U.S. patent application number 10/732879 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for bridge platform.
This patent application is currently assigned to Paul Kristen, Inc.. Invention is credited to Apostolopoulos, Lambros.
Application Number | 20040117928 10/732879 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24015598 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040117928 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Apostolopoulos, Lambros |
June 24, 2004 |
Bridge platform
Abstract
A bridge platform and method of erecting the same wherein a
plurality of cables extend longitudinally of the bridge in spaced
relation below the deck or roadway and steel support structure of
the bridge, which cables are supported at opposite ends by the
spaced-apart vertical piers of the bridge, and wherein a plurality
of platform flooring panels or sections are supported on the
cables, extend laterally of the bridge, are arranged side-by-side
along the length of the bridge between the piers and are removably
secured to the cables. The cables are attached to the bridge piers
by compression clamp structures. The platform flooring sections
comprise elongated rectangular corrugated decking panels and are
arranged in end-to-end overlapping relation transversely of the
bridge, side-to-side overlapping relation longitudinally along the
bridge and with the corrugations extending transversely of the
cables. The corrugations maximize the strength-to-weight ratio of
the platform flooring and provide recesses or receptacles to
contain debris and facilitate its collection and removal. Each of
the platform flooring sections is releasably connected at spaced
locations to the supporting cables on which it rests. This is
provided by connector assemblies each comprising a first part which
engages the upper surface of the flooring section and the cable and
a second part which engages the upper surface of the flooring
section, the two parts being removably connected together through a
small opening in the flooring. As a result, individual flooring
sections can be removed to provide access through the flooring in
emergency or critical situations while at the same time allowing
the remainder of the flooring to retain collected debris.
Inventors: |
Apostolopoulos, Lambros;
(Amherst, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James C. Simmons
The Law Office of James C. Simmons
11 Falmouth Lane
Williamsville
NY
14221
US
|
Assignee: |
Paul Kristen, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
24015598 |
Appl. No.: |
10/732879 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10732879 |
Dec 10, 2003 |
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09695338 |
Oct 24, 2000 |
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6302237 |
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09695338 |
Oct 24, 2000 |
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09352227 |
Jul 13, 1999 |
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6135240 |
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09352227 |
Jul 13, 1999 |
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08912405 |
Aug 18, 1997 |
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5921346 |
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08912405 |
Aug 18, 1997 |
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08506685 |
Jul 25, 1995 |
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5730248 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
14/77.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01D 19/106
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
014/077.1 |
International
Class: |
E01D 021/00 |
Claims
1. A platform for installation below the deck of a bridge and
extending along a section of the bridge for supporting persons
performing work on the bridge and for collecting debris resulting
from the work, said platform comprising: a) a plurality of cables
extending along the bridge and in spaced relation to each other and
in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the deck; b)
means at each end of said cables for securing said cables to the
bridge so that the plane of the cables is at a desired distance
below the portion of the bridge upon which work is to be performed;
c) a plurality of flooring sections each extending transversely of
the cables and resting on said cables, said flooring sections being
arranged in side-by-side relation longitudinally of the cables; and
d) means for releasably securing said flooring sections to said
cables.
2. A bridge platform according to claim 1, wherein said means for
securing said cables to the bridge secures said cables to
spaced-apart piers of the bridge.
3. A bridge platform according to claim 2, wherein said means for
securing said cables to the bridge piers comprises a pair of
compression clamp structures, one on each of the piers, and said
cables are connected at opposite ends thereof to said clamp
structures.
4. A bridge platform according to claim 1, wherein said flooring
sections comprise elongated rectangular decking panels arranged in
end-to-end overlapping relation transversely of the cables and in
side-to-side overlapping relation longitudinally of the cables.
5. A bridge platform according to claim 4, wherein said decking
panels are corrugated with the corrugations extending transversely
of the cables.
6. A bridge platform according to claim 1, wherein said flooring
sections comprise corrugated elongated rectangular decking panels
with the corrugations extending transversely of the cables.
