BE1023064B1 - Horizontal setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (100) for automatically setting a platform (110) horizontally and for use in scalding. The device (100) includes a control system (170) that measures the current inclination of the platform (110) and actuator units (140) that decreases that inclination by changing their lengths until the platform (110) is preferably not taken up by the actuator units (140) but by leg tubes (120) whose lengths are adapted to the lengths of the actuator units (140).

Description

"Horizontal setting device"

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device for bringing a platform substantially horizontally automatically and for use in scaffolding or other applications requiring a substantially horizontal platform.

Prior state of the art

When a scaffolding known from the state of the art is placed on a sloping ground, the horizontal setting of the device which serves as the first stage to the scaffolding is done manually, by screwing pieces of wood under the lowest feet of the device to compensate for the slope of the ground.

Such a scaffolding is unstable, the pieces of wood not being provided for such use and not always well positioned. This instability creates a security problem for people going on scaffolding. In addition, such a horizontal setting takes time. The object of the invention is therefore to propose a device that does not present these problems and a method that makes it possible to avoid this problem.

Disclosure of the invention The invention proposes for this purpose a device for placing a platform substantially horizontally, the device comprising: at least one platform; at least one adjustable support member arranged to support said at least one platform; at least one detector associated with said at least one platform, said at least one detector being arranged to measure a characteristic related to the angle of said at least one platform relative to the horizontal and to provide a signal indicative of said characteristic; and adjustment means arranged to receive the signal indicative of said characteristic and send at least one control signal to the at least one adjustable support member, the at least one adjustable support member adjusting in response to said signal to bring the platform closer to the horizontal.

The device according to the invention measures a characteristic indicative of the angle that the platform and, by adjusting an attribute, for example a length, of an adjustable support member that supports the platform, puts the platform approximately horizontally. This automatic horizontal setting saves a lot of time when installing the scaffold. The adjustable support member makes it unnecessary to introduce external elements by screwing pieces of wood under some feet, which may introduce instability.

The device of the invention provides a stable horizontal platform and high security in a short time. In addition, the device according to the invention is cheap and versatile.

Preferably, at least one adjustable support member comprises at least one actuator unit comprising at least one actuator.

Advantageously, the actuator is a jack.

Preferably, the actuator is operable electrically.

Advantageously, at least one adjustable support member comprises at least one leg. The weight of the platform is distributed over the legs, which makes the device particularly strong.

In one embodiment of the invention, each leg includes a foot, a base and a telescopic tube.

In addition, each base is arranged to be inclinable relative to the foot with which it is associated. On inclined ground, this allows the foot to contact a maximum of ground surface while the base and the telescopic tube are approximately vertical.

In addition, at least one foot comprises a concave portion and the associated base comprises a convex portion, the convex portion being substantially complementary to the concave portion. This allows the base to tilt relative to the foot.

Advantageously, the device further comprises means for blocking the base relative to the foot. This ensures good rigidity between the base and the foot when the device has placed the platform horizontally.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one adjustable support member comprises a single leg.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one adjustable support member comprises at least two legs and at least one arm extending between a pair of legs, each leg being arranged to support said at least one platform.

In addition, each leg includes a foot, a base and a telescopic tube, said at least one arm being connected to the base of each leg in the pair of legs.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises at least one non-adjustable support member comprising at least one leg of fixed length.

In addition, the at least one platform includes a plate.

In addition, the invention provides a scaffold comprising the device and wherein the plate comprises a plurality of holes arranged to receive ends of elements of the scalding. This gives good stability to the scaffolding.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one platform comprises a plurality of boards arranged on a frame, the frame being supported by at least one adjustable support member, and said at least one detector being associated with one of the plurality of boards. of boards. The invention also proposes a method for substantially horizontally placing a platform, the method using a device comprising: at least one platform, at least one adjustable support element arranged to support said at least one platform, at least one detector associated with said at least one platform, and adjustment means, the method comprising the steps of: - 1) measuring a characteristic related to the angle of said at least one platform relative to the horizontal; 2) providing a signal indicative of said characteristic; 3) receiving the signal indicative of said characteristic; 4) sending at least one control signal to the at least one adjustable support member; 5) adjusting the at least one adjustable support member in response to said control signal so as to bring the platform closer to the horizontal.

