Scaffolding arrangement

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns a scaffolding arrangement (100) that is adjustable on the fly, without a necessary intermediate need to disassemble the whole arrangement for the targeted deck surface. The scaffolding arrangement (100) comprises, for attaching to a targeted deck surface (12), to the targeted deck (12) attachable pedestals (1) provided with elevators (4) at the structure of the scaffolding arrangement to adjust one or more working decks (21) by the elevators (4) at the structure, in vertical and horizontal position mutually independently, in respect to the targeted deck (12) surface, by one or more respective vertical beams (8) connected to one or more horizontal beams (5) attached to the elevator (4).

Description

[0001] SCAFFOLDING ARRANGEMENT

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to scaffolding arrangement intended to form working stages, platforms and the support structures required in work for use in connection with repair, installation, and maintenance work on bridges and other structures with a deck.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Publication WO 2008 / 132277 Al discloses one scaffolding arrangement suitable for repair work on a bridge deck as such. The arrangement consists of a number of scaffoldings supports to be installed on the deck of the bridge, which are supported from the bridge by bolting the support to the upper surface of the deck of the bridge and then carrying the support on rotatable support elements on the undersurface of the deck.

[0006] Publication WO 2012 / 062968 Al discloses an attachment element for attaching a scaffolding support to the deck of a bridge as such. The scaffolding support to be attached is arranged to be carried on two support points to the upper side of the deck of the bridge. At least one of the support points is arranged to take the compressive force of the attachment elements attached to the deck of the bridge and at least one is arranged to take the tensile force. The attachment element is arranged to be detachably attached to the deck of the bridge with at least two attachment means and comprises at least one attachment means for attaching the attachment element to the support point taking the tensile force of the scaffolding support.

[0007] The mentioned arrangements have a fixed pedestal part attached to the deck upper surface. Once bolted in place, system’s capability to exceed obstacles like railings and safety barriers is limited by the four-bar mechanism maximum angle upwards. Therefore, an additional riser construction has been used between the deck and the pedestals. Using such risers is laborious and enable only predefined steps, thus requiring multiple sets of risers for variable obstacles.

[0008] Vertical adjustment is possible with four bar mechanism, but the pedestal construction gives limits for possible bar angles, limiting available angles. With predefined bar lengths that yields to limited motion. The motion zone related to the deck level can be raised or lowered with additional components the motion length does not change. Additional structures also require an unwanted extension to the installation space envelope, being critical on dense traffic bridges.Four bar mechanism has one unwanted feature due to its nature. The bars rotate around their pivot points, forcing their outer ends to follow a circular path. With small deviation from horizontal this has negligible effects, but on large downwards and upwards angles the effect causes remarkable horizontal motion. As the pedestals are attached to the deck with fixed bolts, there is no way to compensate this motion on fly if a loaded system is running out of space during operation like water cutting, demolition or molding.

[0009] The systems are also assembled to predefined setups with hinge pins. It is not possible to safely change the pin’s holes when the system is hanging outside of bridge. System becomes dangerously unstable if such a pin is removed. Building a setup also requires a crane and installation bench for easy and rapid assembly, therefore making changes to setup requires dismounting a unit, lifting it to bench or table, changing the setup and remounting the unit. Also taking a unit away from an array of units requires removing platforms attached to it. If a mold or part of it is already built, this becomes impossible. Mold cannot be left hanging in the air on its own.

[0010] One difficulty discovered in operations is the fact, that bridges and other platforms tend to have dimensions altering remarkably more than standards allow for tolerances. There are also often additional structures protruding from the surfaces: lamp posts, infrastructure (pipes and cables) attachments and supports. Typically, drawings give the theoretical plain dimensions for a site, and these additions require on site adjustments causing disassembly, resetting and reassembly loops.

[0011] Current pedestal construction has no provisions for loads exceeding usage limits. When loads reach maximum allowable, there is no way to provide additional support, only using units with smaller spacing and shorter platforms.

[0012] Current construction allows one level of platforms used, there is no provision for multiple floors nor access to underside of deck.

