Patent Application
20230321739
The present invention relates to methods and systems for cleaning equipment and parts thereof.
The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to cleaning grooves of equipment and fastening means including threads.
The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.
Scaffolding systems are temporary structures used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures. For example, scaffolding structures may surround building structures to apply render and paint onto the exterior surfaces of buildings.
The fact that the scaffolding systems are adjacent building constructions to which render and paint is applied results in that most of the parts of the scaffolding systems will be covered, after applying the render and paint, with render and paint residue, which will harden as time goes by and become firmly attached to the parts of the scaffolding systems.
Upon completion of the render and paint job, the scaffolding system is dismounted and shipped back to, for example, the owner of the scaffolding system that may have hired-out the scaffolding system.
At the owner's premises, all parts of the scaffolding system require a throw-out cleaning to remove any render and paint debris that may be firmly attached to the scaffolding parts.
Typically, the cleaning process is difficult and cumbersome and time consuming, thus expensive. This is particularly true in the instances that the jacks of the scaffolding systems need to be cleaned.
As shown in
Removal of the hardened debris from the jack 1 and in particular extraction of the debris from within the grooves formed between the crests of the thread is a massive time-consuming task.
It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.
According to a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided a method for cleaning a threaded section having a first thread adapted to receive a counterpart threaded section having a second thread, the method comprising the steps of:
Preferably, the crest of the rotating thread is moved within the grooves of the stationary thread to remove any debris from the first thread and/or second thread.
Preferably, the crest of the rotating thread is moved within the grooves of the stationary thread to loosen the threaded section and the counterpart threaded section with respect to each other.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of selectively displacing either the counterpart threaded section or the threaded section towards a first direction and a second direction.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of recurrently activating the source of rotational movement for providing rotational movement to the counterpart threaded section or the threaded section in the clockwise direction and recurrently activating the source of rotational movement for providing rotational movement to the counterpart threaded section or the threaded section in the counterclockwise direction.
Preferably, the threaded section is part of a scaffolding jack.
Preferably, the counterpart threaded section comprises a screw nut of the scaffolding jack.
According to a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning a threaded section having a first thread adapted to receive a counterpart threaded section having a second thread, the apparatus comprising a source of rotational movement, rotational means for operatively connecting either the threaded section or the counterpart threaded section to the source of rotational movement, and fixing means for fixing either (1) the counterpart threaded section to impede rotational movement of the counterpart threaded section when the threaded section is operatively connected to the source of rotational movement or (2) the threaded section to impede rotational movement of the threaded section when the counterpart threaded section is operatively connected to the source of rotational movement.
Preferably, the rotational means is adapted to either provide clockwise rotational movement or counterclockwise rotational movement to either the threaded section or the counterpart threaded section.
Preferably, the rotational means is adapted to be selectively displaced between an operative condition for operatively attaching either the threaded section or the counterpart threaded section, and a non-operative condition for detachment of either the threaded section or the counterpart threaded section.
Preferably, the rotational means comprises a coupling adapted to releasably attach an end of the threaded section or at least a portion of the counterpart section.
Preferably, the fixing means comprises a frame and a fixing assembly attached to the frame, the fixing assembly being adapted to receive either the threaded section or the counterpart threaded section to impede rotational movement of either the threaded section or the counterpart threaded section.
Preferably, the coupling comprises a spin housing being adapted to releasably attach an end of the threaded section or at least a portion of the counterpart threaded section.
Preferably, the coupling further comprises a cage for receiving the spin housing.
Preferably, the spin housing comprises an electric motor having a shaft, and a spin section rotatably attached to the shaft.
Preferably, the spin section comprises a coupling with a cavity, the coupling being attached to the shaft to transfer the rotational force generated by the electric motor to the coupling.
Preferably, the coupling is configured for receiving an end of either the threaded section or at least a portion of the counterpart threaded section.