7. A bridge platform according to claim 1, wherein said means for
releasably securing said flooring sections to said cables comprises
a plurality of connector assemblies each comprising a first part
which engages the upper surface of the flooring section and the
cable, a second part which engages the upper surface of the
flooring section and means extending through the flooring section
for releasably connecting the two parts together.
8. A bridge platform according to claim 7, wherein said first part
comprises a plate-like body and a substantially U-shaped hook
formation extending from said body for engaging the cable and
having a threaded free end and wherein said second part comprises a
plate-like body having an opening therethrough for receiving
therethrough said threaded end of said hook formation of said first
part so that a nut can be threaded or said free end to fasten said
first and second parts together.
9. A bridge platform according to claim 7, wherein some of said
connector assemblies further include means for connection to one
end of an auxiliary supporting cable, the other end of which is
secured to the bridge to provide additional support for said
platform.
10. A bridge platform according to claim 1, further including
tarpaulin enclosures extending between said platform and the bridge
for defining a region between said platform and the bridge which
enhances containment of the debris.
11. A method for installing a platform below the deck of a bridge
for supporting persons performing work on the bridge and for
collecting debris resulting from the work, said method comprising
the steps of: a) providing a plurality of cables and securing the
cables to the bridge so that they extend along the bridge and in
spaced relation to each other and in a plane substantially parallel
to the deck at a distance below the portion of the bridge upon
which work is to be performed; b) providing a plurality of flooring
sections each comprising corrugated elongated rectangular decking
panels wherein the corrugations extend along the length of the
panel; c) placing the flooring sections on the cables with the
corrugations extending transversely of the cables and with the
sections in end-to-end and side-to-side contacting relation to each
other; and d) fastening the flooring sections to the cables by
means of releasable connector assemblies each engaging the flooring
sections and a corresponding one of the cables.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the cables are secured
to neighboring piers of the bridge so that the platform extends
between the neighboring piers.
13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said flooring sections
are arranged in end-to-end overlapping relation transversely of the
cables and in side-to-side overlapping relation longitudinally of
the cables.
14. A method according to claim 11, wherein said flooring sections
are fastened to the cables by placing a first part of a connector
assembly so that a portion thereof is in engagement with the upper
surface of the flooring section and another portion thereof is in
engagement with the cable through an opening in the flooring
section, placing a second part of the connector assembly in
engagement with the upper surface of the flooring section and
releasably connecting the first and second parts together.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the art of working platforms for
supporting persons performing work on structures, and more
particularly to a new and improved platform installed below the
deck or roadway of a bridge.
[0002] It is necessary to periodically clean and repaint the
surfaces of steel bridges to prevent corrosion and deterioration of
the steel supporting structure. This, in turn, creates the need to
provide a safe and effective support for workmen performing the
cleaning and painting of the surfaces beneath the deck or roadway
of the bridge. In addition, environmental concerns and regulations
give rise to the need for containing the debris from the cleaning
operation as well as paint residue and spillage.
[0003] A number of bridge platforms have been proposed but many are
complex structures and time consuming to erect and dismantle. Other
prior art platforms are not sufficiently rigid or are limited in
height, i.e., the distance between platform flooring and bridge
steel structure, due to the manner in which they are attached to
the bridge. Some prior platforms extend for only a short distance
longitudinally of the bridge and are limited in that respect.