[0013] Current construction has also fixed limits for bridge curvature due to fixed size platform support area width on bottom support beam. Platform has to remain on this shelf.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present disclosure of the embodied invention is intended to create a new solution, in which scaffolding arrangement platforms are supported by fully adjustable support mechanisms, so that it enables to build on-fly adjustable single or multifloored decking, that curves according to the curvature of a structure to be repaired, or around occasional obstacles, for example such as protruding lamp posts or infrastructure (pipes, cables).

[0015] A scaffolding arrangement according to the present disclosure has been disclosed in an independent claim 1.

[0016] A Scaffolding arrangement according to the present disclosure is arranged to attach to a targeted deck surface, such as a bridge, such of a building and / or parking house, comprising to the targeted deck attached pedestals provide with elevators at the structure of the scaffolding arrangement to adjust the working decks by the elevators at the structure in vertical and horizontal position in respect to the targeted deck surface, by one or more respective vertical beams connected to one or more horizontal beams attached to the elevator.

[0017] According to embodiments, such adjusting of one or more working decks comprises adjustment in vertical and horizontal direction in respect to the targeted deck surface, even to / from underneath positions under the targeted deck surface.

[0018] A scaffolding arrangement according to the present disclosure is arranged for providing one or more working decks as suspended outside of a targeted deck surface, by such one or more working decks that are suspended by said working deck dedicated ensemble of beams, wherein the ensemble of beams comprises one or more pedestals, one or more vertical beams and one or more horizontal beams for each working deck.

[0019] Accordingly, vertical beams of the scaffolding arrangement being mount outside the edge of the targeted deck, (i.e. when such deck being as built as natural, or afterwards human made formations, such forming an edge of the targeted deck in question), allow and / or enable the scaffolding arrangement with mount applicable parts to adjust positions of deck units for making operations even under the targeted deck in accordance to the present disclosure.

[0020] According to an embodiment, said one or more pedestals are attachable on to said targeted deck surface, each working deck being suspended by at least one vertical beam connected to at least one horizontal beam at a connection piece at a joining point member,According to an embodiment, said one or more horizontal beams each are connected to a respective elevator for horizontal adjustment of said horizontal beam in respect to the targeted deck surface adjacently to said targeted deck surface,

[0021] According to an embodiment said one or more pedestals are connected to said elevator as attached thereon the pedestal, to connect said each respective horizontal beam to said pedestal providing so vertical adjustment by said elevator with said horizontal beam in at least one of the horizontal direction and vertical direction in respect to the targeted deck surface, when the pedestal is attached to said targeted deck surface.

[0022] According to an embodiment, said one or more working deck is suspended by at least one vertical beam to said horizontal beam.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the scaffolding arrangement according to the present disclosure comprises such vertical beams that are extendable by vertical extension piece.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the embodied scaffolding arrangement can have a working deck that is one working deck in an ensemble of vertical working decks suspended to a common same vertical beam or beam pair.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the embodied scaffolding arrangement have such horizontal beams that are extendable by horizontal extension piece.

[0026] The scaffolding arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can have such working deck that is one working deck in an ensemble of vertically attached horizontal working decks suspended to a common same vertical beam or beam pair, such beam or beam pair being attached to the corresponding horizontal beam.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present disclosure the embodied scaffolding arrangement comprises such an elevator to elevate vertical beams and / or to adjust the length of horizontal beams, such elevator that is operable by hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanic and / or electric motor operation principle.

[0028] The scaffolding arrangement according to the present disclosure has one or more such horizontal beams that have attachment means to at least one of the following: a pedestal, fixing unit to the deck and a counterweight for counter torque provision.The scaffolding arrangement according to the present disclosure has such a working deck or more working decks that further comprises a series of edge pieces to adjust the curvature of the targeted side and / or its opposite side of a working deck according to the targeted edge.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present disclosure the embodied scaffolding arrangement further comprises attachment means to attach a working deck, by its edge for example, underneath the targeted deck to a supportive beam of the targeted deck underneath such deck.

