AU677129B2

AU677129B2 - Adjustable support means

Info

Publication number: AU677129B2
Application number: AU31701/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Donald William Hayman; James Donald Hayman
Original assignee: ROOF SAFE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ROOF SAFE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1994-09-16
Filing date: 1995-09-15
Publication date: 1997-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2015-09-15
Also published as: AU3170195A

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

OR!GINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): ROOF SAFE PTY LTD Donald William Hayman and James Donald Hayman o o r r Address for Service: WRAY ASSOCIATES, Primary Industry House, 239 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000.

Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT MEANS" Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PM8298

D

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -1- -2- THIS INVENTION relates to an adjustable support means. The adjustable support means of the present invention is particularly, although not exclusively, suited for use as a guard or safety rail support means.

It is common to use guard rails at the perimeter of a working area in an effort to enhance safety on building sites. This is particularly so when the working area is elevated. Typical guard rail systems are supported from stanchions which are in turn fixed to the building.

It has been found that for use on pitched rafter type roofs a specific form of support means is desirable. This support means typically comprises at least a single slongate member having an attachment means provided at one end thereof. The attachment means so provided allowing releasable attachment of the elongate member to a structural member, typically but not exclusively a pitched rafter of a roof.

However, the angle of pitch in the rafters of different roofs will often vary. The thickness and form of the structural members used to form the rafters is also known to vary. This variation can result in the elongate member of the support S 20 means extending at an unsuitable angle from the structural member for the provision of an efficient guard rail system. Therefore, the present invention has O00d• Sas one object thereof to provide an adjustable support means that is able to be o0 o:i used with guard rail systems on a variety of pitched rafter type roofs.

The present invention provides an adjustable support means comprising an elongate member and an attachment means for attachment to a structural member, the elongate member having a first end and a second end wherein the first end has attached thereto or is adapted to have attached thereto a second member, the attachment means being located between the first and second ends, the attachment means comprising two engaging portions at least one of which is adjustable with respect to the elongate member allowing the distance between the engaging portions to be adjusted, whereby the engaging portion -3nearer the first end of the elongate member may engage an upper surface of a structural member received in the attachment means and the engaging portion nearer the second end of the elongate member may engage a lower surface of that structural member, the distance between the engaging portions thereby determining the angle of the elongate portion and any attached second member with respect to the structural member.

Preferably, the or each adjustable engaging portion comprises a releasable locking means for releasably locking the or each adjustable engaging portion to the elongate member.

One or both of the engaging portions may also comprise releasable locking means for releasably locking the attachment means to the structural member.

i Preferably, the releasable locking means is provided in the form of a clamp.

The elongate member preferably provides a surface between its first end and the attachment means able to support one or more support members located !"--°transversely thereon thereby forming a catwalk.

20 Preferably, the second member may have provided thereon one or more transversely located members. Such members may include planks or boards .:eooi and railings.

The adjustable support means is directed for use in a guard railing system for a pitched rafter roof. The adjustable support means may comprise an elongate member having a first end and a second end. The elongate member may be of a yenerally rectangular hollow section.

The first end may have provided thereat a tongue portion having an aperture located therein. A second member may be provided located on the tongue portion and extending therefrom in a substantially upright manner.

An attachment means may be located between the ends of the elongate member. The attachment means comprises two engaging portions. One engaging portion may be integrally formed with or fixedly attached to the elongate member at a position spaced apart from both ends thereof.

The engaging portion may comprise an L-shaped bracket and an angled support member. The engaging portion may comprise a sleeve, an L-shaped bracket and a support member. A bolt may be provided in an aperture of the sleeve so that tightening and release thereof may achieve fixing and release of the engaging portion relative to the elongate member. The bolt and aperture together provide a releasable locking means.

Each of the L-shaped brackets may have a threaded aperture provided therein through which a bolt may be adjusted to engage in a clamping manner, a rafter located between the engaging portions. The apertures and bolts together provide releasable locking means.