[0004] It would, therefore, be highly desirable to provide a new
and improved bridge platform and method of erecting the same which
is safe, provides a sufficiently rigid support for workman standing
and walking thereon, which is simple in structure, light in weight,
and therefore quick, easy and economical to erect and dismantle,
which extends for a significant portion of the length of the bridge
and which is effective in containing debris from the cleaning and
painting operations performed on the bridge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a bridge platform and method
of erecting the same wherein a plurality of cables extend along a
section of the bridge in spaced relation below the deck or roadway
and steel support structure of the bridge, which cables are
supported at opposite ends by a structure of the bridge such as the
spaced-apart vertical piers of the bridge, and wherein a plurality
of platform flooring panels or sections are supported on the
cables, extend laterally of the cables, are arranged side-by-side
along the section of the bridge such as between the piers and are
removably secured to the cables. The cables preferably are attached
to the bridge piers by compression clamp structures. The platform
flooring sections comprise elongated rectangular corrugated decking
panels and are arranged in end-to-end overlapping relation
transversely of the cables, side-to-side overlapping relation along
the bridge and with the corrugations extending transversely of the
cables. The corrugations maximize the strength-to-weight ratio of
the platform flooring and provide recesses or receptacles to
contain debris and facilitate its collection and removal. Each of
the platform flooring sections is releasably connected at spaced
locations to the supporting cables on which it rests. This is
provided by connector assemblies each comprising a first part which
engages the upper surface of the flooring section and the cable and
a second part which engages the upper surface of the flooring
section, the two parts being removably connected together through a
small opening in the flooring. As a result, individual flooring
sections can be removed to provide access through the flooring in
emergency or critical situations while at the same time allowing
the remainder of the flooring to retain collected debris.
[0006] The foreg ing and additional advantages and characterizing
features of the present invention will become clearly apparent upon
a reading of the ensuing detailed description wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0007] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly
diagrammatic, of a bridge having a platform according to the
present invention installed thereon;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, partly
diagrammatic, of the bridge platform of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bridge platform of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a clamp
assembly in the bridge platform of FIGS. 1-3;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the clamp assembly of
FIG. 4;
[0012] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion of
the assembly of FIG. 5;
[0013] FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of another
portion of the assembly of FIG. 5;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a plan view of one of the sections of flooring of
the platform of the present invention as it appears resting on the
supporting cables;
[0015] FIG. 9 is an end view of the platform section shown in FIG.
8;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the flooring section
of FIG. 8 with connect r assemblies installed thereon for securing
the flooring to the cable;
[0017] FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of
one of the connector assemblies of FIG. 10;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of one part of the
connector assembly included in the platform of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the connector assembly of FIG.
12;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the second part of the
connector assembly of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the connector assembly of FIG. 14;
and
[0022] FIG. 16 illustrates the platform of the present invention in
combination with tarpaulin enclosures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a portion of a
bridge 10 including a deck or roadway 12 supported by structural
steel 14 which, in turn, is supported above the ground 16 by
concrete piers or pedestals at regular intervals along the length f
the bridge. Two piers 18 and 20 are shown on the bridge section of
FIG. 1, although many such piers are included along the total
length of an actual bridge. A railing 24 is shown extending along
the length of bridge deck 12. The platform 30 of the present
invention in the situation illustrated herein is located below the
bridge deck 12 and between the piers 18, 20 and is supported from
the piers 18, 20 and bridge structural steel 14. The platform 30,
which will be described presently, includes a plurality of cables
(not shown in FIG. 1) extending lengthwise of bridge 10 and
supported at opposite ends by piers 18, 20 and a plurality of
flooring sections supported by the cables, each extending
transversely of the cables and also transversely of bridge 10, and
the sections are in side-by-side relation along the length of
bridge 10. Each flooring section is removably connected at spaced
locations thereon to the cables. The platform also is supported at
spaced locations therealong by the bridge structural steel 14 by
means of support cables, some of which are designated 32 in FIG. 1.
