Patent Grant
8505685
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to scaffolding and, more particularly, to roof scaffolding that can be attached without standing on the surface of the roof itself and, most particularly, to roof scaffolding that does not interfere with placement and attachment of roofing materials on the roof with the scaffolding in position.
2. Background Information
Many patents have been granted for devices that are used as scaffolding for working on a pitched roof. Bartlett, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,934, describes a plurality of elongated load supporting members adapted to be supported in a spaced-apart relationship on a sloping roof. A hook is attached to the elongated load supporting members to extend over the gable of the sloping roof and contact the opposite sloping roof. A load supporting carriage rides on each of the elongated load supporting members and contains a means to incrementally advance the load supporting carriages on the elongated load supporting members. An additional elongated load supporting member has one portion of the member residing on one load supporting carriage and another portion of the load supporting member residing on another load supporting carriage. The apparatus, when used according to the method of this invention, provides a safe and economical method for laying roofing materials on a sloping roof.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,971, Violet discloses an adjustable roofing jack for securing a scaffold of a selected size for roofers to prevent falls and other dangers associated with working on an inclined surface, especially high-pitched roofs. The adjustable roofing jack includes a frame for engaging the surface of the roof. The frame includes an extended portion for engaging one side of a scaffold board. An opening is defined by the extended portion for the receipt of a nail, screw or other conventional fastener prevents the scaffold board from rotating axially. Slotted openings are defined by the frame for receiving at least one selected fastener to secure the adjustable roofing jack to the roof. A scaffold support is attached to the frame for supporting a scaffold board of a selected width. An adjuster is provided for altering the effective width of the scaffold support. The adjuster includes an angled member and a fastener for securing the angled member to the scaffold support. An opening is defined by the frame for storing the adjuster when not deployed.
Richardson Jr., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,006, describes a support apparatus for scaling and working on an inclined roof made up of at least one ladder having a pair of ridge hooks to engage the roof ridge. A rotatable support frame is secured to the ladder, and a pivotally mounted platform supports workers and materials. The support frame includes a pair of horizontal members, a pair of vertical legs, and a cross brace assembly, which are attached to one another by a mechanism adapted to allow rotation of the legs of at least 180 degrees around the outside of the horizontal member from an axle formed by the cross brace. The ladder includes hollow rungs and an opening in each rail, forming a tubular passage. Each of the legs has a tube horizontally attached to each end, forming an opening for alignment with the ladder openings, such that a securing rod can be passed through the passage. The rod acts as a spindle upon which the legs rest to the outbound sides of the ladder. The cross brace assembly is a generally Z-shaped configuration made of a pair of cross braces, having sliding members for vertical adjustment of the support frame to variously inclined roofs. The platform is pivotally mounted to each of the horizontal members by a trunnion for easy access to the rungs of the ladder below. A chimney-arm attachment is provided for partially encircling a chimney for added or sole support of the support apparatus from an existing chimney.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,918 by Steele et al. disclose a roof catchboard bracket for securing a catchboard to a roof, preferably formed from a plastic material. The device includes an L-shaped bracket having a first leg, removably secured to a roof, and a second leg, removably secured to a catchboard. An integrally formed brace portion extends intermediate the first and second legs for bracing the second leg against the first leg. Other features include a provision for nesting a plurality of such brackets one on top of the other, and pry chamfers, which allow the brackets to be readily removed after nailing to a roof surface.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,880, Nelson et al. describe a roof scaffolding system for use on a pitched roof that can be moved both longitudinally and laterally. The roof scaffolding system includes a peak anchor having a carrying assembly connected atop thereof, the peak anchor being adapted for connecting to a pitched roof. A side rail assembly having a base member, a top member and a load support member supports an elongated scaffold member. The load support member interconnects the base member and the top member. An elongated flexible member operationally connects the side rail assembly and the peak anchor in a manner such that the side rail assembly may be moved longitudinally and laterally upon a roof. The roof scaffolding system may include a cross rail member connected between the side rail assemblies to serve as a safety rail for a user. The roof scaffolding system may further include a net connected between the side rail assemblies to prevent objects from falling from the work area.
