Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02465409 2004-04-26
B&P File No. 13912-5
BERES141N & PARR CANADIAN PATENT APPLICATION
Title: APPARATUS F'OR IIVIIPRO1/ING
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
Inventor(s): Di POCE, John
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Title: APPARATUS FOR IiVIPROVING CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
Field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to construction, and in particular, to
improving construction safety.
Background of the invention
[0002] The safety of construction sites is an ongoing problem for the
construction industry. In particular, construction workers who may be working
several floors above ground level on unfinished structures may be at risk of
falling and injuring themselves andlor others. In commercial construction,
this
danger may be mitigated by erecting scaffolding around the structure under
construction.
[0003] However, in certain construction environments, such as
residential construction, where speed and cost of construction are paramount,
erecting scaffolding is not a suitable solution.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a cheaper and more efficient
apparatus and system for improving safety of workers on construction sites.
Summary of the invention
[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a construction safety
apparatus for connection to a building frame is provided. The building frame
may include a horizontal structural member and vertical structural members.
The apparatus comprises:
a) a first platform support and a spaced apart second substantially identical
platform support, each of the first and second platform supports being
suspended from the horizontal structural member of the building frame, each
platform support comprising:
i) an elongate bar having an upper and a lower end;
ii) a securing means for removably ;suspending the bar from the
horizontal structural member of the building frame, wherein the securing
means is connected to the bar proximate to the upper end thereof; and
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iii) a support member projecting transversely from the bar
proximate to the lower end thereof;
b) a platform extending between the support member of the first platform
support and the support member of the second platform support, wherein the
support member supports the platform in a substantially horizontal plane.
[0006, Preferably, the securing means comprises a hook portion
connected to the upper end of the bar, the hook portion being adapted to
hang on the horizontal structural member of the building frame and to
suspend the bar in a substantially vertical orientation.
[0007] According to a second aspect of the invention, a platform
support for connection to a building frame is provided. The bui~fding frame
may
include a horizontal structural member and vertical structural members. The
platform support comprises:
a) an elongate bar having an upper and a lower end;
b) a securing means for removably suspending the bar from the
horizontal structural member of the building frame, wherein the securing
means is connected to the bar proximate to the upper end thereof;
c) a support member projecting transversely from the bar
proximate to the lower end thereof, wherein the support member is adapted to
support a worker;
wherein when the bar is suspended from the building frame, the
support member is in a substantially horizontal position.
[0008] Preferably, the securing means comprises a hook portion
connected to the upper end of the bar, the hook portion being adapted to
hang on the horizontal structural member of the building frame and to
suspend the bar in a substantially vertical orientai:ion.
brief description of the drawings
[0009] In the accompanying drawings:
[0010] Figure 1 is an elevation view of a platform support according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
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(0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an
apparatus for improving construction safety according to the present
invention;
(0012] Figure 3 is an elevation view showing a platform mounted to the
platform support;
[0013] Figure 4 is an elevation view of a railing column far the platform
support;
[0014] Figure 5A is an elevation view of an alternative embodiment of
the platform support; and
[0015] Figure 5B is a plan view of the platform support of Figure 5A.
[0016] Figure 6 is an elevation view of a second alternative
embodiment of the platform support;
[0017] Figure 7A is an elevation view of a third alternative embodiment
of the platform support;
(0018] Figure 7B is an exploded perspective view of a securing means
for the embodiment of Figure 7A; and
[0019] Figure 7C is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 7A.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention
(0020] Figures 1 and 2 show a platform support 10 according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. As will be described in detail
below, the present invention is particularly suited for residential
construction,
and more specifically, to mounting roof trusses on to a horizontal structural
member of a top level of a house building frame. Accordingly, the present
invention will be described in relation to a building frame of a house.
However,
it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention
may
also be used in for construction of any suitable structure. For example, the
present invention may be used to mount trim boards, frieze boards, eaves
troughs, and gutters.
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(0021] Referring to Figure 1, the platform support 10 includes an
elongate bar 12 which has an upper end 14 and a Power end 16. R securing
means is connected to the upper end 14 of the bar 12. Preferably, the
securing means is a hook portion 18 connected to the upper end 14 of the bar
12.
