CA2060701A1 - Roof lifeline, safety system and anchor assembly therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A lifeline safety system for a pitched roof employs a frame for mounting a lifeline system above the peak of the roof.
Shoulders extend from the frame and engage opposing sides of the roof. An anchor comprising a generally J-shaped bolt secures the bracket assembly to the roof. The bolt has a hook which engages the underside of the rafter. A nut has a pair of arms for torquing the nut to the bolt. In one embodiment, two roof mounting pods are pivotally mounted to a shoe which receives a retractable lifeline housing.

Description

02-05-1992 10:08 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK P.04~48 ", ~

2a~5~

~o~ ~XY~LINI~ BAlrl5~Y ~Yg~ll~l i ISO~ A88~y T~ rO~

~okgxound o~ ~cho Y~v~utlon ~ hl~ inv~nt~orl r0late~ g~nexally to oA~e~y sy~3~5 ~ncl d~Yices for en~3Uring the sa~ety of Wor~cers whlle po~sitionecl on a roo~ . More particularly, the pre~on~ lnven~ion rel~tss g~nerally to ~a~ety sys~m~ Rnd device~ for p~eventing roo~e:rE~, ;
con~truction work~r~ ~r th~ liXo P~m ac¢ident~lly ~allLng ~rom a pl~hed roo~. j A nu~ o~ de~ 4~ hav~ baen om~loy~d ~o pre~nt roofer~, conBtrUC~tiC~n workers ~nd other lndividu~l~ from ~ aentally f~lling o~ ~oo~ ~uring Gonstruotion~ maln~RnarSCe clr ~her ac~l~ritie-. Pltched roo~s which have ~igni~icarlt pl~hed portlon~ or ~ev~e pl~ch an~lQ~ m~y pC~8~E! very h~z~r~ous s~leks to th~ safety o~ ~ work~r. ~he dang~r potonkial a~soc~ ed with a pitched rao~ working ~n~ lronment ha~ b~oom~ wldsly :~c~gniæ~d, an~ ther~a ha~ ~en an inGra~ed regula~ry ~ocus cn I ~n~uring ~a~ety ~or pltçh~d ~o~ ~ructure~
T.,i~elin~ Whl~h may be ratrEIctable and various~Pety r~lls ha~ collv~ntionally b¢~n ~mploy~d ~s sa~ety d~vicesl in conn~ction wi~h 'ch~ ~QT~strua~lon ~n~ main~enanc:~3 a~ pi~oh~ ro~ . In ;

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02-05-1992 10:09 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK P.05/48 , , . , ~ ~ `; .

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conventional 8a~3ty ~yst~m~, the lifeline~ ~re ri~ ly anchor~d to a f~xed struc~ur~ and oonnect with a ~ety balt: ~o~n by the work~r. The extend~bl~ leng~h o~ th~ ellne i9 ~ eo~ively restricted so ~h~ an accidental fall or rapid ~h~n~e oS posl~lon o~ ~he wor~er i~ pr~ven~ed by autom~tlc loakin~ o~ bhe po~ition o~ the li~elin~ or ~he poEIition o~ an auxlliary lil.~lin~ carried by a prinalpal ~ety c~ble. One o~ the crltic~1 p~Dblem~ which 1~ enaount~r~d ln connection wi~h ~uah safety ~y~t~m~ is anchoring ~e safety d~vice to ~he roo~ ~trua~ure E~d that ~e ~a~ety devlce remain~ ~nchore~ should i~ be 8UbjeGt ~to ~evere loa~in~ due to an accld~ntAl ~all or u~ge in an en~qrge~y ~ltuAtion. I

Bu~axy ~t th~ ~nY~nti~n Bri~ly ~a~ed, the lnv~n~ion in a pre~r~ed ~'~r~ i~ a ~a~ety ~y~t~m whi~h i8 esp~clally adaptable fo~ U~ !in qonnection wit~ 8 pitched roo~. The syst~m ~mpl4ys a lifellne! l~hich iB
recei~sbls in a çasing iand i~ extendabl~ and ~etrac:~ble 80 as ~o pr~ido a variabl~ l~ng~h P~om ~n anchoring poa~tio~ a~ th~
requiremen~ o~ ~ gi~en ~ob may dictat~. T~ may be a ~el~-contain~d ~ntri~ugi~l lo~ln~rewinding ~y~teml~hi~h ~mploys ~ ~kainles~ 8t~el ~ . The li~eline i8 mounted in ~n uprigh~
brack~ embly ~r di~po~iti~n generslly ~ov~ atlth~ p~ak o~
~he ~4~ The li~ellne houslng i~ ured t~ th~ ket m~31y.

