GB2287728A

GB2287728A - Inflatable temporary cover

Info

Publication number: GB2287728A
Application number: GB9405199A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark John Christopher Pilling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-03-17
Filing date: 1994-03-17
Publication date: 1995-09-27
Also published as: GB9405199D0

Abstract

A double membrane inflatable temporary roof cover comprising of two units, a totally inflatable roof cover and an inflatable temporary structure with waterproof sheet infill panels. Both incorporate waterproof sheet laps to one edge and both ends for the exclusion of the elements at butt joints. The totally inflatable double-skinned units are used at the ends of a building for greater wind resistance; the units with sheet infill, e.g. tarpaulin, are used in between. Means are provided to attach the cover to the header board 11 of scaffolding 10. The scaffolding and cover may be erected before any other work takes place. To erect the units are positioned across the span deflated or partially inflated, simple fixings secure adjacent units, laps between units and the cover system to the temporary structure and then it is inflated to maximum pressure and braced. A means to create a safe and comfortable work environment and minimise the likelihood of damage to that provision. <IMAGE>

Description

INFLATABLE TEMPORARY ROOF COVER This invention relates to a double membrane inflatable temporary roof cover for refurbishment building work and the enclosure of space for work from the elements and weather outside.

Building refurbishment work and groundwork is often hampered, especially in its programming by bad weather. Where a buildings roof is required to be retiled & replaced, an underfelt fixed under the tiles and battens, or structural alterations for loft conversions, then commonly the topside of the upper floor ceiling is exposed to the elements and will require protection during periods when work is not underway; by tarpaulins or by an elaborate scaffolding structure over the height of the ridge covered in a waterproof membrane, under which work can be carried out.

The buildings groundworks, a substantial part of its cost, would similarly benefit from being able to proceed undercover, especially so as inclement weather conditions can seriously affect the quality and consistency, typically excess water and adulteration of the concrete.

At the present development of the invention the double membrane inflatable cover consists of two basic units that are intended to be used in combination. A succession of units may be used spanning the width of the house extending along the length of the ridge or terrace. The arched unit is to be fixed in place, at a minimum of one metre above the ridge of the roof at its apex, to a timber scaffold board fixed as a toe board above head height to the outside scaffold poles extended up above the most upper lift of scaffold to each side of the span. The arched units will therefore enclose the width of the scaffolding to the building, the span and the width of the scaffolding to the building to the other side. This will necessitate some extra vertical scaffolding beyond the handrail to the wallplate lift but not the elaborate and expensive horizontal scaffolding and bracing.The flexibility of the inflatable structures shape should allow for some tolerance in variable horizontal span dimensions and consequent height to apex to give an adaptability for different size buildings and structures.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1: Shows in perspective both units in-situ over a typical gable pitched roof between its scaffold, with the more substantial inflatable unit at each end to give maximum bracing against wind loading.

Figure 2: Illustrates the tarpaulin covering to inflatable framework unit two, method of joining to the above head scaffold board, method of joining units and lap to the join Figure 3: Illustrates unit one of the invention.

Figure 4: Illustrates unit two of the invention.

The deflated units are carried manually onto the upper lift of the scaffold 10. The scaffold or secondary means of support may vary according to the nature of the intended work for which the space is being enclosed from the elements and weather outside.

The standard blower unit is mounted on a bracket onto the outside of the scaffold. One side of the cover is secured to the head height scaffold board 11; rope tied around its vertical or horizontal straps 12, scaffold board and tubes. Included as part of the simple fixing system are double hooked brackets 13 nailed to the width of the head height scaffold board and loops of rope tied to the straps of the cover. The scaffolding and cover may be erected before any other work takes place.

The double skin structure 14 should be gently extended out over the area either deflated or in a semi inflated state and secured to the other side scaffold board, as described, and fully inflated. Separate units, with inflatable infill panels 15 or tarpaulin type single skin infill panels 16 between the main inflatable structure 17, should be abutted and tied at adjacent straps and the lap tarpaulin 18 secured. Laps between units must be secured before the cover system is inflated to maximum pressure. Various internal diagonal rope bracing is tied to loops. To disassemble, release one side and fold as deflating.

Claims

1 Double membrane inflatable temporary roof cover, comprising two arched units of greater than one meter to the apex. Each unit consists of a wallplate level inflatable strip at each side, a central inflatable ridge strip and transverse inflatable edge and central strip. Unit 1 incorporates inflatable infill panels in between; and unit 2 with a tarpaulin cover over the whole inflatable structure, appearing as single membrane tarpaulin infill panels between the inflatable structure.

2 The double membrane inflatable temporary roof cover has straps provided to the wallplate strip of the unit as a means of fixing in the desired position, and internal loops and fixings to enable the securing of ropes to tension the structure to avoid distortion and operate as diagonal bracing to provide stability against lateral wind loads. Loops and fixings to transverse edge strips to allow the securing of the abutment of successive adjacent units.

3 The double membrane inflatable cover as claimed above where each unit is inflatable in one and not more than two sections from one standard blower unit. The assembled cover system does not require to be hermetically sealed and requires no specific or complicated arrangement of doors.

4 The double membrane inflatable cover as claimed above contains an air pressure between its membranes that is greater than the external air pressure and that sheltered from the weather by the structure.

5 The double membrane inflatable cover as claimed in all of the above requires a secondary means of support, primarily expected to be scaffolding, in order that the invention may be utilised for the production for which it was envisaged and designed.

6 A double membrane inflatable cover substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 4 of the accompanying drawing.