Patent Application
20200087984
The embodiments presented relate to fall protection systems attached to roofs of residential and commercial structures.
Roofing can be a dangerous profession necessitating various safety regulations to be put into effect for the protection of the workers, bystanders, and the property itself. Because of the force and injuries sustained when a worker falls from any elevated position, such falls have accounted for up to ten percent of all workplace fatalities and an even greater number of nonfatal injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) now requires the use of fall protection systems with specific minimum requirements for roofing work where the workers will be exposed to a fall of 6 feet or more. Some of the approved types of safety systems are defined as fall elimination, fall prevention, fall arrest, fall restraint, and administrative controls which are utilized when working at a height; however, they these systems can similarly be utilized when working near any edge or steep surface.
Various advances in fall protection devices have been proposed; however, many are non-universal, and far too complex for mass production or quick and proper installation. Such complex systems require a high amount of resources and training dedicated to their proper installation, making it a complex and time-consuming process which can delay jobs or leave additional opportunity for user error. Because these systems may not be adaptable to every job site, roofing companies would have to purchase and maintain several different types of fall protection devices in order to ensure a safe working environment at each unique site. Even when such systems are in place and have been properly installed, these systems have significant limitations that often require the worker to wear additional personal protection equipment during inclement weather conditions, meaning that at least two or more different fall protection systems would be required simultaneously.
Various types of fall protection systems currently exist in the art. Personal Fall Arrest Systems are one of the most common systems used and typically involve an anchor, harness, and cable wherein the worker must wear a harness that is attached by some form of cable to an anchor point. These systems attempt to catch a worker before they would make impact with the ground, but they rely on specific calculations of the distance to the ground to ensure the worker does not make impact. Further, because often times the roofs being worked on may be of a shape or variable height that would result in varying distances to the ground depending on where the worker fell from, the system may require that the worker's line be restricted to a distance short enough to mitigate a fall from certain portions of the roof and too short for the same worker to reach other parts of the roof while still connected to the same anchor. Consequently, these systems may either restrict the movements of the worker or leave room for fatal errors.
Another shortcoming in fall protection systems is the lack of ability to incorporate a climate protection system such as a cover, awning system, or roof-like device over the fall protection system. During inclement weather conditions, roofing work may prove too dangerous to perform, even with several existing safety systems in place. Inclement weather may also result in a secondary concern that is the ability to continue working on the project. Roofing often involves stripping away portions of the roof of a structure, leaving it vulnerable to the elements, especially rain. Often times, roofing jobs must be suspended during such conditions and the roof must be covered in water resistant materials such as tarps to protect the structure from water damage. This often results in costly delays and a decrease in work capacity. With high temperatures affecting workers abilities, as well as rain and wind affecting the ability and safety to perform roofing procedures, a climate protection system could save resources while increasing safety and productivity in the workplace.
This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In one aspect, a rooftop fall protection system includes a plurality of mast assemblies and at least one ladder assembly. The ladder assembly is removably engaged with a mast assembly to facilitate the elevation of a human to an elevated surface of a structure. Each ladder assembly and mast assembly are removably engaged with at least one cross-member extending along the perimeter of the elevated surface at a height sufficient to prevent the human from falling from the elevated surface.
In another aspect, the ladder assembly is comprised of a main ladder, and one or more ladder extensions. At least one support assembly stabilized each ladder to a surface, such as the ground.
In another aspect, each mast assembly includes an extendable central portion separating a top portion and a base portion. The top portion of each of the plurality of mast assemblies is configured to releasably engage with a canopy, while the base portion is configured to anchor to a surface. In yet another aspect, the surface is an elevated surface defined by one or more angular planes. The base portion includes a folding base to conform to the one or most angular planes and provide stability to the mast assembly.
In yet another aspect, the rooftop fall protection system also includes adjustable length spreaders affixed between the structure and the ladder assembly to provide support to the central portion of the ladder. Fascia anchors and ladder roof support assemblies are affixed between the structure and each ladder to provide further even stability.
Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
A more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to the described system and methods of use. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only and not unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.
No single embodiment includes features that are necessarily included in all embodiments unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, although there may be references to “advantages” provided by some embodiments, other embodiments may not include those same advantages or may include different advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to any of the claims.
Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the system. Accordingly, the system components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.
In general, the embodiments described present a fall protection system used by roofers or other laborers working at an elevation, near an edge, or on a steep surface. The system is provided as a means for fall prevention and fall arrest, such that laborers are both prevented from falling well as stopped if they are in the act of falling from an elevated surface. The system can be utilized as a temporary means for fall protection while being suitable for long-term use if a continued need for fall prevention is required. Components of the system 100 can be formed of any suitable material, although for strength, the components may be formed of forged steel, hardened steel, stainless steel, carbon, alloy and the like. The system 100 will not substantially interfere with the installation of exterior wall sheathing, siding, etc. All components can be conveniently removed when the fall prevention system 100 is no longer needed, usually after roofing has been installed. It is possible to separate the system 100 into a plurality of segments which can be defined as a ladder assembly 116 affixed to a mast assembly 112, a single mast assembly 112 and the cross-members 128 extending therebetween. If necessary, one or more segments can be detached to allow entrance or movement of framing or roofing materials, followed by quick and easy deployment of those sections for safety.
As used herein, the term “structure” can include a commercial or residential building, house, complex, etc. The term “elevated surface” can be any roof configuration known in the roofing arts, rafters, or other elevated surfaces common to the construction and roofing industries.
In reference to
In reference to
The canopy 200 can be constructed of a flexible material such as a tarp made of canvas, polyethylene, or polyester which can optionally be coated with polyurethane. Alternatively, it is contemplated the canopy 200 can be a rigid material such as metal, wood, hard plastic, or similar material which can affix to the top portion 503 of the mast assemblies 112.
In some embodiments, the lateral arms 307,309 and the second and tertiary members 311,315 can pivot to provide a sufficiently stable base on an uneven ground surface.
Now referring to
In some embodiments, the central portion 501 can extend by telescoping members nested within its interior cavity.
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.