[0030] An embodied use of an embodied scaffolding arrangement according to the present disclosure comprises use in association of a targeted deck construction or reparation of such, being a targeted deck of at least one of the following: building, parking house and / or ramp of such, bridge, pier, access platforms, boiler works, skyscrapers, drilling rigs offshore platforms, and shipyards.

[0031] Further embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0032] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure of the scaffolding arrangement are disclosed in a further detail with a reference to the following Figures via the indicated reference numerals for the details in the examples indicated.

[0033] Same reference numerals are used to indicate same or similar objects, which thus do not need to be necessarily identical among various Figures, if not otherwise expressly indicated. A skilled person in the art knows from the embodiments such differences if present.

[0034] List of figures:

[0035] Figure 1 represents a system general arrangement, installed into structure with multiple deck floors and extended access below.

[0036] Figure 2 represents a foundation construction, top beam and vertical beam joint embodiments.

[0037] Figure 3 represents a principle of bottom beam hinge joint construction,

[0038] Figure 4 represents a photograph of a scaled model of an embodied arrangement according to the present disclosure on a table of a room.

[0039] Figure 5 represents a photograph of an essentially the same scaled model, similar to that in Figure 4 within a different view on a table of a room.

[0040] Figure 6 represents a schematic on platforms to embody a curved deck for curved targeted objects adaptation for action thereon.Figure 6B represents a schematic on a platform assembly to follow a curved targeted deck Figure 6C represents a schematic on a platform assembly element.

[0041] Nomenclature of Reference numerals:

[0042] 1 Pedestal,

[0043] 2 Support, (also as optional support),

[0044] 3 Counterweight,

[0045] 4 Elevator,

[0046] 5 Beam, (also as horizontal and / or upper beam),

[0047] 6, Joint, (also as joining member and / or connection piece, for example for vertical beams)

[0048] 7 Vertical beam, adjusting outer sleeve part,

[0049] 8 Vertical beam, supporting part adjustable through outer sleeve part 7,

[0050] 9 Attachments, also as vertical beam attachments, (even further as intermediate floor deck support beam attachment),

[0051] 10, 11 Telescopic supports (also as Intermediate floor deck supports),

[0052] 12 Protrudin floors,

[0053] 13 Inner structures, underneath, of floor decks,

[0054] 14 Adapter, (i.e. for example at vertical bottom end),

[0055] 15, 16 Bottom beam,

[0056] 17 Adjustment attachment (for example for bottom beams),

[0057] 18 An adapter pin,

[0058] 19 Beam hook (for example for a vertical beam),

[0059] 20 Lock,

[0060] 21 Platform unit (for example to form the floor decks as working decks), 21a, 21b and 21c Platform units for curved working deck assembly,

[0061] 22 Supportive chain, rod or wire (by clamping for example),

[0062] 23 Clamp (for attachment for supporting chains, rods or wires ),

[0063] 24 Lockable slide,

[0064] 25, 26 Extensible support bar, also as a side support, in a diagonal direction to support vertical beams,

[0065] 27 Swelling attachment pads,

[0066] 28, 29 Chain,

[0067] 30 Jack (also as a pulley),31 Chain,

[0068] 32 Latch (also as an active actuator, gravity based and / or a spring-loaded latch), 33 Railing,

[0069] 34 Operator or worker,

[0070] 35 Guiding means, such as protrusion or ridge to be matched with the respective compatible recess, to form a matching pair, as alternatively or in addition to items 38 and 39,

[0071] 36 Flat surface element, for example, a horizontal element, such as a platform assembly element,

[0072] 37 Reinforcement profile, such as in a flat surface element, for example

[0073] 38 An extensible reinforcement profile for variable spacings of horizontal elements, 39 End of a telescopic assembly element, for example within use of hollow profiles 100 Scaffolding arrangement.

[0074] Detailed description of examples on embodiments

[0075] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, A support mechanism includes one or more pedestals (1), which can be fixed to the bridge deck upper surface, optional supports (2) or counterweights (3). In addition to fixing to the targeted deck, the pedestals (1) can be fixed to movable trolleys having possibly necessary own mass or removal counterweights. In some embodiments, the movable trolleys have a locking mechanism to the trolley position. In some further variants the trolleys have their wheels locked to the trolley position, while in duty, but released when moved to another trolley position, while the operation being progressing.

