AU677527B2

AU677527B2 - Support structure for roof safety system and means for fastening same

Info

Publication number: AU677527B2
Application number: AU30694/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Donald William Hayman; James Donald Hayman
Original assignee: ROOF SAFE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ROOF SAFE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1994-09-16
Filing date: 1995-09-15
Publication date: 1997-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2015-09-15
Also published as: AU3069495A

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

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

Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR ROOF SAFETY SYSTEM AND MEANS FOR FASTENING SAME" Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PM8297 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the S best method of performing it known to me:- -1- THIS INVENTION relates to a support structure which is particularly, although not exclusively, suited for use in the erection of safety or guard rail systems. The present invention further relates to means for fastening the support structure to a building structure.

To enhance safety on elevated building sites, it is common to erect guard rails around the perimeter of the working area. Conventional guard rail systems comprise a hand rail, a knee rail, and on occasion, a kick board. Normally these components are supported by stanchions which in turn are fixed to the building.

The present invention will seek to provide a support structure provided with a post S 10 member so that a safety barrier can be readily erected around the building S°structure.

The support structure of the present invention has application in supporting rail systems around the perimeter of roofs, balconies, stairways, multi-storey constructions or any part of a building which is elevated and/or which requires the 15 provision of safety rails.

S"The present invention provides a support structure for erecting a safety barrier for a building structure, the support structure comprising a bracket for attaching a post member to the building structure, the bracket having a first portion adapted to be secured to the building structure and a second portion for receiving the post member, the first portion is provided with a receiving means for receiving a support beam of the building structure and fastening means for fastening the first portion to the support beam, wherein one side of the fastening means is provided with a fastening member which is extendable around the support beam, one end of the fastening member having provided thereat a threaded shaft which is receivable within an elongate sleeve provided on the other side of the fastening means, the fastening means having restricting means provided therein so as to restrict rotational movement of the threaded shaft and fastening member.

'IP

~dL- V~T C~ Preferably, the fastening means is provided with a first restricting means to restrict rotational movement of the shaft within the sleeve, and a second restricting means to restrict lateral movement of the shaft within the sleeve.

Preferably, when the first portion is attached to the building structure the second portion is disposed substantially hIorizontally with respect to the building structure.

The first and second portions may be located at opposite ends of the bracket.

Preferably, the fastening member is provided in the form of a chain or cord.

:i Preferably, the threaded shaft is provided with a head portion. The head portion of the shaft is preferably of a width and shape which is only able to be diagonally accommodated within a passageway of the sleeve so as to restrict rotational movement of the shaft therewithin.

Preferably, an apertured member, for example a washer having an aperture of circular cross-section, is permanently fixed to one end of the sleeve to receive the end of the shaft.

:i 15 Preferably, the aperture of the washer is of a diameter to restrict lateral movement of the shaft within the sleeve.

The present invention further provides a support structure for erectin g a safety barrier for a building structure, the support structure comprising at least a portion thereof having a fastening mean;s provided thereon for fastening the support structure to the building structure, wherein one side of the fastening means is provided with a fastening member which is extendable around a support beam of the building structure, one end of the fastening member being provided with a threaded shaft which is receivable within an elongate sleeve provided on the other side of the fastening means, the fastening means having restricting means provided therein so as to restrict rotational movement of the threaded shaft and fastening member.

ijY

IC

7C I The support structure for erecting a safety barrier for a building structure comprises a bracket for attaching a post member to the building structure. The bracket itself comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is adapted for attachment to a rafter of a pitched roof whilst the first portion may have attached thereto a bottom end of a post member.

The second portion has attached thereto a receiving means configured to facilitate location thereof with respect to the rafter. The receiving means is further provided with a fastening means comprising a securing chain attached to a mounting plate. The mounting plate has provided thereon a curved portion creating a flange which extends upwardly from the receiving means.

The curved portion of the mounting plate has provided therein an open slot able to receive a chain element of the securing chain. The chain is able to be looped around the rafter and a threaded shaft provided at one end thereof may be received in an elongate sleeve of substantially square cross-section mounted on the receiving means. An end chain element is attached to the threaded shaft.

The end chain element is receivable within the elongate sleeve although only in a :*diagonal orientation. The threaded shaft is received within the sleeve in a manner allowing restriction of lateral movement thereof within the shaft and to space the threaded shaft away from the walls of the sleeve. In this manner o* 20 lateral movement of the threaded shaft within the sleeve is restricted as is rotational movement of the threaded shaft within the sleeve.