Preferably, the cavity is configured to match the outer profile of either the threaded section or the counterpart threaded section such that upon rotation of the spin section, the threaded section or the counterpart threaded section rotates with the spin section.
Preferably, the cage containing the spin housing comprises handles extending from sides of the cage permitting operators to manipulate the cage.
Preferably, at least one of the handles is operatively connected to an electric controller of an electric system delivering electric power to the electric motor for driving of the spin housing.
Preferably, the rotational means is adapted to be displaced between an upper position and a lower position.
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a post attached to the fixing means and a travel frame set slideably attached to the post, the travel frame set being adapted for attachment of the rotational means thereto.
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a counterweight system having a counterweight, a pulley assembly and a cord supported by the pulley assembly, the rotational means being operatively connected to the counterweight system via the cord.
Preferably, the threaded section is part of a pole rod of a scaffolding jack having a base plate, and the counterpart threaded section comprises a screw nut of the scaffolding jack.
Preferably, the cavity is configured in order to operatively connect either the base plate or the screw nut to the coupling.
Preferably, the fixing assembly comprises a plurality of rods that extend from a lower portion of the frame towards an upper location of the frame.
Preferably, the plurality of rods are arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other defining a plurality of spacing between neighbouring rods.
Preferably, the spacing is adapted to receive wings of the screw nut, or the base plate for keeping the screw nut or the base plate in a non-rotational condition.
Preferably, the fixing assembly comprises a hollow centre rod for receiving the end of the pole rod.
Preferably, the fixing means for keeping the screw nut in a non-rotational condition comprises a table desk for mounting on the frame, the table desk comprising a surface having a slot for receiving the scaffolding jack in an inverted condition.
Preferably, the surface comprises a mesh surface.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for cleaning a threaded section having a thread groove adapted to receive a screw nut having an internal thread, the method comprising the steps of:
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of recurrently activating the source of rotational movement for providing rotational movement to the threaded section in the clockwise direction and recurrently activating the source of rotational movement for providing rotational movement to the threaded section in the counterclockwise direction for selectively displacing the screw nut towards a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Preferably, the threaded section is part of a scaffolding jack.
Preferably, the screw nut comprises a screw nut of the scaffolding jack.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning a threaded section having thread grooves adapted to receive a screw nut having an internal thread, the apparatus comprising a source of rotational movement, rotational means for operatively connecting the threaded section to the source of rotational movement, and fixing means for fixing the screw nut such as to impede rotational movement of the screw nut and allow movement of the screw nut along the threated section when the threaded section is operatively connected to the source of rotational movement.
Preferably, the rotational means is adapted to either provide clockwise rotational movement or counterclockwise rotational movement to the threaded section to move the screw nut along the threated section in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Preferably, the rotational means comprises a coupling adapted to releasably attach an end of the threaded section or at least a portion of the counterpart section.
Preferably, the fixing means comprises a frame and a fixing assembly attached to the frame, the fixing assembly being adapted to receive the screw nut to impede rotational movement of the screw nut and allow movement of the screw nut along the threaded section.
Preferably, a spin housing comprises the coupling being adapted to releasably attach the end of the threaded section.
Preferably, the rotational means comprises a cage for receiving the spin housing.
Preferably, the cage comprises handles extending from sides of the cage permitting operators to manipulate the cage.
Preferably, the spin housing comprises an electric motor having a shaft, and a spin section rotatably attached to the shaft.
Preferably, the spin section comprises a coupling with a cavity, the coupling being attached to the shaft to transfer rotational force generated by the electric motor to the coupling.
Preferably, the cavity is configured to match the outer profile of the end of the threaded section such that upon rotation of the spin section, the threaded section rotates with the spin section.
Preferably, at least one of the handles is operatively connected to an electric controller of an electric system delivering electric power to the electric motor for driving of the spin housing.
Preferably, the rotational means is adapted to be displaced between an upper position and a lower position.
