Patent Publication Number: US-8109291-B2

Title: Arrangement for conveying concrete with a height-adjustable concrete distributing mast

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the National Stage of PCT/EP2007/056405 filed on Jun. 27, 2007, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Application No. 10 2006 040 092.5 filed on Aug. 28, 2006. The international application under PCT article 21(2) was not published in English. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an arrangement for conveying concrete for the construction of multi-storey concrete buildings, said arrangement including a concrete-distributing mast, which is height-adjustable on completed parts of the building, said mast comprising a supporting column, a rotary unit and an arm assembly that is preferably designed as an articulated boom, and including a conveying line, which is guided over the height of the supporting column to the arm assembly and is impinged upon with liquid concrete. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     An arrangement of this type with a height-adjustable concrete-distributing mast is known, where the supporting column, in the form of a tubular column, is constructed in a free-standing manner on an X-base at the start of the building work and, from there, initially two floors of the building are concreted. Floor apertures, through which the tubular column reaches, are formed in the formwork. Each floor aperture is equipped with automatically pivotable ratchets and with accommodating means for a hydraulic climbing apparatus. The hydraulic climbing apparatus comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder, at least one claw guided at the tubular column and automatically pivotable ratchets for the climbing operation. Once the first two floors with their floor apertures have been concreted, the climbing can begin. In this case, the tubular column is gradually displaced over one floor height at a time. In addition, after a total predetermined climbing lift, an extension piece of corresponding length has to be inserted into the conveying line. In the case of known climbing masts of this type (U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,955B1 and DE-4200669A1), the concrete-conveying line and the climbing apparatus are guided upwards to the arm assembly outside the supporting column, which in the majority of cases is in the form of a cylindrical column. This requires additional precautionary measures in the region of the floor aperture and when moving the supporting columns and these are deemed to be disadvantageous. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Proceeding from this point, it is the object of the invention to develop an arrangement for conveying concrete with a height-adjustable concrete-distributing mast, said arrangement enabling simplification of movement and simpler handling in the course of the climbing operation at the building. 
     To achieve this object, the feature combinations according to the invention are proposed. Advantageous developments and further developments of the invention are discussed below. 
     The solution according to the invention proceeds primarily from the concept that the handling of the climbing mast in the course of the climbing operation can be simplified in that the concrete-conveying line, which extends over the supporting column, and/or the climbing apparatus are sunk within the contour of the supporting portion, but are nevertheless positioned so as to be easily accessible. In order to achieve this, the invention proposes that the supporting column has at least one channel-shaped surface depression extending in the longitudinal direction of the column, in which, above all, the part of the conveying line extending over the supporting column can be sunk but still be positioned in an easily accessible manner. In an advantageous manner, the supporting column has an additional second channel-shaped surface depression, in which an elongate climbing apparatus of the climbing mast with climbing rail can be positioned. The two channel-shaped surface depressions, in this case, are expediently positioned on diametrically opposite sides of the surface of the supporting column. 
     A preferred development of the invention provides that the supporting column is composed of two column sections, which are detachably interconnected at the end face and have merging channel-shaped surface depressions in the region of the coupling point. 
     The climbing mast reaches with its supporting column expediently through apertures in the completed storey floors, the cross-sectional opening of said apertures being adapted and being somewhat oversized, and is supported so as to be height-adjustable at the boundary edges of said storey floors. Strength-increasing metal plates can be employed at the aperture edge for this purpose. For support, supporting ratchets or supporting journals are provided on a special climbing piece of the supporting column, it being possible to support the said ratchets or journals on the next lowermost storey floor after a climbing operation by lowering the supporting column. 
     Another preferred development of the invention provides that the supporting column or its column sections are in the form of rectangular tubes, and that the channel-shaped surface depressions are integrally formed in two oppositely situated side faces of the rectangular tubes. The surface depressions, in this case, can have a U-shaped or V-shaped inner profile. 
     According to an advantageous or alternative development of the invention, the concrete-distributing mast has a climbing apparatus, which includes a climbing rail fixed to the supporting column, a lower and an upper guide block guided on the climbing rail and a lifting mechanism supported between the lower and the upper guide block, the lower guide block having a supporting member facing outwards from the supporting column and the lower and the upper guide blocks each having a blocking element that is selectively couplable to the climbing rail. A preferred development of the invention provides that the climbing rail has several window openings positioned spaced apart, and that the blocking element is pressed against the climbing rail and is lockable at the level of the window openings in said window openings and there abuts in a blocking manner against the upper edge of the window opening with an upwardly facing stopping edge. The blocking element locks expediently into one of the window openings under the effect of a spring. 
