"Climbing equipment and climbing method for the construction of building"

[0001]. Field of the invention

[0002]. The present invention relates to climbing equipment and to a climbing method for the construction of buildings, even for buildings of particular height extension, such as skyscrapers or high-rise blocks.

[0003]. In particular, the present invention relates to self-climbing equipment for the construction of a building and to a climbing method.

[0004]. More in particular, the present invention relates to climbing equipment for the construction of buildings preferably having a steel supporting structure.

[0005]. Background art

[0006]. Equipment for the construction of buildings, even of considerable height, e.g. skyscrapers or high-rise blocks, are known, comprising at least one scaffold which by resting on the ground or on the building base extends over the entire height of the building under construction. Scaffold solutions anchored to portions of the building under construction are also known. Solutions of this type are invasive and require long times to construct a height increase of the scaffold as the building under construction increases in height.

[0007]. For example, document JP-H-0776934-A shows a steel skeleton adapted to hang from the structure of a skyscraper under construction, comprising a winch, adapted to cooperate with a crane for lifting building materials and deliver them to the level of the floor to be built. This solution requires to hang said steel skeleton at a much higher level than the level of the floor to be built.

[0008]. Equipment is also known for the construction of buildings, comprising a scaffold and a scaffold ascent system, adapted to climb up the building under construction. For example, Korean patent No. KR-100862275-B1 shows a scaffold for the construction of skyscrapers comprising a scaffold ascent system with respect to the building under construction comprising a screw actuator.

[0009]. Although this solution is partially advantageous, it however requires to embed anchoring pins within the material of the wall of the building under construction, e.g. made of concrete, and thus requires to wait for the construction material to solidify for the scaffold to ascend safely, thus imposing long waits before safely ascending the scaffold.

[0010]. For example, European patent No. EP-2365159-B1 shows ascending equipment for the construction of buildings comprising a scaffold adapted to climb up the building under construction. Said scaffold comprises at least one pair of anchors which are screwed to at least two floors of the building arranged at different heights, so as to allow the sliding of the scaffold with respect to guide rings connected to said anchors. A jack moves the scaffold upwards. A platform projects like a cantilever from said movable scaffold outwards, i.e. in an opposite direction with respect to the extension of said at least one pair of anchors. However, the solution described above requires to spend time to screw the anchors to the upper floors of the building under construction. Furthermore, including a platform which projects like a cantilever from the movable scaffold towards the opposite side with respect to the side of said anchors to the building under construction offers neither satisfactory safety for operators nor sufficient protection from the danger of falling objects or construction materials.

[0011]. For example, document US-2015-101887-A1 shows a lifting device of a movable scaffold which comprises a jack which is anchored to the building under construction and pushes the scaffold upwards. A solution of this type requires to anchor and free the jack to and from the building under construction to allow the scaffold to ascend as new floors of the building under construction are constructed. Further examples of equipment for the construction of buildings are known from documents KR-2013-0077176-A and JP-2002-194893-A.

[0012]. For example, document NL-8004572-A shows a telescopically extensible scaffolding system for curved walled towers made of reinforced concrete, in which brackets are embedded in the concrete of the tower to serve as support for said scaffolding system. This solution requires a laborious preparation and a slow telescopic extension process of the scaffolding system which must be fixed by means of pins to the brackets embedded in the concrete of the tower.

[0013]. For example, document JP-H07-89491-A shows a scaffolding system which entirely surrounds a previously built floor of a building and comprises a telescopic moving system.

[0014]. The aforesaid solutions do not provide adequate protection for operators and at the same time fail in preventing the falling of equipment and debris from the scaffolding in a satisfactory manner. At the same time, the mentioned solutions require long moving times of the scaffolding in vertical or subvertical direction and thus impose long waits before making even only part of the building usable.

[0015]. The need is thus felt to provide climbing equipment and a climbing method for the construction of buildings, even for buildings of particular height extension, such as skyscrapers or high-rise blocks, capable of avoiding the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0016]. Solution

[0017]. It is the object of the present invention to provide a solution to the need to provide climbing equipment and a climbing method, for the construction of buildings, even of buildings of particular height extension, such as skyscrapers and high-rise blocks, for example, which is noninvasive, safe and adapted to allow the construction of the building in a rapid manner.

[0018]. It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the need to provide climbing equipment and a climbing method for the construction of buildings having a structure consisting of steel uprights adapted to allow the use of at least part of the building under construction rapidly, or more rapidly than known solutions.

[0019]. It is a further object of the present invention to devise a solution to the need to provide a climbing system for the construction of buildings adapted to rapidly ascend the building in an agile and concurrently safe manner.

[0020]. This and other objects are achieved by a system according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 12.

[0021 ]. Some advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0022]. According to an aspect of the invention, climbing equipment for the construction of a building, or of a building under construction, comprising a plurality of building floors, comprises at least one scaffold, adapted to surround at least partially the perimeter of at least one building floor, wherein said scaffold comprises at least one work platform, adapted to form a walkable surface and adapted to project like a cantilever from said scaffold towards said building under construction, wherein at least some of said at least one work platforms being adapted to close the open space between said scaffold and said building under construction.

[0023]. According to an aspect of the invention, climbing equipment further comprises a traction device comprising at least a first portion, or first portion, integral with said scaffold, and at least a second portion, or second portion, connected to said first portion, wherein said at least a first portion comprises at least a first coupling element and said at least a second portion comprises at least a second coupling element, and wherein said first coupling element is adapted to grip a first coupling portion of said building under construction and wherein said second coupling element is adapted to grip a second coupling portion of said building under construction, and wherein said first coupling portion is arranged at a different level than said second coupling portion, and wherein said climbing equipment further comprises a moving system, adapted to perform a relative movement between said first portion and said second portion of said traction device, and wherein when at least a first coupling element is released from the respective coupling portion of said building under construction, said moving system is adapted to perform a relative movement between said first portion and said second portion of said traction device, so as to move said scaffold by a predetermined movement defining a direction of relative movement.

