GB2267472A - Mobile support system for allowing access to a viaduct - Google Patents

Mobile support system for allowing access to a viaduct Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2267472A
GB2267472A GB9211608A GB9211608A GB2267472A GB 2267472 A GB2267472 A GB 2267472A GB 9211608 A GB9211608 A GB 9211608A GB 9211608 A GB9211608 A GB 9211608A GB 2267472 A GB2267472 A GB 2267472A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
rail
viaduct
support system
installation
receiving portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9211608A
Other versions
GB9211608D0 (en
GB2267472B (en
Inventor
Peter Charles Richardson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Richardson P C & Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Richardson P C & Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Richardson P C & Co Ltd filed Critical Richardson P C & Co Ltd
Priority to GB9211608A priority Critical patent/GB2267472B/en
Publication of GB9211608D0 publication Critical patent/GB9211608D0/en
Publication of GB2267472A publication Critical patent/GB2267472A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2267472B publication Critical patent/GB2267472B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01D—CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, ELEVATED ROADWAYS OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES
    • E01D19/00—Structural or constructional details of bridges
    • E01D19/10—Railings; Protectors against smoke or gases, e.g. of locomotives; Maintenance travellers; Fastening of pipes or cables to bridges
    • E01D19/106—Movable inspection or maintenance platforms, e.g. travelling scaffolding or vehicles specially designed to provide access to the undersides of bridges

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)

Abstract

A support system 10 for allowing access to the sides of a viaduct comprises a rail 12 secured to either or both side walls of the viaduct and work platforms 14 suspended from the rail. The rail 10 is installed on the side wall using installation vehicle 13 which comprises a rail receiving portion 31 and a platform 32 on which personnel may be supported. The installation vehicle can be moved along the rail 12 so that the platform 32 extends beyond the end of the rail, additional rails 12 can then be secured to the viaduct. <IMAGE>

Description

SUPPORT SYSTEM This invention relates to a support system of the type used to allow access to a structure, and particularly, but not exclusively to a support system for allowing access to a viaduct or aqueduct for maintenance and repair services.
Often large areas of a viaduct are not easily accessible.
For example, the viaduct may be cited over unstable terrains, rivers or conservation areas. This makes the use of conventional scaffolding which is erected from the ground very expensive.
It is also known to use so called cantilever equipment which are erected from the upper rail road carrying portion of the viaduct or bridge. However, if the viaduct or bridge is in use it is not possible to use this type of equipment.
At present, the only access system appropriate for use with a viaduct which is in use is scaffolding built up from ground level. Redundant viaducts can be accessed by special rail mounted platforms.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a support system fixable onto a substantially vertical wall of a structure comprising: an installation device having a first side and a second side, a platform portion, and a rail receiving portion; a rail having a first end and a second end, which rail is receivable in the rail receiving portion of the installation device, such that the device is moveable along the rail, the rail further comprising retaining means for preventing the device from disengaging from the rail, whereby in use the installation device is moveable to an installation position where the first end of the device extends beyond the first end of the rail.
In use, a first rail portion is fixed to the substantially vertical surface of the structure, to which the support system is to be fixed. The installation device may then be engaged with the first rail and moved to the installation position, in which the first side of the device extends beyond the first end of the first rail. A second rail may then be engaged in the installation device such that it abuts with the first rail. The second rail is retained in the installation device in the portion of the installation device which overhangs the first rail. The second rail is then fixed in this position and the retaining means from the first rail is removed to allow the installation device to move to a corresponding installation position relative to the second rail. In other words the installation device may be moved such that its first side extends beyond the first end of the second rail.This procedure may be repeated as necessary in order that a length of rail extends along a desired length of the structure.
Preferably the support system further comprises at least one suspended work platform, which is suspended from the rail, and which allows access by workers to the structure for maintenance or repair purposes.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of erecting and fixing a support system onto a substantially vertical surface of a structure, comprising the steps of: a) attaching a first rail to the substantially vertical surface of the structure; b) engaging with the rail an installation device according to the first aspect of the invention, and causing the device to move to an installation position relative to the first rail; c) fixing a second rail to the surface of the structure such that the second rail is received by the rail receiving portion of the device, in the portion of the device which extends beyond the first end of the first rail, and positioning the second rail such that it abuts with the first rail; rail; d) removing the retaining means on the first rail and allowing the device to move to an installation position relative to the second rail; and e) repeating steps c and d until a rail of the required length has been formed.
The invention will now be further described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an access system according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional representation of the access system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a more detailed representation of the installation device used in the system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a -cross-sectional representation of the installation device of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a more detailed representation of the rail and rail receiving portion of the device of Figure 3; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional representation of the rail of Figure 5.
Referring to Figure 1 an access system according to the first aspect of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The access system is shown in place fixed to a viaduct 11, to which access is required for maintenance and/or repair purposes. The access system comprises a length of rail 12 and an installation vehicle 13.
The system further comprises work platforms 14 suspended from the rail 12. The work platforms are suitable for supporting personnel who will inspect the viaduct 11 and carry out any necessary repair or maintenance work. The work platforms 14 may be positioned on one side of the viaduct only, or they may extend through the width of the viaduct 11 as shown in Figure 2.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4 the installation device 13 is shown in more detail. The device 13 comprises a rail receiving portion 31, which is capable of receiving a portion of the rail 12. The device further comprises a platform 32 on which personnel may be supported in order to install the rail 12. The device 13 also comprises a tensioning device 33 and a guide wheel 34 for guiding the device 13, as it moves along the rail 12.
Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the rail 12 and the rail receiving portion 31 of the device 13 are shown in more detail. The rail 12 comprises a plurality of rail portions 51, each of which is formed from a rectangular hollow section which has been modified to produce a track along which the installation vehicle 13 can run. In addition the rail is adapted to allow the work platforms 14 to run along the rail.
Each rail portion is fixed to the substantially vertical surface of the viaduct 11 by means of wall fixing plates 52.
The rail receiving portion 31 of the installation device 13 includes an external support wheel 53, which is adapted to run along a rail portion. Each rail portion 51 comprises a carriage retaining pin 54.
In use, a first rail portion 52 is secured to the substantially vertical surface of the viaduct 11, by working from ground level at one end of the viaduct 11, or by using steeple jack ladders or a temporary scaffold tower. Once the first rail portion 51 has been secured onto the viaduct, the installation device may be engaged with the rail portion 51 by positioning the rail portion 51 in the rail receiving portion 31 of the device 13. The device 13 is then moved to an installation position in which a first side 35 (Figure 3) extends beyond a first end 55 of the first rail portion 51.
The carriage retaining pin 54 prevents the device 13 from moving beyond this position. A second rail portion 51 is then raised and operatives who are in the installation device 13 supported on the platform 32, secure the second rail portion 51 to the vertical surface of the viaduct 11, such that it abuts with and is level with the first rail portion 51. In this position the second rail portion 51 will be received in the rail receiving portion 31, in the portion of the device 13 which extends beyond the first end 51 of the first rail portion 51. Once the second rail portion 51 has been securely fixed to the viaduct 11, the carriage retaining pin 54 on the first rail may be removed to allow the installation device 13 to move to a corresponding installation position on the second rail portion 51. The operation is then positioned as often as necessary to allow a length of rail of desired length to be erected. Carriages 14 may then be supported by means of suspension wires and moved along the rail 12. The working platforms 14 may be part assembled at ground-level, prior to being hoisted up to the rail for suspension, or if water is present the working platforms 14 can be loaded onto a barge prior to being installed. Once the platforms 14 have been rigged and weight tested the system can be used to inspect or repair the viaduct.

