Scaffolding for bridges and other structures

• US 6,264,002 B1
• Filed: 08/24/2000
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HSBC Bank USA (HSBC Holdings plc)
• Original Assignee: Paul Kristen Incorporated
• Inventors: Apostolopoulos, Lambros
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN SHUE, ALVIN C
• Application Number:
  US09/645,242
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: 182/150, 182/138, 182/36, 182/222, 182/223
• US Class Current: 182/150
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 19/106 Movable inspection or maintenance platforms, e.g. travelling scaffolding or vehicles specially designed to provide access to the undersides of bridges lifting devices for movable platforms on vehicles in general B66F11/04

Abstract

A work platform for use on bridges or other structures wherein a plurality of cables extend in spaced relation along a section of the structure and are supported by the structure and wherein a floor comprising a plurality of corrugated flooring panels or sections is supported on the cables and removably secured to the cables. The positions of the cables are adjustable in vertical and horizontal directions. A connector assembly releasably connects each of the platform flooring sections to a respective supporting cable on which it rests. Each connector assembly comprises a first part which rests on a bottom wall of the panel and has a portion which extends through an opening in the bottom wall and back through the opening and is connected to a second part to form an eyelet through which the cable passes. In aspects of the present invention, the first and second parts are connected by a lever or a wedge. The corrugated decking panels have hinged plates for covering the corrugations to provide a substantially flat surface over the panels while allowing nestability for storage and transport. In one aspect of the invention, a pair of floors are connected by a gutter and are inclined therefrom, and the cable positions are adjustable to vary the angle of inclination as well as to vary the height and spacing of the cables. The inclined floors are vibrated to effect removal of debris to the gutter where it may be more easily removed.

Claims

1. In combination with a bridge having piers, a work platform extending along a portion of said bridge for supporting persons performing work on said bridge portion and for collecting debris resulting from the work, said platform comprising:

a) a plurality of cables extending along said bridge and in spaced relation to each other and in a plane;

b) means at each end of said cables for securing said cables to said bridge so that the plane of the cables is at a desired height;

c) a plurality of flooring sections each extending transversely of said cables and resting on said cables, said flooring sections being arranged in side-by-side relation longitudinally of said cables;

d) means for securing said flooring sections to said cables; and

e) said means for securing said cables including means for adjusting positions of said cables, wherein said means for securing said cable comprises a plurality of assemblies for clamping to said piers respectively, each said clamp assembly including a pair of first and second brackets each having a vertical leg and an horizontal leg, means for joining said horizontal legs together adjustably so to space said vertical legs to accommodate different piers widths with joined horizontal legs overlying said respective pier, means for securing the joined pairs of brackets to said piers respectively, a beam attached to said vertical legs of said brackets, and means for attaching ends of said cables to said beams.

2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said cable position adjusting means comprises said means for attaching ends of said cables for adjusting spacings between said cables.

3. A combination according to claim 2 wherein said means for attaching ends of said cables includes, a plurality of cable connector assemblies on said beam, each assembly comprising a pair of plates on opposite surfaces of said beam and held on said beam by releasable fastening means, and means on one of said plates for connection to said cables, said releasable fastening means enabling adjustment of the location of said assembly along said beam for adjusting position of said respective cable.

4. A platform comprising:

a) a plurality of cables extending in spaced relation to each other and in a plane;

b) at least one flooring section resting on said cables; and

c) means for releasably securing said flooring section to said cables, said releasably securing means comprising at least one connector assembly including a first part which engages an upper surface of said flooring section, a second part having a portion located above the upper surface of said flooring section and a portion extending through said flooring section for engaging said cable, and manually operated lever means operatively associated with said first and second parts and having a first position causing the flooring section and the cable to be held together and a second position releasing the flooring section and the cable from being held together.