[0024]. According to an aspect of the invention, the extension of said scaffold parallel to the direction of relative movement X between said first portion and said second portion of the traction device is greater than said first portion by a predetermined amount.

[0025]. According to an aspect of the invention, said predetermined amount is greater than the height of a building floor.

[0026]. According to an aspect of the invention, climbing equipment for the construction of buildings comprising a scaffold which at least partially, or even entirely, surrounds the side perimeter of a building under construction, avoiding to have a supporting structure which is arranged by the side of the building also extending beyond the floor temporarily under construction so as to ensure the safety of workers even during the construction of new floors. Advantageously, such climbing equipment and such a climbing method for the construction of buildings is adapted to provide the building to be constructed rapidly and discreetly, and this allows to use the floors already built of the building under construction.

[0027]. Figures

[0028]. Further features and advantages of the equipment and method according to the invention will be apparent from the description provided below of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029]. - figure 1 is a schematic axonometric view which shows climbing equipment for the construction of buildings according to an embodiment;

[0030]. - figures 2, 3 and 4 are schematic section views which illustrate parts of equipment according to some embodiments of the invention, as possible steps of a method according to possible modes of operation;

[0031 ]. - figures 5, 6 and 7 are axonometric or perspective views which illustrate details of equipment according to an embodiment, as well as a step of a method according to a possible mode of operation;

[0032]. - figures 8, 9 and 10 are axonometric views which illustrate details of an upper, intermediate and lower portion of equipment according to an embodiment, respectively;

[0033]. - figures 1 1 , 12 and 13 are axonometric or perspective views which illustrate details of equipment according to an embodiment, as well as a step of a method according to a possible mode of operation;

[0034]. - figures 14, 15 and 16 are axonometric or perspective views which illustrate details of equipment according to an embodiment, as well as a step of a method according to a possible mode of operation;

[0035]. - figures from 17 to 21 are axonometric or perspective views which illustrate details of equipment according to an embodiment, as well as some steps of a method according to a possible mode of operation;

[0036]. - figures from 22 to 25 are axonometric views which illustrate some embodiments of a coupling element;

[0037]. - figure 26 is a perspective diagram showing details of equipment, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0038]. - figure 27 is an axonometric view which shows climbing equipment for the construction of buildings according to an embodiment;

[0039]. - figure 28 is an axonometric view which shows climbing equipment for the construction of buildings according to an embodiment and a portion of building under construction;

[0040]. - figure 29 is an axonometric view which shows climbing equipment for the construction of buildings according to an embodiment;

[0041 ]. - figure 30 is a cross section of a building under construction having floors of different surface area, in which the profile of a floor lower than one shown in cross section is illustrated with a dashed line and in which climbing equipment for the construction of buildings is shown, according to an embodiment;

[0042]. - figure 31 is a schematic section which shows a vertical elevation view of a portion of climbing equipment for the construction of buildings comprising a scaffold portion according to an embodiment coupled to a temporary top portion of a building under construction;

[0043]. - figure 32 is an axonometric view of a diagrammatic section of a portion of a traction device, according to an embodiment coupled to a temporary top portion of a building under construction;

[0044]. - figure 33 is a vertical elevation view of the diagrammatic section in figure 32;

[0045]. - figure 34 is an axonometric view of a scaffold portion comprising an anchoring module and a working module, according to an embodiment;

[0046]. - figures 35 and 36 are axonometric views of a working module of a scaffold comprising a overturnable work platform in a retracted position and in an extended position, respectively;

[0047]. - figures 37 a-h are schematic views which illustrate some steps of a climbing method according to a possible mode of operation.

[0048]. Description of some preferred embodiments

[0049]. According to a general embodiment, climbing equipment 1 for the construction of a building 2, or building under construction 2, comprises at least one scaffold 7, or scaffolding 7. For example, said climbing equipment 1 is self-climbing equipment for the construction of a building 2.

[0050]. According to an embodiment, said building under construction 2 is a building having a particular height extension, such as a skyscraper or a high-rise block, for example. Preferably, said building under construction 2 comprises a metal frame structure, e.g. made of steel, iron or the like.

More preferably, said frame structure of said building under construction 2 comprises a plurality of metal uprights, e.g. made of steel, iron or the like.

[0051 ]. Said building 2, or building under construction 2, comprises a plurality of floors 3. According to an embodiment, "height of a floor 90" means the measurement of the substantially vertical distance between the flooring of a floor and the ceiling of the consecutive, upper floor of said building. For example, the height of a building floor 90 may be comprised between about 2 meters and about 4 meters, and preferably comprised between about 2.5 meters and 3.5 meters. Therefore, the height of two building floors is substantially equal to double the height of one floor 90 of said building 2.

[0052]. Said climbing equipment 1 comprises at least one scaffold, or scaffolding 7, adapted to surround at least partially the perimeter of at least one building floor 3. Preferably, said scaffold 7 surrounds at least partially the perimeter of a plurality of building floors 3.