Advantageously, steps 1) to 5) are repeated until the measurement of the characteristic related to the angle of said at least one platform relative to the horizontal indicates that the platform is horizontal to a predetermined degree of accuracy .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures in which: FIG. 1 shows a device according to an embodiment of the invention; 'invention; FIG. 2 schematizes the contents of a control system of a device in one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 shows an actuator unit of a device in one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 4 mounts a leg of a device in an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 schematizes a method of placing a device horizontally on an inclined floor according to the invention; - Figure 6a shows a schematic device according to the invention before a horizontal setting; FIG. 6b schematizes a device according to the invention after being placed horizontally; FIG. 7 shows a device in an alternative embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 8 shows a device in another alternative embodiment of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

The present invention is described with particular embodiments and references to figures but the invention is not limited by them. The drawings or figures described are only schematic, are not necessarily to scale and are not limiting.

In the context of this document, the terms "first" and "second" serve only to differentiate the different elements and do not imply any order between them.

In the figures, identical or similar elements may bear the same references. When an element is described in a general way, there is no suffix. In the case where an element is specifically described, its reference may include a suffix of the type Ά ',' B ',' C 'and' D 'etc.

Figure 1 shows a device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The device 100 comprises a platform 110, four legs 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D, two actuator units 140A, 140B, two arms 150A, 150B and a control system 170. Each leg 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D comprises a leg tube 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, a 160A base, 160B, 160C, 160D and a 130A foot, 130B, 130C, 130D. Each arm 150A, 150B corresponds to an actuator unit 140A, 140B.

The platform 110 is preferably a plate. The platform 110 is preferably metallic or made of one or more materials resistant to corrosion. The platform 110 is able to resume significant efforts, the order of magnitude of the effort that supports the bottom of a scaffold. In one embodiment of the invention, the platform 110 is a scaffolding platform. The platform 110 is preferably rectangular, but it could have another form without departing from the scope of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the platform 110 is replaced by a rigid element or set of elements and intended to be installed more or less horizontally.

In this paper, the term "the horizontal" is a direction perpendicular to "the vertical" which is the direction defined by Earth's gravity.

The platform 110 preferably comprises four through holes 115A, 115B, 115C, 115D, each through hole 115A, 115B, 115C, 115D being disposed near a corner of the platform 110. In the case of use of the device in a Scaffolding structure, the hole diameter 115A, 115B, 115C, 115D corresponds to the diameter of the largest framework of scaffolding elements to allow the use of the device 100 for any type of scaffolding.

The leg tubes 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D are preferably positioned to correspond to the holes 115A, 115B, 115C, 115D. The leg tubes 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D are described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

The bases 160A, 160B, 160C, 160D are attached to the bottom of the leg tubes 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D. The bases 160 are described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4.

The legs 130A, 130B, 130C, 130D are attached to the bottom of the bases 160A, 160B, 160C, 160D. The feet 130A, 130B, 130C, 130D are described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

Each actuator unit 140A, 140B is attached to the platform 110 at one end and at an arm 150A, 150B at its other end. Actuator units 140A, 140B are described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

The arm 150A is attached to a base 160A, 160B at each of its ends, the arm 150A, the actuator unit 140A and the legs 180A, 180B thereby forming an adjustable support member 190A. The arm 150B is attached to a base 160C, 160D at each of its ends, the arm 150B, the actuator unit 140B and the legs 180C, 180D thereby forming an adjustable support member 190B.

In the context of the present invention, an adjustable support member 190 comprises the legs 180 interconnected by arms 150, or the arm 150 which connects (s) these legs 180 between them and the unit (s) of actuator 140 attached to this arm (s) 150.

Each arm 150 and the bases 160 to which this arm 150 is attached are preferably made of the same piece and are described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3. Each arm 150 and the bases 160 to which this arm 150 is fixed may optionally be fixed so as to allow rotation of the arm relative to the bases 160, preferably around an axis corresponding approximately to the axis of the arm.

In the context of the present invention, a pair of legs 180 comprises two legs 180 interconnected by an arm 150. A leg 180 can potentially be part of two pairs of legs if it is attached to two arms 150.

The number of arms 150 is preferably equal to the number of actuator units 140, each arm 150 corresponding to an actuator unit 140.

