AU661568B2

AU661568B2 - Support structure

Info

Publication number: AU661568B2
Application number: AU36849/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Donald William Hayman
Original assignee: ROOF SAFE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ROOF SAFE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1992-04-10
Filing date: 1993-04-08
Publication date: 1995-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2013-04-08
Also published as: AU3684993A

Description

6 6 15 6 8 p/01 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATVON STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: ROOF SAFE PTY LTD Actual Inventor(s): Donald William Hayman Address for Service: WRAY ASSOCIATES, Primary Industry House, 239 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000.

Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "SUPPORT STRUCTURE" Details of Associated Provisional Applications No: PL1844 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -1- -2- THIS INVENTION relates to a support structure for a safety barrier of the type intended to be installed on a roof construction for the safety of workers constructing, or performing maintenance on the roof.

In one form the invention resides in a support structure for a safety barrier adapted to be installed on a roof construction which comprises a frame structure for s .pporting sheet roofing material having one or more ribs formed therein, the support structure comprising a post member for supporting a portion of the safety barrier and a brace member, one end of the brace member being adapted to be connected to the post member at a location spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof and the other end of the brace member having a base adapted for releasable attachment to the roof frame structure, the base comprising a pair of spaced engaging portions defining a gap therebetween whereby the base can be located on the sheet roofing material with at least one rib of the roofing material accommodated in the gap.

While the support structure is useful for a roof construction having sheet roofing material of any profile with one or more ribs formed therein, it is particularly suitable for sheet roofing material which is of corrugated profile. In such cases the gap can accommodate a crest of the corrugated profile and the engaging portions can be accommodated in two neighbouring troughs one to each side of the crest.

Conveniently, the engaging elements may be of curved configuration on the underside thereof to conform to the curved formation of the troughs. To achieve this, S' it is particularly convenient to form the engaging elements of tubular material of circular cross-section. The base may be provided with more than two engaging 25 portions if so desired. In such a case, each gap between neighbouring engaging portions would preferably accommodate one of the crests in the sheet roofing material.

Where the sheet roofing material is of a type having more than one rib (which would 30 commonly be in use), the gap may be of such a size that several of such ribs can be accommodated in it.

The base may be provided with an aperture through which a removable fixing element can be inserted to releasably secure the base to the roof frame structure.

Conveniently, the aperture is positioned centrally with respect to the gap such that the fixing element extends through the crest accommodated in the gap. With this -3arrangement, the hole in the sheet roofing material through which the fixing element extends can later accommodate a further roof sheet anchoring element used to fix the sheet to the roof frame structure after removal of the support structure.

Besides being supported by the brace member the post member is preferable attached at its bottom end to the roof frame structure. The post member may be attached to the frame structure by way of an attachment bracket having a first portion adapted to be secured to the roof frame structure nd a second portion for releasably engaging the bottom end of the post member. The second portion of the bracket may incorporate a locating hole for receiving a locating spigot provided on the bottom end of the post member, and wherein there is provided connecting means for reteasably connecting the post member to the bracket for restraining withdrawal of the locating spigot from the locating hole.

The releasable connecting means may comprise a retaining element mounted on the post member and adapted to extend around the second portion of the bracket. The retaining element may comprise a U bolt in which the arms of the U are mounted on the post member and the central space within the U is adapted to receive the second portion of the brcket.

With this arrangement, the bracket can be left in position after it is fixed to the roof 0' frame structure and roofing material can simply be installed over the bracket.

The safety barrier may comprise one or more safety rails mounted on the post o: 25 member.

The support structure defined above is particularly convenient on construction sites .o where corrugated sheet roofing material provides the covering for the roof. The support structure allows a safety barrier to be erected during construction of the roof 30 frame structure. When it is time to install the sheet roofing material, it is not necessary to totally remove the safety barrier; all that is necessary is to detach the base of the brace member so as to allow the roof sheeting material to be located in :position beneath it. The base of the brace member can then be returned into position with one of the ribs of the sheet roofing material being accommodated in the gap defined between the engaging portions of the base.

-4- In another form the invention resides in a support structure for a safety barrier adapted to be installed on a roof construction which comprises a frame structure for supporting roofing material, the support structure comprising a post member for supporting part of the safety barrier and an attachment bracket for releasable attaching the bottom end of the post member to the roof frame structure, the attachment bracket comprising a first portion adapted to be secured to the roof frame structure and a second portion for releasable engaging the bottom end of the post member.