[0053]. Said scaffold 7 comprises at least one work platform 8, adapted to form a walkable surface and adapted to project like a cantilever from said scaffold 7 towards said building under construction 2, in which at least some of said at least one work platform 8 being adapted to close the open space between said scaffold 7 and said building under construction 2. Preferably, said work platform is overturnable. In other words, said work platform 8 is overturnable and can pass from at least one extended position, in which it forms a walkable surface which projects like a cantilever from said scaffold 7 towards said building under construction 2, to at least one retracted position, in which it is substantially contained within the clearance of said scaffold 7.

[0054]. Including said at least one work platform 8 confers a high degree of safety for operators and a high degree of protection against the accidental falling of objects, debris or other building materials. Furthermore, including such an extensible work platform 8, when in folded position, prevents interfering with the ascending movement of the climbing equipment 1 .

[0055]. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 comprises at least one scaffolding which defines a walkable surface within the clearance of said scaffolding 7. According to an embodiment, said work platform 8, when it is in extended position, creates a continuous walkable surface with said scaffolding. The term "continuous walkable surface" does not mean that there is a seamless surface between scaffolding and work platform 8, but that said scaffolding and said work platform 8 form a walkable portion so that an operator can easily and safely move from the work platform 8 to the scaffolding, and vice versa. Preferably, in said building under construction 2, a theoretical peripheral facade surface is defined, comprising one or more theoretical facade surfaces oriented substantially in either vertical or subvertical direction and coinciding with the extension of the previously constructed facades of the building under construction.

[0056]. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 comprises at least one protective barrier 36 which extends along the outer edge of said scaffold 7. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 comprises a protective cage which extends along the outer edge of said scaffold 7. Thereby, increased safety and ease of operation is provided for workers 200 and other operators, as well as an increased degree of protection against the accidental falling of objects, debris and other construction materials. Including said protection cage and said work platform 8 allows to provide a scaffold which protects said building under construction 2 like a cocoon.

[0057]. Said climbing equipment 1 further comprises a traction device 10 comprising at least a first portion 1 1 , or first ascending portion 1 1 , integral with said scaffold 7, and at least a second portion 12, or second ascending portion 12, connected to said first portion 1 1 . According to an embodiment, said at least a second portion 12 is slidingly connected to said first portion 1 1 . According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 is associated with said first portion 1 1 and said first portion 1 1 is fitted in a sliding manner on said second portion 12 of said traction device 10. According to an embodiment, said first portion 1 1 associated with said scaffold 7 embraces said second portion 12 of said traction device 10. According to an embodiment, said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 comprises mutually shaped sliding guides with respect to sliding runners provided on said second portion 12 of the traction device 10. Alternatively, said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 comprises mutually shaped sliding guides with respect to sliding runners provided on said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10.

[0058]. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 is associated with said first portion 1 1 so as to project like a cantilever forming at least one attachment portion to said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10 and at least one suspended cantilevered portion. Said suspended cantilevered portion of said scaffold 7 extends from said first portion 1 1 in opposite direction with respect to said building under construction 2.

[0059]. According to a preferred embodiment, the extension of said scaffold 7 parallel to the direction of relative movement X between said first portion 1 1 and said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 is greater than said first portion 1 1 by a predetermined amount 14. Thereby, said scaffold 7 comprises an excess portion 17, which extends surrounding at least one portion of said theoretical peripheral facade surface. Preferably, said predetermined amount 14 is substantially equal to the height of a building floor 90. Preferably, said predetermined amount 14 is greater than the height of a building floor 90. Preferably, said predetermined amount is substantially equal to the height of two building floors. In other words, said predetermined amount is substantially equal to twice the height of a building floor 90. Thereby, the number of vertical movements of the equipment 1 can be reduced, and substantially halved, with respect to envisaging said predetermined amount substantially equal to a height of a floor 90 of said building 2.

[0060]. The provision of such a scaffold 7 having a greater extension than said first portion 1 1 by a predetermined amount 14 allows the workers to work on the construction of the floors 101 , 102 of said building under construction 2 which are higher than the highest of the previously built floors of the building under construction 2. Furthermore, by including said extensible work platforms 8, it is possible to close the open space between said scaffold 7 and the theoretical peripheral surface of said building under construction 2.

[0061 ]. According to an embodiment, the height extension of said scaffold 7 is greater than said second portion 12 of the traction device 10. Preferably, said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 extends higher up than said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 both during the building ascending climbing movement and when the traction device 10 is stopped.

[0062]. According to an embodiment, said at least a second portion 12 is freely movable with respect to said first portion 1 1 while being constrained to it at least in one portion thereof. According to an embodiment, said traction device 10 comprises at least one low-friction material layer 13 interposed between said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 and said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 to promote the sliding between said first portion 1 1 and said second portion 12 of the traction device 10. Preferably, said low-friction material layer is made of Polizene.

[0063]. Said at least a first portion 1 1 comprises at least a first coupling element 21 . Said at least a second portion 12 comprises at least a second coupling element 22. Said first coupling element 21 is adapted to grip a first coupling portion 31 of said building under construction 2. Said second coupling element 22 is adapted to grip a second coupling portion 32 of said building under construction 2.

[0064]. Preferably, said frame structure of said building under construction 2 comprises both said at least a first coupling portion 31 and said at least a second coupling portion 32. Preferably, said uprights of the frame structure comprise both said first coupling portion 31 and said second coupling portion 32. More preferably, said uprights of the frame structure comprise a plurality of first coupling portions 31 and a plurality of second coupling portions 32. Preferably, the section of each of said uprights decreases upwards.

[0065]. Preferably, more than one of either said first coupling portion 31 and more than one of said at least a second coupling portion 32 are provided for each floor of building under construction. The pitch of the climbing equipment 1 is so determined. For example, the traction device 10 performs two extension cycles to ascend each floor, during the climbing movement.