One or more structural members, for example boards or planks may be provided oeo• resting on the elongate member and extending transversely thereacross to form a catwalk. Such a catwalk can be used by workers when, for example, laying tiles. The catwalk is convenient also as a tool support for those workers working on the roof and the catwalk. The catwalk may further be provided with a toe or kick board located transversely against the second member and clamped thereto by way of a suitable clamprig device. The boards or planks may be provided in varying sizes to suit their particular application.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of an adjustable support means in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an upper perspective view of the adjustable support means of Figure 1 in position on a roof rafter shown in phantom; Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the adjustable support means of Figure 1 in position on a roof with planks provided thereon to form a catwalk; Figure 4 is a side view of the adjustable support means of Figure 1 in 1 0 position on a thick rafter; and Figure 5 is a side view of the adjustable support means of Figure 1 in position on a rafter of greater pitch.

In Figures 1 to 5 there is shown an adjustable support means 10 directed for use in a guard railing system for a pitched rafter roof. The adjustable support means comprises an elongate member 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. The elongate member 12 is of a generally rectangular hollow section which S"gives maximum rigidity in the plane of the support means.

:-°The first end 14 has provided thereat a tongue portion 18 having an aperture (not shown) located therein. A second member 20 is provided located on the tongue portion 18 and extending therefrom in a substantially upright manner.

The second member 20 is located on the tongue portion 18 at least in part by way of a locating spigot provided on a bottom face of the second member ::engaging the aperture provided therein.

An attachment means 24 is located between the ends 14 and 16 of the elongate oooo° member 12. The attachment means 24 comprises two engaging portions 26 and 28. The engaging portion 26 is integrally formed with or fixedly attached to the elongate member 12 at a position spaced apart from both ends 14 and 16 thereof.

st I -6- The engaging portion 26 comprises an L-shaped bracket 30 and an angled support member 32. The bracket 30 comprises a first plate 34 projecting from a face 36 of the elongate member 12 and a second plate 37 provided at an end thereof remote from the elongate member 12. The plate 37 extends towards the second end 16 of the elongate member 12 in a manner substantially parallel to the face 36, as can be best seen in Figures 1 and 2. The plate 37 and the face 36 of the elongate member 12 define therebetween a gap 38. The support member 32 extends between the face 36 of the elongate member 12 and the bracket The engaging portion 28 comprises a sleeve 40, an L-shaped bracket 42 and a support member 44. The sleeve 40 is a hollow rectangular section in which is provided a threaded aperture 46. A bolt 48 is provided in the aperture 46 so that tightening and release thereof may achieve fixing and release of the engaging portion 28 relative to the elongate member 12. The bolt 48 and aperture 46 together provide a releasable locking means.

oeeooe The bracket 42 comprises a first plate 50 projecting from a face 52 of the sleeve 40 and a second plate 54 provided at an end thereof remote from the sleeve The plate 54 extends towards the first end 14 of the elongate member 12 when the sleeve 40 is positioned correctly on the elongate member 12, as shown in Figures 1 to 5. The plate 54 and the face 36 of the elongate member 12 define therebetween a gap 56. The support member 44 extends between the face 52 of the sleeve 40 and the bracket 42.

Each of the plates 36 and 54 have a threaded aperture 58 provided therein through which a bolt 60 may be adjusted to engage in a clamping manner, a .:eoei rafter 62 located between the engaging portions 26 and 28 and more particularly located in the gaps 38 and 56, as is best seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5. The apertures 58 and bolts 60 together provide releasable locking means.

In Figure 3 there is shown the adjustable support means 10 in position on the rafter 62. The rafter 62 is supported, at least in part by a wall 64 and has located thereon a number of tiles 66. The elongate member 12 projects through a gap 68 provided in the tiles 66. The rafter has an upper surface 70 spaced apart from a lower surface 72.

