Patent Publication Number: US-2015075910-A1

Title: Magnetic Scaffold Tie

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to scaffolds and scaffold anchor points. Scaffolds are used, inter alia, in the industrial, commercial, petro-chemical, power source, general industry and residential construction markets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Tube and coupler scaffolds are so-named because they are built from tubing connected by coupling devices, Due to their strength they are frequently used where heavy loads need to be carried or where multiple platforms must reach several stones high. Components of scaffolds include vertical standards having coupling rings or rosettes. horizontal components such as ledgers and guardrails coupled to the coupling rings or rosettes, footings, decks/platforms and diagonal braces. Their versatility, which enables them to be assembled in multiple directions in a variety of settings, also makes them difficult to build correctly. 
     Conventional scaffolding systems have various components.  FIG. 1  illustrates a supported scaffold  100  consisting of one or more platforms supported by rigid support members such as poles, tubes, beams, brackets, posts, frames and the like. More specifically, the supported scaffold  100  includes the following components: deck/platform  101 , horizontal members, or ledgers  102 , vertical standards  103 . Additional components include diagonal braces to increase the stiffness and rigidity of the scaffold  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a vertical standard  103 . Vertical standards are typically cylindrical tubes  200  comprised of hot-dip galvanized steel or aluminum, A collar with an expanded or reduced diameter or a spigot at either or both ends of the vertical standard facilitates the joining of vertical standards from end to end. Rosettes  201  are positioned and then welded or otherwise attached along the tubes providing connections for horizontal members and diagonal braces. The vertical standard can have from one to 8 or more rosettes placed along the tubing using a predetermined spacing between rosettes, for example, about every 20 inches. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a ledger  102 . A ledger is a horizontal member that serves as both a guardrail and bracing element. The ledger  102  is comprised of tubing  300 , heads  301  and wedges  302 . Ledgers  102  are available in different lengths, depending on the scaffolding bay length, deck type and load, Once the tubing is installed decks or platforms  101  made of, e.g., hot-dip galvanized steel, aluminum, wood or an aluminum frame with plywood board are installed to allow workers to traverse the scaffold  100  and install the guardrails (e.g., ledgers  102 ). Heads  103  can take a variety of shapes, including wedge heads as seen in Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,439 
     Rare-earth magnets are strong permanent magnets made from alloys of rare earth elements. Rare-earth magnets are the strongest type of permanent magnets made, producing significantly stronger magnetic fields than other types such as ferrite or alnico magnets. The magnetic field typically produced by rare-earth magnets can be in excess of 1.4 teslas, whereas ferrite or ceramic magnets typically exhibit fields of 0.5 to 1 tesla. There are two types: neodymium magnets and samarium-cobalt magnets. Rare earth magnets are extremely brittle and also vulnerable to corrosion, so they are usually plated or coated to protect them from breaking and chipping. 
     The rare earth (lanthanide) elements are metals that are ferromagnetic, meaning that like iron they can be permanently magnetized, but their Curie temperatures are below room temperature, so in pure form their magnetism only appears at low temperatures. However, they form compounds with the transition metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, and some of these have Curie temperatures well above room temperature. Rare earth magnets are made from these compounds. 
     The advantage of the rare earth compounds over other magnets is that their crystalline structures have very high magnetic anisotropy. This means that a crystal of the material is easy to magnetize in one particular direction, but resists being magnetized in any other direction. 
     Atoms of rare earth elements can retain high magnetic moments in the solid state. This is a consequence of incomplete filling of the f-shell, which can contain up to 7 unpaired electrons with aligned spins. Electrons in such orbitals are strongly localized and therefore easily retain their magnetic moments and function as paramagnetic centers. Magnetic moments in other orbitals are often lost due to the strong overlap with their neighboring electrons; for example, electrons participating in covalent bonds form pairs with zero net spin. High magnetic moments at the atomic level in combination with a stable alignment (high anisotropy) of those atoms results in a high magnetic field strength. 
     Some important properties used to compare permanent magnets are: remanence (Br), which measures the strength of the magnetic field; coercively (Hci), the material&#39;s resistance to becoming demagnetized; energy product (BHmax), the density of magnetic energy; and Curie temperature (Tc), the temperature at which the material loses its magnetism. Rare earth magnets have higher remanence, much higher coercively and energy product, but (for neodymium) lower Curie temperature than other types. 
     Samarium-cobalt magnets (chemical formula: SmCo5), the first family of rare earth magnets invented, are less used than neodymium magnets because of their higher cost and weaker magnetic field strength. However, samarium-cobalt has a higher Curie temperature, creating a niche for these magnets in applications where high field strength is needed at high operating temperatures. They are highly resistant to oxidation, but sintered samarium-cobalt magnets are brittle and prone to chipping and cracking and may fracture when subjected to thermal shock. 