[0066]. According to an embodiment, said climbing equipment 1 comprises further coupling elements 20, adapted to grip further coupling portions 30 of said building under construction 2.

[0067]. According to an embodiment, in the accompanying figures, each of said first coupling element 21 and said second coupling element 22 may also be indicated by reference numeral 20, where said first coupling element 21 and said second coupling element 22 are functionally indistinguishable. Furthermore, reference numeral 20 may generally indicate a coupling element. In the accompanying figures, each said first coupling portion 31 and said second coupling portion 32 could also be indicated by reference numeral 30, where said first coupling element 31 and said second coupling element 32 are functionally indistinguishable. Furthermore, reference numeral 30 may generally indicate a coupling portion.

[0068]. Preferably, said first coupling portion 31 is arranged at a different level than said second coupling portion 32. According to an embodiment, said first coupling portion 31 is connected at a lower level than said second coupling portion 32. In other words, said second coupling portion 32 is arranged higher than said first coupling portion 31 . A same coupling portion 30 may work either as a first coupling portion 31 or as second coupling portion 32, preferably at different times. According to a different embodiment, said first coupling portion 31 is connected at a higher level than said second coupling portion 32.

[0069]. Said climbing equipment 1 further comprises a moving system 15, adapted to perform a relative movement between said first portion 1 1 and said second portion 12 of said traction device 10.

[0070]. According to an embodiment, when at least either said first coupling element 21 or said second coupling element 22 is released from the respective coupling portion 31 , 32, said moving system 15 is adapted to perform a relative movement between said first portion 1 1 and said second portion 12 of said traction device 10, so as to move said scaffold 7 by a predetermined movement.

[0071 ]. According to an embodiment, when at least either said first coupling element 21 or said second coupling element 22 is released from the respective coupling portion 31 , 32, said moving system 15 moves said first portion 1 1 with respect to said second portion 12 so as to move said scaffold 7 by a predetermined movement.

[0072]. According to an embodiment, said predetermined movement of said scaffold 7 is a lifting movement. In other words, the movement is directed prevalently upwards. In other words, said predetermined movement of said scaffold 7 is a raising movement.

[0073]. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 is associated with said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 like a backpack that the first portion 1 1 carries therewith during the relative movement of said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 with respect to said second portion 12 of the traction device 10. Thereby, a clear raising movement of said scaffold 7 can be created during the construction of a building.

[0074]. According to an embodiment, said second coupling portion 32 is arranged higher than said first coupling portion 31 , and when said at least first coupling element 21 is released from said first coupling portion 31 and said second coupling element 22 is anchored to said second coupling portion 32, said moving system 15 moves from said first portion 1 1 with respect to said second portion 12, so as to lift said scaffold 7, connected to said first portion 1 1 .

[0075]. According to an embodiment, said predetermined movement involves said scaffold 7 as a whole. In other words, all parts of said scaffold 7 are moved simultaneously with said predetermined movement. According to an embodiment, said climbing equipment 1 comprises a plurality of traction devices 10. For example, said climbing equipment 1 comprises sixteen traction devices 10 distributed along the peripheral extension of the scaffold 7.

[0076]. According to a different embodiment, said predetermined movement of said scaffold 7 is a lowering movement. In other words, the movement is directed prevalently downwards.

[0077]. According to an embodiment, said moving system 15 comprises at least one hydraulic actuator. For example, it may comprise at least one cylinder-piston assembly. According to an embodiment, said moving system 15 comprises at least one mechanical actuator. According to an embodiment, said moving system 15 comprises at least one electrical-mechanical actuator. According to an embodiment, said moving system 15 comprises at least one jack 16. [0078]. According to an embodiment, said at least a second portion 12 is telescopically connected to said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10. According to an embodiment, said traction device 10 comprises a telescopic system, adapted to pass from said contracted configuration to said extended configuration, and vice versa, by means of the relative sliding between said first portion 1 1 and said second portion 12.

[0079]. Including said telescopic system allows said traction device 10 to extend and contract while ensuring that said first portion 1 1 and said second portion remain mutually aligned or in axis.

[0080]. According to an embodiment, said second portion 12 is adapted to form the telescopically extensible portion of said traction device 10. Advantageously, said second portion 12 is free from the connection with said scaffold 7.

[0081 ]. According to an embodiment, said second portion 12 slides along at least one guiding channel defined by a reciprocally shaped portion of said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10. According to an embodiment, said second portion 12 slides along at least one guiding channel defined by a reciprocally shaped portion of said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10. According to an embodiment, said first coupling element 21 is rotationally connected to said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10. For example, said rotational constraint comprises a fixing pin 26. According to an embodiment, said second coupling element 21 is adapted to project like a cantilever from said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10, as a shelf. According to an embodiment, said second coupling element 22 is rotationally connected to said second portion 12 of said traction device 10. For example, said rotational constraint comprises a fixing pin 26. According to an embodiment, said second coupling element 22 is adapted to project like a cantilever from said first portion 12 of said traction device 10, like a shelf.

[0082]. Preferably, said first coupling element 20, 21 and second coupling element 20, 22 are overturnable within a position projecting like a cantilever from said traction device 10 and a folded or non-projecting position, so as not to interfere with the ascent of the building under construction

[0083]. According to an embodiment, said first coupling element 21 is connected to a first actuator 41 for moving it between a coupling position, in which it is anchored to said first coupling portion 31 , and a releasing position, in which it is not in contact with said first coupling portion 31 . Preferably, said first actuator 41 is a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator. Preferably, said first actuator 41 comprises a cylinder-piston assembly. Preferably, said first actuator 41 is extensible within a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Preferably, when said first actuator 41 is in retracted position, it determines that said first coupling element 21 is in position projecting like a cantilever from said first portion so as to couple to a coupling portion 30, 31 of the building under construction 2. Preferably, when said first actuator 41 is in extended configuration, it determines that said first coupling element 21 is in folded or non-projecting position so as to allow the ascent of the building under construction I by moving the traction device 10.

