EP0035424B1 - Hanging scaffold for a building - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a flying scaffolding for buildings according to the preamble of claim 1.

A flying scaffolding is constituted by a nacelle which is raised or lowered, as the need arises, along an external wall by means of mittens and ropes usually fixed at attachment points arranged at the level of the roof.

It is clear that the work is then carried out on a vertical area and that it is necessary to move the attachment points to operate on the neighboring areas, hence a significant loss of time.

This is why it has been imagined to hang the nacelle no longer at fixed points, but on carriages which can move along a rail arranged overhanging the top of the building considered. It is then the rail which must be carried by support members firmly anchored on the roof of the building. Of course, the rail is formed of a plurality of elements assembled end to end, so that it can be adapted to the length of the facade.

In existing devices, the rail generally consists of a cylindrical tube on which the carriages can roll. The wheels of the same pair, arranged on the respective sides of a carriage, rotate in planes which converge downwards, while one of the carriages, said motor, further comprises a drive wheel with rubber tire, frictionally bearing on the upper generator of the rail and integral in rotation with an external pulley maneuverable by a rope from the nacelle.

Such an arrangement has a number of drawbacks, some of which are significant. First of all, the convergence of the planes of the wheels results in a pinching effect on the rail, which appreciably increases the force necessary for movement. This same convergence causes the axes of the wheels to work at torsion. These two consequences of the convergence of the wheels lead to limiting the total load to a value lower than that compatible with the resistance of the rail. Finally, the raceway of the wheels of the carriages and the drive wheel is not protected and can be obstructed by an obstacle, accidentally come (material debris) or deposited by carelessness (board, bar, tool, etc.), which prevents translational movement.

To avoid this drawback, is it provided for in US-A patent? 2178956 to use a U-section rail, the opening of which faces downwards and the wings of which are folded inwards, to form the carriage raceway.

For the movement of the nacelle relative to the support rail, patent FR-A No 1297234 provides a winch with an endless cable and pulleys at the ends of the rail, the lateral movement being obtained by maneuvering the winch. These means are relatively complex and require the arrangement of return pulleys at the ends of the rail and of a cable running all along the rail.

It is also known from FR-A _No. 1593758 a suspended scaffold in a goat, a prismatic shape, mounted on the top of a wall at the edge of a roof or terrace. The goat is articulated around a longitudinal axis to allow it to be placed in the position of use.

An object of the invention is to provide a flying scaffold which is particularly well suited for working in horizontal strips along the facade of a building, comprising safety means to avoid accidents in the event of breakage of the support carriages, easily. movable and provided with easily adjustable support members to avoid any deflection of the longitudinal rail.

According to the invention, the flying scaffolding for building of the aforementioned type is characterized in that, in the vicinity of each of its ends, the spacer connecting the two carriages carries a T-shaped security bracket whose transverse bar is arranged at the inside of the U-shaped rail, perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of said rail, has a length greater than the spacing between the folded ends of the wings of the rail, and the vertical bar of which is rigidly connected to the spacer, the latter being arranged under the rail.