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a post attached to the fixing means and a travel frame set slideably attached to the post, the travel frame set being adapted to receive the rotational means.
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a counterweight system having a counterweight, a pulley assembly and a cord supported by the pulley assembly, the rotational means being operatively connected to the counterweight system via the cord.
Preferably, the threaded section is part of a pole rod of a scaffolding jack having a base plate, and the screw nut comprises a screw nut of the scaffolding jack.
Preferably, the cavity is configured in order to operatively connect the base plate to the rotational means.
Preferably, the fixing means comprises a plurality of rods that extend from a lower portion of the frame towards an upper location of the frame, wherein the rods are arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other defining neighbouring rods and a plurality of spacing between the neighbouring rods.
Preferably, the spacing is adapted to receive wings of the screw nut for keeping the screw nut in a non-rotational condition and allow movement of the screw nut along the threated section.
Preferably, the fixing assembly comprises a hollow centre rod for receiving the end of the pole rod.
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a table desk for mounting on the frame, the table desk comprising a surface having a slot for receiving the scaffolding jack in an inverted condition.
Preferably, the surface comprises a mesh surface.
Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
As will be described with reference to the method of operation of the apparatus 10, threated sections 5 of equipment, such as for example, scaffolding jacks 1 shown in
In accordance with a particular arrangement of the present embodiment of the invention, a threaded section comprising debris attached to the thread is cleaned using a nut adapted to be screwed onto the treaded section. In particular, the nut is screwed onto the threaded section and then via rotational movement of either the screw nut or the threaded section, any debris attached to the threaded section and in particular located within the thread grooves of the threaded section are removed from the threaded section. In particular, removal of the debris within the grooves of the threaded section is accomplished due to the action of the crests of the internal thread of the nut while the nut moves along the threaded section.
The apparatus 10 shown in
The means 12 for keeping the screw nut 4 in a non-rotational condition comprises a frame 16 and a fixing assembly 18 attached to the frame 16. The fixing assembly 18 is adapted to receive the screw nut 4 in order to fix the screw nut 4 in a non-rotational condition.
As shown in
The plurality of rods 20 of the fixing assembly 18 are arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other defining a plurality of spacing 22 between neighbouring rods 20. The spacing 22 allows receiving the wings 6 of the screw nut 4, which results in that the screw nut 4 is kept in a non-rotational condition because the wings 6 are located between neighbouring rods 20 as shown, for example, in
Further, the fixing assembly 18 comprises alignment means. In particular, the fixing assembly 18 comprises a hollow centre rod 21 (best seen in
Furthermore, the means 12 for keeping the screw nut 4 in a non-rotational condition also comprise a table desk 24 for mounting on the frame 16 as is shown in
The table desk 24 comprises a surface 26 having a slot 28 for receiving the scaffolding jack 1 in an inverted condition (as shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
Further,
Furthermore, the spin section 30 comprises a coupling 46 attached to the shaft 44 to transfer the rotational force generated by the electric motor 36 to the coupling 44.
The coupling 46 is adapted to be operatively connect the threaded section 5 to the coupling 46 to transfer the rotational force to the threaded section 5. In particular, the coupling 46 is configured for receiving an end of the threaded section 5.
In the particular arrangement in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, the coupling 46 comprises a cavity 48 for receiving the base plate 3 of the scaffolding jack 1. The cavity 48 is configured in order to operatively connect the base plate 3 to the coupling 44. As shown in
Referring back to
As mentioned above, the handles 50 allow manipulation of the cage 32 containing the spin housing 30. In particular, the operator while holding handles 50 with her/his hand may selectively displace the cage between a non-operative condition (see
Further, in accordance with the particular arrangement shown in the figures, the cage 32 is adapted to be displaced between an upper position (being a non-operative condition) and a lower position (being the operative condition).
