Abstract: A rope traction device used as a winding instrument for a moving scaffold and other construction, loading and unloading and conveying machines, includes a sheave which is rotated by a motor through a speed reduction gear and around which a part of a traction rope is wound, and is movable along the rope by rotating the sheave. The sheave is provided with a rope groove formed by a pair of parallel and planar side plates substantially along the entire circumference of the sheave for receiving a part of the rope therein and resiliently pressing the rope on its side portions. The rope traction device includes an improved brake system according to which slots elongated in the circumferential direction are formed in each clutch member and each slot has a greater depth axially in the central portion thereof than in other portions.

Abstract: A rope traction device used as a winding instrument for a moving scaffold and other construction, loading and unloading and conveying machines includes a sheave which is rotated by a motor through a speed reduction gear and around which a part of a traction rope is wound, and is movable along the rope by rotating the sheave. The sheave is provided with a rope groove formed by a pair of side plates substantially along the entire circumference of the sheave for receiving a part of the rope therein and resiliently pressing the rope on its side portions. In one aspect of the invention, the rope traction device includes an improved brake system according to which slots elongated in the circumferential direction are formed in each clutch member and these slots have a larger width axially in the central portion thereof than in other portions.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a window glass having a moving unit which is moved along a window of a building and a squeegee capable of removing dust deposited on a window glass by spraying water thereon and thereafter scraping the dust off the window glass comprises a first moving member such as a piston guide having a size corresponding to width of a window glass and being mounted on the moving unit in such a manner that the position of fixing the first moving member to the moving unit can be adjusted so that the first moving member can be located closer to or away from the window glass, a second moving member such as a piston mounted on the first moving member in such a manner that the second moving member can be moved toward and away from the window glass, a gas bag containing pressurized gas and connected to the second moving member to supply a moving force to the second moving member, a third moving member such as squeegee holders mounted on the second moving member in such a manner that the third moving member

Abstract: A rope traction device used as a winding instrument for a moving scaffold and other construction, loading and unloading and conveying machines includes a sheave which is rotated by a motor through a speed reduction gear and around which a part of a traction rope is wound, and is movable along the rope by rotating the sheave. The sheave is provided with a rope groove formed by a pair of side plates substantially along the entire circumference of the sheave for receiving a part of the rope therein and resiliently pressing the rope on its side portions. In one aspect of the invention, the rope traction device includes an improved brake system according to which slots elongated in the circumferential direction are formed in each clutch member and these slots have a larger width axially in the central portion thereof than in other portions.

Abstract: A robot for a work on a wall surface comprises a main module, which is constructed of, for example, a moving scaffold, hung by ropes and being capable of moving vertically and horizontally to a desired position on a wall surface, an arm module mounted on the main module and being movable with one or more degrees of freedom with respect to the wall surface, and a wrist module mounted on the foremost end portion of the arm module, having one or more degrees of freedom necessary for the work and including an automatic tool changer for detachably mounting a tool necessary for the work on the wrist module. In one aspect of the invention, fixing devices are provided on both sides of the main module and an exchangeable fixing tool is also detachably mounted on the automatic tool changer for stabilizing the main module during work and moving from one place to another.

Abstract: A work apparatus for a work on a wall surface of a structure, e.g., a building, comprises rail supports secured fixedly to an upper end portion of a structure, upper provisional horizontal rails supported provisionally on these rail supports, lower provisional horizontal rails mounted provisionally on a lower portion of a wall surface of the structure in parallel with the upper provisional horizontal rails, upper horizontally running trolleys mounted slidably on the upper provisional horizontal rails and connected to one another, a working platform, e.g.

Abstract: A device for horizontally moving an apparatus such as a gondola working at a high location such as a wall surface of a building comprises a mounting frame fixedly provided on the upper end portion of a structure and having a vertically extending rotary shaft receiving portion, a rail supporting member having a rotary shaft received in the rotary shaft receiving portion and also having an arm extending substantially normally from the rotary shaft and including a rail supporting portion at the foremost end thereof, a horizontally extending rail disposed detachably on the rail supporting portion, a rail pivoting device associated with the rail supporting portion and the rail for pivoting the rail when the rotation shaft is rotated, and a trolley mounted on the rail for suspending the apparatus working at a high location. The rail can be provided only provisionally when required and not permanently fixed to the structure.