In Figure 4 there is shown the adjustable support means 10 in position on a rafter 74 being thicker than the rafter 62. That is, rafter 74 has a greater distance between a spaced apart upper surface 76 and lower surface 78 than the spaced apart surfaces 70 and 72 of the rafter 62.

One or more structural members, for example boards or planks 71 may be provided resting on the elongate member 12 and extending transversely thereacross to form a catwalk. Such a catwalk can be used by workers when, for example, laying tiles 66. The catwalk is convenient also as a tool support for those workers working on the roof and the catwalk. The catwalk may further be provided with a toe or kick board 73 located transversely against the second member 20 and clamped thereto by way of a suitable clamping device. The "C boards or planks 71 and 73 may be provided in varying sizes to suit their 20 particular application.

In Figure 5 there is shown the adjustable support means 10 in position on a rafter 80 being at a greater or steeper pitch than the rafter 62 of Figures 2 and 3.

However, the distance between an upper surface 82 and a lower surface 84 of the rafter 80 is the same as that between the upper surface 70 and lower surface 72 of the rafter 62 of Figures 2 and 3.

In use, the elongate member 12 of the adjustable support means 10 is *oopositioned on a rafter 62 by one or more users (not shown). The positioning of the elongate member 12 on the rafter 62 should allow the second member to project from the tongue portion 18 in a substantially upright or vertical manner.

-8- This will ensure that the guard or safety rail ultimately supported by the elongate member 12 will be most effective.

During fitting of the support means 10 to the rafter 62 the engaging portion 28 is not positively engaged with the elongate member. As such, the bolt 48 has not been tightened through the aperture 46 to engage the face 36 of the elongate member 12. Accordingly, the sleeve 40 can slide along the elongate member 12 allowing adjustment of the distance between the engaging portions 26 and 28.

When the desired distance between the engaging portions 26 and 28 is reached and the elongate member 12 is able to support the second member 20 in a substantially upright or vertical position the bolt 48 may be tightened through the aperture 46 in the sleeve 40 to releasably secure the engaging portion 28 to the elongate member 12 in that position. In this position the rafter 62 is held between the engaging portions 26 and 28 and passes through the gaps 38 and 56 defined by the plates 37 and 54 and the face 36 of the elongate member 12.

As can be seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5 the bracket 30 of the engaging portion 26 s engages the upper surface 70 of the rafter 62 whereas the bracket 42 of the engaging portion 28 engages the lower surface 72 of the rafter 62. The support S 20 means 10 is substantially held in position on the rafter 62 by the weight of the support member 20 and any additional weight applied to or near the first end 14 of the elongate member 12 acting downwardly and pivoting about the point at which the bracket 30 of the engaging portion 26 engages the upper surface of the rafter 62. This causes the bracket 42 of the engaging portion 28 to press hard against and abut the lower surface 72 of the rafter 62. In effect, the centre of gravity of the elongate member 12 is located towards the first end 14 thereby tending to accentuate the engagement thereof with the rafter 62.

seeo It is important to note that the distance between the first plates 34 and 50 of the engaging portions 26 and 28 respectively, is preferably greater than the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface of the rafter on which the support means 10 is to be positioned.

-9- The bolts 60 provided in each of the plates 37 and 54 may be tightened against the rafter 62 once the support means 10 is in the desired position thereon. This provides additional gripping of the engaging portions 26 and 28 with respect to the rafter 62 and effectively clamps the rafter 62 firmly against the face 36 of the elongate member 12.

If it is desired to remove the support means 10 from the rafter 62 the bolts must be untightened releasing the rafter 62. The elongate member 12 can then simply be lifted so that the rafter 62 can pass through the space or distance between the engaging portions 26 and 28. Alternatively, the engag,.ig portion 28 may be disengaged from the elongate member 12 through untightening of the bolt 48 and sliding of the sleeve 40 towards the second end 16 of the elongate member 12. Once the plates 37 and 54 were clear of the rafter 62 the elongate member 12 could simply be moved sideways away from the rafter 62 without having to lift or tilt the elongate member 12.

