Patent Application
20220144315
The present disclosure relates generally to a rail conveyance system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hanging equipment cart or hanging work platform that installs and moves along a rail for the purposes of transporting materials, equipment and people.
The transportation and conveyance of equipment, materials and people is at the core of various industries' operations, such as manufacturing and construction.
In the manufacturing industry, heavy materials and equipment are often transported via machinery such as cranes and forklifts. In the construction industry, work platforms are required for the maintenance and construction of structures such as bridges and buildings. The construction of work platforms is time-consuming and must be done with great care to prevent any accidents caused by the platform collapsing. Typically, these types of platforms consist of cables and decking built to extend from end to end of the structure. Due to small load ratings typically achieved by industry standard platforms, materials are typically lowered and installed beneath a bridge via cranes. This process requires lane closures and extensive Maintenance and Protection of Traffic (MPT) plans.
While these systems may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present disclosure as disclosed hereafter.
In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the present disclosure is concerned.
While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects are disclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.
An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a system that eliminates the need for constructing a platform the length, width, height, perimeter, and/or circumference of a space or structure. Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure provides a hanging platform that moves along a rail member from a first terminus to a second terminus as necessary.
Another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a hanging platform that moves along a rail member smoothly. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a hanging platform that moves along a railing smoothly employing an apparatus incorporating bearings from a first terminus of the bridge deck to a second terminus as the work progresses.
A further aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a railing integrated into a rail member. According, the present disclosure provides a modification of a structural member, creating a plurality of bearing races for rolling bearings to move a hanging platform along the structural member.
Yet a further example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a system of connected rails to access an entire area that allows a hanging platform to ride smoothly in all four directions by moving laterally and or longitudinally along the connected rails. Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure provides a hanging platform that accesses an area by moving along a grid system of connected rails via an apparatus incorporating bearings that engage the connected rails.
Yet another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to eliminate the need for traditional construction vehicles and operators of traditional construction vehicles such as forklifts. Accordingly, the present disclosure implements the use of widely available beam members as a means of transporting and conveying materials, equipment and people, eliminating the need for traditional construction vehicles and operators of traditional construction vehicles, significantly reducing materials and labor when compared to the current industry standard.
Yet a further aspect of an example embodiment is to provide a higher load rating and eliminate the need for lane closures and MPT (Maintenance and Protection of Traffic) plans. Accordingly, the present disclosure implements a hanging platform that moves smoothly beneath a structure below traffic, eliminating the need for lane closures and MPT plans.
Another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a system that eliminates the need for heavy machinery as a means of transportation or conveyance such as cranes and forklifts. Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure provides a supported rail member, in combination with a plurality of bearing races for rolling bearings, which greatly reduces friction which allow the hanging platform or equipment cart to move by mechanical means along said rail member from a first terminus to a second terminus as necessary.
Accordingly, the present disclosure describes a system that eliminates the need for constructing a platform the length of a rail member. The system provides a platform that moves smoothly along the rail member from a first terminus to a second terminus as work progresses. The system provides an independently supported rail member in combination with a plurality of apparatuses with bearing races for rolling bearings to move the platform along the structural member by mechanical means along said rail member. The roller bearings in the apparatuses greatly reduce friction, and thereby reducing the force required to move the hanging platform.
The system eliminates the need for heavy machinery such as cranes and forklifts as a means of transportation or conveyance by providing a supported rail member in combination with a plurality of bearing races for holding rolling bearings which allow the hanging platform to move by mechanical means along said rail member.
The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoing disadvantages as discussed hereinabove. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosure may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above, this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure.
In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows.
The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various example embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fully conveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.
In the present disclosure, the term “hanging platform” includes work platforms, equipment carts and the like typically used to convey equipment, materials and people. In particular, currently suspended platforms are used to maintain bridges and the like. These suspended platforms are constructed under the road deck of the bridge extending from a first pier to a second pier. The term “hanging platform” is a work platform that is substantially shorter than a typical suspended platform that extends pier to pier. Moreover, hanging platforms that hang under a road deck of a bridge are not a limitation and other applications of the rail conveyance system using a hanging platform in other structures is envisioned, such as a substitute for scaffolding below a high ceiling.
The present system provides many advantages over these current methods. The hanging platform 12 in the present disclosure is sufficient to accommodate workers, tools and equipment without extending the length of the rail member and eliminating the need to build an extensive rail member before the work begins.