[0022] Referring now to Figure 2, the ho~ak portion 18 is preferably
dimensioned such that it snugly its over the horizontal structural member 19
of the building frame 21. The horizontal structural member may be, for
example, a wood beam of 2"x4" or of 2"x6" cross-sectional dimensions .
[0023] Referring again to Figure 1, a support member 20 projects
perpendicularly from the bar 12 near the lower er~d 16 thereof. Preferably, a
brace 22 extends diagonally from the lower end 16 of the bar 12 to the
support member 20 to provide additional suppori'~ therefor. A railing support
24 projects upwardly from a distal end 26 of the support member 20.
(0024] Referring now to Figures 1-3, a first bracket 30 and a second
bracket 32 are secured to the bar 12 and railing support 24, respectively,
above the support member 20. Fastener holes 34 are provided in brackets
30, 32 to permit a platform 35 to be secured i;o the platform support 10.
Preferably, the platform 35 is a wood member having cross-sectional
dimensions of 2"x10", or may be composed of side-by-side wood members
35a, 35b. The platform 35 is supported at one end by the support member 20
when secured to the platform support 10. The platform 35 is secured in the
same manner at its opposite end to a second platform support 38
substantially identical to the platform support 10, as described in detail
below.
(0025] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, a longitudinal channel 40 is
provided in the railing support 24. The channel 40 receives a removable
railing column 42, which includes an upper and lower bracket 44a, 44b,
respectively, for receiving a railing (not shown). The upper and lower
brackets 44a, 44b each include two fastener holes 46.
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(0026 The bar 12, hook portion 18, support member 20, brace 22, and
railing support 24 are all preferably manufactured from 1.5"x1.5" HSS steel
tubing and welded together. The railing column 42 may also be manufactured
from HSS steel tubing of a smaller size so that it can telescope within the
channel 40 of the railing support 24.
[0027 Figures 5A and 5B show an alternative embodiment of the
platform support according to the present inventicm. In this embodiment, like
parts are identified by like reference numbers.
[0028, Referring to Figures 5A and 5B, this embodiment is identical to
the embodiment described above, with the excepilion of a cross-bar 50 which
is secured to the bar 12 near the lower end 16 thereof. Preferably, the cross-
bar 50 includes a first section 52 and a second section 54. Each section 52,
54, projects perpendicularly away from the bar 12 in opposing directions. The
first and second sections are preferably made from 1.5"x1.5" HSS steel tubing
and welded on to opposing sides of the bar 12, perpendicular to the support
member 20.
(0029] Figure 6 shows a second alternative embodiment of the platform
support 60 according to the present invention. The platfcarm support 60
includes first and second substantially parallel vertical bars 62, 64. The
bars
62, 64 are joined by a hook portion 66 at their upper ends. Opposing first and
second support members 68, ~0 project perpendicularly from the bars 62, 64
at their lower ends. The support members 68, 70 each include the brace 22,
the railing support 24, and brackets 30, 32, connected in an identical fashion
to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1. In addition, the first and
second bars 62, 64 may each include a cross-bear 50 (not shown in Fig. 6)
substantially identical to that shown in Figures 5A and 5B.
[0030 Figures ~A-C show a third alternative embodiment of the
platform support 71. This embodiment includes an alternative securing
means, but is identical in all other respects to the embodiment shown in
Figures 5A and 5B. Accordingly, like parts in Figures 7A-C are assigned like
reference numbers and will not be further described.
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(0031] Referring to Figures 7A-C, the securing means comprises a
receiving bracket 72 connected to the upper end 14 of the elongate bar 12 in
any suitable manner. Preferably, the receiving laracket 72 is welded to the
upper end 14. An upper hole 74 and a lower threaded hole 7Fi are provided in
the receiving bracket 72.
(0032] As best shown in Figure 7B, the securing means also comprises
an L-shaped bracket 78, having a bolt retainer 80 connected to the top
thereof. The bolt retainer 80 has a longitudinal bore 81 therethrough to
receive a bolt 82. A support pin 84 is connected to the top of the bolt
retainer
80 and projects forward of the L-shaped bracket '78. Alignment holes 86, 88
are provided in the distal ends of the support pin 84 and bolt 82,
respectively.
