Patent Application
20060180390
The present invention relates generally to a roof edge fall protection apparatus for flat roofs and parapets that serves to protect workers in the roofing industry and the like. The apparatus is adaptable to be permanently or temporarily affixed to the edge of the roof.
Working on a flat roof is high risk. People may fall from the edge of a complete roof or from the edge where work such as roofing installation or re-roofing is being carried out. Safety in the work environment has become increasingly important and preventative measures are required during work on flat roofs where there is a risk of falling. Apart from horizontal lifeline fall protection systems, which may be in place, protective measures are typically required at the roof edge. Such edge protection needs to be strong enough to withstand a person falling against it.
Many regulatory bodies have implemented a multitude of various requirements and standards to cover a variety of work environments, such as roofing projects. One general requirement is for safety or guard barriers to be placed along the edges of roof to protect roofing workers during roof construction and repair.
It is still quite common for a roofing contractor to assemble temporary safety or guard barriers from standard lumber material (e.g., 2′×4′s) and to disassemble them when the roofing work is completed. Such temporary barriers may meet regulatory requirements if properly constructed, but require a fair amount of time to construct and often result in the destruction of materials used when disassembled after a job is completed. These types of temporary barriers necessarily require construction of barriers specific for each job. Although materials may be saved from one job to the next they have to be modified in order to provide a vertical fence or barrier for the next crew. This results in little or no labour saving in the construction of such temporary barrier even if materials are re-used.
Other roof edge protection apparatus rely on freestanding cantilever design with or without weights positioned well in from the roof edge. While such cantilevered systems may be permanent or temporary they also interfere with the roofing work to be done.
Another barrier system incorporates post supports clamped to a roof parapet.
It is accordingly desirable to provide a roof edge fall protection system that implements the required structural integrity while also allowing easy assembly and disassembly at the roof edge. In addition, the geometry of the perimeter to be guarded may vary dramatically from site to site, thereby requiring a system that is adaptable to different configurations.
There is still exists a need for a device contemplated by the present invention which can be easily constructed at the roof edge and is adaptable for either temporary or permanent attachment to the building structure. Temporary attachment allows a roofing contractor to reuse the apparatus for a multitude of roofing projects. The device is adaptable to permit permanent attachment around the entire perimeter of a building or a portion thereof.
The apparatus of the present invention is readily attachable to a roof parapet structure in a manner that does not significantly interfere with the construction or re-construction of a roof. The apparatus is also readily adjustable to accommodate structures having differing parapet wall thicknesses and a variety of parapet configurations. The apparatus may be easily assembled and disassembled and transported from one job site to another. Another desired feature is that optionally some or all the components may be permanently attachable to the building.
The present invention relates to an improved roof edge fall protection apparatus. Most industrial and commercial buildings having flat roofs will have a parapet wall around the perimeter edge of the roof. The height and configuration of the parapet wall will vary from structure to structure. Roof edge fall protection devices are typically installed at or near such parapet walls. The apparatus of the present invention comprises several components that can be easily assembled and disassembled on site and which are adaptable to various building geometries.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a roof edge fall protection apparatus for use with a building structure having a roof and at least one wall. The apparatus comprises at least two support members, each comprised of a roof mounting portion including a first base plate member that is securely mountable on the roof of the building structure and a second base plate member that is securely and removably mountable on the wall of the building structure. A side edge portion of the first base plate member is positioned substantially adjacent to the wall. A top edge portion of the second base plate member securely and removably engages the side edge portion of the roof base plate member. A barrier mounting portion including a substantially upright post member securely engages the roof mounting portion, and a barrier holding member securely engages the post member. An elongate safety barrier member securely and removably engages each barrier holding member, with the safety barrier member securely extending between at least two support members.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the apparatus comprises at least two support members, wherein each comprise a roof mounting portion securely mountable on the roof substantially adjacent to the wall and a barrier mounting portion. The barrier mounting portion includes a substantially upright post member securely engaging the roof mounting portion, and a barrier holding member securely and removably engaging the post member. An elongate safety barrier member is securely and removably interposed between each post member and each respective barrier holding member. The safety barrier member securely extends between at least two support members.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a roof edge fall protection apparatus for use with a building structure having a parapet wall. The apparatus comprises at least two support members, each comprised of a parapet wall mounting portion including a first base plate member that is securely mountable on the top of the parapet wall and a second base plate member that is securely and removably mountable on the outer parapet wall. The side edge portion of the top wall base plate member is positioned substantially adjacent to the outer parapet wall. A top edge portion of the second base plate member securely and removably engages the side edge portion of the first plate member. A barrier mounting portion including a substantially upright post member securely engages the parapet wall mounting portion, and a substantially upright bar that is coterminous with the post member securely engages the upper and lower post end portions of the post member. An elongate safety barrier member securely and removably engages the barrier mounting portion, with the safety barrier member securely extending between at least two support members.