• - les éléments linéaires disposés bout à bout pour constituer le rail sont assemblés par encastrement, en un déplacement du haut vers le bas, d'une extrémité femelle sur une extrémité mâle, l'extrémité femelle portant une pièce d'appui destinée à venir reposer sur la face supérieure de l'extrémité mâle et à y être verrouillée;
• - le rail comporte un nombre quelconque d'éléments intermédiaires présentant chacun une extrémité mâle et une extrémité femelle, un élément amorce fermé à un bout et présentant à l'autre une extrémité mâle et un élément terminal fermé à un bout et présentant à l'autre une extrémité femelle, tandis que chaque élément de rail est muni d'un moyen de suspension aux organes de support, à faible distance de son extrémité mâle et de son extrémité fermée pour les éléments extrêmes;
• - la manoeuvre de translation latérale est réalisée par traction sur l'un ou l'autre de deux câbles amarrés respectivement aux extrémités du rail et venant chacun pendre à la verticale de la nacelle après passage sur une poulie de renvoi disposée sur le chariot correspondant;
• - le mouvement de translation de l'ensemble de suspension constitué par les deux chariots et leur entretoise est obtenu par la manoeuvre, depuis la nacelle, d'une corde ou d'une chaîne sans fin coopérant avec une poulie à gorge portée par l'entretoise et solidaire en rotation d'un rouleau à friction à bandage caoutchouc, ou similaire, appliqué contre la face inférieure du rail;
• - le rouleau à friction est constitué par deux roues jumelées qui s'appliquent respectivement sous le bord rabattu de chacune des ailes du rail;
• - le rouleau à friction est porté par un bras articulé par l'une de ses extrémités sur l'entretoise et soumis, au voisinage de l'extrémité opposée, à l'action d'un ressort le sollicitant en direction du rail;
• - chaque organe de support comporte une semelle destinée à être placée au sommet d'un mur; deux bras fixes, dans un plan sensiblement vertical, solidaires de la semelle et se rapprochant pour porter une tête d'ancrage; deux bras mobiles susceptibles de pivoter par rapport à la semelle et se rapprochant pour porter l'organe d'accrochage supportant la nacelle, et une tige de réglage de la position des bras mobiles par rapport aux bras fixes;
• - les bras mobiles sont solidaires d'un axe pivotant sur la semelle;
• - la tête d'ancrage est constituée par une plaque à bords repliés et soudés aux bras fixes, et elle porte un anneau d'ancrage susceptible de recevoir un câble;
• - la tête d'ancrage présente une encoche dans laquelle vient s'insérer le manchon d'extrémité de ladite tige de réglage;
• - la tige de réglage présente une manivelle à son extrémité et elle tourne dans un tube fixé, au voisinage de l'organe d'accrochage, à un axe de support solidaire des bras mobiles;
• - une chaîne de sécurité est disposée entre ledit axe de support et l'anneau d'ancrage;
• - l'organe d'accrochage est une tige repliée à ses extrémités et présentant au milieu une incurvation.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

• the linear elements arranged end to end to constitute the rail are assembled by embedding, in a displacement from the top to the bottom, from a female end to a male end, the female end carrying a support piece intended to come to rest on the upper face of the male end and to be locked there;
• - The rail comprises any number of intermediate elements each having a male end and a female end, a primer element closed at one end and having at the other a male end and a terminal element closed at one end and having at the another female end, while each rail element is provided with a means of suspension to the support members, a short distance from its male end and its closed end for the extreme elements;
• - The lateral translation maneuver is carried out by traction on one or the other of two cables moored respectively at the ends of the rail and each coming to hang vertically from the nacelle after passing over a return pulley disposed on the corresponding carriage;
• - The translational movement of the suspension assembly constituted by the two carriages and their spacer is obtained by the operation, from the nacelle, of an endless rope or chain cooperating with a grooved pulley carried by the spacer and integral in rotation with a friction roller with a rubber band, or the like, applied against the underside of the rail;
• - the friction roller consists of two twin wheels which apply respectively under the folded edge of each of the wings of the rail;
• - The friction roller is carried by an arm articulated by one of its ends on the spacer and subjected, in the vicinity of the opposite end, to the action of a spring urging it in the direction of the rail;
• - Each support member comprises a sole intended to be placed at the top of a wall; two fixed arms, in a substantially vertical plane, integral with the sole and approaching to carry an anchoring head; two movable arms capable of pivoting with respect to the sole and approaching to carry the hooking member supporting the nacelle, and a rod for adjusting the position of the movable arms relative to the fixed arms;
• - the movable arms are integral with a pivoting axis on the sole;
• the anchoring head consists of a plate with folded edges welded to the fixed arms, and it carries an anchoring ring capable of receiving a cable;
• - The anchor head has a notch in which is inserted the end sleeve of said adjustment rod;
• - The adjustment rod has a crank at its end and it rotates in a tube fixed, in the vicinity of the attachment member, to a support axis secured to the movable arms;
• - A safety chain is arranged between said support axis and the anchoring ring;
• - The attachment member is a rod folded at its ends and having in the middle a curvature.