(0033] A threaded hole 90 is provided in the bottom portion of the L-
shaped bracket 78 to receive a securing screw 92. A handle portion 94 is
provided on the securing screw 92. A safety pin 96 is attached to the
securing screw 92 by a wire 98.
[0034] The operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention will now be described.
00035] Referring to Figure 2, the hook portion 18 of the platform support
10 is hung on the horizontal structural member 19 of the building frame 21. In
this manner, the bar 12 is suspended from the horizontal structural member
19 in a generally vertical orientation, and the support member 20 is
substantially horizontal.
[0036] In the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the
first and second sections 52, 54 each abut against adjacent vertical
structural
members 56 (shown in Fig. 2~ of the building frame 21 when the platform
support 10 is suspended from the horizontal structural member'.
[0037] In the embodiment shown in Figure E~, the hook portion 66 of the
platform support 60 slides onto the horizontal structural member 19 at a free
end thereof.
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[0038] Referring again to Figures 1 and 3, the platform 35 is secured to
the platform support 10 at one end by supporting it on the support member 20
under the brackets 30, 32. The platform is secured to the platform support 10
by fasteners, such as nails, which are driven into the platform through the
holes 34 in brackets 30, 32.
[0039] Referring to Figure 2, the opposite end of the platform 35 is
secured to the second platform support 38 which is suspended from the
horizontal structural member 19 in the same manner as described above.
The second platform support is suspended at any suitable distance away from
the platform support 10, provided the distance is no longer than the length of
the platform 35.
[0040] Referring now to Figures 1, 3 and 4, a railing column 42 is
mounted to the platform support 10 by pushing it into the open channel 40 of
the railing support 24. The railing column 42 is also mounted on to the
second platform support 38 in the same manner. Each end of the railing (not
shown) is then mounted in the upper bracket 44a of the railing column 42 of
the platform support 10 and the second platform support 38. A lower railing
may be provided by mounting in to the lower brackets 44b in the same
manner. Preferably, the railing is an elongate wood member. Nails or other
fasteners may be driven into the railing through the fastener holes 46 to
secure the railing.
[0041] Referring to Figure 6, the platform support 60 can support the
platform 35 on both the exterior and interior face o~f the building. The
platform
35 can be mounted to support members 68, ?'0 in the same fashion as
described above.
[0042] The operation of the embodiment :>hown in Figures 7A-C will
now be described. Prior to mounting the platform :support 71 on the horizontal
structural member 19, the platform support 71 is assembled by inserting the
support pin 84 through the upper hole 74 of the rec>eiving bracket 72. In
order
to provide additional support, the bolt 82 is inserted through the bore 81 of
the
bolt retainer 80 and is threaded through the lower hole 76 of the receiving
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bracket 72. The alignment holes 86, 88 of the support pin 84 and bolt 82,
respectively, are vertically aligned. The safety pin 96 in inserted through
both
alignment holes 86, 88 to reduce the risk of the support pin 84 and bolt 82
being pulled out of the receiving bracket 72.
[0043] The platform support 71 is then lifted' into place and hung on the
horizontal structural member 19, as shown in Figure 7A. The platform support
71 is further secured by driving the securing screw 92 into the wood material
of the structural member 19 by turning the handle portion 94.
(0044] The platform support 71 is removed from the structural member
19 by removing the securing screw 92 and removing the safety pin 96. The
bolt 82 and support pin 84 are then pulled out of the upper and lower holes
74, 76 of the receiving bracket 72. This in turn permits the removal of the L-
shaped bracket 78 and the lowering of the platform support 71.
[0045] The apparatus of the present invention provides improved safety
for the construction workers working on the building frame, and in particular,
when mounting the roof truss. In addition, the apparatus is not as costly and
can be mounted more guickly than prior art systems, such as scaffolding.
(0046j In a second alternative embodiment of the invention, the support
member 20 of the platform support 10 may be a planar member which would
itself act as a platform. In this embodiment, the platform, the second
platform
support 38, and the brackets 30, 32 would not be necessary.
(0047] While the present invention as herE~in shown and described in
detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described objects of the
invention,
it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the
present invention and thus, is representative of the subject matter which is
broadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of the present
invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious
to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is
accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which
reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only
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one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and
functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred
embodiment that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary
skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are
intended
to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a
device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by
the present invention, for it is to be encompassed b~y the present claims.
