Independent self-climbing form system for building vertical structures

Abstract

An independent self-climbing form system may be assembled at a work site to build, maintain, or repair vertical structures. The independent self-climbing form system may include a plurality of support towers. Additionally, at least two trusses may be connected to the plurality of support towers. The trusses may be spaced apart from each other. Further, one or more platforms may be formed within a perimeter delimited by the at least two trusses. The at least one or more platforms may be configured to extend or retract within the perimeter. Furthermore, screw jacks may be disposed at each connection point of the at least two trusses on the plurality of support towers. The screw jacks may be configured to vertically move the at least two trusses up and down the plurality of support towers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An independent self-climbing form system, comprising:
 a plurality of support towers;   at least two trusses connected to the plurality of support towers, wherein the trusses are spaced apart from each other;   one or more platforms formed within a perimeter delimited by the at least two trusses, wherein the at least one or more platforms are configured to extend or retract within the perimeter; and   screw jacks disposed at each connection point of the at least two trusses on the plurality of support towers, wherein the screw jacks are configured to vertically move the at least two trusses up and down the plurality of support towers.   
     
     
         2 . The independent self-climbing form system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the support towers of the plurality of support towers is formed from a plurality of tower segments stacked on top of each other. 
     
     
         3 . The independent self-climbing form system of  claim 1 , further comprising an end truss disposed at ends of the at least two trusses to connect the at least two trusses together. 
     
     
         4 . The independent self-climbing form system of  claim 3 , wherein a peripheral edge of the at least two trusses and the end trusses form the perimeter. 
     
     
         5 . The independent self-climbing form system of  claim 3 , further comprising one or more housings disposed on the end trusses. 
     
     
         6 . The independent self-climbing form system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more platforms are a work platform. 
     
     
         7 . The independent self-climbing form system of  claim 6 , wherein the work platform is a multi-level deck platform. 
     
     
         8 . The independent self-climbing form system of  claim 1 , wherein the screw jacks comprise a motor, a gearbox, and a threaded rod. 
     
     
         9 . The independent self-climbing form system of  claim 8 , further comprising a locking device configured lock the trusses at a vertical position on the plurality of support towers. 
     
     
         10 . The independent self-climbing form system of  claim 8 , further comprising an anti-rotational device disposed on the threaded rod. 
     
     
         11 . The independent self-climbing form system of  claim 1 , further comprising controls and a computer system disposed on the trusses to manually and/or automatically operate the independent self-climbing form system. 
     
     
         12 . A method for installing an independent self-climbing form system at a site, comprising:
 erecting a plurality of support towers at the site;   connecting at least two trusses to the plurality of support towers, wherein the trusses are spaced apart from each other;   forming at least one or more platforms within a perimeter delimited by the at least two trusses; and   providing screw jacks at each connection point of the at least two trusses on the plurality of support towers.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising stacking and coupling a plurality of tower segments on top of each other to increase a height of the plurality of support towers. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing an end truss at ends of the at least two trusses to connect the at least two trusses together. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising installing wood planks or plywood or composite boards or metal grate flooring on the trusses, the platforms, and the end trusses to form walkways. 
     
     
         16 . A method for using an independent self-climbing form system to build a vertical structure, comprising:
 vertically moving at least two trusses up or down a plurality of support towers with a screw jacks at each connection point between the at least two trusses and the plurality of support towers;   locking the at least two trusses at a vertical position to the plurality of support towers to access the vertical structure; and   extending or retracting at least one or more platforms connected to the at least two trusses around the vertical structure.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the vertically moving of the at least two trusses comprises moving the screw jacks up a threaded rod. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the locking of the at least two trusses comprises removably bolting an arm at an end of the threaded rod to a rigid framework of the plurality of support towers. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising leveling each of the at least two trusses at a same height on the plurality of support towers. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, executable by a processor, wherein the instructions comprising functionality to control the independent self-climbing form system.