     Neodymium magnets, invented in the 1980s, are the strongest and most affordable type of rare-earth magnet. They are made of an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron: (Nd2Fe14B) Neodymium magnets are used in numerous applications requiring strong, compact permanent magnets, such as electric motors for cordless tools, hard drives, and magnetic holddowns and jewelry clasps. They have the highest magnetic field strength and have a higher coercively (which makes them magnetically stable), but have lower Curie temperature and are more vulnerable to oxidation than samarium-cobalt magnets. Use of protective surface treatments such as gold, nickel, zinc and tin plating and epoxy resin coating can provide corrosion protection where required. 
     The greater force exerted by rare earth magnets creates hazards that are not seen with other types of magnet. Magnets larger than a few centimeters are strong enough to cause injuries to body parts pinched between two magnets or a magnet and a metal surface 
     What is desired is a mechanism using the properties of magnets to couple and secure a scaffold structure in unconventional locations such as inside boilers, metal tanks or proximate steel or metal beams, including l-beams for use in power plants, boilers, on bridges, offshore platforms, petrochemical plants, tank farms, heavy industrial complexes and construction sites. 
     SUMMARY 
     To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein and in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings. wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional scaffold structure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a conventional vertical standard; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a conventional ledger; 
         FIG. 4  is a first view of a first aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a second view of the first aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a third view of the first aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a fourth view of the first aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a first view of a second aspect of the invention, 
         FIG. 9  is a second view of a second aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a third view of a second aspect of the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart of a method of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention is a magnetic scaffold tie that serves as a point to anchor a scaffold which has been erected in unconventional locations. For example, the magnet portion of the magnetic scaffold tie can be used in a tank along an interior perimeter of tank. The invention advantageously allows a scaffold erector to install a perimeter scaffold instead of a large scaffold. A magnetic scaffold tie, when used as an anchor, takes significantly less time to install than welding, gluing, or bolting an anchorage point. Conventionally, a weld is required to anchor a scaffold, however, with use of the invention, such, an anchor point can be install in comparatively little time. The invention can be used in power plants, boilers, around bridges, with offshore platforms, petrochemical complexes, tank farms, heavy industrial areas and in the construction industry. More specifically, the invention can be used as an anchor for a scaffold in a boiler wall or tank wall. Once anchored, an erector can tighten a scaffold coupling mechanism to a scaffold vertical or horizontal member. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a first aspect of the invention is a magnetic scaffold tie  400 , comprising a base platform  401  having an upper planar face  402  and a lower open face  403  and at least one sidewall  484 . At least one magnet  701  (seen in  FIG. 7 ) is coupled between the upper planar face  402  and lower open face  403 . Proximate an end of the sidewall  404 , a release bar  406  is coupled to a release mechanism  407 . A coupling extension  408 , having a first end coupled to and extending substantially orthogonally from the upper planar face  402  of the base platform  401  and a second end of the coupling extension  408  having a scaffold coupling mechanism  409 . 
     The coupling extension  408  can, in an aspect, be extendible and retractable, using, for example, a telescoping mechanism between a first part and a second part of the coupling extension  408 , or a turnbuckle operable to be extend or be retract when unscrewed or screwed, respectively. The magnetic scaffold tie  400  further has at the second end of the coupling extension, a scaffold coupling mechanism  409 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the scaffold coupling mechanism  409  can comprise a clamp or it can comprise a wedge head operable to engage a rosette.  FIG. 6  illustrates the invention in combination with a vertical member  601  and coupled to a wall. When the release bar  406  is actuated to remove the magnetic scaffold tie from a wall, the wall acts as a follower when the release bar  406 , and hence the lobe, is moved from a first position to a second position. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the magnetic scaffold tie  400  has four sidewalls in a generally rectangular shape between the upper planar face  402  and lower open face  403 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , the magnets can comprise rare earth magnets, further comprising a plurality of bar magnets  701  arranged in a parallel manner between the sidewalls and exposed at the lower open face  403 . The magnets can be, inter alia, neodymium magnets or samarium-cobalt magnets. The magnets can be plated or coated to protect them from breaking and chipping. 
     Release bar  406  further comprises a cam mechanism operable to release the base platform from a surface to which it is magnetically coupled. 
     A rotatable shaft  412  is coupled between the face of an extension of a first sidewall and the face of an extension of a second sidewall, the second sidewall being parallel to the first sidewall. The rotatable shaft  412  is fixedly coupled to a circular cylinder  413 , a longitudinal portion of interior of the circular cylindrical  413  being fixedly coupled to the rotatable shaft  412  to form a lobe. The release bar  40 $ has a handle on a first end, the second end being fixedly coupled to the rotatable shaft  412 , the circular cylinder  413  or both, thus operable to cause the lobe portion of the combination of rotatable shaft  412  and circular cylinder  413  to be repositioned simultaneously when the release bar is moved from a first position to a second position. 