The control system 170 is preferably fixed under the platform 110 and centrally with respect to the platform 110. The control system 170 is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. The control system 170 is preferentially protected by a housing (not shown).

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, the two legs 180A, 180B located on a first side of the device 100 are interconnected by the arm 150A and the two legs 180C, 180D located on a second side of the device 100 opposite the first side are interconnected by the arm 150B. The actuator unit 140A corresponding to the arm 150A is arranged to adjust the distance between the device 100 and the arm 150A and the actuator unit 140B corresponding to the arm 150B is arranged to adjust the distance between the device 100 and the arm 150B.

Figure 2 schematizes the contents of the control system 170 in one embodiment of the invention. The control system 170 comprises at least one detector 173 and an adjustment means 176. The control system 170 preferably comprises a printed circuit 171 on which a controller 172 is mounted, the detector 173 electrically connected to the controller 172 and a bridge H 174 electrically connected to the controller 172, the controller 172 and the "H" bridge 174 forming the adjustment means 176. The "H" bridge 174 is also electrically connected by a connection 175 to at least one jack 141 (shown in Figure 3) disposed in each actuator unit 140A, 140B. More specifically, the "H" bridge 174 is also electrically connected by a connection 175 to a motor (not shown) present on each cylinder 141.

The controller 172 is for example a microprocessor or a computing device. The detector 173 is capable of measuring a characteristic related to its angle of inclination with respect to the vertical or the horizontal. This makes it possible to determine the angle of inclination of the platform 110 relative to the horizontal. How to calculate an angle relative to the horizontal from an angle relative to the vertical is obvious, and vice versa, the two formulations "angle relative to the horizontal" and "angle relative to the vertical" are equivalent in this document. The detector 173 is for example an accelerometer which measures acceleration by likening the platform 110 to an XY mark.

The circuit board 171 and the controller 172 are preferably part of an Arduino or other device similar to an Arduino.

The "H" bridge 174 may be replaced by another engine control device. The adjustment means 176 is capable of receiving a signal from the detector 173 which indicates the angle formed by the platform 110 with the horizontal or the vertical, of determining the control signal (s) to be sent to the engines of the cylinders 141. so that the cylinders 141 adjust their lengths so that the platform 110 is placed horizontally and send this (or these) control signal to the motors of the cylinders 141.

Figure 3 shows one of the actuator units 140 in one embodiment of the invention. The actuator unit 140 is illustrated connected to the platform 110 and the arm 150 and includes a jack 141 and a first telescopic tube 149 formed of a plurality of first tubes 144A, 144B, 144C nested within each other.

The first telescopic tube 149 comprises at least two first tubes 144, so as to be adjustable length by sliding of the first tubes 144 one on the other. The first tubes 144 are movable relative to each other so that each tube can either be received in an adjacent tube or can receive an adjacent tube, for example by means of first bearings 145A, 145B, so that the first tubes 144A, 144B can fit into one another and the first tubes 144B, 144C can fit into one another. The first tube 144A located at one end of the first telescopic tube 149 is attached to the platform 110 and the first tube 144C at the other end of the first telescopic tube 149 is attached to the arm 150. Thus, the length of the first telescopic tube 149 adapts to the distance between the platform 110 and the arm 150, which distance itself adapts to the length of the cylinder 141.

The first telescopic tube 149 protects the cylinder from rain, snow, etc. The first telescopic tube 149 is preferably made of a material having good mechanical strength and corrosion resistance, for example, stainless steel with a compressive strength of +/- 3000 N / m 2.

First jaws 146A, 146B are respectively arranged to be in contact with two first tubes 144A, 144B and 144B, 144C which follow each other in order to be able to block or unlock the movement of the first tubes 144 relative to one another, for example by tightening or loosening the first tubes 144 relative to each other. The first jaws 146A, 146B can be operated manually by a button or automatically, for example by the control system 170. Thus, once the platform 110 is set to a horizontal level, the control system 170 can send the instruction to block the first jaws 146A, 146B.

The jack 141 is an actuator capable of modifying the distance between the platform 110 and the arm 150. The jack 141 comprises a piston 142 and a cylinder 143. The jack 141 is preferably electrical, but could be hydraulic or pneumatic. The jack 141 comprises a motor (not shown) to which the connection 175 is connected so that the motor of the jack 141 is electrically connected to the "H" bridge 174. The jack 141 is fixed to the platform 110 and to the arm 150 so as to control the distance between the platform 110 and the arm 150. When the cylinder 141 changes length due to the action of its motor which is controlled by the "H" bridge 174, the length of the first telescopic tube 149 adapts to this change in length.