[0076] There can be one or multiple pedestals on each support, depending on the loads. A pedestal unit can have extensible support bars (25), (26), which lower ends are attached to the bridge or trolley, and upper ends to a lockable slide (24) running along the outer side / edges of the pedestal. Support rods have necessary degrees of freedom at their upper end joint, to enable them to provide additional support against forces in necessary directions. Rods have swingling attachment pads (27) on their lower ends for attaching to bridge deck or any other structures or trolley.

[0077] Pedestal consists of two parallel vertical profiles, between which there is an elevator (4) for approximately horizontal upper beam (5). If necessary for following a tilted surface of structure, the upper beam can be tilted according to need in the elevator. Elevator is capable toraising and lowering the upper beam and enables it’s sliding inwards and outwards. Elevator can be driven by a mechanical solution including possibly pressurized fluid and external power. Elevator is locked to preferred height with locks, that can be based on mechanical solution like rack and pinion, threaded bar, ratchet, pins and holes, force and friction or hydraulics with lock valves.

[0078] Upper beam can be attached to elevators, and adjusted to preferred position afterwards, when pedestals are already attached to their fixing locations.

[0079] Upper beam (5) as well as all other members can be slide in their joints to adapt to structural discontinuities or occasional obstructs forcing setup dimension variations from average. Sliding is forced with mechanical or hydraulic means, mechanism is not limited, but can be one of the following: chain (28), (29), (31) with jack or pulley (30), rack and pinion, mechanical or hydraulic jack, threaded bars with counter components, etc. Motion mechanism is preferably self-locking, e.g. motion in any directions always needs external force action.

[0080] Upper beam (5) outer end has joint (6) for vertical beam, so that vertical beam (7), (8) can be independently added afterwards to the joint. Vertical beam joint enables vertical beam sliding up and down with mentioned forced mechanism. In case the pedestal elevator (4) enables tilting the upper beam, it’s outer end joint (6) and (7) has tilting mechanism for counter action to keep the vertical beam vertical. Accordingly, vertical beams (7), (8) being mount outside the edge of the targeted deck (12), (i.e. as built as natural or afterwards human or nature made formations, such forming an edge of the targeted deck (12) in question), allow and / or enable the scaffolding arrangement to be adjusted for making operations under the targeted deck (12) in accordance to the present disclosure, so that platform units (21) can be used in applicable part for operations on such a targeted deck and / or its structures even underneath the targeted deck surface, adjustably.

[0081] Vertical beam has one or multiple intermediate floor deck support beam attachments (9). For practicality reasons, the vertical beam will be made telescopic like bottom beam, when number of intermediate floors require vertical beam to be too long for easy handling. Intermediate floor deck telescopic supports (10), (11) can be installed into the attachments (9) afterwards, there is no need to have them installed before vertical beam is attached to upper beam, and bottom beam installed, if necessary for a site. This enables top beam overhang adjustment and vertical beam vertical adjustment in cases where access is needed below protruding structure floors (12), and floor decks have to reach into the inner structures (13).Vertical beam bottom end has adapter (14), into which the telescopic bottom beam (15), (16) adjustment attachment (17) can be mated after vertical beam being lowered to wanted position. Bottom beam is lifted in vertical orientation so, that it’s adapter pin (18) goes into vertical beams hook (19), thus forming a hinge around which the bottom beam rotates to horizontal orientation. This can happen gravity driven, when bottom beam centre of gravity is above the hinge pin. In other cases, external force is needed, it can be the mass of crane hook, additional mass, lifting wire or chain, or any other means pulling the bottom beam to vertical orientation. When vertical orientation is reached, bottom beam is automatically locked to that position. The lock (20) may have spring loaded latch (32), gravity based or active actuator, any means which locks the bottom beam and vertical beam to correct position. In some cases, there may be also a manually installable mechanical part, like wedge or pin, which prevents the lock opening or joints the beams permanently independent of the locking mechanism.

