Scaffolding for bridges and other structures

Abstract

A work platform for use on bridges or other structures wherein a plurality of cables extend in spaced relation along a section of the structure and are supported by the structure and wherein a floor comprising a plurality of corrugated flooring panels or sections is supported on the cables and removably secured to the cables. The positions of the cables are adjustable in vertical and horizontal directions. A connector assembly releasably connects each of the platform flooring sections to a respective supporting cable on which it rests. Each connector assembly comprises a first part which rests on a bottom wall of the panel and has a portion which extends through an opening in the bottom wall and back through the opening and is connected to a second part to form an eyelet through which the cable passes. In aspects of the present invention, the first and second parts are connected by a lever or a wedge. The corrugated decking panels have hinged plates for covering the corrugations to provide a substantially flat surface over the panels while allowing nestability for storage and transport. In one aspect of the invention, a pair of floors are connected by a gutter and are inclined therefrom, and the cable positions are adjustable to vary the angle of inclination as well as to vary the height and spacing of the cables. The inclined floors are vibrated to effect removal of debris to the gutter where it may be more easily removed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In combination with a structure, a work platform extending along a portion of said structure for supporting persons performing work on said structure portion and for collecting debris resulting from the work, said platform comprising: 
 a) a plurality of cables extending along said structure and in spaced relation to each other and in a plane;    b) means at each end of said cables for securing said cables to said structure so that the plane of the cables is at a desired height;    c) a plurality of flooring sections each extending transversely of said cables and resting on said cables, said flooring sections being arranged in side-by-side relation longitudinally of said cables;    d) means for securing said flooring sections to said cables; and    e) said means for securing said cables including means for adjusting positions of said cables.    
     
     
         2 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein said means for securing said cables comprises: 
 a) post means mounted at one end to said structure and depending therefrom; and  
 b) beam means connected to said post means and disposed generally in the plane of said cables for receiving the ends of said cables secured thereto.  
 
     
     
         3 . A combination according to  claim 2  wherein said means for securing said cables further comprises means for clampingly engaging a flange on said-structure, said post means connected to said clampingly engaging means.  
     
     
         4 . A combination according to  claim 2  wherein said means for adjusting positions of said cables comprises means for connecting said beam means at various heights on said post means.  
     
     
         5 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein said structure comprises a bridge having piers, said cable securing means comprises a plurality of assemblies for clamping to said piers respectively, each said clamp assembly including a pair of first and second brackets each having a vertical leg and an horizontal leg, means for joining said horizontal legs together adjustably so as to space said vertical legs to accommodate different pier widths with said joined horizontal legs overlying said respective pier, means for securing said joined pairs of brackets to said piers respectively, a beam attached to said vertical legs of said first brackets, and means for attaching ends of said cables to said beam.  
     
     
         6 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein said cable position adjusting means includes means for adjusting spacings between said cables.  
     
     
         7 . A combination according to  claim 6  wherein said means for adjusting spacings between said cables includes a beam, means for connecting said beam to said structure, a plurality of cable connector assemblies on said beam, each assembly comprising a pair of plates on opposite surfaces of said beam and held on said beam by releasable fastening means, and means on one of said plates for connection to said cables, said releasable fastening means enabling adjustment of the location of said assembly along said beam for adjusting position of said respective cable.  
     
     
         8 . A platform comprising: 
 a) a plurality of cables extending in spaced relation to each other and in a plane;    b) at least one flooring section resting on said cables; and    c) means for releasably securing said flooring section to said cables, said releasably securing means comprising at least one connector assembly including a first part which engages an upper surface of said flooring section, a second part having a portion located above the upper surface of said flooring section and a portion extending through said flooring section for engaging said cable, and manually operated lever means operatively associated with said first and second parts and having a first position causing the flooring section and the cable to be held together and a second position releasing the flooring section and the cable from being held together.    
     
     
         9 . In combination with a structure, a work platform extending along a portion of said structure for supporting persons performing work on said structure portion and for collecting debris resulting from the work, said platform comprising: 
 a) a first plurality of cables extending in spaced relation to each other and generally in a first plane;    b) a second plurality of cables extending in spaced relation to each other and generally in a second plane;    c) a first floor including a first plurality of flooring sections each extending transversely of said first plurality of cables and resting on said first plurality of cables, and means for securing said first plurality of flooring sections to said first plurality of cables;    d) a second floor including a second plurality of flooring sections each extending transversely of said second plurality of cables and resting on said second plurality of cables, and means for securing said second plurality of flooring sections to said second plurality of cables; and    e) a gutter attached to said first and second floors, said first and second floors being inclined from said gutter.    
     
     
         10 . A combination according to  claim 9  further comprising means for vibrating said first and second floors.  
     
     
         11 . A combination according to  claim 9  further comprising means for adjusting height and inclination of said floors.  
     
     
         12 . A combination according to  claim 9  further comprising means at each end of said cables for attaching said cables to said structure, said attaching means comprises, for at least one of said first and second floors, a plurality of posts, means for clampingly attaching said posts to said structure, a beam, means for attaching said beam to said posts, and means for attaching said respective cables to said beam;  
     
     
         13 . A combination according to  claim 9  wherein said first and second securing means each comprises means defining eyelets on said flooring sections which are openable to release said cables respectively, said first and second pluralities of cables passing through said eyelets of said first and second securing means respectively.  
     
     
         14 . A platform comprising: 
 a) a plurality of cables extending in spaced relation to each other and in a plane;    b) at least one flooring section resting on said cables and having at least one opening means therein; and    c) means for releasably securing said flooring section to said cables, said releasably securing means comprising at least one connector assembly including a first part having a first portion which engages an upper surface of said flooring section, a second portion which extends downwardly through said opening means then upwardly through said opening means to form an eyelet through which said respective cable passes, a second part which engages the upper surface of the flooring section and which has an opening means therein, said second portion received in said second part opening means, an opening means in said second portion and located at least partially above said second part, and a wedge receivable in said second portion opening means to connect said first and second parts.    
     
     
         15 . A member comprising a panel having means defining corrugations and means including flat members hingedly connected to said panel for movement between a first position wherein said flat members cover said corrugations and a second position wherein said corrugations are uncovered.  
     
     
         16 . A member according to  claim 15  further comprising means for magnetically securing at least one of said flat members to said panel in at least one of said covered and uncovered positions.  
     
     
         17 . A member according to  claim 15  further comprising means including at least one opening means in a bottom wall of said panel for attaching said panel to a cable.  
     
     
         18 . A platform comprising a plurality of cables, a plurality of corrugated panels resting on said cables, and means for releasably securing said panels to each other while also releasably securing said panels to said cables.  
     
     
         19 . A platform according to  claim 17  wherein respective edge portions of at least one pair of said panels are disposed in overlapping relation, and wherein said securing means comprises means defining an opening in a bottom wall portion of each of said pair of said panels, said opening means in one of said pair of said panels aligned with said opening means in an other of said pair of said panels, and means extending through both said opening means for attaching said pair of panels together while also defining an eyelet for receiving a respective one of said cables.  
     
     
         20 . A platform according to  claim 19  wherein said eyelet means comprises a first part having a first portion which engages an upper surface of one of said pair of panels, a second portion which extends downwardly through said opening means then upwardly through said opening means to form an eyelet through which said respective cable passes, a second part which engages the upper surface of said one of said pair of panels and which has an opening means therein, said second portion received in said second part opening means, and means for connecting said first and second parts.