Shoring Tower Collective Fall Protection Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shoring towers in construction lack collective protection at the top, which has deterred workers from using them similarly to scaffolding, as existing methods rely on individual protection measures like harnesses, posing a risk of falls during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A method for mounting collective protection on a temporary shoring tower involves assembling guardrails with tubular barrels and telescopic rails at the top, allowing a single operator to install the protection by sliding and locking the rails into place, providing comprehensive safety without the need for individual harnesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual protection measures like harnesses are used, then workers can work on shoring towers, but worker safety is compromised due to reliance on individual protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworker safetyVSAvoidwork confidence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shoring tower structure itself provides collective protection through integrated guardrails and working platforms, eliminating the need for individual harnesses. The structure serves its own safety needs by incorporating protection elements directly into its design, allowing workers to rely on the structure rather than personal equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If collective protection is installed on shoring towers, then worker safety improves, but the complexity of the tower structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworker safetyVSAvoidtower structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guardrails and working platforms are integrated directly into the shoring tower structure, merging the protection function with the support function. This combination eliminates the need for separate protection systems while providing comprehensive safety through the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shoring tower structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the formwork and also provides collective protection through integrated guardrails and working platforms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If telescopic rails with slides are used for guardrails, then ease of installation improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidguardrail mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guardrail system uses telescopic rails with slides that can move dynamically during installation and adjustment. This dynamic mechanism allows the guardrails to be easily positioned and adjusted to different heights and configurations, significantly improving installation ease while the modular nature keeps the added complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3901394B1Method for installing a temporary shoring tower
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 FORMA SRL
  • EP3901394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3901394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3901394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The shoring tower has several levels, with a top level (53) intended to temporarily support a work and circulation platform (14) serving as formwork. A collective fall protection system is installed on each lower level below the top level (53). From the lowest level, which is directly below the top level (53), the formwork (14) for the top level (53) and a temporary collective fall protection system (15) for this top level (53) are erected for the installation of the formwork (14). The collective fall protection system for the top level can be installed by a single operator.