SAFETY MODULAR APPARATUS FOR SCAFFOLDING SYSTEMS

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention refers to a modular system for conveying and

supplying liquids, gas and electric power, which can be associated to scaffolding systems, for instance in builder's yard, naval dockyards or for different scaffolding systems.

Description of the Prior Art

[0002] In the construction sector is strongly felt the matter of builder's safety as the statistics report very high accidents and mortality rate.

[0003] In this sector for making or maintenance of buildings are usually used

scaffolds which form temporary pathways at various levels. Scaffolding systems for the construction sector are structures composed of highly standardized components. Typically, a scaffold comprises a plurality of frames each composed of two upright members interconnected, at the top, by a horizontally extending member with two diagonal ribs extending from an uprights to the horizontally extending member. The personnel works standing and moving along said scaffold and they need power supply means for several electric tools, compressed air and other gas, water, or other liquids. Conventionally, electric power is supplied by wires spread out between a power source (usually a socket in a grid tie main panel, or a generator) and the place of utilization. The presence of loose wires along the path causes risks for the safety of the workers on the scaffold system. Also compressed air is supplied to the work pace by hoses connected to a compressor and also this spread out loose hoses cause a risk for the workers. Finally, water is brought to the work place with buckets or other containers which are bulky and heavy to be carried.

[0004] Also in different sector, such as the construction of boats or other

sectors, scaffold systems are used in which are spread out loose wires and hoses which create a risk for the workers.

Disclosure of Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to propose a system for carrying and supplying liquids, gas and electric power, which can be associated to a scaffold system, which is able to increase safety of workers in scaffold systems.

[0006] It is further object of the present invention to propose a system for carrying and supplying liquids, gas and electric power which allows the distribution of the above services in an efficient and widespread way along a scaffold system, for instance in builder's yard, naval dockyards, or other places where a scaffold system is used.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention the above objects are

attained through a system for carrying and supplying liquids, gas and electric power, which can be associated to scaffold systems, comprising one or more modular members each providing:

^• at least a tubular case providing binding means for connecting to a scaffold system in a detachable way;

• pipes, for transporting liquids, externally bound to said case for

carrying liquids from one end to an opposite end of said case;

^• electric power transmission means housed inside said case for

transmitting electric power from one end to an opposite end of said case;

• hoses, for transporting gas, housed inside said case for carrying gas from one end to an opposite end of said case,

^• the case, the pipes, the hoses and the electric power transmission means providing connection means at the ends thereof for connecting an end of a modular member to an end of a further modular member.

[0008] Advantageously the pipes include at least a tap for distributing said liquids, the hoses include at least a gas outlet and said electric power

transmission means include at least a socket for connecting external appliances.

[0009] A modular system as outlined in the above can carry in a single modular case, which can be bound to a scaffold system, all the utility systems that can be used in a scaffold system allowing their proper and safe use at every level of the scaffold system.

[0010] Advantageously the case include housings for electric and/or electronic components fed with electric power transmitted by the electric power transmission means and, in particular, it includes a main panel for managing the supply of power to the electric appliances.

[0011] The case is provided with at least an aperture in a side wall and the

aperture is provided with closing means. The aperture is useful to easily make connections of wires and hoses inside the case when two modular members are assembled together. The presence of closing means allow accessing the interior of the case to authorized personnel only so avoiding problems such as thefts of the internal components or unauthorized use of the various utilities carried by the modular member.

[0012] Advantageously, the hoses and the pipes are provided with rapid

fastening means at their ends for making easier and faster assembling together two modular members.

[0013] On their hand, the electric power transmission means include at least at one end, a flexible portion.

[0014] Advantageously, the modular system of the invention includes: at least a modular member in which the tubular case is substantially straight and is as long as a frame of a scaffold system; at least a tubular member in which the tubular case is substantially straight and is as long as half the length of a frame of a scaffold system; at least a curve member in which the lower end of the case is oriented at about 90° with the upper end; at least a top member comprising means for connecting it at the top of another tubular member and configured so that it closes the modular system at the top with sloping walls; at least a base member including means for connecting it to a lower end of another modular member, the base member providing adjustable feet.