Figure 4 shows the leg 180 in one embodiment of the invention.

The leg tube 120 includes a second telescopic tube 129 formed of a plurality of second tubes 121A, 121B, 121C nested within each other. The second telescopic tube 129 is preferably of a material that is resistant to corrosion, such as a steel having a corrosion resistant coating. The second telescopic tube 129 comprises at least two first tubes 121, so as to be adjustable length by sliding of the second tubes 121 on one another. The second tubes 121 are movable relative to each other so that each tube can either be received in an adjacent tube or can receive an adjacent tube, for example by means of second bearings 124A, 124B, so that the second tubes 121A, 121B can fit into one another and the second tubes 144B, 144C can fit into one another. The second tube 121A located at one end of the second telescopic tube 129 is fixed to the platform 110 and the second tube 121C located at the other end of the second telescopic tube 129 is attached to the arm 150. Thus, the length of the second telescopic tube 129 adapts to the distance between the platform 110 and the arm 150, which distance itself adapts to the length of the cylinder 141.

Second jaws 125A, 125B are respectively arranged to be in contact with two second tubes 121A, 121B and 121B, 121C which follow one another in order to be able to block or unlock the movement of the second tubes 121 relative to one another by example by tightening or loosening the second tubes 121 relative to each other. The second jaws 125A, 125B can be operated manually by a button or automatically, for example by the control system 170. Thus, once the platform 110 is set to a horizontal level, the control system 170 can send the instruction to block the second jaws 125A, 125B.

In one embodiment of the invention, a support platform 126 is fixed in the leg tube 120, for example at one end of the tube 122A closest to the platform 110. A magnet 127, or an electromagnet can be fixed in below the support platform 126. When the platform system 100 is used in a scaffolding structure, a foot of a frame mounted on the device 100 may be inserted into the hole 115, preferably so as to rest on the support platform 126 and be held in that position. thanks to the magnet 127 if this frame is metallic. The support platform 126 is preferably a material and a structure such that the frame above feels the attraction of the magnet 127 located below.

The base 160 and the arm 150 are preferably made in one piece but may optionally be different parts fixed to each other, for example rotatively. The base 160 and the arm 150 are preferably of a machinable material and resistant to corrosion, for example, steel. The base 160 and the arm 150 could also be aluminum or an alloy. The arm 150 is preferably full. The base 160 preferably comprises a first portion 161 full. The base 160 potentially has a second hollow portion 162. A first end 163 of the base 160 is preferably convex, more preferably in the shape of a half-sphere.

The foot 130 is preferably made of a material resistant to corrosion and having good mechanical properties, such as steel. The foot 130 has a first portion 131 and a second portion 132. The first portion 131 is preferably a cylinder, potentially hollow, and a second end 133 is concave so that the first end 163 of the base 160 fits in the first end 133 of the foot 130 thus leaving two degrees of freedom at the junction between the base 160 and the foot 130. In addition, such a junction between the base 160 and the foot 130 allows the foot 130 to be inclined at following the slope of the ground on which the device 100 is placed while the base 160 is substantially vertical. Thus, the base 160 is tilting relative to the foot 130.

The first end 163 of the base 160 and the upper end 133 of the foot 130 are preferably connected by a locking system 134 which, when activated, leaves only one degree of freedom at the junction between the base 160 and the foot 130, blocking the second degree of freedom. This consolidates the junction between the base 160 and the foot 130.

The second part 132 is preferably fixed to the first part 131. The second part 132 is preferably a solid cylinder with the same axis and greater diameter than the first part 131. The second part 132 can also be any relatively flat volume, by example a rectangular parallelepiped 30 cm x 50 cm side and 1 cm high.

A large lower surface is particularly advantageous for the second part 132 because this second part 132 is intended to be in contact with the ground, and a large surface contact with the ground allows a good distribution of applied forces. A lower end of the second portion 132 is preferably staked or clawed so as to increase the frictional forces with the ground to increase the adhesion. A cover (not shown) may optionally be attached below the lower end of the second portion 132 so as not to damage a floor such as a tile on which the device 100 is placed.