[0082] The mentioned lock can also be remotely openable, to enable lifting the bottom beam first to vertical orientation around the hinge, and then away without personnel onboard any floor decks.

[0083] Such elements are illustrated in a further detail in Figures 6, 6B and 6C, without any intention to limit the form of the elements as such.

[0084] System carries platform units (21), which form the floor decks. Platforms can consist of flat surface (36) and one or more reinforce structures (37) below it. Flat surface can be made from metal, like multichannel aluminium extrusion or metallic sandwich, GRP, CRP, other synthetic materials, plywood or any suitable combination of them.

[0085] Platform reinforcement structure may have extensible or other ways lengthwise adjustable reinforce profiles (37), (38), with which attachment to support mechanism horizonal profiles can adapt to variable spacing. Such extensions being independent on all attachment points, large tolerances in support structure spacing are acceptable as well as tight curvatures to be followed. One suitable application is hollow profiles with telescopic assembly of smaller or larger profiles at the ends (39).

[0086] It is beneficial to have the platform’s adjustable profiles (39) interchangeable with different end locks according to standard or proprietary solution in use.

[0087] System can also include chains, rods or wires (22) attached to structure with suitable clamps (23), providing additional support to the bottom beam with long extensions in use.According to respective embodiment examples of the present disclosure, a targeted deck can be or comprise individually or in combination at least one of the following deck as a targeted deck: deck of bridges, piers, access platforms, boiler works, skyscrapers, drilling rigs, offshore platforms, shipyards, etc, to which reparations and / or assemblies are accessible from above by the on an upper side deck assembled scaffolding arrangement pedestals, horizontal beams vertical beams and the elevators in accordance to the example in Figure 1.

[0088] Figure 4 illustrates a photograph of a scaffolding arrangement according to the present disclosure, but in scaled model to illustrate the structure on a tabletop model in a room. The scaled model is essentially the same or similar as the one illustrated in Figure 1, the reference numerals are indicating same parts in applicable extent, as a skilled person can understand from the present disclosure.

[0089] Figure 5 illustrates essentially the same scaled model as in Figure 4 but observed from a different view angle. In Figures 4 and 5 the corresponding parts are illustrated also in Figure 1, and can be recognized even without reference numerals, by the shape and position as on the same tabletop model in the room, as a skilled person can understand from the present disclosure.

[0090] Figure 6 is illustrative of a deck assembly of a scaffolding arrangement 100 with examples on special deck units 21a, 21, 21b and 21c. In the Figure 6, the deck units 21a, 21b and 21c are illustrative of deck units specialized by their shape to form a curved form for the wholeness according to the targeted deck to be operated with. Although frustoconical objects being used, for the illustrative purposes, the shape as such is not limited only to the shown example.

[0091] The objects 35 are illustrating matching means, which can be embodied by recesses and protrusion or ridges to form pairs, also bolts and nuts can be used to secure the overlapping tightly.

[0092] In Figure 6B there is illustrated a curved working deck composed of the deck units 21a, 21, 21b and 21c, being supported by the beams 10 in horizontal direction to support at the joint positions. The beams 10 can be embodied as in Figure 1. As the vertical beams as well as the horizontal beams are fully adjustable in respect to the targeted deck, as explained and embodied with reference to the Figure 1, the curvature of the targeted deck as illustrated in Figures 6 and 6B can be followed. Accordingly, it is possible also to use vertical beams as in Figure 1 to provide further decks in vertical direction, even to positions underneath the targeted deck withfull adjustment of vertical and horizontal facility and to follow the curvature in each layer of working decks.

[0093] FIG 6C is illustrative of a horizontal flat surface element according to the present disclosure. Platform reinforcement structure may have extensible or other ways lengthwise adjustable reinforce profiles (37), (38), with which attachment to support mechanism horizonal profiles can adapt to variable spacing. Such extensions being independent on all attachment points, large tolerances in support structure spacing are acceptable as well as tight curvatures to be followed. One suitable application is hollow profiles with telescopic assembly of smaller or larger profiles at the ends (39).

[0094] It is beneficial to have the platform’s adjustable profiles (39) interchangeable with different end locks according to standard or proprietary solution in use.

