WO2008055289A1

WO2008055289A1 - Brace removal apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2008055289A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001627
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Robson; Nicholas J. Gargaro
Original assignee: Cps Investment Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-06
Filing date: 2007-10-25
Publication date: 2008-05-15
Also published as: AU2007317179A1

Abstract

An apparatus for removing a brace used to support a panel in a construction is disclosed. The apparatus has a machine (20) having an arm (24) which supports a gripper (30). The gripper (30) is connected to the arm by a bearing (61) allowing pivotal movement of the gripper. The machine (20) has a forklift mechanism (36) so that braces can be stacked on a stillage (32) and the stillage is lifted by the forklift mechanism (36).

Description

BRACE REMOVAL APPARATUS AND METHOD

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a brace removal apparatus and method for removing braces which support prefabricated panels during construction of a building, barrier, wall or the like .

Background of the Invention Many different types of construction utilise prefabricated panels . These include steel frame buildings to which panels are eventually connected, barriers, walls and the like. Typically when the panel is installed, the panel needs to be supported until the remainder of the construction is built and attached to the panel so that the panel is properly supported in the construction. Braces are used to support such panels and generally comprise a pair of telescoping sections which have a foot connected to one end and a connection element at the other end. The foot is connected to a footing which is generally formed by pouring a concrete block on the ground and embedding a bolt in the block. The foot connects to the bolt in the footing to support the brace and the brace is telescopically extended so the connection element can connect to the panel to thereby support the panel in an upright position.

Typically such props remain in place for between 30 and 45 days but, depending on the application, may remain in place for a shorter period of time or a longer period.

After the construction has been completed or the panel is sufficiently supported that the brace is no longer required, the braces are removed. The conventional way of removing braces is a manual operation and since the braces can weigh between 50 and 120 kg, manual removal represents a significant occupational health and safety risk and removal of a large number of braces takes a considerable period of time .

Typically, in the conventional method, one person will operate a boom lift so that he is elevated to undo the connector element from the panel . The foot is disconnected from the footing and the brace is manhandled by a number of people so that the brace is moved from the wall and loaded into a stillage.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for removing such props which decreases occupational health and safety issues and also is more time effective.

The invention may be said to reside in an apparatus for removing a brace used to support a panel in a construction, the brace having one end connected to a footing and the other end connected to the panel when supporting the panel, the apparatus comprising: a machine having a locomotion system for enabling the machine to traverse the ground; an arm connected to the machine for movement relative to the machine; and a gripper supported on the arm for gripping the brace and moving the brace from a panel supporting position after the brace is disconnected from the panel and footing, to a remote position away from the supporting position.

Thus, according to the invention, a workman need only disconnect the brace from the panel and the footing and then the machine is used to remove the brace from the panel and footing to a remote location . Thus , the need to manhandle the brace from the supporting position down to the ground does not require manpower, thereby reducing occupational health and safety risks, and also speeding up the time taken to remove a brace from the supporting position to the remote position . Thus , more braces can be removed in any given period of time with less risk to workers .

Preferably the gripper comprises a pivotal coupling which enables the gripper to rotate relative to the arm.

Preferably the gripper further comprises a pair of gripper elements movable between a gripping position for gripping the brace so the brace can be moved from the supporting position to the remote position, and a retracted position to release the brace from the gripper.

In one embodiment of the invention the remote position is the location of a stillage into which braces are loaded by the apparatus .

The apparatus further comprises a stillage lifting mechanism for lifting the stillage in which braces are loaded to load the stillage onto a truck for transportation of the stillage and braces .

Preferably the mechanism comprises a forklift mechanism attached to the machine .

In other embodiments the mechanism may comprise a crane which is provided with the machine.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the machine comprises a conventional machine and the locomotion system comprises an engine and a track or wheels for propelling the machine over the ground.

Preferably the arm is provided with the machine. In one embodiment the machine, locomotion system and arm comprise an excavator.

Preferably the pivot coupling and the gripper elements are hydraulically operated to rotate the gripper relative to the arm and move the gripper elements between the gripping position and retracted position.

The invention also provides a method of removing a brace used to support a panel in a construction, the brace having one end connected to a footing and the other end connected to the panel when supporting the panel, comprising: releasing the brace from the panel and the footing; gripping the brace with a gripper attached to a machine having a locomotion system for enabling the machine to traverse the ground and an arm for connecting the gripper to the machine; and operating the arm to move the gripper and the gripped brace from a supporting position to a remote position.

Preferably the gripping of the brace comprises moving the arm to the brace, and rotating the gripper relative to the arm to align the gripper with the brace and then locating the gripper elements of the gripper on the brace.