The second portion of the attachment bracket may incorporate a locating hole for receiving a locating spigot provided on the bottom end of the post member, and wherein there is provided connecting means for releasable connecting the post member to the bracket for restraining withdrawal of the locating spigot from the locating hole.

With this arrangement the bracket can be left in position after fixing of the roof covering to the roof frame structure if desired, the roofing material simply being installed over the bracket.

The support structure according to this second form of the invention can be used on roof constructions having any form of roofing material and is not limited to use on roofing constructions using roof sheeting material.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of 25 one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: C Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a support structure according to the embodiment in position on a roof frame structure prior to positioning of corrugated roof sheeting material on the roof structure; Figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 except that it shows the support structure after installation of corrugated roof sheeting material on the roof frame structure; Figure 3 is a fi-ragmentary view showing the base of the brace member in position; and Figure 4 is a fragmentary view showing the manner in which the bottom end of the post member is attached to the roof frame structure.

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The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a support structure 10 for a safety barrier which is adapted to be installed around the perimeter of a roof under construction.

The safety barrier comprises one or more safety rails (not shown) which are supported by a series of the support structures according to the embodiment positioned at spaced intervals around the perimeter of the roof.

The roof construction comprises a roof frame structure having a plurality of pitched rafters 13 and transverse members 15 extending across the rafters 13. The roof frame structure provides support forroof sheeting material 16 whidh covers the roof.

Each support structure 10 is positioned at a location corresponding to one of the rafters 13 and comprises a post member 17 and a brace member 19. The post member is attached at its bottom end to the rafter 13 by way of an attachment bracket 21, The brace member 19 is releasably connected to the post member 17 adjacent the upper end thereof by way of a sleeve 23 which is pivotally mounted onto the post member 17. The sleeve 23 is adapted to receive the upper end of the brace member 19, as best seen in figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. A locking device 25 is provided for securing the brace member in position in the sleeve.

The brace member 19 comprises a strut 27 and a base 29 pivotally mounted onto the strut at pivot point 31. The base 29 comprises a plate 33 and a pair of engaging 25 portions 35 on the under side of the plate 33 in spaced apart relationship to define a gap 37 therebetween, In this embodiment, each engaging portion 35 is defined by a length of tubular material of circular cross-section. An aperture 39 is provided in the plate 33 for receiving a fixing element 41 which extends through the plate 33 and is embedded in the transverse member 15 on which the base 29 is located.

b*e b* The attachment bracket 21 comprises a first portion 45 which is adapted for attachment to the rafter 13 and a second portion 47 which supports the bottom end of the post member 17. The first and second portions, 45 and 47 respectively are at the ends of the bracket 21 and there is provided an intermediate portion 49 therebetween. The intermediate portion 49 is configured to extend over a transverse member 15, as best shown in figure 4 of the drawings. The first portion 45 is provided -6with a pair of mounting holes (not shown) through which fixing elements 51 pass to secure the attachment bracket to the rafter 13. The second portion 47 of the attachment means is provided with a locating hole (not shown) which receives a locating spigot 53 provided on the bottom end of the post member 17.

A connection means 57 is provided on the post member 17 for releasably connecting the post member 17 to the bracket 21 for the purpose of restraining the locating spigot 53 against withdrawal from the locating hole. The releasable connection means 57 may comprise a U bolt 59, the arms 61 of which are slidably received in sleeves 63 positioned on opposed sides of the post member 17. The arms 61 project beyond the upper ends of the sleeves 63 and have nuts 65 threadly mounted thereon. An internal slace 67 is defined within the U bolt-and the second portion 47 of the attachment bracket 21 is received in the internal space 67. The U bolt 59 clampingly engages the second portion 47 of the attachment bracket 21 upon tightening of the nuts 65 so as to secure the post member 17 to the bracket 21.

The support structure 10 is initially installed on the roof frame structure in the manner shown in figure 1 of the drawings. The safety barrier provides protection to workers constructing the roof frame structure. At a later stage when the roof sheeting material is installed following completion of the frame structure, the fixing element 41 can be temporarily removed to allow the brace member to be pivoted upwardly away from the frame structure so allowing the roof sheeting material to be slipped into position under the brace member 19. The brace member 19 can then be returned to its lowermost position with the base 29 in engagement with the roof sheeting, a crest of the 25 corrugated sheeting being received in the gap 37 between the engaging portions and the engaging portions accommodated within the neighbouring troughs (as best seen in Figure 3 of the drawings). The base 29 is secured in this position by inserting the same or a replacement fixing element 41. As the fixing element 41 penetrates the sheeting it forms a hole which can subsequently be used to accommodate a 30 conventional roof fixing element when the support structure is removed.

