overlaps with at least two of the plurality of ceiling joist supports.

7. The lifting device further comprises a lowering step in which the top plate of the lifting device is lowered after the support step and after the safety check work in the work area is completed. The method for assisting work in the ceiling space according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned work area is moved step by step along the aforementioned movement path, while the placement step, the support step, and the lowering step are repeatedly performed. The ceiling work support method according to claim 7, configured as follows.

9. The ceiling work support method according to claim 8, further comprising a fence installation step of installing an intrusion prevention fence on the floor surface so as to surround the intrusion prevention area including the inspection opening and the lift device in a vertical projection view.

10. The intrusion prevention range includes the range of the movement trajectory of the lift device, The fence installation step involves installing the intrusion prevention fence in such a way that the area surrounded by the intrusion prevention fence expands in accordance with the expansion of the intrusion prevention area. The ceiling work support method according to claim 9, configured as follows.

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