The present invention will now be described with reference to one specific embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the support structure according to the °25 embodiment; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support structure of Figure 1 in use; Figure 3 is a side view of the support structure of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve accommodating the shaft; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve along the line A-A in Figure 4.

In Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a support structure 10 comprising a bracket 16 having a first portion 12 and a second portion 14. The support structure 10 is used for erecting a safety barrier which is adapted to be installed around the perimeter of a pitched roof (not shown), The roof construction comprises a roof frame structure having a plurality of pitched rafters 50, as can be seen in Figure 2. Each support structure 10 is positioned at a location around the roof corresponding to a rafter The safety barrier would usually comprise one or more safety rails (not shown) attached to the post members 52 which are supported by a series of the support structures 10 positioned at spaced intervals around the perimeter of the roofing construction.

The second portion 14 is adapted for attachment to a rafter 50 of the pitched roof, The first portion 12 is attached to the bottom end of a post member 52. Although in this embodiment the post member 52 is shown permanently fixed to the first portion 12, in further embodiments the post member 52 may be releasably i: 20 attached. The first and second portions are located at the support ends of the bracket 16 and there is provided an intermediate portion 18 to extend between the first and second portions.

The intermediate portion 18 extends in the same plane as the first portion 12.

The under surface of the intermediate portion 18 is supported by a brace member *25 20. The brace member 20 is provided to extend generally vertically between the saddle member 22 and the intermediate portion 18.

c-- -6- Attached to the second portion 14 is a receiving means, for example a saddle member 22 having an upper portion 21 and a side portion 23 which is configured to fit over the top 56 and a side surface 58 of the rafter 50, as shown in Figure 2.

The saddle member 22 is inclined downwards from the second portion 14 when in use. The lower end 24 of the saddle member 22 is connected to the bottom portion of the brace member 20, The upper end 26 of the saddle member 22 is provided with fastening means 30 comprising a securing chain 32 attached to a mounting plate 34 provided to one side of the upper portion 21 of the saddle member 22.

The mounting plate 34 is provided with a curved portion 80 thereby creating a flange 82 which extends upwardly from the saddle member 22.

The curved portion 80 is provided with an open slot 84. The slot 84 is able to receive therein an inner chain element 86. The sides of a chain element 88 which is disposed at right angles above chain element 86 will not be able to pass through the slot 84 and will be held in place on the mounting plate 34 by means of the flange 82.

The chain 32 is able to be looped around the rafter 50 and secured to portion 23 of saddle member 22 by means of a threaded shaft 36 the length of which is receivable in an elongate sleeve 38, as can be best seen in Figures 4 and S. 20 As seen in Figure 2, the curved portion 80 allows the bracket 16 to be mounted on a beam 50 which is placed next to an identical beam 50a. The chain 32 is looped around both beams 50 and 50a and the end chain element 88 is retained in place on the mounting plate 34 by flange 82.

As clearly depicted in Figures 4 and 5, the sleeve 38 is of square cross-section.

One side of the sleeve 38 is transversely attached to side portion 23 of the saddle member 22.

-7- The sleeve 38 is provided with a passageway 60 of square cross-section which is able to receive therein the threaded shaft 36.

An end chain element 44 is provided in the form of a U shaped member, the ends 46 of which are welded to opposing flattened surfaces 70 provided at an end 72 of the threaded shaft 36. The end 72 is provided with a neck portion 48 for receiving the chain element 44. The chain element 44 is of a width so that it only is diagonally receivable within passageway The threaded shaft 36 is inserted into the passageway 60 via the bottom end 62 of the sleeve 38.

The upper end 64 of the sleeve 38 is provided with an apertured member, for example a washer 42 which is welded or otherwise attached to the sleeve. The aperture 66 of the washer 42 is of a diameter which is wide enough to receive an end 74 of the threaded shaft 36 so that there is very little space between the walls of the aperture 66 and the threaded shaft 36. The purpose of the washer 42 is to restrict lateral movement of the threaded shaft 36 within the sleeve 38 and also to prevent the threaded shaft 36 from bearing against the wall of the passageway and being damaged.

The threaded shaft 36 is then held in place within the sleeve 38 by means of nut which is tightened against the washer 42.

20 As seen in Figures 4 and 5 the chain element 44 of the threaded shaft 36 is only diagonally receivable within the passageway 60. The width of the chain element 44 restricts rotational movement of the threaded shaft 36 within the sleeve thereby preventing the chain 32 from twisting.

o. S A number of support structures 10 may be installed on the rafters 50 of roof structure as shown in Figure 2 of the safety rails and other safety components can be attached to the post members 52 provided.

