Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Pitched roof conforming scaffold
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-30
2001-07-17
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Pitched roof conforming scaffold
C182S036000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260661
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for anchoring a safety line relative to a roof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Those skilled in the art recognize the need to anchor objects and/or people relative to a support structure. For example, when work is being performed on a building, a worker is well advised to attach a safety line or fall arrest line between his body and a structurally sound portion of the building. One widely accepted fall arrest system uses intermittent brackets to support a horizontal line which in turn, supports individual worker safety lines and minimally interferes with the worker's movements. A slotted coupling device is connected to an individual safety line and movably mounted on the horizontal line. The device is designed to traverse the brackets without compromising the structural integrity of the connection between the worker and the support structure. Examples of such systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,975 to Riches et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,385 to Riches et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,427 to Riches et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,410 to Sharp et al.
The foregoing prior art patents disclose horizontal safety line systems which are advantageous in many respects. However, one shortcoming of such systems is that the safety line must be threaded through each of the anchorages or support brackets. As a result, if one of the brackets requires replacement, then an end of the safety line must be freed, pulled through any intervening brackets, and then threaded through the replacement bracket and back through the intervening brackets. Such a procedure is time consuming and increases the likelihood of undesirable wear and tear on other components of the system. Therefore, a need remains for an intermediate anchorage or bracket which is relatively simple to make and use, may be connected to an intermediate portion of a safety line, and does not compromise the structural integrity of the system.
Various methods and apparatus are currently used to secure safety lines to roofs, whether for purposes of supporting slotted coupling devices or otherwise. In one relatively common application scenario, beams, also known as pearlings, span opposing walls of a structure and are disposed several feet apart from one another. Panels, which are typically corrugated metal, are mounted on top of the beams, in overlapping fashion, to form a roof over the structure. Problems can arise when any sort of safety line is anchored relative to the panels, without regard to the locations of the beams. For example, the fall of a person connected to the safety line can significantly damage the panels to which the line is anchored. Also, the provision of holes through the panels increases the chances of leaks in the roof. In other words, a need remains for an anchorage or mounting bracket which is simple to make and use, and which does not compromise the structural integrity of the roof or the safety system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a mounting system designed to be mounted on a roof to support a safety line for fall arrest purposes. A first embodiment of the invention includes first and second base members which span adjacent roof beams and are fastened thereto. First and second brackets have base portions which are fastened to respective base members, and distal portions which are fastened to a common safety line anchorage. Both the distance between the base members and the positions of the brackets relative thereto are adjustable.
A second embodiment of the present invention includes first and second brackets having respective, opposite end, base members which are secured to adjacent roof beams, and respective intermediate members which overlap one another. A cross-member is secured between the overlapping intermediate members of the first bracket and the overlapping intermediate members of the second bracket, and a safety line anchorage is mounted on an intermediate portion of the cross-member. Both the distance between the base members and the lengths of the brackets are adjustable.
On either of the foregoing embodiments, the anchorage is preferably connected to an intermediate portion of the safety line, and accommodates passage of a slotted coupling device movably mounted on the safety line. Also, the brackets are designed to deform and thereby absorb energy in the event of a fall. Many features and/or advantages of the present invention may become more apparent from the detailed description which follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3675283 (1972-07-01), Gregorovic
patent: 4265179 (1981-05-01), Tupper
patent: 4584945 (1986-04-01), Tupper
patent: 4790410 (1988-12-01), Sharp
patent: 4905606 (1990-03-01), Tupper
patent: 5002152 (1991-03-01), Lebow
patent: 5127338 (1992-07-01), Flux
patent: 5279385 (1994-01-01), Riches
patent: 5282597 (1994-02-01), Babcock
patent: 5297651 (1994-03-01), Vandelinde
patent: 5343975 (1994-09-01), Riches
patent: 5595260 (1997-01-01), Jalla
patent: 5758743 (1998-06-01), Coyle
patent: 5829203 (1998-11-01), Ealer
Cutter Weston L.
Novak Patrick J.
Capital Safety Inc.
Chin-Shue Alvin
Mau & Krull, P.A.
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