RUNBACK BACKSTRUCTURE ACCESS SYSTEM

Abstract

A runback backstructure access system for removably providing access between building floors of a building structure. The system includes: first and second tower legs with first and second rosette attachment connectors; a first landing beam mountable between the first and second tower legs; first and second landing beam support connectors connectable respectively to the rosette attachment connectors; at least one building support connector for connecting the first landing beam to the building structure; third and fourth tower legs with third and fourth rosette attachment connectors; a second landing beam mounted between the third and fourth tower legs; third and fourth landing beam support connectors for connecting to the third and fourth rosette attachment connectors; and at least one strut member for connecting the first landing beam to the second landing beam.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a runback backstructure access system. In particular, the present invention relates a personnel material hoist runback backstructure access system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Backstructure systems provide access between building floors and construction hoists at building setbacks. Backstructures also provide a tie point for hoist masts.

Conventional backstructure systems are constructed from bolted or clamped connections for connecting both tower components and landing components. Landing gates and landing protection systems are traditionally constructed of pipes and clamps and/or site-built wood panels.

There is a need for a backstructure system that provides increased productivity, increased re-utilization of connection hardware and increased job safety.

In order to address the above drawbacks, a desired system should provide a more ergonomic and safer installation than previous systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a runback backstructure access system for removably providing access between building floors of a building structure, the system comprising: a first tower leg comprising a first rosette attachment connector; a second tower leg comprising a second rosette attachment connector; a first landing beam mountable between the first and second tower legs; a first landing beam support connector connectable on a first end of the first landing beam, the first landing beam support connector comprising a first tethered pin for removably connecting to the first rosette attachment connector; a second landing beam support connector connectable on a second end of the first landing beam, the second landing beam support connector comprising a second tethered pin for removably connecting to the second rosette attachment; at least one building support connector for connecting the first landing beam to the building structure; a third tower leg comprising a third rosette attachment connector; a fourth tower leg comprising a fourth rosette attachment connector; a second landing beam mounted between the third and fourth tower legs; a third landing beam support connector connectable on a first end of the second landing beam, the third landing beam support connector comprising a third tethered pin for removably connecting to the third rosette attachment connector; a fourth landing beam support connector connectable on a second end of the second landing beam, the fourth landing beam support connector comprising a fourth tethered pin for removably connecting to the fourth rosette attachment connector; and at least one first strut member for connecting the first landing beam to the second landing beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a runback backstructure access system secured to a building structure, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the runback backstructure access system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is yet another perspective view of the runback backstructure access system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are respectively, two side views and a perspective view of a tower leg with four rosette attachment connectors used in a runback backstructure access system, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of four tower legs with rosette attachment connectors used in a runback backstructure access system, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an anchoring platform for a runback backstructure access system, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective front and back views of a landing beam support connector used in a runback backstructure access system, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a runback backstructure access system or quickback access system, generally referred to using the reference numeral 10, is designed based on a modified “system scaffold” rosette wedge connection method or rosette attachment connector 12 incorporated into a tower leg 14. The runback backstructure access system is used for removably providing access between building floors F of a building structure B. An elevator E may be included in the system.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 4B and 4C, the tower leg 14 has an outside diameter of 4.5 inches and may include an inner tube 14′. The tower leg 14 may include four rosette attachment connectors 12 spaced at a predetermined distance from each other. The tower leg 14 is configured to receive a top pin 1 with blocking ring 2 and bottom pin 3 with blocking ring 4. A chain 5 extending from the tower leg 14 is connectable to the top pin 1 and blocking ring 2. A quick connector 6 may also be used to attach the chain 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown four tower legs 14 with rosette attachment connectors 12. A set of multiple struts 15 connect the tower legs 14 together via the rosette attachment connectors 12. This modular design may be used repeatedly on each side of platforms that are mounted to the building structure.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in addition to FIG. 5, there is shown an anchoring platform for a runback backstructure access system, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The anchoring platform includes a first landing beam 18 mountable between first and second tower legs 14. The platform also includes a first landing beam support connector 20 connectable on a first end of the first landing beam 18. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first landing beam support connector 20 includes at least one tethered pin 21 for removably connecting to the rosette attachment connector 12 of the first tower leg 14. The landing beam support connector 20 may include a first support plate 23 for supporting the pin 21. Two pins 21 are illustrated at the top. The landing beam support connector 20 may also include a second support plate 23′ for supporting further pins 21.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the anchoring platform includes a second landing beam support connector 22 connectable on a second end of the first landing beam 18. The second landing beam support connector 22 includes a tethered pin for removably connecting to the second rosette attachment connector 12 of a second tower leg 14. At least one building support connector 16 is provided for connecting the first landing beam to the building structure B. A second landing beam 18′ is mounted between opposed third and fourth tower legs 14. The anchoring platform also includes a second landing beam 18′ mounted between third and fourth tower legs 14. The second landing beam 18′ is connected to each end to third and fourth landing beam support connector 24, 26 that connect respectively to the third and fourth rosette attachment connectors 12. A series of first strut members 28 connect the first landing beam 18 to the second landing beam 18′.

