Construction

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for use in construction. The apparatus comprises a base unit adapted to be fixed to a structure in an elevated position relative to the ground, and a mechanism for moving a construction worker and/or construction material relative to the base unit.

1 . Apparatus for use in construction, which apparatus comprises a base unit adapted to be releasably fixed to a structure in an elevated position relative to the ground, and a mechanism for moving a construction worker and/or construction material relative to the structure.  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base unit is adapted to accommodate a construction worker.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the base unit is adapted to accommodate a construction worker whilst the apparatus is raised relative to the structure.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the base unit satisfies recognized safety standards relating to transportation platforms for construction workers.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of  claim 2 , wherein the base unit comprises a floor and a peripheral barrier.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to be coupled to a crane.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a mechanism for raising itself relative to the structure.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the apparatus includes a raising mechanism that cooperates with horizontal and/or vertical beams of the structure to raise the apparatus relative to the structure.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein operation of the raising mechanism is controllable by a construction worker accommodated by the base unit.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the raising mechanism is adapted for fixing the base unit to the structure in an elevated position relative to the ground.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus as claimed  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a mechanism for moving construction material relative to the base unit.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism for moving construction material comprises a winch.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a mechanism for moving a construction worker relative to the base unit.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the mechanism for moving a construction worker relative to the base unit includes a work platform that is adapted for accommodating a construction worker, and a mechanism for moving the work platform relative to the base unit.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus comprises a support body mounted on the base unit, and a boom extending between the support body and the work platform.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the support body is rotatably mounted on the base unit.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the boom is pivotally mounted at one end to the support body, and at the other end to the work platform.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus includes a mechanism for rotating the boom relative to the support body about a single horizontal axis.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus includes a mechanism for rotating the work platform relative to the boom about a single horizontal axis.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the apparatus includes a self-leveling system that maintains the work platform in a generally horizontal orientation.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the self-leveling system is controlled by a microprocessor, such that the system either continuously or intermittently senses the orientation of the work platform, and automatically maintains the work platform in a horizontal orientation during use.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the boom is telescopically extendible and retractable.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the boom comprises a plurality of tubular members that are slidably engaged with one another.  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the apparatus includes a mechanism for rotating the work platform relative to the boom about at least one generally vertical axis.  
     
     
         25 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus includes at least one connecting member that couples the boom and the work platform together.  
     
     
         26 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the connecting member is pivotally connected to the boom at one end, and pivotally connected to the work platform at the other end.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the apparatus includes a mechanism for rotating the connecting member relative to the boom about a first vertical axis, and a mechanism for rotating the work platform relative to the connecting member about a second vertical axis, such that the work platform is moved within a generally horizontal plane relative to the boom.  
     
     
         28 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base unit comprises a floor and a peripheral barrier in the form of a safety rail.  
     
     
         29 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the position of the work platform relative to the base unit is controllable by the construction worker accommodated by the work platform.  
     
     
         30 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein a control panel is mounted to the work platform to enable the construction worker to move the work platform relative to the base unit.  
     
     
         31 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control panel on the base unit includes a selector switch that must be in an appropriate state for the control panel on the work platform to function.  
     
     
         32 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of anchorages for fixing the base unit to a structure such that the base unit is in an elevated position relative to the ground.  
     
     
         33 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein one or more of the anchorages are movably mounted relative to the base unit.  
     
     
         34 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the anchorages are adapted to engage one or more beams or the like of the structure.  
     
     
         35 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein each anchorage is attached to a leg that extends from the base unit.  
     
     
         36 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein each anchorage is movable relative to the base unit, and such movement is brought about by movement of the leg relative to the base unit.  
     
     
         37 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein each leg is movable relative to the base unit and/or adjustable in length such that the length of that part of the leg that projects beyond the base unit is alterable.  
     
     
         38 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein each leg is rotatably mounted to the base unit.  
     
     
         39 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein each leg is telescopically extendible and retractable.  
     
     
         40 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein each leg is slidably mounted within a housing that is fixed relative to the base unit, such that anchorages at one end of each leg may be extended and retracted relative to the base unit by movement of the leg relative to the housing.  
     
