NZ545699A - Edge protection system - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for erecting a safety barrier around the perimeter of a roof includes a clamp plate 5 with an integral or attached fixed clamp arm 4 and an adjustable clamp arm 2 which can be moved toward the fixed clamp arm to clamp the plate to a rafter 31. A hollow section 9 is welded to the clamp plate and receives and clamps a bent post attachment fitting which has a socket at the distal end into which a post can be inserted. The post is provided with fittings to which a rail can be attached.

Description

Our ref: SMI001 Patents Form No. 5 No.545699 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 40 ROOF SAFETY DEVICE AND ASSEMBLY We, ROOF GUARDRAIL (NZ) LIMITED, a New Zealand company, of 273 Maori Creek Road, Marsden, Greymouth, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be 45 particularly described in and by the following statement: Intellectual Property 1 Office of N.Z. 18 JUN 2007 RECEIVED 545699 ROOF SAFETY DEVICE AND ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to safety and support devices and systems for use in protecting persons on roofs and elevated areas and the like. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a safety device and assembly for use in protecting persons moving about on roofs and elevated areas.

BACKGROUND ART The risk of injury or death associated with persons falling or slipping from roofs or elevated areas are such that some form of protection is usually provided. Permanent 15 protection in the form of a railing is usually provided for deck areas, but is not suitable or justifiable on a roof when they would only be required for short periods of time. However, there is a risk of roofers or a person on a roof slipping or falling off and some kind of protection is considered either useful or necessary.

It is a non-limiting object of the invention to provide a roof safety device which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

It is a non-limiting object of the invention to provide a roof safety apparatus and/or assembly which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a roof safety device for use in the assembly of a roof barrier, the roof safety device including a roof attachment means having a roof fastener for attaching the roof attachment means to a roof structure and having a 2 545699 post attachment means extending therefrom, and a post means, the post means includes a post, the post being provided with a means to attach a rail thereto.

Preferably the roof attachment means includes a clamp for attaching, in use, the device to a 5 rafter or part or a solid structure sufficient to support the rood safety device.

Desirably the roof fastening means includes a bolt or coach bolt means for attaching, in use, the device to a rafter or part or a solid structure sufficient to support the rood safety device.

Advantageously the post means is adapted to releasably attach to the roof fastening means.

Preferably the means to attach a rail is a bracket or clamp. Alternatively the means to attach a rail is a bolt, in use, that passes through the post means.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a roof safety assembly for use in providing a roof barrier or roof guard, the assembly including at least two roof safety devices as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the roof safety devices being configured, in use, in a spaced apart arrangement adjacent the edge of a roof, and wherein the at least one railing being connected to at least two spaced apart posts, the posts being attached 20 to respective roof attachment means.

Preferably the roof safety assembly comprises three spaced apart railings arranged and According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a roof safety assembly for use in providing a roof barrier or roof guard, the assembly including a roof attachment means with a roof fastener and being adapted with a post attachment receiver means, in use, to releasably attach a post attachment means thereto, and a post attachment means being elongate with one end being adapted to be attachable to the post attachment receiver means and the other end 30 being bent at an angle, in use, that projects the other end of the post attachment means in an upward direction, and a post being adapted to attach to or be retained by the post attachment means. 3 545699 Preferably the roof safety assembly comprises at least one railing being attachable, in use, between and across at least two spaced apart posts.

Preferably the post is sleeved within a pocket member formed in the post attachment means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: illustrates a side view of a roof attachment means 1; illustrates an end view of figure 1; illustrates a post attachment means; illustrates a side view of a post means; illustrates an end view of a post means and cross section through the rails; and illustrates a perspective view of a roof safety assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the figures, a roof safety device and assembly, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is illustrated.

It is desirable to use a roof safety device or roof safety assembly when working on a roof. 30 For purposes of this description it will be appreciated that references herein to a roof also include references to any elevated area having an edge that is at a height about either ground level or a platform that could potentially injure a person if they fell over the edge.

Figure 1: Figure 2: 15 Figure 3: Figure 4: Figure 5: Figure 6: 4 545699 It will be appreciated that it is uneconomic and/or undesirable and cumbersome to permanently construct or erect a guard barrier or wall at or around the edge of a roof, particularly when it may only be used on the infrequent occasion that a roofer or worker is on the roof for building and/or maintenance purposes or the like. It is therefore an 5 advantage to construct a temporary and portable form of roof barrier or guard for the period of time during which a roofer or person is installing a roof at a time with the rafters are exposed and can be located from the underside of a roof, and before the exterior cladding is installed. The roof safety device and assembly of the present invention has been devised for use in providing a temporary barrier for safety purposes, and is 10 advantageously designed to allow for convenient assembly and disassembly after use.

