Inclined Span Members for Elevator Hoistway Material Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency of using cranes for hoisting heavy construction materials in building construction, especially when elevators are not available for upper floors, due to the lack of a cost-effective and efficient means to transport materials within elevator hoistways.
Innovation Solution
A construction apparatus comprising span members with sill attachments and support members that can be inclined within the elevator hoistway, allowing for the use of hoist devices to lift materials safely and efficiently, with optional platforms for working or protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a crane is used for hoisting heavy construction materials, then the materials can be transported to upper floors, but the construction cost increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hoisting system is segmented into multiple independent components: span members that can be individually positioned, support members that provide distributed support, and platform sections that can be assembled in stages. This segmentation allows the system to be deployed in a structured manner within the hoistway, improving efficiency without requiring a single complex crane system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary hoisting system that operates within the existing elevator hoistway infrastructure. Rather than using external cranes, the system uses span members and support members as intermediaries to transfer materials from the ground level to upper floors through the hoistway, providing a cost-effective alternative to crane operations.
2Productivity
If elevators are used for transporting construction materials, then the process is cost-effective, but elevators are unavailable for upper floors during construction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension of the elevator hoistway to create a dedicated material transport pathway. By installing span members and support members within the hoistway space, the system creates a three-dimensional structure that allows material transport independently of elevator operations, effectively adding another dimension to the construction logistics.
3Stability of the object's composition
If span members are positioned horizontally, then they provide stable support, but they cannot effectively span the distance from the building sill to the hoistway wall
Solution Approach 1:
The span members are designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing them to be adjusted between horizontal and inclined orientations. This dynamic adaptability enables the span members to achieve both stable support when horizontal and extended reach when inclined, resolving the contradiction between stability and span length.
Data Source
AI summary
A construction apparatus for use within an elevator hoistway is provided. The construction apparatus includes span members, each span member having a first end, a second end and a length. Sill attachments are connected to the first end of the span members. The sill attachments are configured to rotate about and seat against a building sill. A support member connected to the second end of the span members. The support members are configured to seat against a second side of the elevator hoistway. The length of the span members is longer than a horizontal distance from the building sill to the second side of the elevator hoistway such that the span members rest in an inclined orientation with respect to a substantially horizontal axis. One or more platforms is supported by one or more forms, the platforms arranged such as to provide a working platform within the elevator hoistway.