Service Device

Abstract

The service device for a site or part of a site of at least partially circular shape, comprises at least one catwalk connecting a roller track, provided at the inner periphery of said site or of said part of a site, to a pivot in the neighborhood of its roof covering. The end of the catwalk on the side of said roller track is movable along the latter.

Description

In premises topped by a dome, especially a dome glazed or covered by a web of transparent or translucent material, it is necessary to clean the inner surface of the dome fairly frequently. To this end, and during restoration operations on such domes, a scaffold is generally erected, which necessitates, especially in the case of scaffold mounted on wheels, moving furniture arranged on the ground of the site topped by the dome.

It is an object of the invention to provide a service device for a site or part of a site of at least partly circular shape, enabling access at all times to the whole of the inner surface of the covering of the site.

This service device, especially useful in a site topped by a dome or part of a dome, is characterized in that it comprises at least one catwalk connected to a roller track, provided at the inner periphery of said site or of said part of a site, to a pivot close to its covering, the end of the catwalk on the side of the roller track being movable along the latter .

The accompanying drawing shows, diagrammatically and by way of example, one embodiment of a device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 thereof is a plan view from above, representing a service device with three catwalks.

FIG. 2 thereof is a sectional view along the line II--II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation, on a large scale, of a detail of FIG. 2, representing the roller member of a catwalk and its drive motor.

FIG. 4 is a view in transverse section of a catwalk, on a larger scale.

The service device shown in the drawing is more particularly intended for a site topped by a dome. It comprises three catwalks 1, 2 and 3 connected by one of their ends to a pivot 4 fixed to the top of the dome 5. These three catwalks 1, 2 and 3 each have a longitudinal incurvation corresponding substantially to that of a generator of the dome 5. Their end opposite to that which is connected to the pivot 4 is provided with a roller member 6 comprising two wheels 7 and 8 and an electric drive motor 9 for the latter along a circular roller track 10 arranged on the floor of the site.

Instead of only comprising two wheels 7 and 8, the roller member 6 of the catwalks could, of course, comprise a carriage with four wheels or more.

The catwalks 1, 2 and 3 have a metallic frame of triangular cross-section supporting a floor 11 from which it is possible to have access to the inner surface of the dome 5. A cabin 12 is, on the other hand, suspended from a rail 13 borne by the frame of catwalk 2. A winch driven by an electric motor arranged on a central platform 14 borne by the pivot 4, is connected by a cable, not shown, to the cabin 12 and ensures the movements of the latter along the frame of the catwalk 2.

Cabin 12 is provided with control members for the motor 9 showing the pivoting of the catwalk in one or other direction around the pivot 4. It is also provided with control members for the winch ensuring its own movement on the rail 13.

The winch to which the cabin 12 is connected could, of course, be arranged in the neighborhood of the motor 9 and be driven by the latter. In this case, the cable of the winch would pass over a guide pulley mounted at the upper end of the catwalk 2.

Numerous other modifications of the embodiment of the service device described and shown in the drawing can be envisaged.

Instead of a single roller track 10 for the three catwalks 1, 2 and 3, there could be provided through roller paths at different levels, which can be advantageous in a circular building having a semi-circle of steps. In this case, the catwalk 2 could, for example, be moved over a roller path occuring at the height of the upper row of steps.

The movable chain 12 could be suspended directly from an endless cable driven by a motor and moving over pulleys borne by the frame of the catwalk 2. The catwalks 1 and 3 could also each be provided with a cabin 12.

Platform 14 could be suspended from the pivot 4 in a manner movable in a vertical direction and connected, for example, to a winch borne by the pivot 4 and actuated by an electric motor controlled from the platform 14. This platform 14 could also be rotary and drivable in rotation in a manner dependent or independent of the catwalks.

The floor 11 of the catwalks could comprise steps in its steepest parts or be replaced by simple rungs.

It is not necessary, either, that the pivot 4 be fixed to the top of the dome 5 in the embodiment described. In fact, the assembly of three catwalks 1, 2 and 3 is self-sustaining as long as the angular spacing of the catwalks 1, 2 and 3 is kept within reasonable limits.

Of course, in the case where the device only comprises one or two catwalks, it is necessary to arrange a pivot 4 fixed to the summit of the dome of the site.

Two catwalks could also be mounted idly in extension of one another and form a single diametric bridge turning around the pivot 4.

The catwalks can, of course, serve as support for any sort of auxiliary device intended either for the lighting of the site, for the projection of images, for taking pictures, for the broadcast or reception of sound, etc. It is the same for the cabin 12 and the platform 14.

In the case where the service device comprises three or more catwalks, it can also serve as a support for a movable ceiling enabling acoustic and volumetric corrections to be effected. This movable ceiling could, of course, be provided also with lighting and diffusion or reception devices for sound, orientable or fixed.

The essential advantages of the device described is that it enables access at all times to all the points of the inner surface of the structure of the covering roof of the site and to all equipment or apparatus which could be fixed therein.

Claims

I claim:

1. A service device for a building including a generally dome shaped roof, said device comprising a track within said roof, pivot means fixed to the top of said roof and extending downwardly and inwardly thereof, at least one catwalk disposed within the interior of said roof and connected at its upper end to said pivot means, said catwalk corresponding substantially to the curvature of said roof and comprising a metallic framework having an upper surface juxtaposed the interior surface of said roof, roller means carried by the lower end of said catwalk engaging said track to permit said lower end of the catwalk to be movable therein, flooring means within the interior of said catwalk framework substantially from said pivot means to said roller means, a motor disposed at the lower end of said catwalk and said motor connected to said roller means for driving the same.

2. A service device according to claim 1 including a cabin mounted on said catwalk.

3. A service device according to claim 2 including a second motor, means connecting said second motor to said cabin for moving said cabin along said catwalk.

4. A service device according to claim 2 wherein the same motor moves said catwalk in said track and around said pivot means.

5. A service device according to claim 3 including control members for said second motor mounted in said cabin.

6. A service device according to claim 1 including three catwalks connected at their upper ends to said pivot means.

7. A service device according to claim 6 including a plurality of tracks at different levels, the lower end of each of said catwalks engaging a related track.

8. A service device according to claim 6 wherein at least one of said catwalks is connected to said pivot means independently of the other catwalks.

9. A service device for a building including a generally dome shaped roof, said device comprising a track within said roof, pivot means fixed to the top of said roof and extending downwardly and inwardly thereof, at least one catwalk disposed within the interior of said roof and connected at its upper end to said pivot means, said catwalk corresponding substantially to the curvature of said roof and having an upper surface juxtaposed the interior surface of said roof, said catwalk having a lower surface provided with a rail, a cabin suspended from said rail, roller means carried by the lower end of said catwalk engaging said track to permit said lower end of the catwalk to be movable therein, a motor disposed at the lower end of said catwalk, said motor connected to the roller means for driving the same.