FIG. 5 schematizes a method 200 for placing a device according to the invention in horizontal position.

The starting situation 208, before the horizontalization, is represented in FIG. 6a. In this starting situation 208, the feet 130 are placed on the ground so as to maximize contact with the ground. The feet 130 are therefore potentially inclined. The bases 160 are arranged on the feet 130 so as to be essentially in the extension of the feet. The arms 150 are perpendicular to the bases 160.

The leg tubes 120 are then essentially in the extension of the feet, that is to say perpendicular to the inclined ground. The relative position of the second tubes 121 relative to each other of the different leg tubes 120 is chosen such that the lengths of the leg tubes 120 are approximately equal.

The actuator units 140 are arranged on the arms 150. The relative position of the first tubes 144 relative to each other of the different jack tubes 140 is chosen such that the lengths of the actuator units 140 are approximately equal and as such the upper ends of the actuator units 140 are approximately in the same plane (the plane of the platform 110) as the upper ends of the leg tubes 120.

The platform 110 is disposed on the leg tubes 120 so as to be in contact with the first telescopic tubes 149, the second telescopic tubes 129 and the cylinders 141. As shown schematically in Figure 6a, the platform 110 is approximately parallel to the ground 300, even when the ground is inclined relative to the horizontal.

The control system 170 is attached to the platform 110. The electrical connections 175 connect the "H" bridge 174 and the engines of the cylinders 141.

The method 200 of automatic setting of the device 100 proceeds as follows.

In a step 211, a user uses an activation device (not shown) to engage the automatic horizontalization 200.

In a step 212, the detector 173 measures a characteristic of the angle of inclination of the platform 110 in the direction of the short side of the platform 110 and / or the direction of the long side of the platform 110. In the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1, the detector 173 preferably measures the inclination of the platform 110 in the direction of the long side of the platform 110. The detector 173 then sends the result of the measurement (s) to the controller 172.

During a step 213, the controller 172 determines the information to be sent to the bridge "in H" 174 so that the jack (s) 141 modify (s) its (their) length so as to reduce the angle d tilt and send this information to the "H" bridge 174.

During a step 214, the "H" bridge 174 actuates the engine (s) of (the) cylinder (s) in the appropriate direction to reduce the inclination of the platform 110.

In a step 215, following the control signals received from the H-bridge via the connections 175, the adjustable support members 190 adjust so that the platform 110 is essentially horizontal. The motors of the cylinders 141 operate in the appropriate direction so that the lengths of the cylinders 141 come close to the appropriate lengths so that the platform 110 is horizontal (Figure 6b), so that the platform approaches the horizontal. The cylinders 141 at the bottom (301 in Figure 6a) increase in length and the cylinders 141 at the top (302 in Figure 6a) decrease in length, as shown by the arrows in Figure 6b. In fact, the motors modify the length of the cylinders 141. The lengths of the actuator units 140 are modified in accordance with the modification of length of the cylinders by a displacement of the first tubes 144 relative to each other. The lengths of the leg tubes 120 change in accordance with the change in length of the cylinders by a displacement of the second tubes 121 relative to each other.

Steps 212 to 215 are carried out one after the other continuously until the detector 173 measures a characteristic of the tilt angle of the platform 110 indicating that the tilt angle is equal to zero, or is in a predetermined range around zero. The adjustment of the adjustable support members 190 then stops.

The leg tubes 120 are automatically adjusted to compensate for the slope of the ground and put the device 100 horizontally.

Returning to FIG. 5, during an optional step 216, the first jaws 146 are locked so as to block the relative positions of the first tubes 144 and the second jaws 125 are locked so as to block the relative positions of the second tubes 121. The locking system 134 is activated on each leg so as to block the junction between the foot 130 and the base 120.

We then arrive at the final situation 218 presented in Figure 6b.

If the device 100 is used in the structure of a scaffold, the method 200 of installation of the device is followed by the continuation of the installation of a scaffolding. This preferably includes placing a scaffolding frame so that the frame has its feet in the holes 115, in which the frames are held by the magnets 127.