The platform 12 has decking 16 suspended from railings 14 by a plurality of braces 18. In
In the present disclosure, the railings 14 are stationary and are beams which are generally referred to as “I” beams in one example embodiment. In one example embodiment disclosed hereinbelow, a bottom flange of the “I” beam is modified to create a race as described hereinbelow. In other example embodiments, the “I” beam is modified by a bracket added to the bottom flange of the “I” beam. In the following example embodiments, references to the railings 14 may refer to modified “I” beams. However, those of ordinary skill in the art understand that the railings can be modified “I” beams, similarly modified “H” beams, “W” beams, “HSS” beams (hollow structural section beams), universal beams, rolled steel joists, double “T” beams or simply, railings and the term “railings” broadly encompasses these and similar structures.
Those of ordinary skill in the art also understand these railings typically are formed from steel but can also be formed from other materials including metal nanoparticle reinforced steel and other substantially strong materials. Those of ordinary skill also understand that these railings may be affixed temporarily or may also be permanently part of a support structure.
In the present disclosure, “bearing” refers to a rolling-element bearing or rolling bearing such as a ball bearing as a non-limiting example.
In the drawing, an example embodiment of a roller apparatus 400, further described herein below for enabling movement of the hanging platform 12 is shown.
In
Barriers 15 are provided in the system. A connector 440 for a load bearing attachment is disposed on the roller apparatus 400.
In
The sled 30 moves through the race 22 in the flange 24 either pulled or pushed by mechanical means. The bearings 32 provide a smooth efficient motion through the race 22 propelling the platform attaching to the connector 40 by a brace.
A plurality of rods 142 bore through the bearings 132, one rod 142 traversing through a row of bearings 132. The rods 142 control the motion of the bearings 132 so that they roll only forwards or backwards.
The bracket 150 moves along the flange 124 either pulled or pushed by mechanical means. The bearings 132 provide a smooth efficient motion over the flange 124 propelling the platform attaching to the connector 140 by a brace.
A plurality of rods 242 bore through the bearings 232, one rod 242 traversing through bearings 232. The rods 242 on the top portion of the bracket 250 do not extend toward the beam 220. but bend 252 so that the rods do not create any friction against the beam 220.
The bracket 250 moves over the flange 224 either pulled or pushed by mechanical means. The bearings 232 inside the race 222 provide a smooth efficient motion over the flange 224 propelling the platform attaching to the connector 240 by a brace.
A plurality of bearings 332, only one shown for clarity, sit inside the bearing cavities 334 and are held in place by a plurality of caps 348 permanently attached to the bracket 350 either by welding or similar techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Each of the bearings 332 is within one of the caps, the caps only allowing rotational movement within the bracket 350.
The bracket 350 moves over the flange 324 either pulled or pushed by mechanical means. The bearings 332 on the interior of the bracket 350 inside the race 322 provide a smooth efficient motion over the flange 324 propelling the platform attaching to the connector 340 by a brace.
Each of the pair of brackets 450 has a least one bearing race 422, the top portion of each of the pair of brackets 450 forming a second member 422b of the bearing race 422.
The housing 430 having at least one exterior side 412, each exterior side 412 having at least one connector 440 configured to accept a load bearing attachment such as a shackle.
There is a plurality of bearings 432 in the top portions 452 of the pair of brackets 450.
There is at least one pair of caps 402 covering the bearing races, shown in detail in
Each cap 402 covers the top portion 452 of one of the pair of brackets 450. Each cap 402 has an outer first member 422a of the ball bearing races 422, the ball bearing races in the cap curving toward the inner second member 422b of the ball bearing races in each of the pair of brackets 450, coupling the first member 422a to the second member 422b, forming the continuous oval.
The bearing races 422 are configured such that when the roller apparatus 400 is in place on the bottom flange 24 of the railing 14, the bearing races are orthogonal to the bottom flange of the railing.
The housing 430 has the at least one pair of caps 402 and a pair of brackets 450. Each of the at least one pair of caps 402 has an outer first member 422a of a bearing race 422 and each of the pair of brackets 450 has an inner second member 422b of the bearing race 422 such that when one of the at least one pair of caps 402 couples with one of the pair of brackets 450, the first member 422a of the bearing race 422 couples with the second member 422b of the bearing race 422 to form a continuous arcuate bearing race 422. In a preferred embodiment the continuous arcuate bearing race 422 is an oval shape. The bearings 432 are circling in the continuous oval bearing race.
The brackets 450, the connectors 440 and the at least one pair of caps 402 are configured as described hereinabove.
It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected.
It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,” “second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.
In conclusion, herein is presented a rail conveyance system. The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.
This application is a nonprovisional utility application of the provisional patent application, Ser. No. 63/111,839, filed in the United States Patent Office on Nov. 10, 2020, and claims the priority thereof and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63111839 | Nov 2020 | US |