     The lifting mechanism is advantageously in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, the cylinder and piston rod of which being connected to the lower and the upper guide block. The supporting member of the lower guide block is advantageously in the form of a pivoting claw, which is restrictedly pivotable in a selective manner between a displacement position, pivoted downwards against the guide block, and a support position, protruding outwards. 
     Another preferred development of the invention provides that the climbing apparatus includes a pulling mechanism that is positioned in the region of the upper end of the climbing rail, said pulling mechanism being operatively connected via a pulling member to the guide blocks, which, with the blocking elements unlocked, are guided along the climbing rail and are interconnected by the lifting mechanism. 
     Another preferred development provides that at least one supporting element, which is pivotable or displaceable between a displacement position and a support position, is positioned at the lowermost column section. Expediently, the lowermost column also has downwardly protruding coupling brackets, which are detachably connected to an X-base that is secured to the ground. 
     The achievement of these measures is that the concrete-distributing mast can be moved upwards in a gradual manner, with the supporting member of the lower guide block supported on a storey floor and with entrainment of the supporting column by the upper guide block that is locked into a window opening by its blocking member. In the extended end position of the lifting mechanism, the blocking member of the lower guide block locks into a window opening, so that the lifting mechanism can be moved back again with the upper guide block for the next lifting step, whilst the supporting column is retained by the lower guide block by its blocking member. This operation is repeated until the lower column section with its supporting element is situated above the next storey floor and can be locked in position there by securing the supporting column. In this position, the entire climbing apparatus, comprising the two guide blocks and the lifting mechanism situated therebetween, can be pulled upwards along the climbing rail through the aperture in the relevant storey floor with the aid of the pulling mechanism and can then be supported on the said storey floor by extending the supporting member that is situated at the lower guide block. The next storey floor can then be concreted from this position. To this end, the supporting column is wedged and secured in the apertures of the storey floors against tipping over. 
     The invention also relates to a supporting column for a climbing mast of a stationary concrete-distributing arrangement, which has at least one surface depression extending in the longitudinal direction of the column for accommodating elongate operating elements, such as conveying lines, climbing apparatuses or hydraulic lines and electric cabling. Accordingly, retaining elements are positioned in the surface depressions for securing a conveying line of an elongate climbing apparatus or corresponding operating elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is described in more detail below by way of an exemplary embodiment represented in a schematic manner in the drawing. In which: 
         FIGS. 1   a  and  b  show a diagrammatic representation of a height-adjustable concrete-distributing mast with an X-base, in the starting position, with views of the tubing side and the side of the climbing apparatus; 
         FIGS. 1   c  and  d  show a diagrammatic representation of the concrete-distributing mast reaching with its supporting column through apertures of previously concreted storey floors, in the raised position as opposed to the starting position, with views of the tubing side and the side of the climbing apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  shows a diagrammatic representation of a column section of the concrete-distributing mast with integrated conveying line; 
         FIGS. 3   a  and  b  show two side views of the column sections in  FIG. 2 , rotated by 90° one relative to the other; 
         FIG. 4  shows a section along the line A-A in  FIG. 3   b;    
         FIGS. 5   a  and  b  show two side views of a supporting column, which is standing on an X-base and is composed of three column sections, with rotary unit but no articulated boom; 
         FIG. 6  shows a diagrammatic, exploded representation of the individual parts of the supporting column with rotary unit; 
         FIGS. 7   a  to  c  show a cutout from the climbing mast during the raising of the climbing apparatus, with three positions of the guide block, with the lifting mechanism between two storey floors; 
         FIG. 7   d  shows a top view of the climbing mast with channel-shaped surface depressions for accommodating the conveying line and the climbing apparatus; 
         FIGS. 8   a  to  c  show a side view and two diagrammatic representations of the climbing apparatus; 
         FIG. 8   d  shows a diagrammatic representation of a cutout of the supporting column with climbing apparatus; 
         FIGS. 9   a  and  b  show a cutout from the upper or lower guide block, with the blocking ratchet in the blocking position and in the release position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The height-adjustable, concrete-distributing mast, represented in the drawing, comprises essentially a supporting column  10 , a rotary unit  12  positioned at the upper end of the supporting column  10 , an arm assembly  14  in the form of an articulated boom and a conveying line  16 , which is guided over the height of the supporting column  10  to the arm assembly  14  and is impinged upon with liquid concrete. The supporting column  10 , in the exemplary embodiment shown, has three column sections  18 ,  20 ′,  20 ″, which are essentially in the form of rectangular tubes, which are rigidly interconnected at their end face ends in alignment with one another at axially protruding plates  22  by means of bolts  24 . The lower, shorter column section  18 , in this case, forms a climbing piece, which, at the start of the building work, is secured to an X-base  26  in the region of a bedplate  28 . The two longer column sections  20 ′,  20 ″ are placed in position one after the other. A ladder, composed of a base ladder  30 ′ and two ladder elements  30 ″,  30 ′″ provided with a protective cage, is secured to the outer side of the upper column section  20 ″. The ladder opens out into a working platform  32  situated at the upper end of the upper supporting column  10 . The rotary unit  12  is situated at the end face end of the upper column section  20 ″, the arm assembly  14 , via which the conveying line  16  is guided to an end hose, being mounted on said rotary unit. 