[0015] A limited amount of modular members different in shape and features provide a very versatile modular system which can be suitable for different needs within a building's sites, naval dockyards or other places and it can be easily associated to scaffold systems.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] These and more advantages of the invention will be clearer in preferred embodiments of the invention, not limiting, as described in the followings with the help of the appended drawings, in which: • figure 1 shows a modular system for carrying and supplying liquids, gas and electric power, which can be associated to scaffold systems, according to the present invention: fig. 1a is a side view, fig. 1b is affront view;

• figure 2 shows a member of the modular system of fig. 1 : fig. 2a is a side view, fig. 2b is a front view;

• figure 3 shows section views of the member of fig. 2: fig. 3a is a

section view taken along line A-A of fig. 2a, fig. 3b is a section view taken along line B-B of fig. 2b;

• figure 4 shows the case of the member of fig. 2 in a section view taken along line C-C of fig. 2b;

• figure 5 shows another member of a modular system according to the invention: fig. 5a is a side view, fig. 5b is a front view;

• figures 6 to 9 show a side view of further members of the modular system according to the invention;

• figure 10 shows a perspective view of a modular system according to the invention associated to a scaffold system.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0017] In fig. 1 is shown a modular system for carrying and supplying liquids, gas and electric power according to the present invention including three main modular members, 1a, 1b, 1c, a base member, 2, and a top member, 3.

[0018] With reference to figures 2 to 4 a main member 1 is composed of a tubular case, 11 , having a square section made with thin walls strengthened by annular members, 12, 13, forming a cage around the case for granting the proper strength. The above annular members, 12, 13, are further provided with binding means, 14, 15, arranged for firmly detachably bound the main member 1 to uprights of a scaffold system. The modular member 1 is substantially as long as frame of a scaffold system. Thanks to the highly standardized components of such structures it is very advantageous to design modular members with sizes matching the sized of the components of a standard scaffold system. At the bottom end of the case there is a connection portion, 16, which forms a swelling portion for housing an upper end portion of a similar modular member. Connection means'! 7, 18, are provided at the lower end and upper end respectively in order to firmly assemble two subsequent modular members.

[0019] On the external side of a wall of the case 11 is arranged a pipe, 20, for conveying liquids which longitudinally run from the lower end to the upper end of the case 11 , and it is provided at its lower and upper ends with rapid fastening means 21 and respectively 22 for connecting the pipes 20 of two subsequent members. At an intermediate section of the pipe 20 there is a fitting, 23, for connecting a tap 24.

[0020] Inside the case 11 is arranged a hose, 30, for carrying gas which

longitudinally run from the lower end to the upper end of the case 11 , and it is provided at its ends with male, 31 , respectively female, 32, fast part joint. A distribution joint, 34, is housed in the wall of the case at the lower end connected to the hose 30 by a three ways fitting, 33, for allowing the gas to be supplied outside the modular member 1.

[0021] Inside the case 11 are also arranged electric power transmission means, 40, which longitudinally run from the lower end to the upper end of the case 11. In the present embodiment the transmission means 40 includes two electric connectors with multiple outlet, 41 , 42 and a flexible upper end portion, 43, which is not bound to the case and providing a plug, 44.

Thanks to the above flexible portion 43 when a further modular member is assembled on the modular member it is very fast and easy to manually drive the flexible portion 43 for connecting the plug 44 into the socket of the connector 42 of the further modular member. In a wall of the case 11 there is an aperture to which corresponds, inside the case, a frame, 9, supporting an electric panel, 45, powered by the transmission means 40 through a socket of the connector 42. The electric panel 45 has switches and/or breakers, 46, and sockets, 47. A further aperture in the same wall of the case 11 houses a control panel, 48, for commanding an electric appliance such as an elevator or other equipment which can be associated to the scaffold system. The control panel 48 is powered by the

transmission means 40 through a socket of the connector 41. Further electric appliances, not shown, could be obviously housed in the case 11 , and powered by the transmission means 40, such as sound alarms, lights, or other light emitting means, various sensors of an alarm installation, control panels of further electric or electronic devices associated to the scaffold system or the like.