In the device 100 according to the invention, the cylinders 141 and the actuator units 140 do not preferentially take up the weight of the device and that which is carried by the device 100. The forces corresponding to this weight are taken up by the tubes of 120 legs. This allows a good weight distribution and makes the device 100 strong and able to carry great weight without collapsing and without buckling.

The fact that the cylinders 141 are preferably not located in the legs 180 allows the cylinders preferentially do not support the weight of the structure. This also allows the number of jacks to be independent of the number of feet, in particular, in one of its embodiments, the invention operates with a single jack (and a single arm). It is however possible, alternatively and within the scope of the invention, that the cylinders 141 are located in the legs 180. In such a case, the actuator units 140 replace the leg tubes 120.

The automatic horizontal setting saves a tremendous amount of time during the installation of the device 100 and a possible scaffold using the device 100. The device 100 thus allows that even when a scaffolding must be installed in the emergency on sloping ground, the horizontal setting should be made in such a way as to ensure the safety of the people who climb on the scaffolding.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the device 1100 comprises two arms 1150A, 1150B perpendicular to each other. The device 1100 comprises a platform 1110, four legs 1180A, 1180B, 1180C, 1180D, two actuator units 1140A, 1140B, two arms 1150A, 1150B and a control system 1170. Each leg 1180A, 1180B, 1180C, 1180D comprises a 1120A leg tube, 1120B, 1120C, 1120D, 1160A base, 1160B, 1160C, 1160D and one foot 1130A, 1130B, 1130C, 1130D. Each arm 1150A, 1150B corresponds to an actuator unit 1140A, 1140B.

The arm 1150A is attached to a base 1160A, 1160C at each of its ends, and the arm 1150B is attached to a base 1160C, 1160D at each of its ends, the two arms 1150A, 1150B, the actuator units 1140A, 1140B and the three legs 1180A, 1180C and 1180D thereby forming an adjustable support member 1190A.

The leg 1180B is not connected to any arm and is preferably of fixed length. The leg 1180B is thus a non-adjustable support member 1190B. The device 100 may comprise one or more non-adjustable support member (s) 1190B. For example, a rectangular device 100 with a single jack 141 may have two legs 180 of fixed length.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7, the attachment between the bases 1160A, 1160C, 1160D and the arms 1150A, 1150B is preferably rotatable.

Figure 8 shows a device for upgrading a platform 2100 to another alternative embodiment of the invention. The device 2100 comprises: a platform 2110, which is round here but could be of any shape, three holes 2115A, 2115B, 2115C similar to those 115, 1115 of the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 7; control system 2170 similar to those 170, 1170 of the embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 7, • two adjustable support members 2190A, 2190B, which are two legs 2180A, 2180B of varying lengths which each include: o a foot 2130A, 2130B similar to those 130, 1130 embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 7, a base 2160A, 2160B similar to those 160, 1160 embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 7, o a unit actuator 2140A, 2140B which itself comprises: a telescopic tube similar to those 129,149 of Figures 3 and 4, an actuator, that is to say a cylinder similar to that 141 shown in Figure 3, • an element non-adjustable support bracket 2190C, which is a 2180C leg of fixed length which comprises: a foot 2130C similar to those 130, 1130 embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 7, a base 2160C similar to those 160, 1160 embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, a telescopic leg tube 2120C similar to that 129 of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8, the actuators 141 are present in the legs 2180A, 2180B of variable length. The weight of the device 2100 and what it supports then rests partially on the actuator units 2140A, 2140B.

In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the device may have only one telescopic leg tube and two legs of fixed length.

In general, the moving sides of the device 100 are those where the cylinders are located.

In one embodiment of the invention where the device 100 has an arm 150 and a cylinder 141, only the side of the device located above the arm 150 and the cylinder is movable. This makes it possible to compensate for the slope of the ground in a direction perpendicular to the arm 150.

In one embodiment of the invention where the device 100 has two parallel arms 150 as in Figure 1, and two cylinders 141 corresponding to these arms 150, the sides of the device located above these arms 150 and these cylinders are movable. This makes it possible to compensate for the slope of the ground in a direction perpendicular to the arms 150 and to compensate for a greater slope than if only one side of the device 100 is movable.