The present invention may be further understood by reference to the accompanying drawing sheets, in which:
Although the above description and accompanying drawings relate to preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention
The description, which follows, and the embodiments described therein, is provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples of particular embodiments of principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals.
Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a roof edge fall protection apparatus generally designated 2 which includes a plurality of spaced apart upright support members 10. The support members are of a height to form a sufficient barrier to prevent a human from falling off the roof. The support members 10 are removably affixed at the edge of the roof 4 of the building 6 typically on a parapet 14. Such parapet may have sloped walls. An elongate barrier member, shown as a safety mesh fence 12, securely and removably engages the spaced support members 10. In typical applications, support members 10 are spaced apart approximately 8 feet.
Each support member 10 is comprised of a roof mounting portion that includes a first base plate member 16 and a second base plate member 18, a barrier mounting portion that in one embodiment includes a substantially upright post member 20, and a barrier holding member shown and reference herein as an upright bar 22. The post member 20 is approximately 42″ in height.
The first base plate member 16 is secured by fastening means, shown and referenced hereinafter as screws 24 to the roof 4 of the building 6, typically on the top of parapet 14 which extends around the roof perimeter. While in the embodiment shown parapet 14 has a sloped surface, it will be appreciated that the support member 10 may be employed on flat parapet surfaces. The first base plate member 16 may be removed after the perimeter protection is no longer required or may be permanently left in place. If permanent, the top surface of 16 may be protected by roofing materials in an ordinary manner. A second base plate member 18 is secured and removably mountable on the outside wall 26 of the parapet 14 or of the building 6 adjacent to the first base plate member 16. Again, fastening may be by screws 24. First base plate member 16 and second base plate member 18 may have pre-formed holes 28 for receiving the screws 24. The top edge portion 30 of the second base plate member secures and engages the side edge portion 32 of first base plate member 16. As shown in the figures, the side edge portion 32 of the first base plate member 16 is shaped and dimensioned to define a plate tongue 34 and the top edge portion 30 of the second base plate member 18 is shaped and dimensioned to define a complementary mating groove member 36, such that the side edge portion 32 securely and removably engages the top edge portion 30 in longitudinally sliding relation. The first base plate member 16 is substantially perpendicular to the second base plate member 18.
Post member 20, which is preferably formed of round hollow stock stainless steel or aluminum T-6661, removably engages the roof mounting portion of support member 10. A post securing means such as a sleeve member 38, shown for example in
The barrier holding member is shown as an upright bar 48 coterminous with upright post member 20. Upright bar 48 is removably secured to the lower and upper ends of post member 20. Upright bar 48 has post arm members 50 and 52 extending from its lower end. Post arm members 50 and 52 of upright bar 48 removably engage bar projections 44 and 46 of post member 20, thereby securing upright bar 48 at its lower end. At its upper end upright bar 48 has a slot 54 extending through its upper end from its peripheral edge 56. Post member 20 has a threaded bolt 58 extending from the upper end of post 20. Bolt 58 is secured at one end to the upper end of post 20 in a manner, which permits pivotable rotation of bolt 58 in a plane passing through its axis. Bolt 58 is received in slot 54 and threadingly engages nut 60, thereby securing upright bar 48 at its upper end. Upright bar 48 may additionally be provided with spaced apart apertures 62 located along the centre line of bar 48. These apertures as described hereafter assist in aligning and securing upright bar 48 with post member 20.
