ES2277793A1 - Flexible trap door for access platforms - Google Patents

Abstract

The hatch has an elastomeric body arranged to the step platform, and reinforced with a rigid armor in cross-sectional direction. A string is used to facilitate the opening of the hatch. A securing portion is provided for the transport and assembly of the hatch. The hatch can be closed by elastomer tension and with the use of an outer traction mechanism or magnetic assistance.

Description

Flexible hatch for access platform scaffolding

State of the art

One of the most important issues in the Spain of Today, it is to guarantee the safety of workers. All social agents are making efforts to reduce accident rates, especially in the construction, sector in which negative "record" beats, especially when compared to countries around us (unfortunately we are from the last).

In this context, improve security in the scaffolding, directly affects lower rates of accident and seriousness, since 70% of accidents are produced by falls from different levels.

On scaffolding, the norm EN-12810-1 2003 contemplates two ways to access from one level to another:

- via ladder through step platform

- via access ladder

The EN12811-1 standard at its point 5.8.3 define:

" The free dimensions of the access opening on a platform must be at least 0.45 m wide, measured in the transverse direction of the platform and 0.60 long. If it is not possible to close the opening by means of a permanently attached hatch, it must be possible to install a protective rail. The trapdoor must be secured in the closed position "

In the market there are two types of trap doors:

a) opening longitudinally to the platform (figure 1)

b) opening in a transverse direction to the platform (figure 2)

The opening in both cases is manual, and requires use of at least one hand during the ascent, which decreases the security when climbing the "hand" ladder.

The closing deserves a separate chapter:

In case a) foreshortening is required since, while descending in one direction, in the other, and with the arm the door must be held above the head. Additionally and depending on the length of the platform, the Door interferes with the next flight of stairs.

In case b) the opening position is not usually allow more than 90 °, so the closure occurs by "gravity"; which produces accidents, being an element rigid and heavy.

Operators on scaffolding usually carry tools in their hands, and if you have to climb a ladder of 40 m or more, opening and closing doors, some up and others down; It is understood that they are always open .

In case a) they just don't close it, which aggravates the issue with the sliding bottom face of the hatches on the top, which is what you step on.

In case b) they either force it so that it does not closure, so they break the hinges or tie it with wires.

Interestingly, case a) is the most usual.

In both cases the hatches are usually made of two materials:

Wood plywood

Sheet metal aluminum

The load required by the EN standard 12811-1 2003 (point 6.2.4) corresponds to class 3, that is, 2.0 KN / m2.

Description of the invention

It is a flexible trapdoor attached to the step platform that opens by winding on itself with the operator's helmet thrust and remains open while passing Through the hole. The closure occurs "automatically" and of Progressive way when it has already happened. Once closed it can be used as a work platform, since it has an armor rigid in transverse direction that allows it to withstand the load of job.

To open it from the top you have a tape that allows to open it and place the foot on the first step of the ladder, opening it as it descends. In the resting position has a safety lock to prevent it from opening during transport and assembly.

The trapdoor consists of a sheet of flexible elastomer lengthwise and internally assembled transversely, which gives it the possibility of opening and withstand the 2.0 KN / m2 use load required by the EN standard 12811-1 2003.

The materials that can be used are very numerous but must meet the following conditions:

Elastomer

- Resistance to environmental agents (rays grape, temperature, humidity ...) since the scaffolding is used Generally outdoors.

- Non-slip upper surface, as it used as a work and step platform.

- Variable flexibility, more flexible in the front and less the closer to the fixation to the step platform, to facilitate its opening and guarantee your car closing.

- Must resist chemical agents and present a certain fire resistance (not withstand flame) especially in case of scaffolds used in the industry.

- Maximum thickness of 15 mm.

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Armor

- A maximum of 4 cm profiles are separated.

- They should be as light as possible to facilitate opening and not contribute to excessive weight set of step platform.

- Must withstand the use load of 2.0 KN / m2 and a maximum flexion of 12 mm to ensure feeling of safety when stepping on.

Possible elastomers:

-

Rubber natural with or without additives

-

Isoprene

-

Neoprene

-

Cop butadiene

-

Butyl - rubber

-

Rubber acrylic

-

Rubber polyethylene

-

Silicone

-

Cop sulfide

-

Ethylene acetate vinyl

-

Fluoridated ... etc.

And their possible combinations

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Possible armors:

-

Fiber carbon

-

Fiber of Cristal

-

Aluminum

-

Copper

-

Brass

-

Steel

-

Wood

-

Combinations of different profiles and / or linked together, forming mesh or chain.

The form of these profiles can be:

-

in round, square or rectangular tube

-

in T

-

in I

-

in triangle etc.

Fabrication process:

Depending on the quantity it can be molded or laminate continuously, both in one way and another. He Continuous rolling should be providing heat in a process of retreaded to adhere the transverse armor to the elastomer

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1: Direction opening flap longitudinal to the platform.

Figure 2: Direction opening flap cross platform.

Figure 3: Flexible trapdoor: body of elastomer (1), step platform (2), rigid reinforcement (3) crosswise, tape (4) and secure (5).

Figure 4: Sequence of ascent of a level a other.

Figure 5: Sequence of descent from one level to other.

Figure 6: Transverse armor.

Figure 7: Initial trapdoor section flexible according to an embodiment.

Figure 8: Final section of the flexible trapdoor according to an embodiment.

Figure 9: Flexible trapdoor layout according to an embodiment.

Preferred Embodiment

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in figure 3, the flexible hatch fastened to the step platform (2) that opens by winding over itself with the operator's helmet thrust and remains open while passing through the hole. The closure occurs "automatically" and progressively when it has already happened. Once closed it can be used as a work platform, since which has a rigid transverse reinforcement (3) that allows to support the workload.

To open it from the top you have a tape (4) that allows to open it and place the foot in the first step of the stairs, opening it as it comes down.

In the rest position you have a safe (5) to prevent it from opening during transport and assembly.

In Figure 6, a possible transverse armor, which would be formed by round tubes of aluminum of inner diameter (D) of 5 mm and thickness (E1) of 1.5 mm with 1.5x2 mm fins (E2xE3).

An example of configuration that would be formed by an elastomer body (1) Silicone with an inner mesh of polyester (6) thick (E4) 14 mm with variable thickness recesses (7) and reinforced transversely by armor (3), separated by a length (L) 30 mm

Figure 8 shows the final section of the trapdoor ending in holes (8) for fixing to the 12 mm diameter step platform and with a reinforcing plate (9).

Figure 9 shows the arrangement of elements of a trapdoor length (H) 650 mm and width (A) 550 mm, representing the typical profile of a step platform (2).

Claims (3)

1. Flexible hatch for access platform to scaffolding with automatic closure that can be used as Work surface, consisting of an elastomer body subject to the step platform, reinforced by a rigid armor in transverse direction, incorporating a tape to facilitate its opening and insurance in transport and assembly position with closure which is produced by tension of the elastomer. 2. Flexible hatch according to claim 1 characterized in that the closure is produced by an external traction mechanism. 3. Flexible hatch according to claim 1 characterized in that the closure is produced by the attraction of magnets.