Preferably locating the gripper elements comprises moving the gripper elements from a retracted position to a gripping position to grip the brace so the brace can be moved from the supporting position to the remote position.

In one embodiment of the invention the step of moving the brace to the remote position comprises placing the brace in a stillage. The method further comprises lifting the stillage in which braces are loaded onto a truck for transportation of the stillage and braces .

In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus may be remote controlled. In this embodiment all of the operational functions of the machine may be remote controlled, including the arm and gripper for removing a brace, as well as other operating devices on the machine for performing other functions, such as digging or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a view of an apparatus embodying the invention ready to grip a brace;

Figure 2 is a view of a brace being moved by the apparatus to a stillage ;

Figure 3 is a view showing movement of a stillage for loading on to a vehicle ;

Figure 4 is a view of a gripper used in the preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a view of the gripper of Figure 4 in a gripping position; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the gripper of Figures 4 and 5 showing how the gripper is moved.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

With reference to Figure 1, an apparatus 10 for removing a brace is shown. As shown in Figure 1, a brace 11 supports a prefabricated panel 12 in a construction which may be a building, wall, barrier or the like. The brace 11 has a foot 13 which is connected to a footing 14 at one end and a connection element 15 at the other end which connects the brace to the panel 12. The brace 11 is formed from at least two telescoping sections 11a and lib so the brace can be adjusted in length to extend between the footing 14 and the component on the panel 12 to which the connecting element 15 attaches . Typically the brace remains in place for 30 to 45 days whilst the construction is completed at least to the extent when the panel 12 is safely supported in the upright position shown in Figure 1. The brace 11 is then removed.

The apparatus 10 comprises a machine 20 which may be any conventional construction or digging machine such as an excavator used to excavate the ground, which has an engine 21 and a ground engaging mechanism 22 for propelling the machine 20 over the ground. The ground engaging mechanism 22 may be a caterpillar track as shown in Figure 1 or wheels .

The machine 20 is provided with an arm 24 to which a component such as a digging bucket or other tool is intended to be connected for usual operation of the machine 20. The arm 24 may be formed in a number of segments 24a and 24b which can move relative to one another via hydraulic rams 25 (only one shown) in the known way. Thus, operation of the machine 20 and the arm 24 will not be described in further detail.

The arm 24 has a coupling 28 (which is schematically shown in Figure 1) to which a tool (not shown) such as a bucket is attached. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the bucket is removed and a gripper 30 is attached to the coupling 28. The gripper 30 carries an attachment mechanism 62 (Figure 4) which is basically the same as that on the bucket or other tool so that the coupling 28 can engage the mechanism on the gripper 30 to connect the gripper 30 to the arm 24.

The machine 20 is then driven to the location of the brace 11 and the arm 24 manoeuvred by the operator of the machine so that the gripper 30 grips the brace 11. The arm 24 is then moved to draw the brace 11 away from the panel 12 and the footing 14 after the brace is released from the footing 14 and the panel 12. Typically the operator will manoeuvre the arm so that the brace is oriented in a safe orientation for travel , such as a vertical orientation, and then is swung to a horizontal orientation, as is shown in Figure 2, so the brace 11 can be loaded into a stillage 32. A number of braces are removed in the same way and loaded into the stillage 32.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the machine 20 also carries a forklift mechanism 36. The forklift mechanism 36 is of conventional design and is operated by the operator of the machine 20 in the conventional way. Typically the forklift mechanism 36 has a pair of tines 37 (only one shown) and a rear support 38 which supports vertical movement of the tines 37 in the conventional way.

As is shown in Figure 3 , when the stillage 32 is loaded with a number of braces, the stillage 32 is gripped by the tines 32 and lifted so that the stillage 32 can be loaded onto a vehicle 40 so that the braces 11 can be transported to another location for use or storage.

In other embodiments of the invention the machine 20 may be provided with its own crane in which case the crane on the machine 20 is used to lift the stillage 32 from the ground onto the vehicle 40.

Figure 4 is a view of the gripper 30 of the preferred embodiment. As is shown in Figure 4 the gripper comprises a top frame component 50 having an upper member 52 and a lower member 54. The lower member 54 supports a pair of gripper elements 56 which are mounted on a hydraulic ram mechanism (not shown) so the gripper elements 56 can be hydraulically driven between a retracted position (shown in Figure 4) in the direction of double-headed arrow A in Figure 4 to a gripping position (shown in Figure 5) .