The roof safety assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention includes three main components as shown in figure 6, being a roof attachment means 1 attached to a rafter 31, a post attachment means 10, and a post 20. Only the lower end 15 portion of the post 20 is shown in figure 6 for ease of illustration. Additionally, rails are provided transversely across the posts 20 to complete the barrier when in use, and the fixings are shown in more details with reference to figures 4 and 5.

It will be appreciated that in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention 20 the roof attachment means 1 and the post attachment means may optionally be integrated as one component or section. However, the following embodiment illustrates three components of the invention.

The component of the invention may be made of any suitable durable and resilient material 25 and preferably in this non limiting embodiment as illustrated the components are made of cut sections of metal that are welded together. Desirably the metal is mild steel that may be hot dipped galvanised or powder coated, or be formed of different metals such as stainless steel and mild steel as desired. It will be appreciated that any process may be employed to cut the sections of metal to form the components, including laser cutting, and 30 the sheet of metal may desirably be 5 millimetres in thickness and be of any suitable grade of mild steel or other such desirable steel. Any of the holes may be taped or drilled as required. 545699 Some components of the invention may be composed of a suitable hardened and durable plastics material where appropriate, and the mention of such material is for purposes of fullness of description.

The roof attachment means 1 includes a fastening means desirably in the form of a clamp means. The clamp means includes an adjustable clamp arm 2 with a threaded tightening screw or bolt 3 and a fixed arm 4 that is supported by a spine in the form of a plate 5. The plate 5 may desirably be strengthened with an angled end plate 6.

The clamp arm 2 and the fixed arm 4 are adapted, in this embodiment, to be secured in place by being clamped to a fixed or solid part of the building structure, and in this embodiment to be clamped, in use, about a roof rafter 31 having a rectangular cross section. It will be appreciated that various clamp sizes may be customised in the roof attachment means 1 depending on the application. The tightening bolt 3 may desirably be 15 moved within a slot 7 provided in the plate 5 for the purpose of facilitating the positioning of the clamp arms 2,4 about a roof rafter 31.

The plate 5 may desirably include apertures 8 allowing secondary fastening means in the form of a coach bolt, build bolt or large screw to further secure the roof attachment means 20 in place with minimal or no movement.

The roof attachment means 1 is preferably adapted with a post attachment receiving means 9. The post attachment receiving means 9 in this embodiment is shown as an elongate tubular section with a central cavity into which one end of the post attachment means 10 is 25 inserted and retained.

A fastener desirably in the form of a tightening bolt 13 that is worked through a threaded nut 12 that is welded to the outer wall of the receiving means 9 is provided. Figure 1 shows an aperture 11 in the receiving means 9 about which the nut 12 is welded.

Referring now also to figure 3, the post attachment means 10 includes an end portion 15 having a square cross section to slidingly fit into the opposing post attachment receiving means 9 when the roof attachment means 9 has been secured and attached to a roof rafter 6 545699 31. The end portion 15 of the post attachment means 10 is substantially straight and of such a length so as to, in use, allow for a snug fit through the central area of the receiving means 9.

It will be appreciated that the one end portion 15 can be comprised of a different section of mild steel for purposes of slidingly fitting through the post attachment receiving means 9 should that be desired.

The mid section of the post attachment means 10 is curved to enable the other end portion 10 16 of the post attachment means 10 to desirably project upwards or in a substantially upright position. It will be appreciated that the angle X may be any desirable angle to set the upwardly projecting angle of the post 20, and approximately 68 degrees is shown in this non limiting embodiment as a non limiting example.

Desirably a post receiving pocket member 17 is desirably welded to one end portion 16, and desirably comprises a tubular elongate section with a square central cavity into which the lower end of the post 20 can be slidingly fitted and retained when in use. The length of the post receiving pocket member 17 is of any suitable length to enable the post 20 to be firmly seated within. It will be appreciated that any known form of fastening means may be 20 employed to further secure the post 20 within the pocket member 17.