• la fig. 1 montre, assemblés, les trois types d'éléments constitutifs d'un rail selon l'invention;
• la fig. 2 est, à plus grande échelle, une vue en bout du rail dans lequel est engagé un chariot;
• la fig. 3 représente l'ensemble de suspension constitué de deux chariots et d'une entretoise;
• la fig. 4 est une vue de dessus de l'entretoise de l'ensemble de suspension avec son bras articulé porteur des roues à friction d'entraînement en translation latérale;
• la fig. 5 est une vue en perspective d'un exemple de réalisation d'un organe de support d'échafaudage volant selon l'invention;
• la fig. 6 est une vue de détail de l'organe d'accrochage selon un exemple de réalisation de l'invention;
• la fig. 7 est une variante de réalisation de la fig. 3.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics will appear on reading the description which follows of a preferred embodiment given by way of example, description which refers to the appended drawing in which:

• fig. 1 shows, assembled, the three types of constituent elements of a rail according to the invention;
• fig. 2 is, on a larger scale, an end view of the rail in which a carriage is engaged;
• fig. 3 shows the suspension assembly consisting of two carriages and a spacer;
• fig. 4 is a top view of the spacer of the suspension assembly with its articulated arm carrying the friction drive wheels in lateral translation;
• fig. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a flying scaffolding support member according to the invention;
• fig. 6 is a detailed view of the attachment member according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
• fig. 7 is an alternative embodiment of FIG. 3.

In the drawing, a rail 10 (fig. 1), intended for the suspension and for guiding in lateral translation, along the facade of a building, of a flying scaffolding nacelle (not shown), is constituted by the end-to-end assembly of linear elements, namely a starting element 11, any number of intermediate elements 12 (only one in the example shown) and a terminal element 13. Each element is provided with at least one suspension means (11a, 11b, 12a, 13a), arranged as will be described below, intended to be hung at the end overhanging support members, shown in fig. 5, placed on the roof of said building.

All the elements are U-shaped profiles whose opening 14 faces downwards (fig. 2) and which have a constant internal section from one end to the other of the rail 10. The ends of the wings (10a, 10b ) are folded inwards, preferably in an arc having a center angle a greater than 90 °. The inner face of these flaps forms the raceway of two carriages 15 and 16 each having at least two wheels such as 17 on each lateral side. The circular arc shape of the flaps envelops the lower part of the treads of said wheels, which are thus guided without risk of lateral friction of the carriages against the internal face of the wings 10a and 10b of the rail.

The two carriages 15 and 16 are connected by a removable spacer 18 (fig. 3 and 4) whose length corresponds to that of the nacelle to be suspended, and each of the carriages carries a suspension means 19 and 20 for mittens or other members equivalent, otherwise moored to the nacelle in a conventional manner.

In the vicinity of each of its ends, the spacer 18 rigidly carries a bracket 21a in T whose transverse bar 21b is disposed inside the rail 10, perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of said rail, and has a length greater than the spacing of the lips of the opening 14. This bracket ensures the safety of the suspension in the event of the axes of the wheels of a carriage breaking.

Returning to fig. 1, it can be seen that, in addition to the suspension means (11a, 11b or 12a or 13a), each rail element carries on its upper face two members 22, such as rings or the like, for handling the element using a lifting device. The rail elements are assembled end to end by embedding a female end on a male end in a movement from top to bottom. In other words, on the male end of an element already in place, the female end of the next element is lowered for assembly and locking. In the example shown, the male end, such as 23, is free of any additional part, with the exception of an added stop 28 carrying an ear provided with an oblong hole. At the female end 24 of each element is welded, on the upper face, a support tab 25 whose projecting part is intended to rest on the upper face of the male end of the neighboring element.