The anchoring platform may further include a third landing beam 18″ mountable between to fifth and sixth tower legs 14. The third lading beam has a fifth and sixth landing beam support connector 32, 34 that work similarly as explained above. A series of second strut members 36 connect the second landing beam 18′ to the third landing beam 18″.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, a landing deck 30 is mountable on top of the first and second landing beams 18, 18′.

This design allows for the use of standard horizontal and diagonal braces for tower bracing. This feature allows for the repurposing of inventory items into a high capacity system while incorporating the quick connection feature of the wedge system and eliminating the possibility of hardware fall hazards. All of the leg connection hardware is tethered to its associated tower leg 14 to allow for a quick and safe connection, thus eliminating the material fall hazard of the leg connection hardware.

A landing beam support connection also engages leg rosettes or rosette attachment connectors 12 through tethered pins, as well as connecting the landing beam support to its corresponding landing beam. The tethered pin connection substantially increases connection efficiency which not only reduces hang time for all components, but also makes labor more efficient, thus reducing installation time and eliminating the potential for hardware fall hazards.

The landing deck beams include locking pins that offset the corresponding beam to minimize the risk of error in deck positioning and eliminating the requirement for measuring the beam offset.

The landing gate system incorporates the center infill panel into a modular frame that uses pins to connect the landing gate frame to the landing deck structure and the tower legs 14. The modular frame technology and pin connection provides for a safer system than conventional systems by reducing the required labor effort resulting from engineered fitted panels with pin connections. Modular frames also eliminate the labor effort required for job built systems, thereby increasing productivity and reducing material fall hazards.

A quickback tie or connector mechanism 16 laterally secures the runback backstructure access system 10 to the building structure. The quickback tie or connector mechanism 16 accepts the hoist mast tie, utilizes prefabricated fixed components internal to the system and has reduced bolted connections to localized tensile connections. The quickback tie or connector mechanism 16 allows for adjustability to accommodate building irregularities.

Each high capacity tower leg 14 is designed to exceed typical backstructure leg capacities. Each tower leg 14, in conjunction with standardize quick connections, allows for opportunities for repurposing of the tower material for other high capacity modular application such as shoring.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of specific embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A runback backstructure access system (10) for removably providing access between building floors (F) of a building structure (B), the system (10) comprising: a first tower leg (14) comprising a first rosette attachment connector (12);a second tower leg (14) comprising a second rosette attachment connector (12);a first landing beam (18) mountable between the first and second tower legs (14);a first landing beam support connector (20) connectable on a first end of the first landing beam (18), the first landing beam support connector (20) comprising a first tethered pin for removably connecting to the first rosette attachment connector (12);a second landing beam support connector (22) connectable on a second end of the first landing beam (18), the second landing beam support connector (22) comprising a second tethered pin for removably connecting to the second rosette attachment connector (12);at least one building support connector (16) for connecting the first landing beam to the building structure (B);a third tower leg (14) comprising a third rosette attachment connector (12);a fourth tower leg (14) comprising a fourth rosette attachment connector (12);a second landing beam (18′) mounted between the third and fourth tower legs (14);a third landing beam support connector (24) connectable on a first end of the second landing beam (18′), the third landing beam support connector (24) comprising a third tethered pin for removably connecting to the third rosette attachment connector (12);a fourth landing beam support connector (26) connectable on a second end of the second landing beam (18′), the fourth landing beam support connector (26) comprising a fourth tethered pin for removably connecting to the fourth rosette attachment connector (12); andat least one first strut member (28) for connecting the first landing beam (18) to the second landing beam (18′).

2. The system of claim 1, comprising: a landing deck (30) mountable on top of the first and second landing beams (18, 18′).

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a fifth tower leg (14) comprising a fifth rosette attachment connector (12);a sixth tower leg (14) comprising a sixth rosette attachment connector (12);a third landing beam (18″) mountable between the fifth and sixth tower legs (14);a fifth landing beam support connector (32) connectable on a first end of the third landing beam (18″), the fifth landing beam support connector (32) comprising a fifth tethered pin for removably connecting to the fifth rosette attachment connector (12);a sixth landing beam support connector (34) connectable on a second end of the third landing beam (18″), the sixth landing beam support connector (34) comprising a sixth tethered pin for removably connecting to the sixth rosette attachment connector (12); andat least one second strut member (36) for connecting the second landing beam (18′) to the third landing beam (18″).