[0084]. According to an embodiment, said second coupling element 22 is connected to a second actuator 42 for moving it between a coupling position, in which it is anchored to said second coupling portion 32, and a releasing position, in which it is not in contact with second first coupling portion 32.

[0085]. Preferably, said second actuator 42 is a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator. Preferably, said second actuator 42 comprises a cylinder-piston assembly. Preferably, said second actuator 42 is extensible within a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Preferably, when said second actuator is in retracted position 42, it determines that said second coupling element 22 is in position projecting like a cantilever from said second portion so as to couple to a coupling portion 30, 32 of the building under construction 2. Preferably, when said second actuator 42 is in extended position, it determines that said second coupling element 22 and is in folded or non- projecting position so as to not interfere with the ascent of the building under construction |.

[0086]. Preferably, said first actuator 41 extends upwards from said first coupling element 21 to reach said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10. Preferably, said second actuator 42 extends upwards from said second coupling element 22 to reach said first portion 12 of the traction device 10.

[0087]. Such a first coupling element 21 and a second coupling element 22 being overturnable and moved by said first actuator 41 and second actuator 41 extending above a first coupling element 21 and a second coupling element 22, respectively, allow to direct the overturning direction favorably so as to contrast the accidental overturning when said climbing equipment 1 is coupled to said building under construction 2.

[0088]. According to an embodiment, at least either said first actuator 41 or said second module 42 comprises at least one hydraulic actuator. For example, said hydraulic actuator is a cylinder- piston assembly.

[0089]. According to an embodiment, said equipment 1 comprises a pair of first coupling elements 21 , arranged at mutually different levels. This improves the anchoring performance. According to an embodiment, said equipment 1 comprises a pair of first coupling elements 21 , arranged substantially at the same level. This improves the anchoring performance.

[0090]. According to an embodiment, said equipment 1 comprises a pair of second coupling elements 22, arranged at a different level from each other. This improves the anchoring performance. According to an embodiment, said equipment 1 comprises a pair of second coupling elements 22, arranged substantially at the same level. This improves the anchoring performance. According to an embodiment, at least either said first coupling element 21 or said second coupling element 22 comprises a hook 23. According to an embodiment, each said first coupling element 21 and said second coupling element 22 comprise a hook 23. According to an embodiment, said first coupling portion 31 is arranged higher than said second coupling portion 32.

[0091 ]. According to an embodiment, at least either said first coupling portion 31 or said second coupling portion 32 comprises a coupling pin 33, or coupling peg 33, adapted to be accommodated in a hole made in a supporting pillar 9, or pillar 9, or upright 9, of the building under construction 2. The provision of a coupling peg 33 makes its positioning in said supporting pillar 9 quick and accurate. For example, a fixing peg 33 may be inserted into holes provided in said supporting pillar 9. This avoids spending time to anchor or couple said traction device 10 to said building under construction 2. Furthermore, if at least one hole must be made in said supporting pillar 9 to insert said fixing peg 33, the provision of a fixing peg makes the operation quick and easy. According to an embodiment, said coupling pin comprises two opposite ends which project like a cantilever from a profiled supporting pillar 9, said two opposite ends are adapted to form a coupling site for a pair of first coupling elements 21 of said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10, and a central portion, interposed between said two ends and doubly constrained to said supporting pillar 9, to form a coupling site for at least a second coupling element 12 of said second portion 12 of said traction device 10. Preferably, the cross section of said coupling pin 33 is greater in said ends which project like a cantilever from said doubly constrained central portion so as to prevent flexural deformations of the cantilevered ends to ensure a firm coupling of said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10.

[0092]. According to an embodiment, said coupling element 20, 21 or 22 comprises a seat portion 25, adapted to accommodate said coupling peg 33 at least partially. According to an embodiment, said seat portion 25 is shaped so as to form a plurality of peg seats 27, each adapted to accommodate said coupling peg 33 at least partially. For example, said plurality of peg seats 27 are adapted to allow a coupling while minimizing the presence of mechanical clearance even when the distance between the coupling elements 20, 21 , 22 and the respective coupling portions 30, 31 , 32 is different from that envisaged during the step of designing.

[0093]. According to an embodiment, said second portion 12 of said traction device 10 comprise an extensible resting foot 28, adapted to rest on a portion of said building under construction 2 to keep said climbing equipment 1 substantially parallel to the outer face of the building under construction 2, during the movement of said traction device 10.

[0094]. According to an embodiment, said coupling peg 33 is fixed in a portion to a supporting pillar 9 of said building under construction 2 so as to provide at least one cantilevered portion, like a shelf.

[0095]. Preferably, said supporting pillar 9 is a profiled beam.

[0096]. According to an embodiment, said coupling peg 33 is fixed in two disjointed portions thereof to at least one supporting pillar 9 of said building under construction, like a double jointed beam. According to an embodiment, at least either said first coupling element 21 or said second coupling element 22 comprises a bushing 24, adapted to surround at least one portion of said coupling peg 33 so as to locally increase the outer diameter thereof. According to an embodiment, said coupling peg 33 comprises a coupling face 35, adapted to mate with said seat portion 25 of its associated coupling element 20, 21 or 22.