A stirrup 26, firmly welded to the female end 24, envelops the end part of the end 24 overlapping the middle part of the tab 25 and projects longitudinally so as to be able to overlap the end part of the end 23. At the same time time, a stirrup 27, fixed on the tab 25 in the vicinity of the projecting end thereof, comes to cap the end 23, behind the stop 28. This stirrup 27 carries an ear 29 provided with an oblong hole and a pin, not shown, intended to secure the two elements of the rail. To ensure the rigidity of this assembly, it is advantageous to organize a forced embedding of the stirrup 27 against the stop 28 and, to facilitate the maneuver, to provide for the wings of the stirrup, stop side, cut sides such only 30 at the bottom. It is clear that each intermediate element 12 must have a male end 23 and a female end 24, while the initiating element 11 has a male end and is closed at the opposite end by a nozzle 31, and that the terminal element has a female end and an end closed by a nozzle 31.

Since the female end 24 rests on the adjoining male end 23, it is obviously the latter which must be supported, and it is in its vicinity that the suspension means (here a hoop) 11a is disposed. , 12a, 13a, the initiating element being provided with a second suspension means 11b near its closed end.

To move laterally the suspension assembly constituted by the two carriages 15 and 16 and by the spacer 18, it is possible to have on each of the carriages a crazy pulley (not shown) with groove on which passes a moored cable, by the 'one of its ends, at the corresponding end of the rail 10, and the other of which hangs freely vertically from the nacelle.

However, this particularly simple arrangement is only possible for a short facade. For larger dimensions, it is necessary to provide a more elaborate drive system. Such a system is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It comprises a friction roller with a rubber band, or the like, applied against the underside of the rail and integral in rotation with a pulley 32 carried by the spacer 18 and having a trapezoidal groove for endless rope 33, or notched for endless chain maneuverable from the nacelle.

In the example shown, the friction roller consists of two twin wheels 34a and 34b, wedged on the same axis 35 as the pulley 32, which apply respectively under the folded edge of each of the wings 10a and 1 Ob of the rail . So that the pressure of the wheels 34a and 34b on the underside of the rail 10 is substantially constant despite the wear of the tires, the axis 35 pivots between the cheeks 36a and 36b of a yoke 36 articulated by the free end of said cheeks around an axis 37 passing through a socket 38 carried by the spacer 18, and subjected at its end opposite to the action of a spring 39 urging said end towards the underside of the rail 10. The wheels 34a and 34b are located on the axis 35 between the cheeks 36a and 36b and the control pulley 32 is, on said axis, offset to the outside of the yoke 36. Finally, a return screw 40 makes it possible to act on the arm constituted by the yoke 36 for bringing the wheels 34a, 34b out of contact with the rail 10 against the action of the spring 39, in order to allow the installation of the suspension assembly by engaging it on one of the ends of the rail before fitting the end piece 31, or even engaging it from the start of mounting in the initiating element 11, before the assembly of the closest neighboring intermediate element 12.

Instead of the screw 40, another equivalent means can be provided, for example a rod and cam assembly with two stable positions, or a lock of the so-called grasshopper type, or a quick-release lever, so as to ensure the maintaining the compressed position of the spring 39 during the positioning of the carriages in the rail and its rapid release immediately after.

Referring to fig. 5, it can be seen that the support member for the nacelle essentially comprises: a sole 101 with a front flap 102, intended to be placed on the top of the wall; two fixed arms 103 and 104 in a substantially vertical plane, integral with the sole 101 by means of sleeves 105, 106 and joining to carry an anchoring head 107; two movable arms 108,109 capable of pivoting relative to the sole 101, for example by means of an axis 110 passing through the sleeves 105,106, and approaching to carry the hooking member 111 supporting the nacelle, and a rod 112 for adjusting the position of the mobile arms 108, 109 relative to the fixed arms 103, 104.

