GB2434396A

GB2434396A - Podium Tower

Info

Publication number: GB2434396A
Application number: GB0601290A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Timothy Stevens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-23
Filing date: 2006-01-23
Publication date: 2007-07-25
Also published as: GB0601290D0

Abstract

Apparatus comprising a work platform (1) and a support structure (2) is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a vertical series of cells. Each cell is preferably defined by substantially horizontal and substantially vertical members (9,11). The support structure is collapsible in the vertical direction (at least over part of its height). Preferably the support structure includes at least one tension element (6), which is preferably flexible or telescopic, and which extends obliquely across at least one cell. Preferably a tension element extends from one corner of a cell to another corner of the same cell. Each cell preferably has at least two tension elements.

Description

1 2434396 Podium Tower This invention relates to a podium tower, which

provides a work platform above ground level.

The invention preferably provides apparatus comprising a work platform and a support structure preferably comprising a vertical series of cells. Each cell is preferably defined by substantially horizontal and substantially vertical members. The support structure is collapsible in the vertical direction (at least over part of its height).

Preferably the support structure includes at least one tension element (preferably flexible or telescopic) extending obliquely across at least one cell. Preferably a tension element extends from one corner of a cell to another corner of the same cell. Each cell preferably has at least two tension elements.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a podium tower; Figure 2 is an end view of the podium tower; Figure 3 is a side view of the podium tower in a partly collapsed state, with two modules (cells) closed; Figure 4 is a side view of the podium tower in a further partly collapsed state, with three modules (cells) closed; and Figure 5 is a side view of the podium tower in a fully collapsed (closed) state; Figure 6 is a side view of a possible modification of one module (cell) of the podium tower; Figure 7 is a side view of another possible modification; and Figure 8 is a side view of a possible variant of the modification shown in Figure 7.

The tower apparatus illustrated provides a work platform 1 above ground level, on a support structure 2. A series of modules are stacked one above the other and are comiected together with joining plates 3. Module components A fold from a horizontal plane (Fig. 5) and lock in a vertical plane (Fig. 1) to erect the tower. With the tower erect flexible diagonal ties 6 becomes taught to form a rigid variable height column supporting the work platform 1. The number of modules or cells within the apparatus may vary. The modules (cells) rely on diagonal ties 6 for stability. In small towers one or more modules (cells) may rely for stability on locking joints 7, 8 without diagonal ties.

The tower footprint is the same whether the tower is erected or closed down (collapsed).

Each module (cell) has two horizontal planes 9 spaced apart one above the other.

The upper horizontal plane 9 is supported and spaced from the lower horizontal plane 9 by various members 11 in the vertical plane. The vertical-plane members 11 are hinge jointed at the mid-point 12 and pin joined at 7 or 8 at the ends. The end pin joint joins the vertical plane to the horizontal plane. The vertical members fold by folding the mid point joint 12 (or by unpinning one end at 7 or 8) thus allowing them to fold from a vertical to a horizontal plane and reduce the space between the horizontal planes 9.

Conversely the structure unfolds to space the horizontal planes 9 apart. The folding members 11 fold out from the horizontal to form vertical members, which lock at the mid-point 12 (or are joined again at 7 or 8) to form rigid members. The unfolding action pulls the flexible diagonals 6 taught.

Vertical-plane members 11 are each connected to each other in one plane by horizontal members 13 to form ladder rungs and also in a second plane set at right angles to the first. In the second plane the vertical members 11 are connected each to the other by the flexible diagonal ties 6.

The folding joint at 12 may be provided with an index arrangement to lock it, if required, at any set angle. When the joint is used in positions 7 and 8 the right angle formed between the horizontal plane and the member in the vertical plane can eliminate the need for flexible diagonal braces on small versions of the apparatus.

The flexible diagonal tie 6 may be formed from materials such as chain or wire.

On some modules the tie may be formed from a sliding telescopic tube, which extends to a fixed length, and which may or may not lock when extended.

The work platform I is provided with personnel protection handrails 14-16. The handrails are raised, lowered and constructed similarly to the column support modules with the exception of an additional horizontal plane mid-way between upper and lower horizontal planes to form safety rails 15, 16. The safety rail 15 in the mid horizontal plane is flexible when in a first plane and the safety rail 16 is a rigid member in the second plane set at right angles to the first plane. The member 16 is constructed and fixed to allow access to the work platform 1 by lifting or swinging.

A torsion force is incorporated in the pin joints at 7 and 8 between vertical members and the horizontal plane to provide buoyancy when folding the vertical colunm to raise or lower the tower. A tension force incorporated in the mid point folding joint 12 joining the two halves of the folding vertical member II provides additional buoyancy.

Apart from the modifications mentioned above, various other modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the ties may extend obliquely (with respect to the horizontal and vertical) between different points of each module (cell), e.g. between corners which lie on opposite sides of the centre of the module (cell). The drawings show modules (cells) which are rectangular in plan view, but it may be possible to use cells which are triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. in plan view.

The action of springs providing the above-mentioned tension forces in various joints imparts buoyancy to the structure while it is being extended vertically with the modules remaining parallel to each other. A degree of control may be required to compensate for variation in spring effectiveness. This may be achieved with a lightweight spring loaded scissor 17 (Fig. 6) to ensure the structure extends perpendicular to the base. The scissor members balance out the spring force variation with might otherwise cause the structure to lean first one way and then the other way as the structure is extended in an upward direction.

The benefit of flexible diagonals (members 6) can also be achieved by flexible corner braces 18 connecting adjacent members, one in the vertical plane and one in the horizontal plane, as shown in Figure 7. The corner brace could instead be a folding rigid member 19, as shown in Figure 8.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus comprising work platform and a support structure,

the apparatus comprising: a vertical series of cells, each cell defined by substantially horizontal and substantially vertical members; and at least one tension element extending obliquely across at least one cell, wherein the support structure is collapsible in the vertical direction over at least a part of its height.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each tension element is flexible.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each tension element is telescopic.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each tension element extends from one corner of a cell to another corner of the same cell.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each cell has at least two tension elements.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the substantially vertical members fold from a vertical plane to a substantially horizontal plane on collapse of the support structure.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the substantially vertical members are hinged substantially at their midpoint to allow collapse to a substantially horizontal plane.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the footprint of the apparatus is the same whether the support structure is in erected or collapsed configuration.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising torsion means between substantially vertical members of adjacent cells to provide buoyancy when the cells are collapsed or erected.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a folding joint in at least one of the substantially vertical members the folding joint being lockable in a plurality of angular positions.

11. Apparatus comprising work platform and a support structure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.