[0097]. According to an embodiment, said coupling face 35 is a smooth surface. According to an embodiment, said coupling face 35 is at least partially knurled. According to an embodiment, said coupling face 35 is at least partially threaded. According to an embodiment, said tapped bushing is adapted to be coupled to said coupling peg when said coupling peg comprises said threaded coupling face. According to an embodiment, said coupling peg 33 comprises at least one portion having a decreased section portion to form a coupling groove. This provides the coupling between coupling pin 33 and coupling element 20.

[0098]. According to an embodiment, the height extension of said scaffold 7 is at least equal to one building floor 3. According to an embodiment, the height extension of said scaffold 7 is equal to a plurality of building floors 3 and less than the height extension of said building under construction 2. In other words, said scaffold 7 is unsuitable to extend for the entire height extension of said building under construction 2. The provision of a scaffold 7 of smaller height extension than the height extension of said building under construction 2 allows to freely use and employ the building floors 3 which have already been built and which are arranged at lower heights than said first lower floor 99. Indeed, said building floors which were previously built and which are arranged at lower levels than said first lower floor 99, become in actual fact habitable even if the building under construction 2 has only been partially built when said climbing equipment 1 ascends. This implies considerable advantages in economic terms.

[0099]. According to an embodiment, said building under construction 2 may comprise an elevator shaft 5 made of concrete, for example, and adapted to deliver people to the level of a building floor 3. Said climbing equipment 1 avoids to be connected to said elevator shaft 5.

[00100]. According to an embodiment, the height extension of said scaffold 7 is such as to surround a temporary top floor 100, a first upper floor 101 , arranged at a higher level than said temporary top floor 100 and adjacent to said temporary top floor 100, and a first lower floor 99, arranged at a lower level than said temporarily top floor 100 and adjacent to said temporary top floor 100. According to an embodiment, the term "temporary top floor 100" refers to the floor which is temporarily higher than the level at which the traction device 10 is anchored, before the said first upper floor 101 or a further upper floor 102 is built. As said first top floor 101 and said further top floor 102 are constructed, the climbing equipment 1 may, for example, ascend and anchor itself to the level of a new floor which becomes the temporary top floor 100. According to an embodiment, the temporary top 6 of said supporting pillars 9 is always at a higher level than said temporarily top floor 100, so that said supporting pillars 9 work as supporting structures for the construction of said first upper floor 101 . [00101]. According to an embodiment, the height extension of said scaffold 7 is such as to surround at least one useful space portion to build at least one further upper floor 102, arranged at a higher level than said first upper floor 101 and adjacent to said first upper floor 101 .

[00102]. According to a preferred embodiment, the extension of said scaffold 7 parallel to the direction of relative movement X between said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 and said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 is greater than said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 by a predetermined amount. Preferably, said predetermined amount is substantially equal to the height of one building floor 3. Thereby, said scaffold 7 comprises an excess portion 17, which extends so as to be adapted to surround at least partially at least one portion of said theoretical peripheral facade surface. In other words, said excess portion 17 of said scaffold 7 extends when the traction device 10 is stopped so as to be adapted to surround at least partially said top floor 100 and at least one upper floor 101 .

[00103]. Preferably, said predetermined amount is substantially equal to the height of two of said building floors 3. According to an embodiment, said excess portion 17 of said scaffold 7 extends when the traction device 10 is stopped to surround at least partially said top floor 100, at least one upper floor 101 and at least one further upper floor 102. Thereby, a more rapid construction of the building under construction 2 is allowed.

[00104]. Preferably, said predetermined amount is greater than the height of two of said building floors 3. According to an embodiment, said excess portion 17 of said scaffold 7 extends when the traction device 10 is stopped to surround at least partially said top floor 100, at least one upper floor 101 , at least one further upper floor 102 and at least two floors lower than the temporary top floor, even more preferably at least three floors lower than the temporary top floor 100.

[00105]. With such climbing equipment 1 , the workers 200 can safely work on the construction of the floors of said building under construction 2 which are higher than the highest of the floors which have already been built of the building under construction 2. Furthermore, by inlcuding said extensible work platforms 8, it is possible to close the open space between said scaffold 7 and the theoretical peripheral surface of said building under construction 2, thus providing increased safety for workers 200.

[00106]. According to an embodiment, said supporting pillar 9 comprises a temporary pillar top 6. Preferably, said supporting pillar 9 is made of steel.

[00107]. According to an embodiment, said climbing equipment 1 is adapted to move on the outer face 4 of said building under construction 2 leaving said temporary pillar top 6 free. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 avoids to encumber said temporary top 6. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 avoids to encumber the top of the building under construction 2.

[00108]. According to an embodiment, said equipment 1 avoids to encumber the top of the building under construction 2 with beams or other structural elements. [00109]. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 is a modular scaffold comprising a plurality of modular scaffold modules M connected to form a scaffold having a predetermined height extension. According to an embodiment, said plurality of modular scaffold units M are connected to form a scaffold 7 having a predetermined extension about at least one portion of said building under construction 2. According to an embodiment, said modular scaffold units M each measure about 9 meters in length and about 3 meters in height.

[00110]. The provision of said modular units also allows the climbing equipment 1 to vary its dimensions during the ascent by removing or adding one or more modular units, so as to enable to ascend buildings having converging and/or diverging walls. For example, such climbing equipment 1 is adapted to ascend skyscrapers or towers having a diamond shape.

[00111]. According to an embodiment, said excess portion 17 of said scaffold comprises at least two of said modular scaffold units M associated vertically.