In one embodiment of the invention where the device 100 has two perpendicular arms 150 as in Figure 7, and two cylinders 141 corresponding to these arms 150, the sides of the device located above these arms 150 and these cylinders are movable. This compensates for the slope of the soil in all directions. The device 100 of FIG. 2 is therefore particularly suitable when the ground is inclined both in the direction of the short side of the platform 110 and the direction of the long side of the platform 110.

In other embodiments of the invention, it is possible that the device 100 comprises three legs 180, three arms 150 and three jacks 141 or four legs 180, four arms 150 and four jacks 141 or, in general, a number of arms 150 and jacks 141 equal to the number of side of the platform 110 and a number of legs 180 equal to the number of corners of the platform 110.

The device 100 is preferably used on soils having a slope of 0 ° to 20 °.

The device 100 may preferentially be folded so that it can be easily transported and take up little storage space.

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above and it is possible that the invention may be used to adjust the level of other platforms or other surfaces. For example, the invention can also be used to stabilize scaffolding structures where the platform comprises a plurality of separate planks placed on a substantially rectangular frame, and in particular, a substantially square frame. In such an embodiment, the sensor is mounted on one of the boards and the height of the elements comprising the frame is adjusted to provide a plane substantially level with respect to the ground, in which are the boards. The sensor signals can be processed and used to adjust the height of at least one element in the frame.

Claims (19)

claims Device (100) for substantially horizontally placing a platform, the device comprising: - at least one platform (110); at least one adjustable support member (190) arranged to support said at least one platform (110); at least one detector (173) associated with said at least one platform (110), said at least one detector (173) being arranged to measure a characteristic related to the angle of said at least one platform (110) relative to the horizontal and to provide a signal indicative of said characteristic; and adjustment means (176) arranged to receive the signal indicative of said characteristic and to send at least one control signal to the at least one adjustable support member (190), the at least one adjustable support member ( 190) adjusting in response to said control signal so as to bring the platform (110) closer to the horizontal. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein at least one adjustable support member (190) comprises at least one actuator unit (140) comprising at least one actuator (141). 3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the actuator (141) is a jack. 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the actuator (141) is operable electrically. 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one adjustable support member (190) comprises at least one leg (180). 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein each leg (180) comprises a foot (130), a base (160) and a telescopic tube (120). 7. Device according to claim 6, wherein at least one base (160) is arranged to be inclinable relative to the foot (130) with which it is associated. 8. Device according to claim 7, wherein at least one foot (130) comprises a concave portion and the base (160) associated comprises a convex portion, the convex portion being substantially complementary to the concave portion. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising means for locking the base (160) relative to the foot (130). Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one adjustable support member (2190A, 2190B) comprises a single leg (2180A, 2180B). Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one adjustable support member (190) comprises at least two legs (180) and at least one arm (150) extending between a pair of legs (180), each leg (180) being arranged to support said at least one platform (110). The device according to claim 11, wherein each leg (180) comprises a foot (130), a base (160) and a telescopic tube (120), said at least one arm (150) being connected to the base (160). ) of each leg (180) in the pair of legs (180). The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one non-adjustable support member (1190B, 2190C) comprising at least one leg of fixed length (1180B, 2180C). 14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one platform (110) comprises a plate. A scaffold comprising the device of claim 14, wherein the plate comprises a plurality of holes (115) arranged to receive ends of scald elements. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one platform (110) comprises a plurality of boards arranged on a frame, the frame being supported by at least one adjustable support member (190), and said at least one detector (173) being associated with one of the plurality of boards. 17. A scaffold comprising the device according to claim 16. 18. A method for substantially horizontally placing a platform, the method using a device (100) comprising: at least one platform (110), at least one adjustable support member (190) arranged to support said at least one platform ( 110), at least one detector (173) associated with said at least one platform (110), and adjustment means (176), the method comprising the steps of: - 1) measuring a characteristic related to the angle of said at least one platform (110) with respect to the horizontal; 2) providing a signal indicative of said characteristic; 3) receiving the signal indicative of said characteristic; 4) sending at least one control signal to the at least one adjustable support member (190); 5) adjusting the at least one adjustable support member (190) in response to said control signal so as to bring the platform (110) closer to the horizontal. The method of claim 18, wherein steps 1) to 5) are repeated until the measurement of the characteristic related to the angle of said at least one platform (110) relative to the horizontal indicates the platform (110) is horizontal to a predetermined degree of accuracy.