[0095] Curved targeted deck forms can be followed by the scaffolding arrangement according to the present disclosure also with standard like elements (21), (36) as illustrated in Figure 6C, when their supporting beams as in Figure 1 are adjusted by the vertical (8) and horizontal beams (5) and the appropriate elevators (4) on the targeted deck, so to form a suitable distance to approximate the curvature form.

Claims

Claims1. Scaffolding arrangement (100) to be attached to a targeted deck surface (12), the scaffolding arrangement (100) comprising to the targeted deck (12) attachable pedestals (1), provided with elevators (4) at the structure of the scaffolding arrangement to adjust one or more working decks (21) by the elevators (4) at the scaffolding arrangement structure, in vertical and horizontal position mutually independently, in respect to the targeted deck (12) surface, by one or more respective vertical beams (8) connected to one or more horizontal beams (5) attached to the respective elevators (4).

2. Scaffolding arrangement according to claim 1, wherein for providing one or more working decks (21) as suspended outside of a targeted deck (12) surface, by such one or more working decks (12) that are suspended by said working deck (12) dedicated ensemble of beams (1, 5, 7, 8, 15), wherein the ensemble of beams comprises one or more pedestals (1), one or more vertical beams (7), (8) and one or more horizontal beams (5) for each working deck (12).

3. Scaffolding arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said one or more pedestals (1) are attachable on to said targeted deck surface (12), each working deck (21) being suspended by at least one vertical beam (7), (8) connected to at least one horizontal beam (5) at a connection piece (6) at a joining point member (6).

4. Scaffolding arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said one or more horizontal beams (5) each are connected to a respective elevator (4) for horizontal adjustment of said horizontal beam (5) in respect to the targeted deck surface (12) adjacently to said targeted deck surface.

5. Scaffolding arrangement according to anyone of the precious claims, wherein said one or more pedestals (1) are connected to said elevator (4) as attached thereon the pedestal (1), to connect said each respective horizontal beam (5) to said pedestal (1), the elevator (4) additionally providing so vertical adjustment by said elevator (4) with said horizontal beam (5) in at least one of the horizontal direction and vertical direction in respect to the targeted deck surface (12), when the pedestal (1) is attached to said targeted deck surface (12).

6. Scaffolding arrangement according to anyone of the precious claims, wherein said one or more working decks (21) are suspended (6) by at least one vertical beam (7), (8) to said horizontal beam (5).

7. The scaffolding arrangement according to anyone of the precious claims, wherein the vertical beams (7), (8) are extendable by vertical extension piece (7).

8. The scaffolding arrangement according to anyone of the precious claims, wherein the working deck (21) is one working deck in an ensemble of vertically assembled working decks being suspended to a common same vertical beam (8) or beam pair of such.

9. The scaffolding arrangement according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the horizontal beams (5) are extendable by horizontal extension piece.

10. The scaffolding arrangement according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the working deck (21) is one working deck in an ensemble of vertically assembled working decks suspended to a common same vertical beam (8) or beam pair, attached to the corresponding horizontal beam (5).

11. The scaffolding arrangement according to any one of the previous claims comprising such an elevator (4) that is operable by hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanic and / or electric motor.

12. The scaffolding arrangement according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein on or more of the horizontal beams (5) have attachment means to at least one of the following:a pedestal (1), fixing unit (2) to the deck (12) and a counterweight (3) for counter torque provision.

13. The scaffolding arrangement according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the working deck (21) further comprises a series of edge pieces to adjust the curvature of the targeted side and / or its opposite side of the working deck according to the targeted edge.

14. The scaffolding arrangement according to anyone of the previous claims, further comprising attachment means (22) to attach a working deck (21) edge underneath the targeted deck (12) to a supportive beam (13) of the targeted deck (12) underneath.

15. Use of scaffolding arrangement according to anyone of the previous claims in association of a targeted deck construction or reparation of such being at least one ofthe following: building, parking house and / or ramp of such, bridge, pier, access platforms, boiler works, skyscrapers, drilling rigs offshore platforms, and shipyards.

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