While the present description is directed to the single platform
30, a plurality of platforms, three of which are designated 30',
30" and 30'" in FIG. 1 can be provided along the length of bridge
10.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown one of the bridge
piers, for example pier 20, which has a pair of vertical pedestals
or columns 42 and 44 joined near the upper ends by a central body
46. The bridge structural steel 14 includes sidewalls 50 and 52
which rest on the tops of pedestals 42 and 44, respectively, and
which are connected at spaced locations along the length of bridge
10 by a series of assemblies each including a horizontal frame
member 54 and inclined frame members 56 and 58 joined at the lower
ends to a central plate 60 fixed to frame member 54 and joined at
the upper ends to the corresponding sidewalls 50 and 52. Thus, the
bridge roadway or deck 12 is supported by the combination of the
piers and steel walls 50, 52 and frame assemblies in a known
manner. In addition, the walls 50, 52 and frame assemblies provide
the surfaces which must be periodically cleaned, such as by
abrasive blasting or the like, and painted.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the supporting cables 70 of the platform
30 of the present invention extend longitudinally of bridge 10
between the piers and are spaced apart substantially equally in a
transverse direction relative to bridge 10. Thus, cables 70 are
disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of bridge
deck 12. By way of example, in an illustrative bridge having a
width of about 32 feet and a distance between piers of about 140
feet, seven steel cables 70a-70g each one-half inch in diameter are
provided. The cables 70 are secured to a structure of bridge 10 so
that the plane of the cables is at a desired distance below the
portion of bridge 10 upon which work is to be performed. In the
platform of the present illustration, cables 70a-70g are attached
at opposite ends to piers 18 and 20 by compression clamp assemblies
which will be described. The platform flooring, generally
designated 74 in FIG. 2, rests on and is supported by cables
70a-70g. Flooring 74 comprises a plurality of sections or panels
each releasably connected to corresponding cables 70 in a manner
which will be described in detail presently.
[0026] The plan view of FIG. 3 illustrates the clamping assemblies
for attaching opposite ends of cables 70 to the bridge piers 18 and
20. The pedestals 42 and 44 of pier 20 are shown in FIG. 3. Pier 18
likewise has two pedestals designated 76 and 78 in FIG. 3. A first
compression clamping assembly generally designated 80 secures all
of the cables 70 at one end thereof, i.e. the left-hand end as
viewed in FIG. 3, to pedestals 76 and 78 of pier 20. A second
compression clamping assembly generally designated 82 and identical
to assembly 80 secures all of the cables 70 at the opposite end
thereof, i.e. the right-hand end as viewed in FIG. 3, to pedestals
42 and 44 of pier 20. Clamping assembly 80 comprises a first member
or I-beam 86 extending transversely of bridge 10 and contacting
both pedestals 76 and 78 on one side thereof and second and third
members or I-beams 88 and 90 also extending transversely but each
contacting only a corresponding one of the pedestals 76 and 78 and
on the opposite side thereof. Members 86 and 88 are clamped to
pedestal 76 by a plurality of threaded connecting rods 92 which are
tightened to provide the required amount of compression force.
Similarly, members 86 and 90 are clamped to pedestal 78 by a
plurality of threaded connecting rods 94 which are tightened to
provide the required amount of compression force. Thus, I-beam 86
contacts the left-hand surfaces of pedestals 76 and 78 as viewed in
FIG. 3 and I-beams 88 and 90 contact the right-hand surfaces of
pedestals 76 and 78, respectively, as viewed in FIG. 3. Cables 70b
and 70f are connected at one end to I-beams 88 and 90,
respectively, and the remaining cables 70a, 70c-70e and 70g are
connected to I-beam 86. The clamping assembly and the manner of
connecting cables 70 thereto will be described in further detail
presently.
