Automatic anti-tilt device for scaffoldings

• US 4,237,999 A
• Filed: 06/06/1979
• Issued: 12/09/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tractel Ltd. (Tractel International SA)
• Original Assignee: Tractel Ltd. (Tractel International SA)
• Inventors: Batreau, Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Machado, Reinaldo P.
• Application Number:
  US06/046,087
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 182/112, 182/113, 182/144, 182/142, 182/222, 182/143, 182/19, 254/157
• US Class Current: 182/19
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/54 Safety gear
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 5/16 for action on ropes or cables

Abstract

This device is associated with a scaffolding suspended from at least two winches and is adapted to automatically control a safety mechanism when the scaffolding is inclined beyond a predetermined limit angle to the horizontal. The scaffolding is pivoted at each end to a stirrup rigid with the safety device which is suspended to the hoisting cable through a link. A push-member rigid with the scaffolding engages, when the scaffolding is inclined, a connecting rod which actuates a lever for clamping the jaws on a safety cable passing through the safety device.

Claims

1. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches, an automatic intervention device for stopping a tilting movement of said scaffolding which comprises:

a safety device suspended from at least one of said bearer cables,

a safety cable parallel to said bearer cables and passing through said safety device,

a stirrup fixed to said safety device and to which is pivoted said scaffolding in such a manner than said stirrup keeps a vertical position irrespective of the scaffolding inclination,

a control lever pivoted to the safety device and adapted, when actuated, to grip said safety device on said safety cable, and

a connecting member having one end fixed to said control lever and having its opposite end adapted to be actuated by the scaffolding, in case of a tilting of this scaffolding exceeding a predetermined angle, for actuating in turn said control lever and causing the safety device to grip the safety cable.

2. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches, an automatic intervention device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting member consists of a rod rigidly fixed at one end to the control lever of the safety device, disposed vertically with relation to the floor of the scaffolding, passing through a guide member of the safety device and having its opposite end disposed at a predetermined distance from the scaffolding, so that when the scaffolding tilts of a predetermined angle said scaffolding engages said opposite end of the rod and causes this rod to slide vertically through said guide member to actuate the control member of the safety device.

3. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches, an automatic intervention device according to claim 1 wherein said safety device comprises a pair of jaws which are normally maintained in open position and are adapted to clamp said safety cable when the control member of the safety device is actuated.

4. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches, an automatic intervention device according to claim 3 wherein said jaws comprise pivoting control links which are connected to a suspension link of said safety device to maintain the jaws open under the action of the scaffolding weight when this scaffolding is in an horizontal position, while these control links are adapted to be engaged by the control lever of the safety device and pivoted in a direction causing the clamping of the jaws when this control lever is actuated by the connecting member.

5. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches, an automatic intervention device according to claim 3 wherein a trigger retains said jaws in open position while the connecting member is adapted to engage said trigger for releasing and closing the jaws when the scaffolding has tilted of a predetermined angle.

6. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches, an automatic intervention device according to claim 4 wherein said suspension link presents a projection adapted to engage an electric switch controlling the de-energization of the electric motor of the winch associated to the bearer cable when the jaws of the safety device clamp the safety cable.

7. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches in automatic intervention device according to claim 1 wherein said connecting member is adapted to actuate a component member of said safety device for stopping the operation at least of the motor of the winch associated to the bearer cable to which said safety device is coupled.

8. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches, an automatic intervention device according to claim 2 wherein said connecting rod is so disposed as to receive and transmit a thrust from a point rigid with the scaffolding floor which is other than the pivotal point of connection thereof with said stirrup, when said first-named point moves to a point symmetrical thereto, located at a lower lever with respect to the vertical transverse plane passing through the centre of the scaffolding.

9. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches, an automatic intervention device according to claim 8 wherein said connecting rod is urged by spring means for constant engagement with said fixed point rigid with the scaffolding floor.

10. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches, an automatic intervention device according to claim 9 wherein said point rigid with the scaffolding floor and adapted to act as a stop to said connecting rod is a push member held in an intervention position by spring means and retractable in a transverse direction with respect to said connecting rod so that the stirrup to which the safety device is secured can be retracted.

11. In a scaffolding or like structure suspended by means of bearer cables from two or more winches, an automatic intervention device according to claim 1 wherein said connecting member consists of a flexible linkage secured at one end to the scaffolding and at the other end to the control member of the safety device.