     The coupling extension of the magnetic scaffold tie can further comprise a two inch diameter steel pipe, having a length of between eighteen inches and twenty four inches with a turnbuckle welded inside the steel pipe operable to allow for adjustment of the length. In a further aspect, a ground wire is coupled to the magnet operable to be coupled to a scaffold member. The invention is used erecting a scaffold in one selected from the group of power plant, boilers, bridge, offshore platform, petrochemical plant, tank farm, heavy industrial complex and construction industry. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10 , a second aspect of the invention is a magnetic scaffold tie  800 , comprising a base platform  801  having an upper planar face  802  and a lower open face  803  and at least one sidewall  804 . At least one magnet  805  is coupled between the upper planar face  802  and lower open face  803 . As seen in  FIG. 11 , proximate an end of the sidewall  804 , a release bar  808  is coupled to a release mechanism  807 . A coupling extension  808 , having a first end coupled to and extending substantially orthogonally from the upper planar face  802  of the base platform  801  and a second end of the coupling extension  808  having a ball joint  812  for coupling to a first end of shock absorber extension  813 , the second end of shock absorber extension  813  coupled to scaffold coupling mechanism  809 . 
     The combination of the coupling extension  808  and shock absorber extension  813  can, in an aspect, be extendible and retractable, using, for example, a telescoping mechanism between a first part and a second part of the coupling extension  808 , or a turnbuckle operable to be extend or be retract when unscrewed or screwed, respectively. The magnetic scaffold tie  800  further comprises a scaffold coupling mechanism  809 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the scaffold coupling mechanism  809  further comprises a clamp, a half clamp, a quick release clamp or it can comprise a wedge head operable to engage a rosette. The shock absorber extension  813  further comprises a hollow, cylindrical inner pipe  816 , and a cylindrical outer pipe  815 , the outer diameter of the inner pipe  818 , being dimensioned to fit within the inner wall of outer pipe  815 . In a further aspect, the length of the inner pipe  816  is substantially equivalent to that if the outer pipe  815 . Within the inner pipe  816  is a compressible inner spring  902  extending between, and coupled to each of the first end and second end of shock absorber extension  813 . On the outside of outer pipe  815  is tension outer spring  901  extending between, and coupled to each of the first end and second end of shock absorber extension  813 . Inner spring  902  serves to counteract the outer spring  901 . In an aspect, outer spring  901  is stretched and coupled to a top washer  817  on the plate coupled to scaffold coupling mechanism  809 . 
     Bar  818  is transversely welded to inner spring  902 , each end of the bar  818  extending through aligned slots  819  in a portion of the side walls of inner pipe  816  and outer pipe  815 , operable to allow a user to compress the inner spring  902  and outer spring  901 , thus shortening the length of shock absorber extension  813 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , when the release bar  806  is actuated to remove the magnetic scaffold tie from a wall, the wall acts as a follower when the release bar  806 , and hence the lobe, is moved from a first position to a second position. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 8 , the magnetic scaffold tie  800  has four sidewalls in a generally rectangular shape between the upper planar face  802  and lower open face  803 . Magnets  805  can comprise rare earth magnets, further comprising a plurality of bar magnets arranged in a parallel manner between the sidewalls and exposed at the lower open face  803 . The magnets can be, inter alia, neodymium magnets or samarium-cobalt magnets. The magnets can be plated or coated to protect them from breaking and chipping. 
     Release bar  806  further comprises a cam mechanism operable to release the base platform from a surface to which it is magnetically coupled. 
     Similarly to  FIG. 6 , a rotatable shaft is coupled between the face of an extension of a first sidewall and the face of an extension of a second sidewall, the second sidewall being parallel to the first sidewall. The rotatable shaft is fixedly coupled to a circular cylinder, a longitudinal portion of interior of the circular cylindrical being fixedly coupled to the rotatable shaft to form a lobe. The release bar  906  has a handle on a first end, the second end being fixedly coupled to the rotatable shaft, the circular cylinder or both, thus operable to cause the lobe portion of the combination of rotatable shaft and circular cylinder to be repositioned simultaneously when the release bar is moved from a first position to a second position. 
     As seen in  FIG. 11 , the invention further comprises a method  1100  for anchoring a scaffold to a structure, comprising coupling a magnetic member within a base platform to a structure  1101 , extending an extension member orthogonally from the base platform  1102  and coupling a clamp on a distal end of the extension member to a scaffold member  1103 . The scaffold member can be a vertical or horizontal member. 
     The embodiments shown and described above are only exemplary. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of embodiments of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description together with details of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used herein. Coupling includes, but is not limited to attaching, engaging, mounting, clamping, welding, bolting and components used for coupling include bolts and nuts, rivets, clevis, latches, clamps, welds, screws, rivets and the like.