AU2006202518A1 - Railing Support System - Google Patents

Description

13Jun. 2006 22:24 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o 5 6 P 4 P/00/009

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title- Railing Support System The invention is described in the following statement together with the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 062023 COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13.Jun. 2006 22:24 Wailiniton-Dummer Sydney No.5664 P. 2- RAILING SUPPORT SYSTEM C(N The present invention relates to safety railings and, Smore particularly, to railings applicable to roof Cfl structures for the protection of construction workers during the application of the roof covering material.

00 CN BACKGROUND \Q Construction of the roofs of buildings has always been o a dangerous occupation for workers. Particularly where a roof is high above the ground and at a steep angle, the application of roofing material is attended by considerable risk. This risk is further exacerbated with sheet roofing material such a corrugated iron sheeting which offers little grip to footwear.

With increasing concern for safety in the workplace, regulations have been put in place for providing temporary safety devices such as perimeter railings for the protection of roofing personnel. These may include specifications for impact forces from inside the roof area as well as static loading from both sides of the railing, that is from within and from outside of the roofed area, as well as vertically directed forces. A problem in the design of bracketry for the support of railing stanchions has been the satisfying of these force specifications, and particularly that of resisting impact forces from outside of the roof area.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13.Jun. 2006 22:24 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5664 P. 6 3 o It is an object of the present invention to address or 0 C( at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION r Accordingly, in one broad form of there invention there is provided a support system for a safety railing at 00 the perimeter of a roof area; said system comprising a In ^C stanchion support bracket releasably assembled to a rafter \O attachment element; said system further comprising a Sreaction bracket for engagement with said stanchion support ]0 bracket and wherein said reaction bracket is adapted to withstand forces applied to said railing from outside said roof area.

Preferably said stanchion support bracket comprises an angle member and a stanchion support tube; said angle member arranged with a first vertical web for abutment to a gutter element and a fascia board at the end of a rafter of a roof; said angle member having a second inclined web approximately parallel with said roof; said stanchion support tube projecting upwardly from said inclined web approximately vertical to said roof.

Preferably said stanchion support bracket is provided with a brace between inside surfaces of said vertical web and said inclined web respectively; said brace adapted to prevent bending of said angle section and wherein downward COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13.Jun. 2006 22:24 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5664 P. 7 4o forces applied to said stanchion support tube are (C transferred to an end of said rafter.

c' Preferably said stanchion support bracket further comprises a retaining member adapted to allow insertion of a first lower end of said rafter attachment element between 0 If] said retaining member and said inclined web.

(q Preferably said rafter attachment element is adapted Sfor fastening to an upper surface of a rafter of said roof; ci said element in contact with said rafter at a second upper ]0 end and passing over a lowermost batten of said roof; said first lower end of said rafter attachment element projecting into said gutter.

Preferably said rafter attachment element is secured to said support bracket by at least one bolt passing through said first lower end, said retaining member and said inclined web.

Preferably stanchion support tube is a square section hollow tube.

Preferably said reaction bracket comprises a portion of a rectangular section hollow tub; said tube having an internal dimension in the direction of said rafter such that said rectangular section hollow tube may pass over said square section hollow tube as a free sliding fit.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13.Jun. 2006 22:24 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5664 P. 8 5 o Preferably said reaction bracket further comprises a C( pair of outrigger elements attached to opposing sides of Ssaid rectangular section hollow tube such that said en outrigger elements project upwardly over said rafter and approximately parallel to said rafter when said reaction 00 bracket is assembled to said stanchion tube.

ci SPreferably outer ends of said outrigger elements are cI Slocated over said lowermost batten when said reaction 0 Ci bracket is assembled to said stanchion support tube.

Preferably said outer ends of said outrigger elements are each provided with a shoe element adapted to locate in adjoining troughs of corrugated roof sheeting.

Preferably in a first position said outer ends of said reaction bracket prior to application of roof covering material rest directly on said lower batten.

Preferably in a second position said outer ends of said reaction bracket subsequent to installation of said roofing material rest on said roofing material.

Preferably said reaction bracket is briefly raised from said first position to allow placement of said roof covering material adjacent said stanchion support and lowered to said second position after said placement.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13.Jun. 2006 22:25 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5664 P. 9 6o Preferably said rafter attachment element remains in 0 (C position affixed to said rafter after removal of said Ssafety railing; said element remaining available for eC reinstallation of said safety railing.

