Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ROOF EDGE FALL PROTECTION APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to a roof edge fall protection
apparatus for flat roofs and parapets that serves to protect workers in the
roofing
industry and the like. The apparatus is adaptable to be permanently or
temporarily
affixed to the edge of the roof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Working on a flat roof is high risk. People may fall from the edge of a
complete roof or from the edge where work such as roofing installation or re-
roofing
is being carried out. Safety in the work environment has become increasingly
important and preventative measures are required during work on flat roofs
where
there is a risk of falling. Apart from horizontal lifeline fall protection
systems, which
may be in place, protective measures are typically required at the roof edge.
Such
edge protection needs to be strong enough to withstand a person falling
against it.
[003] Many regulatory bodies have implemented a multitude of various
requirements and standards to cover a variety of work environments, such as
roofing projects. One general requirement is for safety or guard barriers to
be
placed along the edges of roof to protect roofing workers during roof
construction
and repair.
[004] It is still quite common for a roofing contractor to assemble temporary
safety or guard barriers from standard lumber material (e.g., 2'x4's) and to
disassemble them when the roofing work is completed. Such temporary barriers
may meet regulatory requirements if properly constructed, but require a fair
amount
of time to construct and often result in the destruction of materials used
when
disassembled after a job is completed. These types of temporary barriers
necessarily require construction of barriers specific for each job. Although
materials
may be saved from one job to the next they have to be modified in order to
provide a
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vertical fence or barrier for the next crew. This results in little or no
labour saving in
the construction of such temporary barrier even if materials are re-used.
(005] Other roof edge protection apparatus rely on freestanding cantilever
design with or without weights positioned well in from the roof edge. While
such
cantilevered systems may be permanent or temporary they also interfere with
the
roofing work to be done.
[006] Another barrier system incorporates post supports clamped to a roof
parapet.
[007] It is accordingly desirable to provide a roof edge fall protection
system that
implements the required structural integrity while also allowing easy assembly
and
disassembly at the roof edge. In addition, the geometry of the perimeter to be
guarded may vary dramatically from site to site, thereby requiring a system
that is
adaptable to different configurations.
[008] There is still exists a need for a device contemplated by the present
invention which can be easily constructed at the roof edge and is adaptable
for
either temporary or permanent attachment to the building structure. Temporary
attachment allows a roofing contractor to reuse the apparatus for a multitude
of
roofing projects. The device is adaptable to permit permanent attachment
around
the entire perimeter of a building or a portion thereof.
[009] The apparatus of the present invention is readily attachable to a roof
parapet structure in a manner that does not significantly interfere with the
construction or re-construction of a roof. The apparatus is also readily
adjustable to
accommodate structures having differing parapet wall thicknesses and a variety
of
parapet configurations. The apparatus may be easily assembled and
disassembled and transported from one job site to another. Another desired
feature is that optionally some or all the components may be permanently
attachable to the building.
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention relates to an improved roof edge fall protection
apparatus. Most industrial and commercial buildings having flat roofs will
have a
parapet wall around the perimeter edge of the roof. The height and
configuration of
the parapet wall will vary from structure to structure. Roof edge fall
protection
devices are typically installed at or near such parapet walls. The apparatus
of the
present invention comprises several components, which can be easily assembled
and disassembled on site and which are adaptable to various building
geometries.
[0011] The apparatus of the present invention has a first base plate that is
fastened to the top of the parapet wall. Such wall may be horizontal or may be
sloped. The base plate is affixed with standard fastening devices such as
screws.
This base plate may be removed after the perimeter protection is no longer
required or may be permanently left in place. If permanent, the top surface
may be
protected by roofing materials in an ordinary manner. The base plate has a
channel-like flange on its upper surface at one of its edges, namely the edge
at the
roof perimeter when the base plate is installed.
[0012] A second base plate having a channel-like flange on its upper surface
at
one of its edges is then positioned on the outside vertical surface of the
parapet
wall perpendicular to one side of the first base plate. The flange of the
second plate
is aligned with the flange of the first plate and the second plate is slid
into place.
When the plate flanges are engaged the second plate is fastened to the outside
vertical surface of the parapet wall. This process of affixing two base plates
is
repeated around the perimeter of the roof. The spacing may vary from site to
site but
typically is at about 8 feet.
[0013] The outside surface of each second base plate has a receptacle means
adapted to receive and secure a post in an upright position. Once the base
plates
are secured together and affixed in place, upright posts are inserted into the
receptacle means of each second base plate. In one embodiment of the invention
the post has a biased projecting pin near the post end to be inserted into the
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receptacle means and an oppositely positioned hook. The pin co-operates with a
slot in the receptacle so that when the upright post is inserted into the
receptacle it
can be turned and secured to become non-moveable. The hook is used to position
the post in the desired vertical position. In one embodiment of the invention
the post
has upper and lower securing means near each end and a plurality of spaced
barrier retaining means therebetween. The lower securing means may be a pair
of
fixed pins (above the biased pin) projecting from the post. This pair of pins
will be in
a horizontal and parallel orientation to the second plate when installed.
[0014] Once the posts are securely installed in their upright position a
barrier,
such as a safety mesh or fence (about 42" in height), is secured to the
retaining
means of each post. Barrier holding plates, which co-operate with and engage
the
barrier retaining means on the posts, are positioned against the safety mesh
and
posts. Lower hooks on the barrier holding means engage the fixed pins on the
post. The upper securing member of each post is then engaged to secure the
barrier holding means against the safety mesh on each post.
[0015] When the apparatus of the present invention is used in a temporary
manner such as for re-roofing work, all components may be removed. The
apparatus is disassembled generally in reverse order from the order of
assembly.
Alternatively, the first base plate may remain affixed to parapet of the roof
and
roofing material may be applied on its upper surface except for the flange,
which
must be left available for engagement by the second plate. If the first plates
are left
in place they may be reused whenever roof edge fall protection is required.
[0016] Different barrier retaining means may be employed such as quick
connecting clips, and 'pig-tail' hooks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention may be further understood by reference to the
accompanying drawing sheets, in which:
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[0018] Drawing Sheet 1 shows several perspective views of the post assembly
structure of the roof edge fall protection apparatus of the present invention,
without
the safety barrier or mesh.
5 [0019] Drawing Sheet 2 has a perspective view showing the placement or
positioning of a safety barrier between the post assembly and a holding means
of
the present invention. This sheet additionally includes a top view of the
assembly.
[0020] Drawing Sheet 3 shows several additional perspective and detail views
of
a post assembly.
[0021] Drawing Sheet 4 are perspective views of a post assembly with the
safety
barrier or mesh secured.
[0022] Drawing Sheet 5 are perspective views of a post assembly showing
alternate means for securing the safety barrier or mesh.
[0023] Drawing Sheet 6 are perspective views of a post assembly showing
further alternate means for securing the safety barrier or mesh.
[0024] Drawing Sheet 7 is a side view of a post assembly showing another
means for securing the safety barrier or mesh.
[0025] Drawing Sheet 8 shows front and cross section views of the lower
portion
of the post assembly in drawing sheet no. 7.
[0026] Drawing Sheet 9 shows a perspective view of a portion of a roof with
the
roof edge fall protection apparatus of the present invention installed.
Additionally,
drawing 10 includes a detail view of a base plate installation on a sloped
parapet
wall.
[0027] Although the above description and accompanying drawings relate to
preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by
the
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inventor, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and
adaptations
may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention
