WO2008031173A1

WO2008031173A1 - Refuse chute

Info

Publication number: WO2008031173A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001373
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Clement Preston
Original assignee: John Clement Preston
Priority date: 2006-09-15
Filing date: 2007-09-17
Publication date: 2008-03-20
Also published as: AU2007295879A1

Abstract

A modular refuse disposal chute consisting of a plurality of individual panels adapted to be suspended from horizontal rungs of a temporary building scaffolding structure thereby to define a substantially enclosed shaft along at least part of the height of a building for conveying rubbish from one or more openings along the length of the assembled chute to a disposal opening at a terminal end of the shaft.

Description

REFUSE CHUTE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a refuse chute for gravity disposal of refuse from storeys of a building, in particular for use on building sites.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is normal practice on a multi-storey building site to provide for the removal of rubbish from the upper floors by a rubbish chute which defines a shaft whereby all types of building rubbish may be dropped from the upper floors down the chute shaft to a container located at the bottom of the chute.

Conventional chutes are usually assembled from individual tubular sections of circular or quadrilateral cross-section which are telescopically stacked to provide a height suitable to the building which is being built. The individual sections which, when in place, extend vertically along the building, have one or more rubbish inlet structures that enable a user to put rubbish into the chute for gravity disposal into a skip bin on the ground (or above ground level). The sections need to be of a suitable size to dispose of general dust that builds up, as well as larger rubbish items. The sections required to make up a rubbish chute are generally bulky, making them difficult to manhandle and transport easily; they also require a large vehicle to carry the chute sections to and from the work site.

In addition, as building work on a multistorey building continues and the height of the building increases, so too must the height of the rubbish chute. This means either transporting further rubbish chute sections to the building site, with the associated problems mentioned above, or having the required number of sections stored somewhere on the construction site; on-site storage is usually at a premium and it is not desirable to have bulky items taking up valuable storage space. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rubbish chute system that can be easily assembled to provide a rubbish disposal shaft. It would be also advantageous to devise rubbish disposal chute sections that are more readily suited for transport to a building site. Also, it would be desirable to provide a chute design which allows for less bulky storage of unused chute sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a broad form, the invention provides a rubbish chute made from a plurality of modular panels which are suspendable from transoms and ledgers of a scaffold structure, or from horizontal members of a tower support structure, thereby to define a rubbish disposal shaft.

In one aspect the present invention provides a modular refuse chute consisting of a plurality of individual panels having retaining means enabling the panel members to be suspended from transoms and horizontal ledgers of a building scaffolding structure thereby to define a substantially enclosed shaft for conveying rubbish from one or more openings along the length of the assembled chute to a disposal opening at a terminal end of the shaft, wherein said individual panels are dimensioned to allow overlapping of a lower end of an immediately upper adjacent one of said panels and an upper end of an immediately lower adjacent one of said panels.

In another aspect, the present invention also provides a kit for constructing a rubbish chute, including a plurality of panels, each panel having retaining means for retaining said panel on a tower superstructure, e.g. a scaffold, such that operatively at least three of said panels are disposable adjacent to each other to form a chute section, a plurality of such chute sections being installed vertically above one another to define a desired chute height, and wherein vertically adjacent panels overlap to minimise egress of rubbish from said chute. Advantageously, one or more of the panels of the chute sections may have side edges creating an overlapping portion between sidewise adjacent panels to reduce the egress of rubbish from the shaft.

Preferably, the retaining means comprise channels which have a cross section shaped complementary to the scaffolding system on which the panels will be suspended (eg C- or U-shaped). The retaining channel of each panel may advantageously be integrally formed along an upper edge of the panels. Alternatively, the retaining means may be selected from one or more of the following: pins, slots, clamps, wedges, or bolts. A peripherally fully walled or enclosed chute section may be composed of four panels arranged in a quadrilateral arrangement having two opposed panels suspended from opposite transoms and two opposed panels suspended from opposite horizontal ledgers. The chute section may also be composed of three peripheral wall panels arranged in a squared U-shape arrangement having two opposed panels suspended from opposite transoms and one panel suspended from the horizontal ledger, whereby an opening is provided on a fourth side into which rubbish can be inserted.

A three-panel chute section may advantageously further include a baffle panel in the opening, the baffle panel having a lower edge disposed within the chute void such that the baffle panel is inwardly and downwardly inclined.

Preferably, the baffle panel has reinforcing ribs to increase impact resistance to debris falling through the chute and/or stiffen the panel.

The baffle panel may also have side edge strips that are perpendicular to the panels main plane, further increasing impact stiffness. Preferably, the side edges are bent upwardly (as regards the bottom of the chute).

The rubbish chute may further include a plurality of bar members, which may be a section of angle iron, disposed within the assembled chute sections such that the lower edges of baffle panels rest on a respective one of the bars. The bar may be supported on an inward step portion formed integrally along an upper edge of the immediately lower adjacent panels being suspended on the horizontal ledgers. Preferably, the panels adjacent the baffle panel being supported by the bar have a cut-out of a shape and in a position corresponding to the shape and position of the bar. The modular concept provided by the invention allows the side wall panels and baffle panels to be arranged in a flat-pack kit for transport.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures. Further features and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a refuse disposal chute composed of a plurality of chute sections in accordance with the general concept of the present invention, assembled on a scaffold located against the side of a building (not shown) on a construction site;

Figure 2 is a simplified cross sectional side view of the assembled rubbish disposal chute of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a perspective, partial view of the assembled disposal chute of

Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an individual panel of a chute section of the disposal chute;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of three chute sections of the assembled disposal chute of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective, partial view of the assembled disposal chute of Figure 3 but from a different vantage point;

Figures 7a and 7b are perspective views of individual baffle panels of a chute section, with alternatively configured side edges (Figure 7a having downwardly turned side edge strips and Figure 7b having upwardly turned side edge strips);

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled disposal chute of Figure 6, illustrating support of the baffle panels;

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the assembled disposal chute of Figure 6; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a bar on which the baffle panel may rest;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a chute section having a cut-out for a baffle support bar panel; and

Figure 12 shows a top view of the possible locations of the rubbish chute at the construction site;

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figures 1 and 2 show a modular refuse disposal chute 10 assembled on an erected scaffolding 12 which is in turn located against the side of a building being constructed (not shown). The refuse chute 10 is assembled on a dedicated tower section 14 of the scaffolding 12, which has upright pole members 16, ledgers 18 and transoms 20, to desired height. The rubbish chute allows users 22 to throw rubbish and debris 24 from each floor of the building being constructed into the chute 10; such rubbish 24 then falls into a refuse bin/container 26 placed at the bottom of the chute 10.

The chute 10 is shown in perspective cutaway in Figure 3. The chute scaffold 14 consists of tubular pole members 16 to which are attached transoms 20 and ledgers 18 (which are square in cross-section). On the transoms 20 and ledgers 18 are suspended individual panels 28, forming an enclosed shaft for rubbish 24.

A panel 28 is shown in Figure 4. Panel 28 is substantially flat, with an upper end 30 being formed, along the entire length, into a horizontal step 32 and a U-shaped edge channel 34. Width-ward side strips 36 of the panel 28 are turned inward from the lower edge 38 of the panel 28 to the step 32. In use, the panel 28 is hooked over a transom 20 or ledger 18; the transom 20 or ledger 18 is received in the channel 34 and the panel 28 is suspended from the chute scaffold

14. Each facing section of the chute scaffold 14 that requires panelling to create a substantially enclosed shaft is covered in this manner.

Both the side edge strips 36 and the height of the panels assist in preventing egress of the rubbish 24 from the chute 10:

■ The lower edge 38 of the panel 28 sits inside the chute scaffold 14 and overlaps the upper end 30 of the immediately lower adjacent panel 28. This overlapping of panels 28 is shown in Figure 5 at A, which shows how use of individual panels 28 creates a "continuous" shaft.

■ The side edge strips 36 of the panels 28 are bent inwards and, when in place, overlap with the edges of adjacent panels to minimise any gaps between panels. Sections of the chute 10 facing the building site have openings provided where it is necessary to remove rubbish; these sections are U-shaped with two panels suspended from opposite transoms and one panel suspended from the horizontal ledger distal the building site. Otherwise, each side of the chute may be closed by panels 28, creating a chute section which is completely enclosed with two opposed panels 28 suspended from opposite transoms 20 and two opposed panels 28 suspended from opposite ledgers 18.

An alternative to a simple opening is shown in Figure 6, which shows a cut-away of the chute 10 from the building side. Panels 28 provide three sides at the chute scaffold 14. On the fourth side, a baffle panel 40 completes the chute section.

The baffle panel 40 is shown in Figure 7a, and, like the other panels 28, it has a U-shaped channel 34a and horizontal step 32a and side edges 36a which are folded perpendicular to the flat portion of the baffle panel 40. Side edges 36a may be disposed downwardly, or upwardly 36b (as shown in Figure 7b) to give the baffle panel an upturned edge. This upturned edge 36b provides extra strength to stop the panel 40 bending and assists in retaining the debris within the panel 40, aiding the path of the rubbish 24 down the chute 10. The baffle panel 40 has its lower edge 38a disposed within the chute such that the baffle panel 40 is inwardly and downwardly inclined. Reinforcing ribs 42 give the baffle panel extra strength.

The baffle panel 40 assists in feeding the rubbish 24 into the rubbish chute 10, and further minimises the risk of rubbish 24 from higher levels harming a user 22 placing rubbish into the chute 10 at lower levels.

The incline and length of the baffle panel 40 shown is such that the lower end 38a of the baffle panel 40 is approximately on a horizontal plane with the upper edge 30 of the panels 28 immediately below the baffle panel 48. This is best seen in Figure 8, which shows a cross-section of the rubbish chute 10. Figure 9 shows a top view of the rubbish chute 10, in which three different types of panels have been used to create a shaft with baffles: baffle panel 40, two side panels 28", and one rear panel 28'. Rear panel 28' has side edges 36 which bend around side panels 28" in order to reduce the gaps in the shaft. The baffle panel 40 is suspended from a horizontal ledger 18, as is rear panel 28'. Side panels 28" are suspended from transom members 20.

The lower edge 38a of the baffle panel 40 is shown resting on a bar 44 (shown in dotted outline, seen also in Figure 8). The bar 44 is a section of angle iron, shown in Figure 10.

In position, the baffle panel 40 rests on an edge of the angle iron 44 rather than inside it, such that a cross-section of the angle iron 44 in place is an upside- down V-shape. The bent side edge 36a of the baffle panel 40 does not extend to the lower edge 38a of the baffle panel 40 to allow the lower edge 38a of the baffle panel to rest flat on the bar 44, rather than being raised off the bar 44 by the side edges 36a.

The bar rests on the steps 32 of the panels 28 sideways adjacent the baffle panel. Figure 11 shows these sideways adjacent panels 28", which are configured the same as the panels 28 previously discussed, with the exception of a cut-away portion 46 configured to receive the angle iron 44. This cut-away portion not only ensures a neat alignment of the panels, but assists in holding the bar 44 in position. The bar may also have hooks 48, to hook over ledgers 20 or upper edge 30 of panel 28, and provide further security, or, the panels 28" may have retaining portions 50 to hold the bar 44 in place.

An alternate retaining means for the panels 28 is shown in Figure 8. The panels, instead of having the upper edge 30 formed into a channel 34, may instead be retained on the ledgers or transoms by pins, bolts, or wedges 52.

While the channel 34 shown in this embodiment is U-shaped in order to be complementary to the ledgers 18 and transoms 20 shown in the drawings, it may also be C- or otherwise-shaped, i.e. formed complimentary to ledgers/transoms of the scaffolding used.

The rubbish chute may also be placed adjacent the edge of a building without surrounding scaffolding, or within the scaffolding against the building. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the term scaffold may refer equally to any support structure constructed to support the above mentioned chute. Equally, therefore, the term transom and ledger may refer to any horizontal support member in such a support structure.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A modular refuse disposal chute consisting of a plurality of individual panels adapted to be suspended from horizontal rungs of a temporary building scaffolding structure thereby to define a substantially enclosed shaft along at least part of the height of a building for conveying rubbish from one or more openings along the length of the assembled chute to a disposal opening at a terminal end of the shaft.

2. The modular refuse disposal chute according to claim 1 , wherein each panel has retaining means for suspending the panel to a transom or ledger of the scaffolding structure.

3. The modular refuse disposal chute according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the retaining means include one or more of: a channel integrally formed along an upper edge of each panel, pins or bolts arranged to cooperate with receptacle holes in the transoms/ledgers, slots or holes formed along an upper edge of the panels arranged to cooperate with mounting pins or bolts at the transoms/ledgers, and clamps.

4. The modular refuse disposal chute according to claim 4, wherein the channel's cross section is shaped complementary to the scaffolding or support structure member from which the panel is to be suspended.

5. The modular refuse disposal chute according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the individual panels are dimensioned to allow overlapping of a lower end of an immediately upper adjacent one of the panels and an upper end of an immediately lower adjacent one of the panels in the assembled chute.

6. The modular refuse disposal chute according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one or more of the panels have up or down turned side strip edges creating an overlapping portion between sidewise adjacent panels to reduce the egress of rubbish from the shaft.

7. The modular refuse disposal chute according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a chute section is composed of four panels arranged in a quadrilateral arrangement having two opposed panels suspended from opposite transoms and two opposed panels suspended from opposite horizontal ledgers, and wherein one of the panels can be omitted thereby to define a side opening in the chute into which rubbish can be inserted.

8. The modular refuse disposal chute according to claim 7, further including one or more baffle panels disposed at the side opening such as to extend into the chute shaft in a downwardly inclined manner.

9. The modular refuse disposal chute according to claim 8, wherein the baffle panel includes reinforcing ribs and/or has width-ward side edges that are bent perpendicular to the panel.

10. The modular refuse disposal chute according to claim 8 or 9, further including support bars disposed to extend between opposing ones of the panels and support a lower edge of the baffle panel within the chute.

11. The modular refuse disposal chute according to claim 10, wherein the support bar is supported on an inward step portion formed integrally along an upper edge of the immediately lower adjacent panels being suspended on the horizontal ledgers.

12. The modular refuse disposal chute according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the panels adjacent the baffle panel being supported by the bar have a cut-out of a shape and in a position corresponding to the cross-section shape of the support bar.

13. The modular refuse disposal chute according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the baffle panels have a length such that when extending from a lower edge of a first opening in the chute in a downwardly inclined fashion, a lower end or edge of the baffle panel will be located in a horizontal or downward inclined plane which encompasses an upper edge of a second opening below the first opening.