5 In a further broad form of the invention there is 00 Sprovided a support system for stanchions of a roof safety ci o railing wherein impact forces applied to said safety ci o railing from within said roof area are resolved into a 0 Ci first compression force component directed through an angle bracket to an end of a rafter and a second tension force component in a rafter attachment element.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a support system for stanchions of a roof safety railing resistant to forces applied to said railing from within a roof area and from outside of said roof area; said system comprising a support bracket releasably attached to a rafter attachment element; said support bracket abutting a fascia board at a rafter; said system further comprising a reaction bracket releasably engaged with a stanchion support tube.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for supporting a safety railing at a perimeter of a roof area; said method including the steps of: COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13.Jun. 2006 22:25 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No,5664 P. 7-

V)

O attaching a rafter attachment element to a (C stanchion support bracket; said stanchion support Sbracket comprising an angle section and a Cc stanchion support tube; securing said stanchion support bracket to ends V) of selected rafters, ci engaging a reaction bracket to said stanchion

NO

o support tube.

Preferably forces applied to said safety railing from outside of said roof area are transferred via said reaction bracket to a batten of said roof.

Preferably forces applied to said safety railing from inside said roof area are transferred via said stanchion support bracket to an end of said rafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure I is a perspective view of two components of a railing support system according a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a roof structure with the components of Fig. 1 positioned for use, COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13.Jun. 2006 22:25 Wa~ ngton-Dummer SydneY No.5664 P. 11 8o Figure 3 is a perspective view of a further component of the railing support system, ;Z Figutre 3A is an end view of the component of Fig. 3 located on section of a corrugated roof sheet, Figutre 4 is a perspective view of the components of 00 Figs- 1 and 3 assembled for use, o Figure 5 is a side part sectioned view of the assembly Va of Fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figs. I and 2, the first two components of a preferred embodiment of the support system comprises stanchion support bracket and raf ter attachment element Stanchion support bracket is formed of angle member 10, square tube member 12 and retaining member 14. The angle formed by vertical web 11 and inclined web 13 of angle member 10, is the complement of a typical angle of a roof surface with the horizontal, for example degrees, so that the angle a is approximately 68 degrees. ]Bracket "A"l may be provided at other angles to suit a range of roof slopes.

Retaining member 14 is welded to angle member 10 for approximately half of its length at a f irst end 16, and is provided with joggle bends so as to leave a gap 18 between the underside of retaining member 14 and the upper surface of angle member 10 at second end 20. This gap is such as to COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by P1 Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13.Jun. 2006 22:25 13.Jun 200622:25 Wall ngton-Dummer SydneyNo64 P.1 N o 5 6 6 4 P 12 -9oN allow the insertion of an end of rafter attachment element (N Tube member 12 is welded at its base to f irst end 16 ;Z of retaining member 14, with the base of tube member 14 cut at an angle so that the axis of tube member 14 is substantially parallel to web 11. Angle member 10 is braced 00 by a piece of flat bar 22 welded to the inside surfaces of angle member 10. Coaxial holes 24 and 26 are provided in IND angle member 10 and retaining member 14 respectively. In o one preferred f rom, hole 24 may be tapped to receive the thread of a securing bolt 27 (shown in Fig- Rafter attachment element is also formed of heavy gauge flat bar 30. Joggle bends 40 are provided to offset the first section 32 from second section 36. First section ,32 is provided with first securing hole 34 located such that first securing hole 34 may be aligned with holes 24 and 26 of stanchion bracket Two further securing holes 38 and 39 are provided. The first of these, securing hole 38 is located so as to be positioned over the lowermost batten 55., or at least as close as practicable to the end 61 of rafter 54 without risk of splitting, with the second securing hole 39 located towards the end of second section 36.

Fig. 2 shows the components "A"l and "El assembled together by means of securing bolt 27 and attached to a roof structure SO. Rafter attachment element is attached by screw a screw through hole 39 to the upper COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-0&-13 13.Jun. 2006 22:25 Wallinglon-Dummer Sydney F.004 16 osurface of a rafter 54. A screw through hole 3a may pass through batten 55, (although this is not essential) also ;Z into rafter 54. Web 11 of angle member 10 abuts the inside surface 56 of a gutter 58 attached to fascia board with reference to Figs. 2 and 5, It will be understood 00 that with suitable sizing of the components "A"l and and o appropriate screws for securing rafter attachment element IND 30 to rafter 54, the assembly will provide great strength 0 against impact forces and static loads directed from within the roof area in the direction of the arrow "A"l onto railing 62 and transferred to the assembly via stanchion 64. Because web 11, and in particular the lower end of web 11, abuts in effect the end 61 of rafter 54, bending moments applied to angle member 10 introduced by such impacts will be resolved into a first compression force component as indicated by the arrow ',all. This force is absorbed by the resistance to bending in the steel bar from which angle member 10 is formed, aided by the brace 22 and ultimately absorbed by the end 61 of rafter 54. A second resultant force component is a tension forces in rafter attachment element 30 which is resisted by the screws 38 and 39.