The manner in which the support means 10 may be attached to the rafters 74 and 80 shown in Figures 4 and 5 is substantially the same as that described hereinbefore with reference to rafter 62. However, it should be noted that the movable engaging portion 28 allows location of the elongate member 12 at a substantialiy similar angle in relation to the horizontal and vertical planes such that the second member 20 is in each case provided in a substantially upright or vertical position.

It should be further noted that additional components of typical guide or safety rail systems may be added to both the elongate member 12 and second member of the support means 10 described hereinbefore. Such additional components include safety rails and kick boards. In addition, the engaging portion 26 may not be integrally formed with or fixedly attached to the elongate member 12 but may be movable in a similar manner to the engaging portion 28.

The movable engaging portion 28 allows location of the elongate member 12 not only in a manner ensuring that the second member extends substantially vertically but also so that the elongate member 12 itself is substantially level.

This allows the provision of the catwalk, shown in Figure 3 composed of planks 71, in a manner able to support workers and tools safely.

It is envisaged that the second member 20 may be fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the elongate member 12. It is further envisaged that the engaging portion 26 may be provided in a configuration allowing it also to move relative to the elongate member 12 as does the engaging portion 28.

It should be appreciated that modifications and variations may be made to the embodiment of the present invention hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

o ooo

C

Claims

1. An adjustable support means comprising an elongate member and an attachment means for attachment to a structural member, the elongate member having a first end and a second end wherein the first end has attached thereto or is adapted to have attached thereto a second member, the attachment means being located between the first and second ends, the attachment means comprising two engaging portions at least one of which is adjustable with respect to the elongate member allowing the distance between the engaging portions to be adjusted, whereby the engaging portion nearer the first end of the elongate member may engage an upper surface of a structural member received in the attachment means and the engaging portion nearer the second end of the elongate member may engage a lower surface of that structural member, the distance between the engaging portions thereby determining the angle of the i 15 elongate portior and any attached second member with respect to the structural member.

2. An adjustable support means according to claim 1, in which the or each adjustable engaging portion comprises a releasable locking means for 20 releasably locking the or each adjustable engaging portion to the elongate member.

3. An adjustable support means according to claim 1 or 2, in which one or both of the engaging portions comprises releasable locking means for releasably locking the attachment means to the structural member.

4. An adjustable support means according to claim 2 or 3, in which the or each releasable locking means is provided in the form of a clamp.

5. An adjustable support means according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each adjustable engaging portion comprises in part a sleeve proportioned to be able to pass along the elongate member. -12-

6. An adjustable support means according to any one of the preceding claims in which the engaging portions each further comprise a substantially L-shaped bracket, each bracket in part defining a gap between it and the elongate member through which a rafter may be received.

7. An adjustable support means according to claim 6, in which the releasable locking means provided on the engaging portions are provided on the substantially L-shaped bracket in a manner whereby they effectively clamp the rafter to the elongate member.

8. An adjustable support means according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the elongate member provides a surface between its first end and the 00"* attachment means able to support one or more support members located 15 transversely thereon thereby forming a catwalk.

9. A support means according to claim 8, in which the adjustable nature of the or each engaging portion allows the elongate member to be provided in a substantially horizontal or level manner such that the support members and 20 catwalk formed thereby may also be substantially horizontal or level. An adjustable support means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to DATED this twenty-first day of January 1997 ROOF SAFE PTY LTD Applicant. WRAY ASSOCIATES Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant ABSTRACT An adjustable support (10) means comprising an elongate member (12) and an attachment means (24) for attachment to a structural member the elongate member (12) having a first end (14) and a second end (16) wherein the first end (14) has attached thereto or is adapted to have attached thereto a second member the attachment means (24) being located between the first and second ends (14, 16), the attachment means (24) comprising two engaging portions (26, 28) at least one of which is adjustable with respect to the elongate member (12) whereby the distance between the engaging portions (26, .n iy be adjusted to suit differing structural members (62). S f. a f *o *o e