Abstract: A horizontally moving automatic outer surface cleaning apparatus comprising horizontal rails provided above and below a surface to be cleaned such as a window glass and a carrier having engaging means for engaging with the horizontal rails for enabling the carrier to be guided along the rails. On the carrier, there are mounted drive means for driving the carrier to move along the horizontal rails, water spray means for spraying water over the surface to be cleaned, wiper means for cleaning the surface by wiping the surface and a soiled water tank containing soiled water collected as a result of wiping by the wiper means. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier consists of a main carrier and a work carrier coupled to the main carrier in such a manner that the carrier can move along a curved portion which can be formed in the horizontal rails.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning windowpanes of a building comprises a unit suspended from the roof of the building and being capable of ascending and descending along the building. An opening portion is formed in the front portion of the unit and a cleaning head is provided in this opening portion. The cleaning head can be adjusted in its position and can be accurately positioned against a windowpane to be cleaned by reducing a relative velocity of a scraper attached to the cleaning head to zero by ascending the cleaning head while the unit is descending. The scraper and a rotary disc for sprinkling water are secured to a movable member provided in the cleaning head. The scraper can not only approach and withdraw from the windowpane but also incline with respect to the windowpane. An air curtain is formed below the scraper so as to guide soiled water left after wiping of the windowpane by the scraper into a soiled water collection portion.

Abstract: A scaffolding system for performing a work such as repair, coating or tiling on an outer wall surface of a building, chimney, petroleum tank or the like comprises parapet wall hooks provided on the top portion of a building, hanging stages suspended from the parapet wall hooks by means of first cables and arranged in horizontal alignment with one another, protective nets which can be stretched between the parapet wall hooks and the hanging stages, and means for lifting and lowering the protective nets by means of second cables secured to the protective nets. The protective nets can be lifted or lowered as desired regardless of position of the hanging stages and without lifting or lowering the hanging stages. The protective nets can be readily lowered and stored in the hanging stages when a strong wind is expected whereby damage to the protective nets due to wind can be prevented.

Abstract: A rope locking device for stopping an abnormal descent of an ascending and descending apparatus such as a gondola used for a construction work. The device comprises two separate cases. One of the cases contains a rope clamping member formed on one side thereof with a groove in which one side of a rope can be engaged, a rope clamping member drive for displacing the rope clamping member between a first position in which the rope clamping member is spaced from the rope and a second position in which the rope clamping member is pressed against the rope, an energizing member for energizing the rope clamping member to move from the first position to the second position, a lock device for holding the rope clamping member in the first position against the energizing force and a lock release device for releasing locking of the rope clamping member by detecting a relative running speed of the rope and releasing the lock device when the running speed of the rope has exceeded a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A rope traction apparatus includes a sheave around which an intermediate length of traction rope extends. One run of the rope which is located on one side of the sheave provides a traction run while the run located on the other side thereof provides a free run. The sheave is firmly mounted on a drive shaft which is rotatably mounted on a frame assembly. The frame assembly is provided with an operating member which is rotatably mounted on a support shaft which extends parallel to the drive shaft. The operating member has its opposite ends located adjacent to the periphery of the sheave and each carry a roller having an axis which extends parallel to the drive shaft. One of the rollers is located to engage the traction run of the rope to cause an angular movement of the operating member in response to the tension therein. The other roller is located close to the sheave to hold the traction rope in a groove formed in the sheave as a result of the angular momentum applied to the operating member.

Abstract: An apparatus for coiling, storing and uncoiling a wire rope. The apparatus includes a closed container rotatable about an axis thereof and defining a circular space in which to receive the wire rope. A conduit for guiding the wire rope into the interior of the container is rotatably disposed therein in alignment with the axis of rotation of the container. The conduit has an inlet which opens to the exterior of the container, and has an outlet which extends radially and athwart within the container. When the wire rope is introduced lengthwise into the inlet of the conduit, a relative rotation occurs between the container and the conduit, coiling the rope along the sidewall of the container.