AU746042B2

AU746042B2 - Roof anchorage point for safe working from heights

Info

Publication number: AU746042B2
Application number: AU42688/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Fergus Butterworth; Peter Damiris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-26
Filing date: 2000-06-26
Publication date: 2002-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-26
Also published as: AU4268800A; AU746042C

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "ROOF ANCORAGE POINT FOR SAFE WORKING FROM HEIGHTS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.

2 ROOF ANCHORAGE POINT FOR SAFE WORKING FROM HEIGHTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relatesto a roof anchorage pointfora lanyard and harness to be secured to, for safe working from heights and is particularly suitable for, but not limited to timber roof trusses. Any reference to trusses can also mean structural members of a roof frame, i.e. a pitched roof, a steel frame, beams, rafters, purlins or any roof framing structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Occupational work safety standards, at least applicable in the State of Queensland, require that a safety barrier system be provided around a roof structure of even domestic dwellingsduring construction. It is, however, impossible for such a system to be used after the soffits have been fitted, therefore rendering roofs an *unsafe work environment, i.e. for roof tilers when bedding and pointing the roof, roof repairers and restorers, TV aerial installers and tradespeople required at any subsequent stage for roof maintenance.

Current industry practices vary from nothing at all to tying off to a truss member or batten as an anchor point on the other side of the roof and being oooo harnessed.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate at least to some degree the deficiencies of the prior art.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION In one broad aspectthe present invention resides in a roof anchorage device having a roof frame clamp and an anchor projecting from the clamp, the clamp 3 having spaced clamping surfaces able to be moved together to clamp a roof frame between the clamping surfaces, the clamping surfaces defining a clamping region between the clamping surfaces, the clamping region being generally elongate and relatively narrow in the longitudinal direction and having its longitudinal axis extending generally horizontally across the clamp when the clamp is secured in operative position.

Typically the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate, the first clamp plate comprising a relatively wide plate and the second clamp plate comprising a relatively narrow plate, the plates having opposed confronting clamping surfaces, the plates being held together in operative position for clamping by fasteners, the clamping region being defined by the clamping surface of the relatively narrow plate.

Where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and **there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, preferably at least the first clamp plate has locating holes so the *first clamp plate may be secured to the frame using fasteners passing through the holes before the clamp is applied.

Where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, preferably at least the first clamp plate has a reinforcing flange.

Where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, preferably at least one of the clamp plates comprises a relatively narrow plate having an L-shaped profile.

Where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, preferably the first plate is generally rectangular and relatively wide with upper edges having inclined roof ridge locating surfaces, the second plate being generally rectangular and relatively narrow and the space between the plates defining a narrow clamping region extending along a lower marginal edge section of the first plate.

Where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, preferably the anchor comprises a transverse pipe welded to the first clamp plate and an eyelet retained in the pipe so the eyelet may project above a roof ridge.

It is envisaged that the anchorage device will be primarily used as a fall restraint rather than fall arrest system. A static line will also be able to be used when secured between two of the devices enabling greater flexibility for roof workers.

In one preferred form there is provided a roof anchorage device to be clamped to either side of a roof truss, the device including:a relatively wide main steel clamp plate; pilot holes allowing primary fixing with roof screws to one side of the truss; two steel welded gussets re-enforcing the main plate; an eyelet bolt secured to and projecting upwardly from the main plate and which is the roof workers anchorage point; a pipe welded at a perpendicular angle to the main plate which houses the eyelet bolt and providing further reinforcing; a nut welded to the base of the aforementioned pipe in which the eyelet bolt will be threaded into; a relatively narrow clamp plate comprising a bar of angle iron which will be secured to the other side of the main plate and truss via two nuts and bolts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To enable the invention to be fully understood, it will be described with ,*oreference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a frontal view of the invention ready to be secured to a roof truss; Fig. 2 is an end elevation view; Fig. 3 shows the device after it has been fixed to the truss with the eyelet bolt screwed into the nut at the base of the device; and Fig. 4 shows a three dimensional view of the device.