Referring now to Fig. 3 and S1A, a reaction bracket forms a further component of the railing support system. Reaction bracket 70 comprises a piece of rectangular section steel tube 72 and a pair of flat bar COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13Jun. 2006 22:26 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5664 P. 14 11 o outrigger elements 74 and 76 welded to sides 75 and 77 C1 respectively of tube 72 at an angle 3, where 3 is angle of Sthe incline of the roof to the horizontal. The internal c width of of tube 72 is just larger than the external dimension of square tube member 12 of stanchion bracket "A" 00 so that tube 72 may be slid over tube 12 as shown in Fig.

i4.

o ci VI The length of tube 72 is approximately equal to o the pitch of the troughs of corrugated roof sheeting 86 so that elements 74 and 76 may lie in the centres of adjoining troughs. The rectangular section of tube 72 allows adjustment of its location relative to tube 12. This is required because the location of stanchion bracket is dictated by the position of rafter 54, while the troughs 84 may locate relative to the rafter by up to one half of the trough pitch.

The ends of elements 74 and 76 are linked by a cross bar 78 welded to the upper edges of the elements. The outer portions of the lower edges of elements 74 and 76 are provided with shoes 80 and 82 respectively. Shoes 80 and 82 are formed to seat in troughs 84 of corrugated roof sheeting 86.

The length of elements 74 and 76 and the positions and lengths of shoes 80 and 82 is such that, when reaction bracket 70 is assembled to the previously located components of the support system, the shoes contact the COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13.Jun. 2066 22:26 Wallinglon-Dummer Sydney No.5bb4 P. -12 No roof sheeting at the position of the first or lowest batten (N 55. As indicated in Fig. 5, static loads directed from the ;Z outside of railing 62 by the arrow IS" are transferred to reaction bracket 70 resulting in a force absorbed by batten 55 and rafter 54.

00 It should be noted that the reaction brackets serve CA the purpose of resisting static loadings on railing 62 both INO before and after the application of sheeting 80. Before the o installation of a roofing sheet at a stanchion location, the reaction bracket shoes 80 and 82 rest on batten thus transmitting any impact force in the direction of the arrow 'BR" of Fig. 5 to the batten 55. When the sheeting at that stanchion location needs to be placed, the bracket is lifted up temporarily while the sheet is placed in position. The bracket is then lowered and adjusted to position shoes SO and 82 in adjoining troughs of the sheet.

Although in the present embodiment reaction bracket and its shoes 8O and 22 are adapted for corrugated roof sheeting, it will be appreciated that similar brackets may be devised for other roof covering materials such KlipLokO sheeting and tiles.

In Use A roof structure is prepared to the point where it is ready for the application of the roofing material. if applicable, the fascia boards and guttering have been installed. Rafter attachment elements are fixed to rafters COMS ID No: SBMI-03862464 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13Jun. 2006 22:26 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o. 56 4 P 16 13 o at suitable intervals, stanchion brackets bolted to them Cl and the reaction brackets put in place. Stanchions and Srailings may now be installed to complete the perimeter C safety railing.

When the roof has been completed the railings, 00 stanchions and the reaction and stanchion support brackets Cl are removed. The rafter attachment elements remain in place Cl I\O so that at any future time, should work on the roof be 0 0 required, the safety railing may be easily reinstalled.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13

Claims (6)