As shown in
Further, the pulley assembly 56 is mounted above and spaced apart from the table desk 24 of the frame 16. For this a post 60 extends from the table desk 24 having a free end 62 located distal from the table desk 24. The free end 62 is adapted to receive the pulley assembly 56 as shown in
Furthermore, the cage 32 is slideable attached to the post 60 to permit the cage 32 selectively be displaced between the operative condition and the non-operative condition. For this, there is provided a travel frame set 64 (see
Moreover, the apparatus 10 comprises an electric system for electrically connecting the electric motor 36 to a power source. For this, the electric system comprises an insulated electric conductor 70 for delivering electric energy to the electric motor 36. The electric system also comprises controllers in the form an electric panel 72 and an electric control mounted in the handles(s) 51.
Referring now to
As shown in
Subsequently, the cage 32 is moved by the operator (holding the handles 51 in her/his hands) into the operative condition as shown in
The operator, at this stage, using the handle(s) 51 activates the electric motor 36 of the spin housing 30 to rotate the threaded section 5 such that the screw nut 4 of the scaffolding jack 1 moves along the threaded section 5 for cleaning of the threaded section 5.
Activation of the electric motor 36 may comprises recurrently activating the source of rotational movement for providing rotational movement in the clockwise direction and recurrently activating the source of rotational movement for providing rotational movement in the counterclockwise direction. For this, the electric motor 36 is adapted to rotate the treaded section 5 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. This arrangement, is particularly useful because it allows to displace the screw nut 4 towards either one first direction along the threaded section or to another second direction (opposite to the first direction); thus, by selectively varying the direction of rotation (between clockwise and counter-clockwise) the screw nut 4 may be displaced a multitude of times from one end of the threaded section 5 to the other end of the threaded 5 permitting a throughout clean of the threaded section 5 due to repetitive moving of the crest of the inner thread of the screw nut 4 within the grooves of the outer thread of the threaded section 5.
Upon completion of the cleaning process, the operator may move the cage 32 into the non-operative condition and extract the scaffolding jack 1. Once the scaffolding jack 1 is extracted, the operator may rotate the screw nut 4 along the entire threaded section 5 to confirm whether the threaded section 5 of the scaffolding jack 1 has been properly cleaned. In case the operator notices that the screw nut 4 does not smoothly moves along the threaded section 5, the operator may further clean the scaffolding jack 1 using apparatus 10 as described above in relation to the method of operation of the apparatus 10
Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, the particular arrangement shown in the figures, have been described in connecting with cleaning of a scaffolding jack 1; however, in alternative arrangements, threaded sections of other type of devices or fastening means (such as bolds used in the constructions industry) may be cleaned using the same method in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention.
Furthermore, the particular arrangement shown in the figures, move the screw nut 4 in a vertical direction. In alternative arrangements, the screw nut 4 may be moved sideways along the threaded section 5.
Moreover, the particular arrangement shown in the figures, have been described showing the threaded section 5 as being coupled to the spin housing 30 with the screw nut 4 in a non-rotational condition. In alternative arrangements, the screw nut 4 may be coupled to the spin housing 30 with the threaded section in a non-rotational condition. In these alternative arrangements, the fixing assembly 18 is adapted to impede rotational movement of the threaded section 5 comprising the base plate 3.
Further, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments disclosed. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.
Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, or inner and outer, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, and “having”, or variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Although terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be 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 may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first”, “second”, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. 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 of the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be 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. Spatially relative terms may be 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 may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020903396 | Sep 2020 | AU | national |
| 12021050307 | Jul 2021 | PH | national |
The present application is a continuation-in-part of PCT Application No. PCT/AU2021/051108 filed on Sep. 22, 2021, which claims priority to Australian Application No. 2020903396 filed on Sep. 22, 2020, and Philippine Application No. 12021050307 filed on Jul. 8, 2021, the entirety of the foregoing applications being incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/AU2021/051108 | Sep 2021 | US |
| Child | 18188113 | US |
