Abstract: The invention relates to a fabrication process of a metallic structure made of sheets welded one onto the other and enclosing an internal space. A scaffolding is erected in this internal space and comprises a vertical tower and collapsible passageways extending radially from said tower. When the structure is substantially terminated, the passageways are collapsed and the scaffolding is withdrawn from said space through an aperture provided at the upper part of the structure.

Abstract: A scaffolding assembly is made up of independent units each of which is fitted with inside and outside shuttering panels. The assembly is particularly suitable for in situ casting of walls in reinforced concrete, in successive layers which may vary in their inclination to the vertical. Each unit includes a support frame which is attached to one surface of the wall in progress and is fitted with one shuttering panel and a first assembly of catwalks. At its upper end it has a cantilever which overhangs the top of the wall, from which is suspended a movable frame substantially parallel to the support frame. The position of the movable frame on the cantilever is adjustable, to vary its distance from the support frame. The movable frame is fitted with the other shuttering panel and with a second catwalk assembly. A lifting system on the support frame co-operates with attachments on the wall to raise the unit.

Abstract: A movable scaffold for use in gaining access to the inside wall of an upright cylindrical tank such as a petroleum refinery reactor tower. The scaffold comprises a central frame having four radially extending, adjustable arm sets each connected to a scaffold platform, or cage, and hydraulically actuated to bring the platforms into working proximity with the inside tank wall. The scaffold platforms are each connected by cables received over sheaves at the top of the tank to winches outside the tank. Said winches are controllable to rotate the platforms within the tank, and/or to adjust the elevation of the platforms within the tank.

Abstract: Methods and one apparatus are disclosed for inspecting or working on the internal wall surface of a large drum, as a five story high coke drum for use in a delayed coking unit for restoring petroleum fractions. The apparatus or assembly comprises a triangular spider hanging bracket hoisted up to and connected to one end of a crosshead secured across the top of an opening in the top of the drum, and an inspector's or workman's cage having a hoist hooked to one end of the triangular bracket for traversing the full height of one sector of the drum internal wall before the cage is lowered to a temporary deck, the crosshead rotated through a predetermined angle on the drum top, and the cage raised again for covering another sector of the internal wall surface. This assembly forms a fast, thorough, safe, economical, and efficient system for inspecting and/or working on the internal wall surface of a large drum.

Abstract: An assembly is shown, which provides a framework that fits in an excavation such as a grave, including two side frames that exert considerable horizontal pressure against two end frames by means of eight horizontal adjustable screws and integral bearing means to produce a rigid frame adapted for carrying heavy surface loads for example, machinery for lowering a casket into the grave and providing a support for a platform for mourners adjacent to the grave for those wishing to approach closely to the graveside. The load on the rigid frame and including any load from the platform supported on the frame is transmitted to bearing pads supported on the floor of the excavation to eliminate, insofar as possible, injury, and/or embarrassment caused by the caving in of the walls of the excavation while at the same time making it possible to provide a much neater appearing gravesite than would be attainable without the framework.

Abstract: A scaffold for carrying out activities inside a tank having a substantially cylindrical side wall and a roof with centrally provided therein a manhole, comprising a central mast and, movable therearound, a section for carrying operating platforms rotatably connected to said mast, all scaffold members being coupled for mutual pivotal movement and having such a cross-section that they can be lowered into the tank via the manhole.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a person within a container tank for inspection, cleaning, or repair of such tank is described. The apparatus includes a pivoted parallelogram type support having a cage enclosure at one end and a counter balance weight at the other end, such support being pivotally attached to a hoist member for movement of the cage toward and away from the tank wall while maintaining such cage upright. The hoist raises and lowers the support and cage within the tank and through a restricted opening in the tank when the support is pivoted into a retracted position. Bearing means is provided around the hoist stem for guiding vertical movement and enabling manual rotation of the hoist member and cage. A valve actuated cylinder is employed to control the pivoting of the support by manual actuation of the valve from within the cage.

Abstract: To enable a scaffolding structure to serve horizontally curved structures such as storage tanks, a connection is provided to allow horizontally adjacent scaffold transom element to be relatively inclined to one another in a horizonal plane. The joint includes connection means including a wedge to engage a socket afforded by a scaffold upright and such connection means is pivotally mounted on a scaffold cross member, such as a transom element, which itself affords a socket for the connection of a further cross member, such as a ledger element. Alternatively, the connection means may be pivotally mounted on a part provided with two such sockets for the releasable connection of a transom element and a ledger element.

Abstract: An orbital service bridge for positioning a work platform at desired positions within an overlying dome-shaped structure comprises inclined leg members pivotally mounted at one end near the top of the dome. A motor driven trolley positions the other end of the leg member along a track circumferentially disposed on the base of the domed area. A carriage movably supported on the leg members positions the work platform at the desired height, and a telescoping mounting assembly extends the work platform in either direction away from the leg members and into the desired position. The bridge may also be assembled with complimentary leg members to form a self-supporting bridge structure useful in assembling the dome and related systems.

Abstract: A support structure mounted at the top of the side walls of a tower silo including a safety platform accessible from the exterior of the silo, and extending into the interior of the silo so that operators may stand on the platform for servicing unloaders and filler devices at the top of the silo. Incorporated into the support structure is a track member which has a traveling carriage thereon adapted to provide a support for both a silo unloader and a silage filling distributor. The carriage and the distributor are connected by linkage such that when the filling distributor is to be used, the carriage moves laterally to move the center of support for the silo unloader away from the center of the silo so that the silo unloader can be raised above the top of the silo staves and positioned out of the way.

Abstract: Apparatus as described for lining the interior of a metallurgical furnace, especially one having openings at both the bottom and the top of the vessel, with refractory brick. A tower structure is extensible into the furnace interior and carries a work platform that is positionable to various elevations within the furnace.