13.Jun, 2006 22:26 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No.5664 P. 17 14 N CLAIMS 1. A support system for a safety railing at the perimeter 1 of a roof area; said system comprising a stanchion support bracket releasably assembled to a rafter attachment element; said system further comprising a V) reaction bracket for engagement with said stanchion cN o support bracket and wherein said reaction bracket is I\N 0 adapted to withstand forces applied to said railing 0 C1 from outside said roof area. 2. The support system of claim 1 wherein said stanchion support bracket comprises an angle member and a stanchion support tube; said angle member arranged with a first vertical web for abutment to a gutter element and a fascia board at the end of a rafter of a roof; said angle member having a second inclined web approximately parallel with said roof; said stanchion support tube projecting upwardly from said inclined web approximately vertical to said roof. 3. The support system of any previous claim wherein said stanchion support bracket is provided with a brace between inside surfaces of said vertical web and said inclined web respectively; said brace adapted to prevent bending of said angle section and wherein COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13.Jun. 2006 22:27 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5664 P. 18 15 o downward forces applied to said stanchion support tube 0 (C are transferred to an end of said rafter. c' 4. The support system of any previous claim wherein said stanchion support bracket further comprises a 00 5 retaining member adapted to allow insertion of a first V) lower end of said rafter attachment element between cN Ssaid retaining member and said inclined web. ci <0 The support system of any previous claim wherein said ci rafter attachment element is adapted for fastening to an upper surface of a rafter of said roof; said element in contact with said rafter at a second upper end and passing over a lowermost batten of said roof; said first lower end of said rafter attachment element projecting into said gutter. 6. The support system of any previous claim wherein said rafter attachment element is secured to said support bracket by at least one bolt passing through said first lower end, said retaining member and said inclined web. 7. The support system any previous claim wherein stanchion support tube is a square section hollow tube. COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 13-Jun. 2006 22:27 13.Jun 296 22:27ngton-Dummer SydneY NHc-5 6 64 P9- 19 o8. The support system of any previous claim wherein said reaction bracket comprises a portion of a rectangular ;Z section hollow tub; said tube having an internal dimension in the direction of said rafter such that said rectangular section hollow tube may pass over 00 said square section hollow tube as a free sliding fit. 09. The support system of any previous claim wherein said o reaction bracket further comprises a pair of outrigger elements attached to opposing sides of said ia rectangular section hollow tube such that said outrigger elements project upwardly over said rafter and approximately parallel to said rafter when said reaction bracket is assembled to said stanchion tube. The support system of any previous claim wherein outer ends of said outrigger elements are located over said lowermost batten when said reaction bracket is assembled to said stanchion support tube. 11. The support system of any previous claim wherein said outer ends of said outrigger elements are each provided with a shoe element adapted to locate in adjoining troughs of corrugated roof sheeting. 12- The support system of any previous claim wherein in a first position said outer ends of said reaction COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 Li ZlPAI n n 13.Jun, 2006 22:27 Wal inston-Dummer Sydney No.3O 4 LU 17 o bracket prior to application of roof covering material 0 C rest directly on said lower batten. 13. The support system of any previous claim wherein in a second position said outer ends of said reaction 00 5 bracket subsequent to installation of said roofing Vn material rest on said roofing material. ci 0 0

14. The support system of any previous claim wherein said 0 o reaction bracket is briefly raised from said first position to allow placement of said roof covering material adjacent said stanchion support and lowered to said second position after said placement. The support system of any previous claim wherein said rafter attachment element remains in position affixed to said rafter after removal of said safety railing; said element remaining available for reinstallation of said safety railing.

16. A support system for stanchions of a roof safety railing wherein impact forces applied to said safety railing from within said roof area are resolved into a first compression force component directed through an angle bracket to an end of a rafter and a second tension force component in a rafter attachment element. COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 II r"P f r-t r\ I 13.Jun. 2006 22:27 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney NO.3b0 4 ,P LI 18 o

17. A support system for stanchions of a roof safety 0 railing resistant to forces applied to said railing Sfrom within a roof area and from outside of said roof area; said system comprising a support bracket releasably attached to a rafter attachment element; 00 said support bracket abutting a fascia board at a o C rafter; said system further comprising a reaction \O bracket releasably engaged with a stanchion support O tube.

18. A method for supporting a safety railing at a perimeter of a roof area; said method including the steps of: attaching a rafter attachment element to a stanchion support bracket; said stanchion support bracket comprising an angle section and a stanchion support tube; securing said stanchion support bracket to ends of selected rafters, engaging a reaction bracket to said stanchion support tube.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein forces applied to said safety railing from outside of said roof area COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13 II rnrr n nn 13.Jun. 2006 22:27 Wallin ton-Dummer Sydney NO. 4 bb Z 19 O are transferred via said reaction bracket to a CO batten of said roof. The method of claim 18 or 19 wherein forces applied c to said safety railing from inside said roof area are transferred via said stanchion support bracket 00 to an end of said rafter. ci V) SDATED: 13 June 2006 C ANDY GALOVIC, NICK GALOVIC. RICARDO JOSEPH ADRIAN VERGAN by their Patent Attorneys: WALLINGTON-DUMMER COMS ID No: SBMI-03862454 Received by IP Australia: Time 21:34 Date 2006-06-13