[0027] In a similar manner, clamping assembly 82 comprises a first
member or I-beam 106 extending transversely of bridge 10 and
contacting both pedestals 42 and 44 on one side thereof and second
and third members or I-beams 108 and 110 also extending
transversely but each contacting only a corresponding one of the
pedestals 42 and 44 and on the opposite side thereof. Members 106
and 108 are clamped to pedestal 42 by a plurality of threaded
connecting rods 112 which are tightened to provide the required
amount of compression force. Similarly, members 106 and 110 are
clamped to pedestal 44 by a plurality of threaded connecting rods
114 which are tightened to provide the required amount of
compression force. Thus, I-beam 106 contacts the right-hand
surfaces of pedestals 42 and 44 as viewed in FIG. 3, and I-beams
108 and 110 contact the left-hand surfaces of pedestals 42 and 44
as viewed in FIG. 3. Cables 70b and 70f are connected at the ends
to I-beams 108 and 110, respectively, and the remaining cables 70a,
70c-70e and 70g are connected to I-beams 106.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates in further detail a portion of one of the
clamping assemblies, in particular the portion of clamping assembly
80 associated with pedestal 78 of pier 18. The arrangement
illustrated in FIG. 4 is substantially similar to the portion of
clamp assembly 80 associated with pedestal 76 of pier 18 and to the
portions of clamps assembly 82 associated with pedestals 42 and 44
of pier 20. As shown in FIG. 4, pedestal 78 is provided with a cap
120 on which is mounted a beam bearing structure 124 on which a
girder 126 of the sidewall 52 rests. I-beam 86 of clamp assembly 80
contacts the left-hand surface of pedestal cap 120 as viewed in
FIG. 4 and I-beam 90 of the clamp assembly contacts the opposite or
right-hand surface of cap 120. A pair of threaded connecting rods
94 join the flange of beams 86 and 90 on one side of pedestal cap
120 and a similar pair of connecting rods (not shown in FIG. 4)
join the flanges of beams 86 and 90 on the opposite side of cap
120. The connection of cable 70f to beam 90 is provided by a
plate-like extrusion 130 on the outer flange of beam 90 and a
shackle 132 which fits in an opening in plate 130 and is connected
by a cable clamps 134 to the end of cable 70f.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, extension 130 which is welded to
the flange of beam 90 is provided with an opening 138 to receive
shackle 132. A shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, I-beam 90 is provided with
reinforcing spacers 140 adjacent the openings 142 in the flanges
through which rods 94 extend. Rods 94 are provided with washers
(not shown), nuts 144 and cotter pins 146 on each end thereof as
shown in FIG. 5. By way of example, in an illustrative bridge
platform, I-beams 86 and 106 are W12.times.45 I-beams each 31 feet
in length, I-beams 88, 90, 108 and 110 are W6.times.15 I-beams each
7 feet in length, connecting rods 92, 94, 112 and 114 are 5/8 inch
diameter threaded rods each 41/2 feet long, shackles 132 are 5/8
inch diameter, clamps 134 are MIH 5/8 inch cable clamps and cables
70 are 5/8 inch diameter wire rope cables each having 6.times.19
IPS fiber core.
[0030] In the bridge 10 of the present illustration, each pier has
two bearing structures 124, one on each pier pedestal. Some bridges
have a large number of bearing structures per pier, for example
six, in which case the cables 70 could be secured to the bearing
structures without the need for the clamping assemblies 80 and
82.
[0031] Referring again to FIG. 3, the platform flooring 74
comprises a plurality of elongated rectangular panels each
designated 160 which are arranged in end-to-end overlapping
relation transversely of bridge 10 and cables 70, as indicated by
the broken lines 162 in FIG. 3, and which panels 160 are arranged
in side-by-side overlapping relation longitudinally of bridge 10
and cables 70, as indicated by the broken lines 164 in FIG. 3.
Panels 160 are corrugated decking panels with the corrugations
extending transversely of cables 70 as indicated at 166 in FIG. 3.
Having corrugations 166 extending transversely of cables 70
maximizes the rigidity and strength of flooring 74 and prevents any
buckling of the panels 160. Each of the platform flooring sections
or panels 160 is releasably connected at spaced locations to the
supporting cables 70 on which it rests. This is provided by
connector assemblies generally indicated at 170 in FIG. 3 and which
will be described in detail presently. As a result, individual
flooring sections or panels 160 can be removed to provide access
through the flooring in emergency situations. For example, if a
worker becomes seriously ill or injured, one or more flooring
sections 160 can be quickly and easily removed thereby allowing the
worker to be lowered safely to the ground below. In addition,
collected debris remains in the corrugations of the removed panel
and is not lost from containment within the area of the
platform.
[0032] Some of the connector assemblies, i.e. those designated 172
in FIG. 3, also have the capability of an additional or auxiliary
connection to the bridge structural steel 14 and will be described
in detail presently.