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02-05-1992 10:09 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK . P.06/4a A frame or ~ho~ r~celve~ th~ eline hou~ing gn th~ th~
llne o~tl~t ~rom the houslng 1~ or~nted upw~rdly ~r~m the roo~
peaX. Shouldsr~ extend from ~he frAml3 ~n~l are ~ri~n~t~d fo~
surPaGe-to-~urfEIce engAgement on opp~ inçJ ~ide~ o~ the pltched roo~ . Anchor~ a~e ~ n~artad thro~gh 4paning~ o~ the ~shoul~ers and ar~ 6ecured t~ th~ r~o~ ~or an4horing the brac:lcet a~embly and hence th~ lifeli~e to the roo~. A eprlng is moun~e~ proximats the outpu~ po~tion of th~ housing surrounding the proximal p~rtlons o~ the ex~endable. ll~elinQ ~:o a~ ~ ensu:te! rtha~ the line 15 E~aced above the roof. A 140p or ~ara~lner at the end o~ the li~line at~ache6 to a ~a~ety beIt worn b~ ~he wor~cer.
An ~nc5hor bol~ ~or ~ec:uring ~he braclcet a~6emb~y ~o ~he roo~
oompriE~3 a generally J-sh~p~d mem~cr cc~npr~Rlng an j~lon~ated ~h~n~ having ~ thxeade~ Bur~ace and a hook whlch en~es the under~ide of a roo~ raft~r. A plate havin~ an opes~ mounted the shan~ ~y in~erting ~he shank through th~ openlng. A nut 1~ thread~bly engageabl~ w~th th~ thread~d ~rf~ce ~ ~he shank for l~ngitudi~al displaceman~ ther~al~ng UpO~ appllc~tion o~ a ~orque to th~ nut. The under~id~ o~ th~ n~t i3 en~ag~a~l~
agaln6t th~ top o~ the plate. The nut comprlses a ~r o~ arm~
ext~ndlng ~en~ra~ly tr~n~v~sely there~o ~or torqui~g ~he nut.
~he upper por~ion o~ ~h~ anchor texminate~ in an ey~. Variou~
cable~ and li~eline~ may be oonnected ~h~ough the ~ye.
The anch4r i~ dimen~i~ned ~o that it may be mo~n~e~ in place by ins~rtlng th~ tal hoo~ po~tion through ~n 4p~in~ ln th~
roo~ an~ poaitioning th~ hoo~c p~rtio~ he ~n~horl~o ~!18 to e~2-~i5-1992 10:10 2i33 527 5Q~29 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK P. 07/48 ~ngage the tmd~r~id~ ~f' thql roo~' r~ft~r, ~rhe platel ~ng~e~ the exteri~r rr~o~ ~nd dch~ nut i~ ht~ned ~g~in~t th~ ~te to th~r~sby ~u~ly an~h~r th~ ~n~ho~ bolt t~ thl~ roof'.l In ano~her ~ dim~n~ ~ pair- of podE~ ~r~ ~ivotal~ly mounted ta ~ shoe which r2Cse!i~r8E~ the ll~line hou~ing. ~h~pod~ ~an hav~ a pai~ o~ g~ whlch ~onr~ect at ~n ol~ ue ~nc~e with a plate. Th~ pla~e~ ar0 pivotal ~or ~n~age~n~nt agairl~ oppoE;ing 6ides of' the plk;:hed roo~ at a v~ri~y angles. ThE~ Iplat~s al~o include op~nings ~'or r~a~iving anchor ~olt a~ nbl~.e~3 to anchor ~h~ pl~te~ to th~ roof ~ Tha open~ng~ $un~tion a c:~$ar slo~e snd tha pla~s are plYotsl to a mutually engage~ po~l~ion wher~ln . th~ ~lot~ ~lign ~o p~mlt tran~ort o~ ~h~ ~rac~
. A a;upport bra::ket msy ~l~o ~e ~nount~ to th~ :L1Eollrlæ
h~u~lng tc~ moun~ ~ ooil ~pring Ad~a~:enlt the hous~nq !~utl~ ~or thç li~ ne aable. A plug i~ disposQd ~t ~h~ int~rior o~ the ~pring. ~hs }if~line t~abl~ traver~es ~hrough ~ bo~ and the pluç~
~nd axially ~rough the ~oil ~pring- j An ~nc:ho~ a8~ y.~OX' anchorln~ th~ br~ck~t ~ to the roof may employ a plate h~vln~ an ~pQr~u~e whl~h i3j r~ red by thq J-~olt ~hank. ~h~ plate al~o ha~ a p~ir o~ upk~rned ~lange6 and an anchorlng ~oop dispo~ stw~en the ~lange~ to p~ovide an anchor point ~ A lu~ hqv~rlg a 1: or~ may al40 ~e empl~yed to provide the elnchor po1n~ . 8wlvel q~nnec:~ors may CD1~15!~t a~ the an~h4~ point ~or R~choring a ~e~y rope. The hook! portion of ~h~ J-bolt may alco be tap~ to ~ci~ltate manlpu~lation o:e the hook ~or at~aohing th2 h~o~c portlon to th4 b4am~ P and an . . .. .
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02-05-1992 10:1~ 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK : P.08~48 2~

