Scaffolding Platform Unit with Adjustable Tipping Prevention

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scaffolding structures lack effective protection for workers during assembly and disassembly, as traditional harnesses primarily mitigate fall injuries rather than prevent them, and existing solutions for preventing falls are cumbersome and unstable.

Innovation Solution

A platform unit that can be safely and easily attached to scaffolding structures, allowing rolling displacement along the longitudinal length, featuring vertically adjustable tipping prevention members and rollers for stable and controlled movement, enabling workers to attach or detach guardrails without disconnecting from the structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a harness is used to protect workers during scaffold assembly/disassembly, then fall injury is mitigated, but fall prevention is not achieved and worker safety remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworker safetyVSAvoidfall risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The platform unit serves as an intermediary device between the worker and the scaffolding structure. It provides a stable, attached working platform that allows workers to perform assembly and disassembly tasks while maintaining continuous connection to the structure, thereby preventing falls rather than merely mitigating their effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The platform unit with guardrails provides beforehand protection by creating a secure working environment before any fall could occur. The guardrails and attachment mechanism prepare protective measures in advance, ensuring workers are protected during the entire assembly/disassembly process rather than only after a fall begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If a traditional platform is used for worker protection, then fall prevention is achieved, but handling is time-consuming and stability risks remain during movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworker safetyVSAvoidplatform handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The platform unit incorporates rollers that enable dynamic movement along the scaffolding structure. This dynamic capability allows the platform to be easily repositioned without disconnection, combining stability during work with ease of movement when needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The platform unit is designed as a self-contained module with integrated guardrails, attachment mechanisms, and rolling elements. This segmentation allows it to function as an independent protective unit that can be easily attached, moved, and detached without affecting the overall scaffolding structure or requiring complex handling procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the platform unit is attached to the scaffolding structure, then worker protection is provided, but longitudinal repositioning requires disconnection and manual handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidrepositioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The platform unit incorporates rollers that enable dynamic movement along the scaffolding structure. This dynamic capability allows the platform to be easily repositioned without disconnection, combining stability during work with ease of movement when needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The platform unit maintains continuous attachment to the scaffolding structure during both work operations and repositioning. The rollers enable continuous movement along the structure without breaking the attachment, eliminating the need for disconnection and reattachment cycles and significantly reducing repositioning time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Manufacturing precision

If guardrails are assembled from the upper level, then proper installation is achieved, but workers must enter unsafe areas without protection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguardrail installation qualityVSAvoidfall risk during assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The platform unit with guardrails is positioned and attached to the lower level before the worker begins assembling the upper-level guardrails. This preliminary protective measure ensures that the worker has a secure, protected platform to work from throughout the entire assembly process, eliminating the need to enter unprotected areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The platform unit serves as an intermediary device between the worker and the scaffolding structure. It provides a stable, attached working platform that allows workers to perform assembly and disassembly tasks while maintaining continuous connection to the structure, thereby preventing falls rather than merely mitigating their effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The platform unit simplifies the assembly and disassembly of guardrails by allowing workers to maintain attachment while repositioning, reducing the risk of falls and improving safety by transferring vertical loads to the scaffolding deck, thus enhancing stability and safety during the process.

Implementation Method 1

each of said at least three rollers is adapted to rest against the working deck and to transfer any vertical load acting on the worker's platform to the working deck

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP2992150B1Platform unit for use with scaffolding structure

Publication Date: 2018.05.16 PLUSEIGHT TECH AB

Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention concerns a platform unit (1) for use with a scaffolding structure (100). The platform unit (1) comprising a worker's platform (2) and a ladder (10) for climbing onto the worker's platform (2). The platform unit (1) further comprises a first tipping prevention member (20, 50, 3) which is adapted to interact with a substantially horizontal longitudinally extending first support member (101, 103) of the scaffolding structure (100), a second tipping prevention member (30) which is adapted to interact from below with a substantially horizontal longitudinally extending second support member (102), which second support member (102) is vertically spaced apart from the first support member (101, 103), wherein at least a part (62) of at least one of the first and second tipping prevention members (20, 50, 3, 30) is vertically adjustable for enabling attachment and detachment of the platform unit (1) to said scaffolding structure (100), and at least three rollers (5, 24, 28, 29, 36, 37) for supporting the platform unit (1), wherein each of the rollers (5, 24, 28, 29, 36, 37) is adapted to rest against either said first support member (101, 103) or said second support member(102), such that the platform unit (1) is rollingly movable in the longitudinal direction.