[0033] FIG. 8 shows in further detail two laterally adjacent panels
designated 160a and 160b and their association with two of the
supporting cables, for example cables 70a and 70b. Panel 160a has a
pair of side edges 180a, 182a which are joined by a pair of end
edges 184a, 186a. Corrugations 166a extend longitudinally along
panel 160a and substantially parallel to side edges 180a, 182a. As
shown in FIG. 8 the corrugations 166 of all the panels 160 in
flooring 74 extend transversely of cables 70 so as to provide the
required strength and rigidity of the platform 30. The corrugations
166a of panel 160a are shown in further detail in the end view of
FIG. 9.
[0034] Similarly, panel 160b has a pair of side edges 180b, 182b
which are joined by a pair of end edges 184b, 186b. Corrugations,
166b extend longitudinally along panel 160b and substantially
parallel to side edges 180b, 182b. The panels 160a and 160b are in
overlapping end-to-end relation as shown by the locations of the
respective end edges 186a and 184b in FIG. 3.
[0035] Each of the panels 160 comprising flooring 74 includes a
plurality of openings extending therethrough for making connection
to cables 70. The number and location of openings will depend upon
the size of panels 160 and the distance between cables. In the
panels illustrated in FIG. 8, panel 160a includes a first pair of
openings 190a located near end 184a and a second pair of openings
192a located near end 186a. Similarly, panel 160b includes a first
pair of openings 192b located near end 184b and a second pair of
openings (not shown) located near end 186b. Openings 192a in panel
160a are in alignment with openings 194b in panel 160b. Each of the
openings, for example opening 190a, is elongated and disposed with
the longitudinal axis thereof substantially parallel to corrugation
166 and thus transversely f cables 70.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 10, the openings in the panels 160 enable
the connector assemblies 170, 172 to contact or engage both the
cables 70 and panels 160 in a manner releasably connecting the
panels to the cables. In particular, connector assembly 170
includes a first part 200 which engages the upper surface 202 of
panel 160 and which also engages the cable 70 and a second part 204
which engages the upper surface 202 of panel 160, the two parts
being removably connected together through opening 190 in a manner
which will be shown and described in detail presently. Similarly,
connector assembly 172 includes a first part 206 which engages the
upper surface 202 of panel 160 and which also engages the cable 70
and a second part 208 which engages the upper surface 202 of panel
160, the two parts being removably connected together through
opening 192 in a manner which will be described in detail
presently. The first part 206 of connector assembly 172 is
identical to the first part 200 of connector assembly 170. The
second part 208 of connector assembly 172 is provided with an
eyelet 210 for connection to one end of an auxiliary cable, not
shown in FIG. 10, the other end of which is connected to the bridge
structural steel 14 such as are of the frame assemblies shown in
FIG. 2. For convenience in illustration, both connector assemblies
170 and 172 are shown in FIG. 10 joining a single panel 160 to
cables 70. However, the connector assemblies 170 and 172 will also
join overlapping end portions of adjacent panels 160 to cables 70
as shown in FIG. 3.
[0037] The connector assembly 172 is shown in further detail in the
enlarged view of FIG. 11. The first part 206 comprises a plate-like
body 216 an a substantially U-shaped hook formation 218 which
extends therefrom for engaging cable 70 and which is provided with
a threaded end portion 220 which projects through an opening (not
shown in FIG. 11) in the plate-like body 222 of the second part 208
of assembly 172. A nut 224 fastens the two parts together.
[0038] FIGS. 12 and 13 show in further detail the first part 206 of
connector assembly 172. As previously mentioned, the first part 206
of connector assembly 172 is identical to the first part 200 of
connector assembly 170. The plate-like body 216 of part 206 is
elongated rectangular in shape having oppositely directed surfaces
230 and 232 bounded by a pair of side edges 234 and 236 joined by a
pair of end edges 238 and 240. The U-shaped hook formation 218 has
one end 242 welded or otherwise joined as indicated at 244 to
surface 232 of body 216 at a location slightly inwardly of end 240
and midway between sides 234 and 236. The other end 246 of
formation 218 extends beyond surface 230 as shown in FIG. 12. The
threaded end portion 220 extends inwardly from end 246. For
convenience in illustration, only part 206 of connector assembly
172 is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, it being understood that part 200
of connector assembly 170 is identical.