Hamilton, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,083, describes an improved roof worker support apparatus for placement on slanted roof structures with varying peak angles. The apparatus includes a pair of peak-adjustable elongated assemblies, independently deployable on the roof structure in spaced substantially parallel positions extending up the roof. Each includes at least one elongated crosspiece, removably supportable across the elongate assemblies. The elongated assemblies include an elongated roof-contact member, an overpeak member, an adjustment member between the overpeak member and the roof-contact member and adjustable to set the elongated roof-contact member and overpeak member at a desired angle to accommodate roof peak angles. At least one crosspiece-support member is affixed to the elongate roof-contact member. Highly preferred embodiments include certain extension members.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,629 by Cloutier et al. discloses a roofer's safety brace unit, consisting of a pair of main frame track components, an extension arm, a pivotably attached support arm equipped with a rubberized foot pad at one end thereof and a running wheel at the other end thereof. The unit is placeable upon a roof by virtue of the function of a plurality of chair-shaped lateral support units, equipped with rubberized foot pads attached to plank holding brackets attached to the main frame track components or extension arm. One of the brackets is further equipped with a pivotable plank bar such that when a duplicate pair of such safety brace units is utilized by a roofer, planking suitable to safely supporting the weight of a roofer working on a roof is readily and dependably held fast in place.
Pike, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,399, describes a roof scaffolding comprising two or more elongate support members or tracks spaced above an inclined roof surface, with the support members having upwardly open channels positioned in spaced, generally parallel relation of a roof surface. A hook at the upper end of each channel engages a roof ridge or ridge vent for holding each channel in place. Each channel receives a sliding brace held in selected position along the channel by a block plate. A roofer's plank spans the roof between sliding braces supporting a roofer in the task of laying roof materials. Movable spacers resist deflection of the support members intermediate their ends and, in particular, to resist deflection under a workman's weight on the scaffolding. The support members are lightweight and easily placed in position by hooking one end over the roof ridge or into a ridge vent. The support members include a fixed end spacer for spacing the supports from the roof surface. Each sliding brace is moved into position on a support member and held by a block plate. Then a platform or plank spans the brace members providing a foothold for the roofer. The sliding braces can be selectively positioned in their channels along the support members as the roof installation proceeds along the roof surface. Moveable spacers are positioned under the support members in the vicinity of the workman to maintain roof spacing so as to permit laying of materials under the supports at all positions of the scaffolding on the inclined roof.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,646 by Bryant discloses a roof scaffolding system that includes a support assembly disposed on one inclined surface of a roof extending to a peak of the roof and attached to an opposite inclined surface of the roof near the peak thereof. A roof jack rests on the one inclined surface of the roof straddling and connected to the support assembly. A valley support assembly positioned on a valley of the roof along one side of the one inclined surface and extending to the peak of the roof and attached to the opposite inclined surface of the roof near the peak thereof. A valley jack straddles the valley of the roof and valley support assembly and is anchored to the valley support assembly. The roof and valley jacks are spaced apart so as to support a flat board extending there between.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,835, Souto et al. describe a roofing stage for pitched roofs that includes first and second elongated tracks disposed generally parallel to one another. A base bracket attaches a lower end of each track to roof beams. Padded feet extend from a bottom surface of the tracks for contact with the roof. Hooks extend from upper ends of the first and second brackets for attachment to an apex of the roof. A carriage bracket is slidably attached to each track and has a foot support extending therefrom. A platform bracket is slidably attached to each of the first and second tracks above the carriage brackets for supporting a platform there between. The movable brackets enable the roofer to properly position himself and necessary tools and supplies.
Blehm, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,125, describes a ladder ridge anchor device and system incorporating mechanisms for attaching a ladder to a roof ridge anchor to secure a ladder over the roof ridge of a building. The ladder ridge anchor device allows the user to easily adjust the position of the ladder relative to the roof ridge anchor to facilitate work on and access to the roof or other building areas. Stabilizing components help prevent lateral movement of the ladder with respect to the attached ridge anchor, and extension components elevate the ladder and roof ridge anchor off the surface of the roof.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,671 by Lallier discloses a roofing bracket, wherein use of a plurality of the roofing brackets provides a generally horizontal working surface on an inclined standing seam roofing panel. The roofing bracket comprises a first and second section, each section defining a base and an upright extending from the base. A clamping mechanism securely and removeably fastens the first section upright and the second section upright to one another and abutting opposite sides of the standing seam. The roofing brackets further define a retaining element for engaging and retaining a plank suitable for providing a generally horizontal working surface.
Applicants have devised a roof scaffolding system that overcomes many of the shortcomings of the devices described in these patents.