     
         41 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the apparatus comprises four legs that are arranged parallel to one another.  
     
     
         42 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the operation of the anchorages is controllable by a construction worker accommodated by the base unit.  
     
     
         43 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein movement of the anchorages relative to the base unit is controllable by a construction worker accommodated by the base unit.  
     
     
         44 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the base unit includes a control panel that enables a construction worker to control said operation and/or movement of the anchorages.  
     
     
         45 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the control panel includes, or is in communication with, suitable control device.  
     
     
         46 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the control device is a microprocessor.  
     
     
         47 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the control panel is only functional when the boom and work platform are in a configuration that is suitable for transportation of the apparatus.  
     
     
         48 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the control panel includes a selector switch that must be in an appropriate state for the control panel to function.  
     
     
         49 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein each anchorage has the general form of a clamp that is arranged to captivate a beam or the like of a structure.  
     
     
         50 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein each anchorage comprises first and second clamp members that are movable relative to one another so as to captivate a beam or part of a beam between the clamp members on actuation of the anchorage.  
     
     
         51 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein each anchorage includes a location surface that is adapted to lie against a surface of the beam, such that the beam or part of a beam is captivated between the location surface and the clamp members on actuation of the anchorage.  
     
     
         52 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein each anchorage is adapted  10  for engagement with a flange of a beam comprising a pair of flanges joined by a connecting web.  
     
     
         53 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein the location surface is adapted to lie against an outer face of the flange, and the clamp arms are adapted to engage an inner face of the flange on either side of the connecting web, such that the flange is captivated, in use, between the location surface and the first and second clamp members.  
     
     
         54 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein each anchorage is fixed to one end of a leg.  
     
     
         55 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein the first clamp member is mounted to a carriage, which is itself mounted within the leg and includes a mechanism for moving the carriage relative to the leg, such that the first clamp member may be moved along a linear path relative to the leg.  
     
     
         56 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein the second clamp member has a fixed linear position relative to the leg, and the first and second clamp members are brought into engagement with the flange by extension of the leg until the second clamp member engages the flange, and retraction of the carriage until the first clamp member engages the flange.  
     
     
         57 . A method of construction comprising: 
 providing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim;    raising the apparatus relative to a structure;    releasably fixing the apparatus to the structure in an elevated location    relative to the ground; and    moving a construction worker and/or construction material relative to the structure.    
     
     
         58 . A method as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein a construction worker is accommodated by the base unit whilst the apparatus is raised relative to the structure.  
     
     
         59 . A method as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the construction worker accommodated by the base unit is attached to the safety rail by a safety harness during the raising of the apparatus relative to the structure.  
     
     
         60 . A method as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein the apparatus is raised relative to the structure by a crane.  
     
     
         61 . A method as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the apparatus is fixed to the structure in an elevated location relative to the ground while the crane remains engaged with the apparatus.  
     
     
         62 . A method as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein the apparatus is raised relative to the structure by a raising mechanism of the apparatus that cooperates with vertical beams of the structure.  
     
     
         63 . A method as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein operation of the raising mechanism is controlled by a construction worker accommodated by the base unit.  
     
     
         64 . A method as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein the base unit is fixed by the raising mechanism to the structure in an elevated location relative to the ground.  
     
     
         65 . A method as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein the apparatus includes a mechanism for moving a construction worker relative to the base unit, said mechanism comprising a work platform that is adapted for accommodating a construction worker and a mechanism for moving the work platform relative to the base unit, and the work platform and the construction worker are elevated to a fixing site of greater elevation relative to the ground at which the construction worker fixes construction material to the structure.  
     
     
         66 . A method as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein construction material is transported to the construction worker at the fixing site by a crane.  
     
     
         67 . A method as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein the apparatus comprises a mechanism for moving construction material relative to the base unit, and the construction material is elevated to a fixing site of greater elevation relative to the ground at which a construction worker fixes the construction material to the structure.  
     
     
         68 . A method as claimed in  claim 67 , wherein the construction material is moved using a winch.