S"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to Fig. 1, the device has a series of pilot positioning holes 1, in which type 17 hex head roof screws are screwed into (for timber roof structures).

Two steel gussets 2, which are welded at 90 degrees to the main plate, thus reinforcing it. A series of holes 3 accommodating two 12 mm diameter bolts and nuts (2 which will clamp the angle iron bracket (Fig. 2, 8) to the other side of the truss. It should be noted that the two aforementioned 12 mm bolts do not 6 penetrate the truss members. One pipe 4 welded to the main plate that houses the eyelet bolt 6. One nut 5, welded to the base of the main plate in which the previously stated eyelet bolt screws into.

It will be appreciated that the clamping region between the two plates is defined along the marginal lower edge of the main plate. This arrangement simplifies the fitting process since only one plate need be fitted to the truss, it also affords a wide horizontal clamping region across the truss for greater overall stability.

Installation of the device is to be carried out in the following manner. The main plate is positioned against one side of the truss. Two type 17 hex head roofing screws are then screwed into the truss to secure the main plate. On the other side of the truss, the angle iron is secured by the tightening of the two 12 mm diameter bolts and nuts. These nuts and bolts are tightened greatly which effectively clamps S 15 the device to the truss giving a very secure, specifically designed anchorage point due to the horizontal elongate clamping the effects of torsional forces are greatly o o* *reduced. The device is completed with the installation of the eyelet bolt through the booo top ridge of the roofing membrane.

It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that the device can be easily fixed to both new and existing buildings.

It will also be readily apparent that the device can be used with steel framed buildings by being welded to the roof structure instead of being bolted and screwed.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set out in the appended claims.

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Claims

1. A roof anchorage device having a roof frame clamp and an anchor projecting from the clamp, the clamp having spaced clamping surfaces able to be moved together to clamp a roof frame between the clamping surfaces, the clamping surfaces defining a clamping region between the clamping surfaces, the clamping region being generally elongate and relatively narrow in the longitudinal direction and having its longitudinal axis extending generally horizontally across the clamp when the clamp is secured in operative position.

2. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate, the first clamp plate comprising a relatively wide plate and the second clamp plate comprising a relatively narrow plate, the plates having opposed confronting clamping surfaces, the plates being held together in operative position for clamping by fasteners, the clamping region **being defined by the clamping surface of the relatively narrow plate.

3. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first clamp plate having locating holes so the first clamp plate may be secured to the S•frame using fasteners passing through the holes before the clamp is applied.

4. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first clamp plate has a reinforcing flange. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first clamp plate comprising a relatively narrow plate having an L-shaped profile.

6. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, the first plate being generally rectangular and relatively wide with upper edges having inclined roof ridge locating surfaces, the second plate being generally rectangular and relatively narrow and the space between the plates defining a narrow clamping region extending along a lower marginal edge section of the first plate.

7. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, the anchor comprising a transverse pipe welded to the first clamp plate and an eyelet retained in the pipe so the eyelet may project above a roof ridge.

8. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises 0a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate, the first clamp plate comprising a *°°orelatively wide plate and the second clamp plate comprising a relatively narrow plate, the plates having opposed confronting clamping surfaces, the plates being held together in operative position for clamping by fasteners, the clamping region being defined by the clamping surface of the relatively narrow plate, the first clamp '4 1' 1, plate having locating holes so the first clamp plate may be secured to the frame using fasteners passing through the holes before the clamp is applied.

9. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate, the first clamp plate comprising a relatively wide plate and the second clamp plate comprising a relatively narrow plate, the plates having opposed confronting clamping surfaces, the plates being held together in operative position for clamping by fasteners, the clamping region being defined by the clamping surface of the relatively narrow plate, the first clamp plate having a reinforcing flange.

10. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises S. a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate, the first clamp plate comprising a :relatively wide plate and the second clamp plate comprising a relatively narrow plate, the plates having opposed confronting clamping surfaces, the plates being together in operative position for clamping by fasteners, the clamping region being defined by the clamping surface of the relatively narrow plate, the relatively narrow plate having an L-shaped profile.

11. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate, the first clamp plate comprising a relatively wide plate and the second clamp plate comprising a relatively narrow plate, the plates having opposed confronting clamping surfaces, the plates being held together in operative position for clamping by fasteners, the first plate including upper edges having inclined roof ridge locating surfaces, the second plate being generally rectangular and relatively narrow and the space between the plates tod, J" 11 defining a narrow clamping region extending along a lower marginal edge section of the first plate.

12. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate, the first clamp plate comprising a relatively wide plate and the second clamp plate comprising a relatively narrow plate, the plates having opposed confronting clamping surfaces, the plates being held together in operative position for clamping by fasteners, the clamping region being defined by the clamping surface of the relatively narrow plate, the anchor comprising a transverse pipe welded to the first clamp plate and an eyelet retained in the pipe so the eyelet may project above a roof ridge.

13. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first o. clamp plate having locating holes so the first clamp plate may be secured to the frame using fasteners passing through the holes before the clamp is applied and at least the first clamp plate has a reinforcing flange.

14. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first clamp plate having locating holes so the first clamp plate may be secured to the frame using fasteners passing through the holes before the clamp is applied, at least the first clamp plate comprising a relatively narrow plate havingan L-shaped profile. 12 A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first clamp plate having locating holes so the first clamp plate may be secured to the frame using fasteners passing through the holes before the clamp is applied, the first plate being generally rectangular and relatively wide with upper edges having inclined roof ridge locating surfaces, the second plate being generally rectangular and relatively narrow and the space between the plates defining a narrow clamping region extending along a lower marginal edge section of the first plate.

16. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first clamp plate having locating holes so the first clamp plate may be secured to the 0% o frame using fasteners passing through the holes before the clamp is applied, the anchor comprising a transverse pipe welded to the first clamp plate and an eyelet .retained in the pipe so the eyelet may project above a roof ridge. S° 17. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises ooo° a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first clamp plate has a reinforcing flange and the first clamp plate comprises a relatively narrow plate having an L-shaped profile.

18. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the 777 .w k' 13 plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first clamp plate has a reinforcing flange, the first plate being generally rectangular and relatively wide with upper edges having inclined roof ridge locating surfaces, the second plate being generally rectangular and relatively narrow and the space between the plates defining a narrow clamping region extending along a lower marginal edge section of the first plate.

19. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first clamp plate has a reinforcing flange, the anchor comprising a transverse pipe welded to the first clamp plate and an eyelet retained in the pipe so the eyelet may 4 project above a roof ridge.

20. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises 00 a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, thespace between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first clamp plate comprises a relatively narrow plate having an L-shaped profile, the first 040*00 S° plate being generally rectangular and relatively wide with upper edges having 0000 :inclined roof ridge locating surfaces, the second plate being generally rectangular *o*0 and relatively narrow and the space between the plates defining a narrow clamping region extending along a lower marginal edge section of the first plate.

21. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, at least the first o! 14 clamp plate comprises a relatively narrow plate having an L-shaped profile, the anchor comprising a transverse pipe welded to the first clamp plate and an eyelet retained in the pipe so the eyelet may project above a roof ridge.

22. A roof anchorage device according to claim 1 where the clamp comprises a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate and there being a space between the plates, the space between the plates defining the clamping region, the first plate being generally rectangular and relatively wide with upper edges having inclined roof ridge locating surfaces, the second plate being generally rectangular and relatively narrow and the space between the plates defining a narrow clamping region extending along a lower marginal edge section of the first plate, the anchor .e comprising a transverse pipe welded to the first clamp plate and an eyelet retained in the pipe so the eyelet may project above a roof ridge.

23. A roof anchorage device substantially as described in relation to the oto accompanying drawings. OO° U oo°6 U UO U. oeo° U U