The attachment bracket 21 is also accommodated within the crest of the roof sheeting 000. material 16. The second portion 47 of the bracket extends beyond the point corresponding to the edge of the roof sheeting material 16 so that the bottom end of the post is at a location in which it does not impede installation of the roof sheeting Smaterial 16. The bracket 21 remains permanently in place.

-7- The presence of the second portion 47 projecting beyond the edge of the roof sheeting material 16 neither presents problems nor detracts from the appearance of the roof as it is normally hidden by guttering. There is in fact a benefit in leaving the bracket in place in that it provides a mounting if it is later necessary to reposition the safety barrier during maintenance of the roof.

When the safety barrier is no longer required, it is merely necessary to remove the brace member 19 and the post member 17. The brace member 19 is removed simply by withdrawing the fixing element 41 and replacing it with an anchoring element of conventional form. The post member 17 is removed by loosening the nuts on the U bolt 59 so as to sufficiently slacken the U bolt 59 to allow the locating spigot on the bottom of the post member 17 to be withdrawn from the locating hole in the second portion 47 of the bracket member 21. The post member 17 can then be moved sidewardly to slide the U bolt 59 from around the second portion 47 of the bracket 21.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the present embodiment provides a support structure for a safety barrier which can be convenie..ly and easily installed on a roof construction utilising corrugated sheeting material. The arrangement whereby the brace member can be temporarily detached from the frame structure of the roof to allow installation of the roof sheeting material is particularly advantageous.

0o :It should be appreciated, however, that the support structure according to the 25 embodiment can be used as part of a safety barrier on roof constructions using other forms of roofing material such as tiles,

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Claims

1. A support structure for a safety barrier adapted to be installed on 3 roof construction which comprises a frame structure for supporting sheet roofing material having one or more ribs formed therein, the support structure comprising a post member for supporting a portion of the safety barrier and a brace member, one end of the brace member being adapted to be connected the post member at a location spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof and the other end of the brace member having a base adapted for releasable attachment to the roof frame structure, the base comprising a pair of spaced engaging portions defining a gap therebetween whereby the base can be located on the roofing material with of least one rib of the roofing material being accommodated within the gap.

2. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein at least the underside of the engaging portions are of a configuration which conforms with the profile of the sheet roofing material.

3. A support structure according to claim 2, wherein the underside of each engaging portion is of a curved configuration.

4. A support structure according to either one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base .further comprises a plate, the engaging portions being mounted on the plate. o0 S S

5. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the o. 25 base comprises at least three spaced er'igaging portions, the gap between Sneighbouring engaging portions being adapted to accommodate a respective rib of the roofing material.

6. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is provided with an aperture through which a removable fixing element can be inserted to releasably secure the base to the roof frame structure.

A support structure according to claim 6, wherein the aperture is positioned S* centrally with respect to the gap whereby the fixing element extends through the rib of the roofing material accommodated within the gap. -9-

8. A support structure according to claim 7, wherein the aperture is formed in the plate.

9. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided a pivotal connection between the brace member and the base.

A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided a pivotal connection between the brace member and the post member.

11. A support structure according to claim 10, wherein the pivotal connection comprises a sleeve in which the brace member is received, the sleeve being pivotally mounted to the post member.

12. A support structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom end of the post member is attached to the roof frame structure.

13. A support structure according to claim 9, wherein an attachment bracket is provided to att-ich the post member to the roof frame structure.

14. A support structure according to claim 10, wherein the attachment bracket is provided with a first portion adapted to be secured to the roof frame structure.

15. A support structure according to claim 10, wherein the attachment bracket is 25 provided with a second portion provided with means to receive the bottom end of the *post member.

16. A support structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this NINETEENTH day of MAY 1995 ROOF SAFE PTY LTD Applicant. Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia, Patent Attorneys for the Applicant. ABSTRACT A support structure for a safety barrier adapted to be install, on a roof construction which comprises a frame structure for supporting sheet roofing material having one or more ribs formed therein. The support structure comprises a post member for supporting a portion of the safety barrier and a brace member. One end of the brace member is adapted to be connected to the post member at a location spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof. The other end of the brace member has a base adapted for releasable attachment to the roof frame structure. The base comprises a pair of spaced engaging portions which define a gap therebetween whereby the base can be located on the roofing material with at least one rib of the roofing material being accommodated within the gap. e S g* *o*o go**