-8- It is envisaged that the second portion of the bracket may have the fastening means provided thereabout in a manner whereby such is movable with respect to the second portion. This allows the bracket to be fastened to the building structure at a number of locations along the second portion. For example, the fastening means substantially as described above may be provided on a fastenable sleeve to be received about the second portion and movable with respect thereto. In such an arrangement the receiving means of the second portion would generally comprise a flat plate about which the sleeve may be received.

It should be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

e*ee ee S. S e d eee eee e *e

Claims

1. A support structure for erecting a safety barrier for a building structure, the support structure comprising a bracket for attaching a post member to the building structure, the bracket having a first portion adapted to be secured to the building structure and a second portion for receiving the post member, the first portion is provided with a receiving means for receiving a support beam of the building structure and fastening means for fastening the first portion to the support beam, wherein one side of the fastening means is provided with a fastening member which is extendable around the support beam, one end of the fastening member having provided thereat a threaded shaft which is receivable within an elongate sleeve provided on the other side of the fastening means, the fastening means having restricting means provided therein so as to restrict rotational movement of the threaded shaft and fastening member.

2. A support structure according to claim 1, in which the fastening means is provided with a first restricting means to restrict rotational movement of the S.shaft within the sleeve, and a second restricting means to restrict lateral movement of the shaft within the sleeve.

3. A support structure according to claim 1, in which when the first portion is attached to the building structure the second portion is disposed substantially horizontally with respect to the building structure.

4. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second portions are located at opposite ends of the bracket. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fastening member is provided in the form of a chain or cord.

6. A support structure according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the first 'restricting means comprises the threaded shaft having a head portion thereof I being of a width and shape only able to be diagonally accommodated within a passageway in the sleeve so as to restrict rotational movement of the shaft therewithin.

7. A support structure according to claim 6, in which the sleeve is provided in a substantially square cross-section,

8. A support structure according to claim 6 or 7, in which the head portion of the threaded shaft comprises an end chain element of a chain comprising in part the fastening member which is fixedly attached to the threaded shaft.

9. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which an apertured member is affixed to one end of the sleeve and through which an end of the threaded shaft may be located. A support structure according to claim 9, in which a threaded bolt is provided on the end of the threaded shaft thereby allowing the fastening member to be tightened. 15 11. A support structure according to claim 9 or 10, in which the apertured member is arranged on the sleeve such that its aperture is substantially centrally located with respect to the sleeve thereby, in combination with the head portion, preventing the threaded shaft from contacting the sleeve,

12. A support structure for erecting a safety barrier for a building structure, the support structure comprising at least a portion thereof having a fastening means provided thereon for fastening the support structure to the building structure, wherein one side of the fastening means is provided with a fastening member which is extendable around a support beam of the building structure, one end of the fastening member being provided with a threaded shaft which is receivable within an elongate sleeve provided on the other side of the fastening means, the fastening means having restricting means L., -11 provided therein so as to restrict rotational movement of the threaded shaft and fastening member.

13. A support structure according to claim 12, in which the fastening means is provided with a first restricting means to restrict rotational movement of the shaft within the sleeve, and a second restricting means to restrict lateral movement of the shaft within the sleeve,

14. A support structure according to claim 12 or 13, in which the fastening member is provided in the form of a chain or cord. 1: 5. A support structure according to claims 12, 13 or 14, in which the first S 10 restricting means comprises the threaded shaft having a head portion thereof being of a width and shape only able to be diagonally accommodated within a passageway in the sleeve so as to restrict rotational movement of the shaft S therewithin.

16. A support structure according to any one of claims 12 to 15, in which an 15 apertured member is affixed to one end of the sleeve and through which an S" end of the threaded shaft may be located, the apertured member being arranged on the sleeve such that its aperture is substantially centrally located with respect to the sleeve thereby, in combination with the head portion, preventing the threaded shaft contacting the sleeve,

17. A support structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to Dated this twenty-second day of January 1997. ROOF SAFE PTY LTD Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant c-- I -12- ABSTRACT A support structure (10) for erecting a safety barrier for a building structure, the support structure comprising a bracket (16) for attaching a post member (52) to the building structure the bracket (16) having a first portion (12) adapted to be secured to the building structure and a second portion (14) for receiving the post member the first portion (12) is provided with a receiving means (22) for receiving a support beam (50) of the building structure and fastening means for fastening the first portion (12) to the support beam wherein one side of the fastening means (30) is provided with a fastening member (32) which is extendable around the support beam one end of the fastening member (32) is provided with a threaded shaft (36) which is able to be received within an elongate sleeve (38) provided on the other side of the fastening means Cog *C 9 C *l A *o* «ee ok *e