[0039] FIGS. 14 and 15 show in further detail the second part 208
of connector assembly 172. The plate-like body 222 of part 208 is
elongated rectangular in shape having oppositely-directed surfaces
250 and 252 bounded by a pair of side edges 254 and 256 and joined
by a pair of end edges 258 and 260. An opening 262 is provided
through body 222 at a location between sides 254 and 256 and offset
toward end 258 a short distance from the mid-point between ends 258
and 260. opening 262 is of a diameter to receive threaded end 220
in a close, sliding relation. Nut 224 shown in FIG. 14 is threaded
on end 220 of hook formation 218 to fasten the two connector parts
206 and 208 together. Body 222 is provided with a foot-plate 263
welded or otherwise fixed to the lower surface 252 to stabilize its
placement on plate 216 of connector part 206 and on upper surface
202 of panel 160. The structure of part 208 shown and described up
to this point is identical to part 204 of connector assembly
170.
[0040] Part 208 of connector assembly 172 is provided with a
U-shaped eyelet member 210 which is welded or otherwise joined as
indicated at 264 to surface 250 of body 222 at a location between
opening 262 and edge 260. Eyelet 210 receives one end of an
additional or auxiliary supporting cable (not shown in FIGS. 14 and
15), the other end of which is secured to the bridge structural
steel 14 including the frames shown in FIG. 2. Examples of such
auxiliary cables are the cables 32 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0041] The platform sections or panels 160 and the connector
assemblies 170, 172 are installed to provide a completed platform
30 in the following manner. The panels 160 are placed and arranged
on the cables 70 by workmen using scaffolds or the like supported
by the bridge 10. Panels 160 are placed on the supporting cables 70
so that the corrugations 166 are disposed transversely of the
cables 70. Panels 160 are arranged in a row and in end-to-end
overlapping relation transversely of the cables 70. The panels 160
are located so that the openings 190, 192 are aligned with various
ones of the cables 70 as shown in FIG. 8. Furthermore, with
adjacent ones of the panels 160 being in end-to-end overlapping
relation, the openings 190, 192 of the overlapping portions of
adjacent panels 160 in a row are aligned with each other and with
the corresponding cables 70.
[0042] Next, the connector assemblies 170, 172 are installed
manually by the workmen. In particular, the first part 200 of
connector assembly 170 is manipulated with the flat base inclined
upwardly from the upper surface 202 of panel 160 so that the
U-shaped hook formation of part 200 can be inserted through the
opening in panel 160 and around the cable 70. Then the flat base is
pivoted or otherwise manipulated so that cable 70 is within the
U-shaped hook formation and the threaded end of the U-shaped hook
extends upwardly from surface 202 as shown in FIG. 10. Then, the
second part 204 is placed on surface 202 of panel 202 and on the
base plate of the first part 202 so that the threaded end of the
hook formation extends up through the opening in the base of the
second part. Then nut 224 is threaded on the end of the hook
formation and tightened onto the base of the second part 204 to
hold the two parts of the connector assembly 170 together and in
secure engagement with panel 160 and cable 70.
[0043] The foregoing operation is repeated for each of the
connector assemblies in each of the panels along the row. Then the
panels 160 of the next row are installed, the row extending
transversely of the cables 70 and the panels of the next row being
adjacent sideways to the panels of the first row. The panels of
this next row are in end-to-end overlapping relation in the same
manner as the panels of the first row. In addition, the panels of
this next row are in side-to-side overlapping relation with the
panels of the first row as shown in FIG. 3. The connector
assemblies are installed in the panels of this next row in a manner
similar to that of the first row. The foregoing installation of
rows of panels 160 and installation of connector assemblies is
continued in a direction longitudinally of the cables 70 until the
platform 30 is completed. Connector assemblies 172 of the second
type are installed at spaced locations, for example about 20 feet,
over the surface of platform 30, and auxiliary cables such as
cables 32 are connected between the assemblies 172 and bridge
structural steel 32.