This rod 112 is provided with a drive crank 113, it is threaded and turns in a tube 114, for example. This tube 114 is crossed by the threaded axis 115 of a shackle 116 which passes around a support axis 117 welded under the close ends of the arms 108 and 109. To the right of this axis 117, the arms 108 and 109 are slightly bent and they meet to form a sort of loop 118 beyond the latching member 111.

The anchoring head 107 essentially consists of a plate with raised edges and welded to the arms 103 and 104. It carries an anchoring ring 119 on which is fixed the end of a safety chain 120, the another end is fixed to the support axis 117. On the ring 119 is fixed a cable 121 intended to ensure the rear anchoring of the support member by any known means.

The anchoring head 107 has a simple notch 126 into which the end sleeve 127 of the threaded rod 112 is inserted.

In fig. 6, we can see how the hooking member 111 is placed on the extensions of the arms 108 and 109. This member 111 is for example a round iron rod, folded at its two ends 122, having in its middle a curve 123 intended for receiving the ring 124 for supporting a rail 10, running along a facade, from which the nacelle is suspended. When the ring 124 is housed in the curve 123, it urges it downwards, and at the same time it keeps the bent ends 122 of the hooking member 111 downwards. It therefore remains stable.

When the support member according to the invention is placed at the top of a wall, the sole 101 is on the wall and the flap 102 against the facade, the fixed arms 103, 104 are in a substantially vertical plane, and the rear anchor is provided by the cable 121 on the ring 119. The threaded rod 112 is simply slid into a notch in the anchor head 107. Once the rail 10 is hooked to a series of support members according to the invention, it is operated the cranks 113 to put the rail at the same height over its entire length. In the event that the mechanical connection between the threaded rod 112, the tube 114 and the shackle 116 should be defective, the safety chain 120 could avoid an accident.

After use, the threaded rod 112 can be removed from its notch, completely raise the mobile arms 108, 109 against the fixed arms 103, 104 and fold the rod 112 along one of the arms 108 or 109, for example, to have a support member of reduced size, easily transportable, and which can be implemented very easily.

In fig. 7, the same references as in FIG. 3 designate the same bodies. The spacer 18 is simplified and it carries, in the vicinity of one of its ends, an axis 52 on which pivots a bracket having a substantially horizontal arm 50 and an arm inclined downward 51, in the example shown. At the end of the horizontal arm 50, a wheel 53 pivots on an axis 54. At the end of the inclined arm 51, a wheel 55 pivots on an axis 56. From this wheel 55, an endless rope 57 hangs freely until in the basket.

The wheels 55 and 53 are connected to each other by means of a chain 59. The wheel 53 carries an adherent external lining 60 constituted for example by a tire.

The length of the inclined arm and the masses of the wheel 55 and of the rope 57 are such that the wheel 53 is permanently applied against the underside of the rail. Thus, by a simple pull on a strand of the rope 57, one can ensure the lateral displacement of the nacelle.

Claims (15)

1. Hung scaffolding for buildings, wherein a body or elevator is hung in a traditional way to at least two carriers (15,16) connected to each other by a removable brace (18) having a length more orless equal to that of the elevator used, and movable along a rail (10) formed by a plurality of assembled linear elements (11, 12, 13), each of which has the shape of a U turned downwardly, the ends of the wings (10a, 10b) being folded back in order to be used as a runway for the wheels of the carriers; scaffolding disposed overhanging at the top of the building through the agency of a plurality of support members placed on the roof, wherein ajacent each of its ends the brace (18) connecting the two carriers (15, 16) carries a T-shaped safety bracket (21 a), the transverse bar (21 b) of which is disposed inside the U-shaped rail (10), perpendicularly to the longitudinal plane of symetry of said rail (10), and has length greater than the spacing between the folded back ends of the wings (10a, 10b) of rail (10), and the vertical bar of which is rigidly connected to the brace (18), said brace being disposed under the rail (10).