     A characteristic feature of the invention is that the supporting column  10 , with its column sections  18 ,  20 ′,  20 ″, has, in the region of two oppositely situated side walls, in each case a channel-shaped surface depression  36 ,  38 , which extends in the longitudinal direction of the column and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, has a V-shaped inner profile (cf.  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  7   d ). One of the two surface depressions  36  is intended for accommodating the tube sections  40  that form the conveying line  16  in the assembled state, said tube sections being positioned at tube supports  42  such that they are completely sunk into the surface depression  36  (cf.  FIGS. 4 and 7   d ). The surface depressions  36 ,  38  are also suitable for accommodating supply lines and, in the case of the longer, lower column section  20 ′, for accommodating a climbing apparatus  52  with elongate climbing rail  46  provided with window openings  44 . 
     At the start of the building work, the distributing mast with its supporting column  10  is free-standing on the X-base  20  ( FIGS. 1   a  and  b ). Two floors  48 ,  48 ″ of the building are concreted initially from that position. Floor apertures  50 ′,  50 ″ are admitted in the formwork and the supporting column  10  reaches through said apertures. As an alternative to this, it is possible to prefabricate the first two floors  48 ′,  48 ″ of the building, for example using an automatic concreting pump, and to place the two pre-assembled column sections  18 ,  20 ′ onto the X-base  20  through the floor apertures  50 ′,  50 ″ and to connect them to said base. The upper column section  20 ″, to which the ladder  30 ′,  30 ″,  30 ″ and at least a part of the working platform  32  has been attached beforehand, can then be placed onto the upper edge of the column section  20 ′ and finally equipped with the arm assembly  14 . In both cases, the third storey floor  48 ′″ is concreted from the starting position. 
     The first two storey floors  48 ′,  48 ″, in the region of the apertures  50 ′,  50 ″, ensure that the supporting column  10  can be held in its vertical orientation. During the concreting of a new storey floor  48 ′″, the supporting column is secured to the storey floors  48 ′,  48 ″ by wedges in the region of the apertures  50 ′,  50 ′. 
     Once the third floor  48 ′″, with its aperture  50 ′″, has also been concreted, the climbing can be started. To this end, first of all the wedging is removed from the apertures  50 ′,  50 ″. In addition, the supporting column  10  is separated from the X-base  20  before the first lifting movement. Thereupon the supporting column  10  is gradually displaced upwards above the respective lowest floor height. This is effected with the aid of a climbing apparatus  52 , which includes a climbing rail  46  that is positioned in a surface depression  38  of the column section  20 ′, a lower and an upper guide block  54 ,  46  guided on the climbing rail  46  and a lifting mechanism  58 , which is positioned between the lower and the upper guide blocks and is in the form of a hydraulic cylinder. The lower guide block  54  has a supporting member  60 , in the form of a pivoting claw, which is pivotable in a limited manner between a displacement position, pivoted down against the guide block ( FIG. 8   b ), and a support position, protruding outwards ( FIGS. 8   c  and  d ). In addition, the lower and the upper guide blocks  54 ,  56  have a ratchet-like blocking member  62 ,  64 , which is selectively couplable to the climbing rail  46  in the region of the window opening  44 . Each blocking member  62 ,  64  is pressed against the climbing rail under the effect of a spring  66  so that they lock into the window opening  44  of the climbing rail  46  and there can abut, in a blocking manner, against the upper edge of the window opening. The climbing apparatus, with the lifting mechanism  58  and the blocking members  62 ,  64  positioned at the guide blocks  54 ,  56 , enables the supporting column to be lifted along the climbing rail  46  in a gradual manner. 