The invention is directed to a roof scaffolding system that can be secured to the roof without standing on the surface of the roof. The scaffolding system includes a roof hook attached to one end of a linear, metal membrane strip unit. The roof hook is curved to engage the peak of a roof without fasteners. The metal strip unit includes upward extending rivets at 12 inch intervals and nail holes at 2 inch intervals. One end of the metal strip unit includes a plurality of double slot keyholes that engage corresponding rivets on the roof hook. The opposite end of the metal strip unit includes male rivets positioned to engage the plurality of double slot keyholes of a second identical metal strip unit, extending opposite the roof hook. The nail holes allow attachment of wood spacers beneath the metal strip units to elevate the metal membrane strip units above the roof surface. Thus, multiple strip units can be joined to extend from the roof peak to the bottom edge of the roof. A hollow, coupler connector fits over the connection between joined metal strip units to prevent unwanted disconnection of the rivets and slot keyholes. The coupler connector includes exterior, spring-biased, hinged, tongue locks to maintain the joined metal strip units in place. The tongue locks can be manually unlocked to separate the metal strip units when needed. Roof jacks include both nail slots and keyholes for attachment to the metal strip units, as well as safety hooks, for attachment of a lanyard from the scaffolding to a worker. The roof jacks have a holder for a plank that spans adjacent metal strip units, and the planks provide the workers a platform on which to stand. In addition, an angle iron foot bar having perpendicular surfaces, each with multiple key slots therein, is attached between rivets of adjacent metal strip units for an additional platform on which to stand.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the roof hook comprises a multiple hinge device with rivets that engage a hinge bracket member that attaches to a spacer board. A metal strip unit secured atop the spacer board engages a second set of rivets on the extension. The multiple hinge device includes nail holes in all sections for securing the hinge device to the roof peak. The multiple hinge device also has multiple rings or tabs for attaching a safety lanyard from a worker. A pair of latch plates is used to connect spacer boards end to end, such that metal strip units secured atop the boards extend the full rise of the roof. Again, an angle iron foot bar having perpendicular surfaces, each with multiple key slots therein, is attached between rivets of adjacent metal strip units for an additional platform on which to stand. A plank may be secured to the foot bar to provide secure footing for workers on the roof.
a is a perspective view of the connector rivets of the linear metal membrane strip units of the present invention.
b is a top view of the connector rivets of the linear metal membrane strip units of the present invention.
a shows a top view of the foot bar member of
b shows a front view of the foot bar member of
c shows an end view of the foot bar member of
a is a side view of the rolled roofing dispenser of the present invention.
b is an end view of the rolled roofing dispenser of the present invention.
c is a top view of the rolled roofing dispenser of the present invention.
d is a bottom view of the rolled roofing dispenser of the present invention.
Nomenclature
Construction
The invention is a roof scaffolding system that can be secured to the roof without standing on the surface of the roof. The scaffolding system includes a roof hook attached to one end of a linear, metal membrane strip unit. The roof hook is curved to engage the peak of a roof without fasteners. The metal strip unit includes upward extending rivets at 12 inch intervals and nail holes at 2 inch intervals. One end of the metal strip unit includes a plurality of double slot keyholes that engage corresponding rivets on the roof hook. The opposite end of the metal strip unit includes male rivets positioned to engage the plurality of double slot keyholes of a second identical metal strip unit, extending opposite the roof hook. The nail holes allow attachment of wood spacers beneath the metal strip units to elevate the metal membrane strip units above the roof surface. Thus, multiple strip units can be joined to extend from the roof peak to the bottom edge of the roof. A hollow, coupler connector fits over the connection between joined metal strip units to prevent unwanted disconnection of the rivets and slot keyholes. The coupler connector includes exterior, spring-biased, hinged, tongue locks to maintain the joined metal strip units in place. The tongue locks can be manually unlocked to separate the metal strip units when needed. Roof jacks include both nail slots and keyholes for attachment to the metal strip units, as well as safety hooks, for attachment of a lanyard from the scaffolding to a worker. The roof jacks have a holder for a plank that spans adjacent metal strip units, and the planks provide the workers a platform on which to stand. In addition, an angle iron foot bar having perpendicular surfaces, each with multiple key slots therein, is attached between rivets of adjacent metal strip units for an additional platform on which to stand.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the roof hook comprises a multiple hinge device with rivets that engage a hinge bracket member that attaches to a spacer board. A metal strip unit secured atop the spacer board engages a second set of rivets on the extension. The multiple hinge device includes nail holes in all sections for securing the hinge device to the roof peak. The multiple hinge device also has multiple rings or tabs for attaching a safety lanyard from a worker. A pair of latch plates is used to connect spacer boards end to end, such that metal strip units secured atop the boards extend the full rise of the roof. Again, an angle iron foot bar having perpendicular surfaces, each with multiple key slots therein, is attached between rivets of adjacent metal strip units for an additional platform on which to stand. A plank may be secured to the foot bar to provide secure footing for workers on the roof.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In order to extend the roof scaffolding system 10 further down the roof, a second linear metal membrane strip unit 40, identical to the first linear metal membrane strip unit 40 is employed. The second linear metal membrane strip unit 40 likewise includes a plurality of attachment apertures 52, a plurality of keyhole apertures 46, and a plurality of connector rivets 54, as described above, as well as spacer block members 35 for proper alignment. The second strip unit 40 is removably attached at a first end 44 to a second end 50 of the first linear metal membrane strip unit 40 opposite the roof hook member 15.