2. A scaffolding as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linear elements which are disposed end to end in order to form rail (10) are assembled by being nested into each other by displacing from top to bottom a female end (24) over a male end (23), the female end carrying a support-piece (25) for bearing against the upper face of the male end and being locked therewith.

3. A scaffolding as claimed in claim 2, wherein rail (10) comprises any number of intermediate linear elements (12) having each a male end (23) and a female end (24), a linear leader element (11) closed at one end and having at the other end a male end (23), and a tail element (13) closed at one end and having at the other end a female end (24), each element (11 to 13) of the rail being provided with suspension means (11 a, 12a and 11 b, 13a) to the support members, at a short distance of its male end (23) for the intermediate elements (12) and at its closed end for the extremity elements (11 and 13).

4. A scaffolding as claimed in claims 1 to 3, when used on a facade of a relatively short length, characterized in that the lateral translation operation is carried out by a traction on one or the other or two cables respectively secured at the ends of rail (10) and hanging each at the vertical of the elevator after passing over a return pulley disposed on the corresponding carriers (15, 16).

5. A scaffolding as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the translation movement of the suspension assembly formed by the two carriers (15, 16) and the brace (18) is obtained by the actuation, from the elevator, of a rope (33) or an endless chain co-acting with a grooved pulley (32) carried by brace (18) and rotatably connected to a friction roller having a tire made of rubber or similar applied against the inferior face of rail (10).

6. A scaffolding as claimed in claim 5, wherein the friction roller is made of two twinned wheels (34a, 34b) which respectively bear underneath the folded back edge of each of wings (10a, 10b) of rail (10).

7. A scaffolding as claimed in one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the friction roller (34a, 34b) is carried by an arm (36) articulated at one of its ends to brace (18) and subjected in the vicinity of the opposite end to the action of a spring (39) biasing in the direction of rail (10).

8. A scaffolding as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support member comprises: a bearing plate (101) to be placed at the top of a wall; two fixed arms (103, 104) in a substantially vertical plane, rigidly connected to the bearing plate (101) and extending toward each other for carrying an anchoring (107); two mobile arms (108, 109) pivotable relative to bearing plate (101) and extending toward each other for carrying the hooking member (111) supporting the elevator, and a rod (112) for setting the position of the mobile arms (108,109) relative to the fixed arms (103,104).

9. A scaffolding as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mobile arms (108, 109) are rigidly connected to an axis (110) pivoting on bearing plate (101).

10. A scaffolding as claimed in claim 8, wherein the anchoring head (107) is formed of a plate with folded edges which are welded to the fixed arms (103, 104), said anchoring head carrying an anchoring ring (119) for receiving a cable (121).

11. A scaffolding as claimed in claim 10, wherein the anchoring head (107) is formed with a notch (126) in which is inserted the end sleeve (127) of said setting rod.

12. A scaffolding as claimed in claim 8, wherein the setting rod (112) has a crank (113) at its end, said rod turning in a tube (114) fixed, in the vicinity of the hooking member (111 ), to a support axis (117) fixedly connected to the mobile arms (108,109).

13. A scaffolding as claimed in claims 10 and 12 taken together, wherein a chain (120) is disposed between said support axis (117) and the anchoring ring (119).

14. A scaffolding as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hooking member (111) is a rod folded back at its ends and having a curved portion (123) in the middle.

15. A scaffolding as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a bracket with two arms (50, 51) pivoting on an axis (52) carried by brace (18), one of arms (50) of the bracket carrying a wheel (53) provided with an adhering fitting (60) bearing against the lower face of rail (10), the other arm (51 ) of the bracket carrying a wheel (55) for being operated in rotation by means of an endless rope (57), the two wheels (53 and 55) being rotatably connected by a chain (59).

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