     In order to ensure precise guiding in the region of the apertures, guide plates  76  with rectangular ratchets  78  are secured to the storey floors at the aperture corners, the supporting column  10  being guided in its end region at said ratchets. The surface depressions  36 ,  38  are slightly offset inwards for this purpose so that the surface regions adjacent to the edges of the ratchets  78  extend parallel to the ratchets (cf.  FIG. 7   b ). The wedges  80  provided for wedging the supporting column  10  are also positioned there ( FIGS. 7   a  to  d ). 
     In the climbing operation, the lower guide block is supported, with the aid of its supporting member  60 , on the respectively lowest storey floor, whilst the upper guide block  56  locks into a window opening  44  of the climbing rail  46  with its blocking member  62 . Thereupon the lifting cylinder of the lifting mechanism  58  is impinged upon with pressure oil, so that the upper guide block  46  is moved upwards entraining the supporting column  10 . In the upper end position of the lifting mechanism  58 , the blocking member  64  of the lower guide block  54  locks into an adjacent window opening of the climbing rail under the effect of the associated spring  66  and secures the supporting column in its raised position, whilst the upper guide block  46  is moved back down again by the lifting mechanism  58  and with its blocking member  64  once again locks into a window opening  44 . Thereupon another lifting step is triggered. This operation is repeated until the lowermost column section  18  of the supporting column reaches through the aperture  50 ′ of the relevant storey floor  48  with its supporting element  90 . There the supporting element  90  is extended and from that point onwards takes over the supporting of the concrete-distributing mast whilst the next storey floor is concreted. 
     Before the concreting operation, the supporting column is once again wedged in the apertures  50 ″,  50 ′″ of the floors  48 ″,  48 ′″ and the guide blocks  54 ,  56 , together with the lifting mechanism  85  of the climbing apparatus, are pulled upwards by one storey through the aperture  50 ″ in the storey floor  48 ″ ( FIGS. 7   a  to  c ). For this purpose, the climbing apparatus  52  has a pulling mechanism  68 , which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is in the form of a cable winch, which is secured in the upper region of the climbing rail  38  and is operatively connected to the guide blocks  54 ,  56  and the lifting mechanism  85  by means of a hauling cable  70 . In order to be able to pull the guide blocks  54 ,  56  upwards, the blocking members  62 ,  64  have to be pulled into their pivoted position, which can be effected, for example, in opposition to the force of the springs  66  by means of the hauling cable  70  using a pivoting lever  74  that is situated in the guide blocks ( FIGS. 9   a  and  b ). The guide blocks  54 ,  56 , positioned sunk in the surface depression  38  of the associated column section  20 ′, together with lifting mechanism  58  pass through the essentially rectangular apertures  50 ′,  50 ″,  50 ′″ of the storey floors. During the raising operation, the supporting member  60  in the lower guide block  54  is pivoted downward so that it also passes through the relevant aperture. In the end position pulled upward, the supporting member  60  is pivoted outwards again and lowered onto the storey floor. Consequently, the lifting mechanism is ready for another lifting movement of the concrete-distributing mast as soon as the next storey floor, with aperture, has been completely concreted. The lifting operation can be repeated in an arbitrary manner until the final storey floor is completed. Finally, the open floor apertures  50 ′  50 ″,  50 ′″ are closed by means of a concrete cover. 
     The following must be emphasized in summary: The invention relates to an arrangement for conveying concrete for the construction of multi-storey concrete buildings. The arrangement includes a concrete-distributing mast, which is height-adjustable on completed parts of the building, for example on storey floors  48 ′,  48 ′,  48 ′″, said mast comprising a supporting column  10 , a rotary unit  12  and an arm assembly  14  that is preferably in the form of an articulated boom, and including a conveying line  16 , which is guided over the height of the supporting column  10  to the arm assembly  14  and is impinged upon with liquid concrete. In order to simplify handling of the concrete-distributing mast during movement and during the climbing operation, the invention proposes that the supporting column  10  has at least one channel-shaped surface depression  36 ,  38  that extends in the longitudinal direction of the column, it being possible for the part of the conveying line  16  that extends over the supporting column  10  and/or an elongate part of the climbing apparatus  52  to be sunk in said surface depression.