Claims (5)

1. A support system fixable onto a substantially vertical wall of a structure comprising: an installation device having a first side and a second side, a platform portion and a rail receiving portion; a rail having a first end and a second end, which rail is receivable in the rail receiving portion of the installation device, such that the device is moveable along the rail, the rail further comprising retaining means for preventing the device from disengaging from the rail, whereby in use the installation device is moveable to an installation position where the first end of the device extends beyond the first end of the rail.
2. A support system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one suspended work platform, which platform is suspended from the rail, and which allows access by workers to the structure for maintenance or repair purposes.
3. A method of erecting and fixing a support system onto a substantially vertical surface of the structure, comprising the steps of: (a) attaching a first rail to the substantially vertical surface of the structure; (b) engaging with the rail an installation device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, and causing the device to move to an installation position relative to the first rail; (c) fixing a second rail to the surface of the structure such that the second rail is received by the rail receiving portion of the device, in the portion of the device which extends beyond the first end of the first rail, and positioning the second rail such that it abuts with the first rail; (d) removing the retaining means on the first rail and allowing the device to move to an installation position relative to the second rail; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) until a rail of a required length has been formed.
4. A support system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
5. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9211608A 1992-06-02 1992-06-02 Support system Expired - Fee Related GB2267472B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9211608A GB2267472B (en) 1992-06-02 1992-06-02 Support system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9211608A GB2267472B (en) 1992-06-02 1992-06-02 Support system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9211608D0 GB9211608D0 (en) 1992-07-15
GB2267472A true GB2267472A (en) 1993-12-08
GB2267472B GB2267472B (en) 1995-08-02

Family

ID=10716361

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9211608A Expired - Fee Related GB2267472B (en) 1992-06-02 1992-06-02 Support system

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2267472B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5570638A (en) * 1994-11-02 1996-11-05 Garaventa Holding Ag Rescue vehicle for a cable railway
WO2005090685A1 (en) * 2004-02-18 2005-09-29 Klaus Sonnen Device and method for carrying out work on a bridge
CN107010557A (en) * 2017-06-19 2017-08-04 荆门宁杰机电技术服务有限公司 A kind of bridge Abseiling device
EP4007835A4 (en) * 2019-08-02 2023-07-19 Brandsafway Services, LLC Monorail system and related scaffold structures, systems and methods of use

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB906642A (en) * 1957-12-18 1962-09-26 Alimak Verken Aktiebolag Improvements in and relating to a guide rail for elevators, particularly for workmen
GB2132960A (en) * 1982-12-24 1984-07-18 Deborah Services P L C Mobile scaffold apparatus

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB906642A (en) * 1957-12-18 1962-09-26 Alimak Verken Aktiebolag Improvements in and relating to a guide rail for elevators, particularly for workmen
GB2132960A (en) * 1982-12-24 1984-07-18 Deborah Services P L C Mobile scaffold apparatus

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5570638A (en) * 1994-11-02 1996-11-05 Garaventa Holding Ag Rescue vehicle for a cable railway
WO2005090685A1 (en) * 2004-02-18 2005-09-29 Klaus Sonnen Device and method for carrying out work on a bridge
CN107010557A (en) * 2017-06-19 2017-08-04 荆门宁杰机电技术服务有限公司 A kind of bridge Abseiling device
CN107010557B (en) * 2017-06-19 2018-02-09 荆门宁杰机电技术服务有限公司 A kind of bridge Abseiling device
EP4007835A4 (en) * 2019-08-02 2023-07-19 Brandsafway Services, LLC Monorail system and related scaffold structures, systems and methods of use

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9211608D0 (en) 1992-07-15
GB2267472B (en) 1995-08-02

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20030602