Figures 4 and 5 show a post 20 that is adapted to be retained by the pocket member 17 of the post attachment means 10. Optionally the post 20 is provided with at least one rail attachment means for securing at least one respective rail across the post 20. The rail 25 attachment means desirably includes a rail clamp or bracket 22 advantageously being attached to the post 20 by a weld joint. A threaded aperture 23 is advantageously provided in each respective bracket 22 and a locking bolt 24 provided, in use, to secure a rail 25. In this embodiment three rails 25 are illustrated providing a guard or barrier.

Referring to figure 6, a roof safety assembly is illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The assembly includes three main components as shown being a roof attachment means 1 being clamped and secured on a rafter 31, into which one 7 545699 end of the post attachment means 10 is secured, and wherein the lower end of the post 20 is fitted into the other end of the post attachment means 10.

In this respect it will be appreciated that although only one roof safety device and/or assembly is mainly described and illustrated, in use at least two spaced apart rood safety devices or assemblies will be mounted or attached to a rafter or part of the building structure or part of a building structure and at least one railing will span across between at least two roof safety devices or assemblies in an application. More usually at least four to twelve devices or assemblies will be applied in most applications.

The railings can be made of any suitable durable and resilient material such as timber or metal or the like, and in this embodiment is shown as a tubular metal rail 25 that is lightweight, strong, and durable enough to be reusable for an extended period of time.

When the roof safety devices are assembled on a roof, and the railings 25 are attached across the posts, it is seen that additional railing attachment means desirably in the form of a locking plate, can be provided to join the ends of the railings where they meet at the corners of the edge of a roof.

Wherein the aforegoing reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated. Thus, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations or modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims. 8

Claims (11)

1. A roof safety device for use in the assembly of a roof barrier, the roof safety device including a roof attachment means, a post attachment means, and a post means, the roof attachment means having an adjustable clamp arm means, the adjustable clamp arm means including a fixed clamp arm and an adjustable clamp arm adapted for attaching, in use, the roof attachment means to a rafter or part of a solid structure, the fixed clamp arm being integral with or attached to a plate, the plate having a post attachment receiver means attached thereto, the adjustable clamp arm being associated with the plate and, in use, being movable toward the fixed clamp arm, the post attachment means being formed at one end to be retainable by the post attachment receiver means and being adapted at the distal end to receive and retain a lower end of a post means with a pocket member being provided in the post attachment means to allow, in use, the lower end of the post to be slidingly retained within the pocket member of the post attachment means, the post means includes a post, the post being provided with a means to attach a rail thereto.

2. A roof safety device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the roof fastening means further includes a bolt or coach bolt means for attaching, in use, the roof attachment means to a rafter or part of a solid structure sufficient to support the roof safety device.

3. A roof safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the post means is adapted to releasably attach to the roof fastening means.

4. A roof safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the means to attach a rail is a bracket or clamp.

5. A roof safety device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means to attach a rail is a bolt, in use, that passes through the post means.

6. A roof safety assembly for use in providing a roof barrier or roof guard, the assembly including at least two roof safety devices as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the roof safety devices being configured, in use, in a spaced apart arrangement adjacent the edge of a roof, and wherein the at least one railing being connected to at least two spaced apart posts, the posts being attached to respective roof attachment means.

7. A roof safety assembly as claimed in claim 6 further comprising three spaced apart railings arranged and connected between the posts.

8. A roof safety assembly for use in providing a roof barrier or roof guard, the assembly including a roof attachment means with an adjustable clamp arm means, the adjustable clamp arm means including a fixed clamp arm and an adjustable clamp arm adapted for attaching, in use, the roof attachment means to a rafter or part of a solid structure, the fixed clamp arm being integral with or attached to a plate, the plate having a post attachment receiver means attached thereto, the adjustable clamp arm being associated with the plate and, in use, being movable toward the fixed clamp arm, the roof attachment means being adapted with the post attachment receiver means, in use, to releasably attach a post attachment means, a post means, and a post attachment means being elongate with one end being adapted to be attachable to the post attachment receiver means and the other end being bent at an angle, in use, that projects the other end of the post attachment means in an upward direction, the other end of the post attachment means being adapted to slidingly receive and retain a lower end of the post means.

9. A roof safety assembly as claimed in claim 8 further comprising at least one railing being attachable, in use, between and across at least two spaced apart posts.

10. A roof safety device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.

11. A roof safety assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures. 10