Pivotable Anchoring Device for Irregular Wall Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction workers face difficulties accessing high and irregularly shaped areas in buildings due to the complexity and safety hazards of conventional scaffolding systems, which are often unstable and inefficient when dealing with walls at various angles.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising adjustable anchoring devices with pivotable cross members and support bases that can attach to surfaces at different angles, allowing for the creation of stable platforms in hard-to-reach areas, including those with open or closed walls and irregular shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional scaffolding systems are used to access high and irregular areas, then workers can reach certain areas, but the system becomes complex, time-consuming to set up, and unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring device is divided into separate modular components including support bases, cross members, and planks that can be independently handled and assembled. This segmentation allows workers to set up access systems quickly in hard-to-reach areas without dealing with complex integrated scaffolding structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross members are designed with pivotable connections to support bases, enabling dynamic adjustment to accommodate walls at various angles. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to irregular architectural features without requiring complex custom-built scaffolding for each scenario.
2Ease of operation
If conventional scaffolding systems are used in narrow and irregular spaces, then workers can access high areas, but the equipment takes up excessive space and creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the access system into compact anchoring devices rather than large continuous scaffolding structures, the equipment footprint is dramatically reduced. The modular components can be stored and maneuvered in narrow spaces, then assembled only when needed for specific access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring device acts as an intermediary between the wall surface and the worker, providing secure attachment points with minimal space requirements. This eliminates the need for large scaffolding volumes while still enabling safe access to high areas in constrained environments.
3Ease of operation
If conventional scaffolding systems are used, then workers can access various areas, but the setup process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The support bases are pre-designed with integrated mounting features and the cross members are pre-configured with pivotable connections, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly procedures. This preliminary design preparation reduces setup time significantly compared to conventional scaffolding that requires extensive assembly from multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic pivotable connections allow for quick adaptation to different wall angles without requiring time-consuming adjustments or custom fabrication. Workers can rapidly deploy the system in various configurations to access different areas of the building.
4Ease of operation
If conventional scaffolding systems are used, then workers can reach high areas, but the platforms are unstable and lack solid anchors
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring function is extracted and dedicated to the support bases that directly attach to the wall surface, separating the anchoring function from the platform structure. This ensures solid, reliable anchors independent of the platform above, providing stable support even in challenging architectural conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable cross members dynamically adapt to wall angles while maintaining secure connections, ensuring stable platform support regardless of the architectural configuration. This dynamic adjustment capability provides reliable anchoring in situations where fixed-angle scaffolding would be unstable.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for creating an anchoring device that attaches between two nearby surfaces that may be oriented at different angles to each other about a vertical axis is described. The anchoring device includes a first and second support base that are fastened to a support surface, and a cross member that extends between the support bases and is pivotable about a vertical axis with respect to the support bases. The cross member may be adjustable in length. The anchoring device can be used to support an end of a plank to make a platform. The other end of the plank may be supported by a second anchoring device or another support surface.