[00112]. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 extends along the entire outer face 4 of said building under construction 2. In other words, according to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 is an annular scaffold. In yet other words, according to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 extends along the entire outer perimeter of said building under construction 2. The provision of an annular scaffold as described above allows to obtain improved safety for operators and improved production against the risk of accidental falling of objects, debris or other building materials, even in the presence of adverse atmospheric conditions, such as strong wing.

[00113]. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 comprises at least one anchoring module 18 comprising an anchoring device to said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 1 comprises at least one working module 19, which can be associated with at least one anchoring module 18, and comprising at least one walkable surface and defining at least one working space adapted to safely accommodate one or more operators. Preferably, said working module 19 comprises at least one work platform 9. Preferably, said working module 19 comprises at least one protective barrier 36, adapted to prevent the accidental falling of objects from said working portion 19 of said scaffold 7.

[00114]. According to an embodiment, said scaffold 7 is a modular scaffold and comprises a plurality of repetitive modular units M. According to an embodiment, a modular unit M of said scaffold 7 comprises an anchoring module 19 and a working module 18. According to an embodiment, a modular unit M of said scaffold 7 comprises a plurality of anchoring modules 19 and a plurality of working modules 18. According to an embodiment, a modular unit M of said scaffold 7 comprises at least one anchoring module 18. According to an embodiment, a modular unit M of said scaffold 7 comprises at least one working module 19. The provision of said modular scaffold units M makes said climbing equipment 1 adapted to be used for the construction of buildings of various form, such as towers and skyscrapers having particular architectures and, for example, a structure which broadens while ascending or, for example, having curved facades along the vertical direction or hyperbole-shaped facades. Indeed, adding or removing one or more modular units allows said scaffold 7 to take the desired dimensions.

[00115]. According to an embodiment, said climbing equipment 1 comprises a plurality of said moving systems 15, distributed about the outer face of said building under construction 2 and connected to a plurality of traction devices 10. According to an embodiment, said plurality of traction systems 10 are distributed about said outer face 4 of said building under construction 2 and are connected by their first portion 1 1 to said scaffold 7. According to an embodiment, said traction device 10 is adapted to pass from at least one contracted configuration, of reduced height extension, to at least one extended configuration, of increased height extension with respect to said at least one contracted configuration.

[00116]. According to an embodiment, at least either said first coupling portion 21 or said second coupling portion 22 is arranged on a supporting pillar 9 of said building under construction 2. In other words, at least either said first coupling portion 21 or said second coupling portion 22 is arranged on a pillar of said building under construction 2. According to an embodiment, said supporting pillar 9 is a portion of the supporting structure of said building under construction 2. According to an embodiment, said supporting pillar 9 is at least partially made of steel. According to an embodiment, said supporting pillar 9 is entirely made of steel. According to an embodiment, said supporting pillar 9 comprises a steel armature.

[00 17]. According to an embodiment, said climbing equipment 1 comprises a control system 40 adapted to detect and compensate for positioning errors of said scaffold 7, so as to keep said scaffold 7 leveled. In other words, said control system is adapted to keep said scaffold leveled even during the step of lifting or lowering of said scaffold 7. According to an embodiment, said control system 40 comprises at least one data processing unit adapted to process the data coming from a plurality of position sensors arranged in said scaffold 7. For example, said plurality of sensors may be arranged along a path of said scaffold 7 designed to be always at the same level. According to an embodiment, said control system 40 is adapted to actuate at least one moving system 15 to keep said scaffold 7 leveled. According to an embodiment, said climbing equipment 1 comprises a plurality of said moving systems 15 and said control system 40 is adapted to control each moving system 15 interdependently from the others to keep said scaffold 7 leveled.

[00118]. The provision of said control system which allows to keep said scaffold 7 leveled improves the moving rapidity and accuracy and the positioning accuracy of said scaffold 7. This improves the reliability of said climbing equipment 1 .

[00119]. According to an embodiment, said plurality of traction systems 10 and said plurality of moving systems 15 are controlled in a monitored manner and using feedback by means of at least inclination sensors 44 of the scaffold 7 so as to keep said scaffold 7 always perfectly horizontally leveled both when parked and when moving. According to an embodiment, said inclination sensors 44 are distributed in a plurality of portions of said scaffold 7.

[00120]. A climbing method for the construction of a building 2 is shown below.

[00121]. According to a general embodiment, a climbing method for constructing buildings comprises the following steps, provided in the following order:

[00122]. -A- providing at least one piece of climbing equipment 1 according to any one of the embodiments described above, coupled by means of said first coupling elements 21 and said second coupling elements 22 to said coupling portions 30, 31 , 32 of said pillars 9 of said building under construction 2, so that an excess portion 29 of said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 exceeds the height of said temporary top floor 100 of the building under construction 2;

[00123]. -B- lifting said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 associated with said scaffold 7 with respect to said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 by an amount greater than the extension of the cantilevered portion of said first coupling elements 21 , releasing said first coupling elements 21 of the first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 from the coupling portions;

[00124]. -C- moving away said first coupling elements 21 from said building under construction 2, taking them substantially within the clearance of said traction device 10;

[00125]. -D- lifting said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 associated with said scaffold 7 with respect to said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 by a predetermined amount;

[00126]. -E- approaching said first coupling elements 21 to said building under construction 2, by projecting them like a cantilever from said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10;

[00127]. -F- lowering said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 associated with said scaffold 7 with respect to said second portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 to couple said first coupling elements 21 to coupling portions provided in the pillars 9 of the building under construction 2;

[00128]. -G- lifting said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 with respect to said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 by an amount greater than the extension of the cantilevered portion of said second coupling elements 22, releasing said second coupling elements 22 of the second portion 12 of the traction device 10 from the respective coupling portions;

[00129]. -H- moving away said second coupling elements 22 from said building under construction 2, taking them substantially within the clearance of said traction device 10;

[00130]. -I- lifting said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 with respect to said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 by a predetermined amount;

[00131]. -J- approaching said second coupling elements 22 to said building under construction 2, by projecting them like a cantilever from said second portion 12 of the traction device 10;

[00132]. -K- lowering said second portion 12 of the traction device 10 with respect to said first portion 1 1 of the traction device 10 to couple said second coupling elements 22 to coupling portions provided in the pillars 9 of the building under construction 2;

[00133]. -L- repeating the preceding steps from -B- to -K-.