[0022] In the wall where is bound the pipe 20 there is also a big sized aperture closed by a rolling shutter, 51 , with a handle, 52, with the rolling mechanism, 53, thereof housed inside the case 11. The rolling shutter, which can be locked with a key lock, 54, can be lifted for accessing the internal room of the case in order to make the connections of the transmission means and the hoses when the modular member is assembled onto another modular member. The key lock 54 allows the access only to authorized personnel preventing the internal components (mainly electric and electronic) from being stolen and unauthorized use of the services supplied. In fact, inside the case could be housed general switches and/or valves for disabling the electric power, liquid and gas supply.

[0023] Further modular members of a modular system for carrying and supplying liquids, gas and electric power according to the invention are shown in figures 5 to 9.

[0024] A top member, 3, is shown in fig. 5, comprising a connection portion, 16 provided with fastening means, 18, a top portion, 56, formed by sloping walls. The top member 3 is suitable in particular for being arranged at the top of a modular system of the invention as it protects the internal room of the case against rain or dust. In addiction, the sloping walls do not let workers put objects or tools onto the top, which could fall down and cause a risk for the safety of other workers.

[0025] A base member, 2, is shown in fig. 6, including a top end portion providing connection means, 7, for connecting the base member 2 to a modular member. The base member 2 has adjustable feet, 57, for levelling the modular system to the ground.

[0026] A curve member, 4, is shown in fig. 7 having a curve of about 90° at an intermediate section so that the lower end is inclined of about 90° with regard to the upper end. the curve member 4 allows the modular system to perform, in turns, vertical and horizontal paths for conveying electric power, gas and liquids where they are most needed in the scaffold system. In particular, when maintenance or other works have to be carried out to buildings placed in a city center, to allow pedestrians to walk on the undergoing platforms, the scaffold system have to be raised starting from a level above the platform level. In this cases, in order to prevent the modular system of the invention from obstructing the platform level, a curve member 4 could be advantageously provided for conveying the various services (electric power, liquids, gas) from the wall of the building to an outer portion of the scaffold system. A curve member of teh present invention could also be designed with a case and pipes having flexible portions so that the angle between the lower end and the upper end can be modified according to the specific needs.

[0027] A pass-through member, 5, is shown in fig. 8, having the same shape, size, and connection means 17, 18, of a main member 1 but it does not provide supplying means. The pass-through member 5 is suitable for conveying the various services through sections of the scaffold system in which the services are not supposed to be used. Obviously, the pass- through member 5 has lower production costs than a main member 1 providing supplying means and specific appliances and it can be therefore advantageously used where in the neighbouring area there is a main member already installed.

[0028] A further pass-through member, 6, is shown in fig. 9 being long just half the pass-through member 5. The modular member 6 can be useful for passing through short sections of the scaffold system or the yard, such as an horizontal gap between two scaffold portions.

[0029] Obviously, further types of modular members could be provided such as coupling members having three or four ends, for assembling modular system with multiple branches, curve members with angles different from 90°, etc.

[0030] As it can be seen in fig. 10, the use of a modular system according to the invention, associated to a scaffold system, P, thanks to the binding means 14 of each modular member 1a, 1 b, 1c, brings several advantages for the overall safety of a yard or other place where the modular system is employed. In fact, the modular systems gathers all wires, pipes and hoses that could hold up the movements of the workers in the yard or the scaffold system. The wires, pipes and hoses are protected from walking or driving on them by which they could be damaged. The pipes are bound outside the case 11 , while the other services are housed inside the case. In this way the electric power transmission means are protected against both atmospheric agents and leakages from the pipes. The modular members are designed for conveying the services to each level of the scaffold system. In particular, the presence of taps at each level prevents from lifting bulky containers with liquids from one level to another. Each modular member is able to house any kind of electric appliances so that many different functions can be embedded in a single modular system while in conventional scaffold system plurality of installations have to be provided. For instance, alarm systems, loudspeakers, lighting systems, control panels of electric and electronic appliances can be provided in addiction to simply supplying electric power.

[0031] A modular system according to the invention could be also useful in a

yard, or other work place, without being associated to a scaffold system. For instance, a modular system composed of a main member 1 , with a base member 2 bound to the ground and a top member 3 could be used in a yard as a stand-alone station distributing electric power, liquids and gas, and that may also contain further electric appliances.

[0032] The modular system for carrying and supplying liquids, gas and electric power above described could also be implemented with further changes or modifications, still keeping safe the above outlined advantages, and remaining within the ambit of protection defined by the following claims.