[0044] As previously described, the platform flooring 74 and
particularly the corrugations 166 of panels 160 are very effective
in containing debris such as paint chips removed from the bridge
steel 14 and frames thereof as well as paint droppings or spillage
during the actual painting operation. In some situations,
particularly under windy conditions, it is necessary to take extra
measures to confine the debris and paint and prevent its movement
or escape due to wind or other effects. Accordingly, an enclosure
is defined between platform 30 and the bridge by means of
tarpaulins as shown in FIG. 16. In particular, tarpaulin enclosures
270 and 272 are provided extending along the left-hand and
right-hand sides of platform 30. The lower end of tarpaulin
enclosure 270 is fastened to the side edge of platform 30 by lumber
stripping 274 or the like screwed to the panels 160 of platform 30
to provide a continuous seal. The upper end of tarpaulin enclosure
270 extends over the bridge railing 24 and is fastened to the
bridge deck 12 or sidewalk thereof by the combination of cable 276
extending along the deck and lumber stripping 278 or the like
secured to the deck. Similarly, tarpaulin enclosure 272 is fastened
at the lower end to platform 30 by stripping 280 and at the upper
end to deck 12 by cable 282 and stripping 284. If desired, similar
tarpaulin enclosures can be provided at opposite ends of platform
30. Thus, platform 30, the tarpaulin enclosures and the bridge deck
12 define a confined region or volume for containing debris from
the operations being performed.
[0045] By way of example, in an illustrative platform, the overall
width is about 32 feet or slightly less than the width of the
bridge deck 12 and the overall length of the platform is about 140
feet which is approximately the span between piers 18, 20. Panels
160 are rigid type B corrugated steel decking panels each 11 feet
in length and 3 feet in width. The panels 160 are 22 gage, 11/2
inch deep ASTM A446 steel having a yield strength of FY=33KSI
(minimum). A minimum panel overlap of 6 inches in longitudinal and
lateral directions is provided. Cables 70 are seven in number, each
1/2 inch in diameter and spaced apart about 5 feet. Cables 70 are
6.times.19 IWRC cable of plain steel with a breaking strength of
41,200 pounds or greater. Each panel 160 is connected at two
locations to the corresponding cable. The location of platform 30
is about 111/2 feet below bridge deck 12. The typical maximum
applied load for which platform 30 is designed is 11 pounds per
square foot. The cables 70 are supported every 20 feet by the
auxiliary support cables such as those designated 32.
[0046] Platform 30 of the present invention by virtue of the
combination of support cables 70 and corrugated decking panels 160
is safe, provides a sufficiently rigid support for workmen to stand
and walk on and is relatively simple in structure and light in
weight. Rigidity is important in that workmen can walk along
platform 30 with no lowering. The corrugations 166 enhance the
strength to weight ratio of panels 160. In addition, the
corrugations facilitate containment of debris. The provision of
connector assemblies 170 and 172 in cooperation with openings 190
and 192 in the panels provide a quick, easy and effective way to
both erect and dismantle the bridge platform of the present
invention. The provision of individual panels 160 releasably
connected to cables 70 provides convenient and quick access through
the flooring 74 in emergency situations. Thus in such situations it
is not necessary to cut through the platform flooring which
otherwise could destroy the integrity of debris containment
provided by enclosures such as that shown in FIG. 16. Furthermore,
the time required to cut through flooring could have serious
consequences in emergency and critical situations, and such cutting
could impair the structural integrity of the platform and therefore
its safety.
[0047] It is therefore apparent that the present invention
accomplishes its intended objects. While an embodiment of the
present invention has been described in detail that is for the
purpose of illustration and not limitation.
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