[00134]. According to a possible mode of operation, said method comprises the following steps of including, before said step -B-, the step of resting said extensible resting foot 28 against said building under construction 2, and before said step -G-, of retracting said extensible resting foot 28.

[00135]. According to a possible mode of operation, said method comprises after step -K-, the further step of overturning said work platform 8, so as to take it to an extended position, in which it forms a walkable surface which projects like a cantilever from said scaffold 7 towards said building under construction 2.

[00136]. According to a possible mode of operation, said method comprises the following further steps:

[00137]. - coupling at least two of said first coupling elements 21 to the ends of a coupling pin 33 which project like a cantilever from a pillar 9 of the building under construction 2;

[00138]. - coupling at least a second coupling element 22 in the central portion of a coupling pin 33 interposed between said two cantilevered ends doubly constrained to said pillar 9.

[00139]. According to a possible mode of operation, said method comprises before step -B- or step -A-, the step of providing coupling pins 33 in a plurality of supporting pillars 9 of the building under construction 2.

[00140]. According to a possible mode of operation, a climbing method for the construction of buildings comprises the following steps, provided in the following order:

[00141]. - providing climbing equipment 1 according to any one of the embodiments described herein;

[00142]. - temporarily coupling said climbing equipment 1 to a temporary top floor 100 by means of said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10;

[00143]. - at least partially building a first top floor 101 ;

[00144]. - temporarily coupling said second portion 12 of said traction device 10 to said first upper floor 101 ;

[00145]. - coupling said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10;

[00146]. - moving said first portion 1 1 of said traction device 10 lifting the scaffold 7 connected to it.

[00147]. According to a possible mode of operation, the figures from 5 to 7 show a possible step of a climbing method, in which said climbing device 10 is anchored by said first portion 1 1 to a temporary top floor 100. As shown in the figures from 1 1 to 13, said traction device 10 is then taken to an extended configuration, which makes it adapted to be anchored with said second portion 12 to a first top floor 101 , arranged at a higher level than said temporary top floor 100. As shown in the figures from 14 to 16, said traction device 10 is then taken to a contracted configuration anchored by its first portion 1 1 to said first upper floor 101 .

[00148]. According to a possible mode of operation, a climbing method comprises at least one step in which said first portion 1 1 and said second portion 12 of said traction device 10 are simultaneously anchored to the same building floor 3, e.g. to said first upper floor 101 .

[00149]. A descending climbing method will be described below.

[00150]. A climbing method comprises the following steps, provided in the following order:

[00151]. - providing climbing equipment 1 according to any one of the embodiments described herein;

[00152]. - anchoring said climbing equipment to a temporary top floor 100;

[00153]. - anchoring a second portion 12 of said traction device 10 to said first lower floor 99;

[00154]. - moving said second portion 12 of said traction device 10;

[00155]. - lowering said scaffold 7.

[00156]. By virtue of the features described above, provided either separately or in combination, where applicable, in particular embodiments, it is possible to satisfy the sometimes contrasting needs disclosed above, and to obtain the aforesaid advantages, in particular:

[00157]. - the lower floors of the building under construction 2 can be made rapidly usable, while the upper floors of the building are being built;

[00158]. - safety is improved for workers 200;

[00159]. - better protection from the accidental falling of objects or building materials from the scaffold 7 is provided;

[00160]. - a more rapid and agile ascent of the building under construction 2 is provided by the climbing equipment 1 ;

[00161]. - a quicker and safer construction of the upper floors to the temporary top floor 100 of the building under construction 2 is allowed;

[00162]. - encumbering the temporary top of the pillars 9 of the building under construction 2 and the previously built lower floors of the building under construction is avoided;

[00163]. - a reliable method for achieving an agile, quick and safe ascent of the building under construction is provided.

[00164]. Those skilled in art may make many changes and adaptations to the embodiments described above or may replace elements with others which are functionally equivalent in order to satisfy contingent needs without however departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[00165] . LIST OF REFERENCES

1 equipment, or climbing equipment 2 building, or building under construction

3 floor, or building floor

4 outer building face

5 elevator shaft

6 temporary pillar top

7 scaffold, or scaffolding

8 work platform

9 supporting pillar, or upright

10 traction device

1 1 first portion of the traction device, or first ascending portion

12 second portion of the traction device, or second ascending portion

13 low-friction material layer

14 predetermined amount

15 moving system

16 jack

17 excess scaffold portion

18 anchoring module

19 working module

20 coupling element

21 first coupling element

22 second coupling element

23 hook

24 bushing

25 hook seat portion

26 fixing pin

27 peg seats

28 extensible resting foot

29 excess portion of the second portion of the traction device

30 coupling portion, or building coupling portion

31 first coupling portion

32 second coupling portion

33 coupling peg, or coupling pin

35 coupling face

40 monitoring system

41 first actuator

42 second actuator

44 inclination sensor

90 height of a floor of the building

99 first lower floor

100 temporary top floor

101 first upper floor

102 further upper floor

200 worker

M modular scaffold unit

X direction of relative movement