To secure the connection, a hollow coupler connector member 60 encircles and locks connected ends of adjacent linear metal membrane strip units 40. The hollow coupler connector member 60 includes a hollow body portion 62 and a pair of spring-loaded tabs 64, one at each end of the hollow body portion 62, as shown in
A roof jack member 70, shown in
In common practice, a pair of the above-described roof scaffolding systems 10 is portioned in parallel extending down from the peak P of the roof. A foot board extending between the two roof scaffolding systems 10 is supported at each end of each assembly by a roof jack member 70 to provide support for the feet of the workers. The spacer block members 35 provide clearance beneath each roof scaffolding system 10 so that roofing material can be continuously applied to the roof surface without interference by the scaffolding systems 10. As the roofing material is applied from the bottom edge of the roof to the peak P, linear metal membrane strip units 40 are removed and the roof jack members 70 attached to the second end 50 of the remaining linear metal membrane strip units 40.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a foot bar member 80 is added to the pair of roof scaffolding systems 10. As illustrated in
In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a rolled roofing dispenser 90, shown in
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the roof scaffolding system 100 for temporary attachment to a roof surface S is illustrated in
In order to attach the roof hook member 115 to a first linear metal membrane strip unit 140, a hinge bracket member 160 is employed. The hinge bracket member 160 includes a hollow, rectangular body 162 with at least one open end 164 and a flange section 166 extending opposite the open end 164 of the rectangular body 162, as illustrated in
Referring now to
As described previously, a roof jack member 70, shown in
In a further embodiment of the invention, a foot bar member 80 is added to the pair of roof scaffolding systems 100. As illustrated in
In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a rolled roofing dispenser 90, shown in
Referring now to
In a further embodiment of the invention, the curved hook end 24 of the roof hook member 15 is pivotally attached to the linear section 22, as illustrated in
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61/627,104, filed 19 Sep., 2011. Application Ser. No. 61/627,104 is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 253816 | Clark | Feb 1882 | A |
| 581317 | Vose | Apr 1897 | A |
| 846784 | Davis | Mar 1907 | A |
| 896295 | Haines | Aug 1908 | A |
| 988808 | Parris | Apr 1911 | A |
| 1133878 | Nagel | Mar 1915 | A |
| 1241335 | Boyd | Sep 1917 | A |
| 1255692 | Bearden | Feb 1918 | A |
| 1340492 | Melanson | May 1920 | A |
| 1827491 | Spillman | Oct 1931 | A |
| 2426825 | Geary | Sep 1947 | A |
| 2496556 | Nelson | Feb 1950 | A |
| 3292734 | Swanberg | Dec 1966 | A |
| 3526296 | Stevens | Sep 1970 | A |
| 3842934 | Bartlett | Oct 1974 | A |
| 4785606 | Burton | Nov 1988 | A |
| 4884775 | Fischer, Jr. | Dec 1989 | A |
| 5113971 | Violet | May 1992 | A |
| 5197257 | Nietling | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5526577 | Nix | Jun 1996 | A |
| 5624006 | Richardson, Jr. | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5732918 | Steele et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5862880 | Nelson et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5908083 | Hamilton | Jun 1999 | A |
| 6003629 | Cloutier et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6092624 | Slater | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6220390 | Pike | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6470646 | Bryant | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6513625 | Gaskins | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6732835 | Souto et al. | May 2004 | B1 |
| 7556125 | Blehm | Jul 2009 | B1 |
| 7568671 | Lallier | Aug 2009 | B2 |
| 7617613 | Merryfield, Jr. | Nov 2009 | B2 |
| 8186479 | Vieira | May 2012 | B2 |
| 20070034449 | Leendertse | Feb 2007 | A1 |
| 20070062761 | Megna et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20120061178 | Mathieson | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120211303 | Parquette | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61627104 | Sep 2011 | US |