Hydraulic fluid for moving the gripper elements 56 is supplied via hydraulic line 59 which is schematically shown in Figure 4 and which is driven from the hydraulic operating system of the machine 20 under operation of controls manipulated by the operator of the machine 20.

The top frame 52 supports a pivotal coupling formed by a bearing 61 and the bearing 61 carries the attachment component schematically shown at 62 for connecting the gripper 30 to the coupling 28 on the arm 24. The bearing 61 is therefore fixed to the arm 24 but enables rotation of the frame 50 and the gripper elements 56 about axis x shown in Figure 4. Again, hydraulic fluid is supplied via hydraulic fluid line 65 to rotate the frame 50 in the bearing 62.

When the brace 11 is to be gripped by the gripper 30, the operator of the machine 20 will generally align the gripper with the brace 11 by manipulation of the arm 24. The gripper 30 can then be rotated relative to the arm 24 by supply of hydraulic fluid through line 65 to rotate the frame 50 in the bearing 61 to completely align the gripper 30 with the brace 11 so the brace 11 can locate between the gripper elements 56. Hydraulic fluid is then supplied via line 59 to close the gripper elements 56 to grip the brace 11, as is shown in Figure 5. The arm 24 is then manipulated to remove the brace from the panel 12 to a remote location such as the location of the stillage 32 so the brace 11 can be deposited in the stillage 32 as previously described.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the gripper 30 showing the way the gripper elements 56 can move (double-headed arrow A) and also how the gripper element 30 can rotate (arrows B) in bearing 61.

Thus, the rotatable coupling of the gripper 30 to the arm 24 enables the gripper to be moved into a position to properly grip the brace when the brace is to be removed from the panel 12 and when the brace 11 is to be deposited in the stillage 32. When the brace 11 is located in the stillage 32, the gripper elements 56 open to release the brace 11 so that the machine can then go and collect another brace and load that brace into the stillage 32.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the machine 20 may be made remote controlled so the machine can be controlled from a remote location rather than by an operator sitting in the machine. Thus, the apparatus may have a remote control unit for receiving signals from a remote control device to operate the boom and the gripper, as well as the drive system for moving the machine. The advantage of providing remote control is that the operator has a clear field of view and can easily determine if anyone is within the working range of the machine. It may also make it easier for the operator to line up the gripping device with the prop in difficult to reach situations and then load the prop into the stillage.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described by way of example hereinabove .

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing a brace used to support a panel in a construction, the brace having one end connected to a footing and the other end connected to the panel when supporting the panel, the apparatus comprising: a machine having a locomotion system for enabling the machine to traverse the ground; an arm connected to the machine for movement relative to the machine; and a gripper supported on the arm for gripping the brace and moving the brace from a panel supporting position after the brace is disconnected from the panel and footing, to a remote position away from the supporting position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gripper comprises a pivotal coupling which enables the gripper to rotate relative to the arm.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the gripper further comprises a pair of gripper elements movable between a gripping position for gripping the brace so the brace can be moved from the supporting position to the remote position, and a retracted position to release the brace from the gripper.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one embodiment of the invention the remote position is the location of a stillage into which braces are loaded by the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a stillage lifting mechanism for lifting the stillage in which braces are loaded to load the stillage onto a truck for transportation of the stillage and braces .

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the mechanism comprises a forklift mechanism attached to the machine.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the mechanism may comprise a crane which is provided with the machine.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the machine comprises a conventional machine and the locomotion system comprises an engine and a track or wheels for propelling the machine over the ground.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the arm is provided with the machine .

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the machine, locomotion system and arm comprise an excavator.

11. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pivot coupling and the gripper elements are hydraulically operated to rotate the gripper relative to the arm and move the gripper elements between the gripping position and retracted position.

12. A method of removing a brace used to support a panel in a construction, the brace having one end connected to a footing and the other end connected to the panel when supporting the panel, comprising: releasing the brace from the panel and the footing; gripping the brace with a gripper attached to a machine having a locomotion system for enabling the machine to traverse the ground and an arm for connecting the gripper to the machine; and operating the arm to move the gripper and the gripped brace from a supporting position to a remote position.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the gripping of the brace comprises moving the arm to the brace, and rotating the gripper relative to the arm to align the gripper with the brace and then locating the gripper elements of the gripper on the brace .

14. The method of claim 12 wherein locating the gripper elements comprises moving the gripper elements from a retracted position to a gripping position to grip the brace so the brace can be moved from the supporting position to the remote position .

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of moving the brace to the remote position comprises placing the brace in a stillage.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the stillage in which braces are loaded onto a truck for transportation of the stillage and braces .

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is be remote controlled.