Post member 20 may further be provided with spaced projecting members shown as bolts 64 projecting on the roof side of the post surface, upon which safety mesh fence 12 is placed. Post member 20 has several spaced apart apertures [hidden by bolt heads 66] through the post member. Projecting members 64 are bolts passed through the apertures from one surface of post member 20 through to the opposite surface of post member 20 such that a portion of the bolts project from the said opposite post surface. Bolts 64 assist in aligning and temporarily retaining safety mesh 12 whilst upright bar 48 is applied in the manner described above. The upper and lower most bolts 64 may be hooked or bent upwardly and downwardly respectively to further assist in the alignment and securing of safety mesh 12 against post member 20.
It will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment a different holding barrier member be employed to fasten the safety barrier to post members. An example of such an alternative embodiment is shown in
With reference to the figures, a typical installation of the roof edge fall protection apparatus 2 onto a parapet 14 is now described. The roof mounting portions of support members 10 are first installed. First base plate member 16 is placed and positioned on the top surface of parapet 14 such that the side edge portion 32 of first base plate member is substantially flush with the outside wall 26 of parapet 14. Once positioned the first base plate member 16 is fastened to the top surface of parapet wall 14 by screws 24. On the outside wall 26, the top edge portion 30 of second base plate member 18 together with sleeve member 38 being a part thereof, is aligned perpendicular to and beside the side edge portion 32 of first base plate member 16. The groove member 36 of second base plate member 18 is aligned with the tongue member 34 of the side edge portion 32 of first base plate member 16. Once aligned the second base plate member 18 is slid along the outside wall 26 until it is substantially perpendicular to first base plate member 16. Second base plate member 18 is then secured to outside wall 26 with screws 24. The aforesaid installation is repeated along the perimeter or parts of the perimeter of building 6.
Upright post member 20 is inserted into sleeve member 38, namely post tongue 40 is inserted into the opening in arcuate track groove 42. Post member 20 is rotated such that post tongue 40 travels along arcuate track groove 42 until post member is secured into place. This post installation is repeated at each first and second base plate installation.
Safety mesh fence 12 is spanned between installed upright post members 20. Safety mesh 12 is positioned and temporarily held in place against post member 20 by projecting bolts 64 of post member 20. Upright bar 48 is next installed. Upright bar 48 is initially held at an angle from the plane of upright post member 20 such that post arm members 50 and 52 at the lower portion of upright bar 48 hook onto bar projections 44 and 46 of post member 20. Upright bar 48 is then pivoted towards an upright position along side of post member 20 such that projecting members 64 engage apertures 66 of upright bar 48. Once upright bar 48 is against post member 20, bolt 58 at the upper end of post member 20 is pivotally rotated so as to engage slot 54 at the upper end of upright bar 50. Nut 60 is threaded onto bolt 58 to secure the upper end of upright bar 48 along post member 20 thereby securing safety mesh fence 12. This installation is repeated at each support member.
When the apparatus of the present invention is used in a temporary manner such as for re-roofing work, all components may be removed. The apparatus is disassembled generally in reverse order from the order of assembly. Alternatively, the first base plate member 16 (and alternatively also the second base plate member 28) may remain and roofing material may be applied on the upper surface of first base plate member 16.
Although the above description and accompanying drawings relate to specific preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2495683 | Feb 2005 | CA | national |
| 2534487 | Jan 2006 | CA | national |