Indica~or pin which allgn~ wi~h th~ hook por~ion ma~ be loa~ted at the top of khe Ei;hank. A w~ghted win~ nut ~nd el i~ash~r having c:ollar ~or ~ea~ing in a pla~ openlng i~ captured !C~ the ~bolt ~hD.nlc. A ~econd r~3kain~r pla~e includinq a tang ~5ld ~ wing whlch ~orm~ aperture may al60 be mounted to th~ J-boll: lshank or alnmping the ~ lt to th6~ top and bottom portiot~ a be~m durin~ lnltial con5tru~ ion ~t~gs~ o~ th~ xoo~. Th~: ~ing apertur~ m~y thu~s provide a ~ec:ur~ t~e-o~ point .
In another embodim~nt, a ba~e i~ ~dapted ~o oor~ec:t with four cantilever antls whlch a2~e anchor~d by count~ weight~. Th~
~a~e receives an upwar~ly dl~posed ~hoe for mountln~ B
r~traatable li~elins. I
An o~ect ~ h~ invention i~ to provide a new, ~nd impro~d ~a~ety ~y~t~n~ whlch i~ ad~ptable ~or a pitche~ rDO:E!~ protect work~r6 ~r~m ~alling. I
Another o~j cot of the invention i~ to pro~.rlde q new and improved an~hor s~embly o~ ~f ~ ient construction :eDr anohoring a ~a~ety 6ystem t~ a roof in ~ sia~ and ~eliable mi~ner~
A ~urthQr ob~ ect o~ tha invention 1~ to provil1q A n~w and lmprove~ mean~ ~ar moun~lng a r~tri~c~elble li~allne ~plo~ing ~
cen~ri~Ugi~l lockin~7/rewin~ g 3y8t~m ~ n ~ secure ~ e~ pos:Ltion on a r~v~. I
Other ~b~e~.ves and advant:~ge~ o~ the inventicln will become ~ppRrent ~rom ~he ~rawlng~ ~nd th~ 6peci~ici~tlon.

02-~5-1992 10: 12 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK P.09~48 .

2r'~

oss~ iOn ~ ~;h~ g~ !
~ igur~ a per~peatlve view c~ th4 roo~ E~lin~ sz~ y ~y~tem ~nd ~wo ~4nchor~ 'chQr~or ln a4c:0rd~n;:e with ~h~ pr~s~n~
inv~nt~on~ ~a~ ~y~tem bein~ u~trAtQ~ con~unr~4n with a pitched roo~.
. Figur~ 2 i~ ~n enli~rge~ o~ctlonal vi~w o~ an a~hor o~
~lgu~e 1 isnd ~ portion o~ tho p1tcl~ad roo~ illu~tril ln5~ th~
mounted con~i~ur21tlon of the ah~hor;
Figure 3 i~ an enl~rgad fragmentary sid~ elevi~t~ onal 'Vi8W, pa~tly brolsen awA!~ l o~ th~ el ln~ Ba~ty ~y~tem o Flgur~ 1;
ure 4 i~ an enlarg~ fragmentary end view, El~rtly broken ~way and partly in ~tion, o~ the 1~ lin~ sa~ety Ely~tem o~
Fig-lr~ 1 I
Figur~ 5 1B a per~pe~iY~ w of an ~n~hor al3~1y:
~ l~ure S i~ an ~nd elevat~onal view, partly b:r~ n away and partly in ph~ntom, c~ a $econd embodiment o~ th~ ro~f l~slln~
~a~ety ~y~t~m in accor~ance with ~h~ ~nventlon, sai~l ~ystem b~in~
illU trated in con~unction wi~h a pi~oh~d roo~ and in e~
non-arl~hore~!l mod~; !
Fig~lr~ 7 i~ a side el~v~tional view, partly b:rak~n away and p~rtly in ph~n~om, o~ ~h6~ roo~ line sa~y syet~m h~ pitch~d X~OO~ 0~ 6 ~ !
~ igur~ a pe~p~c~ive ~rlow c~ a ~ on~ emb~lment o4 ~he anchor a~ ly ) ~ lgur~ g iZ!t an anlArg~ ~scti~nAl view ~ ~n u};p~r p~rtion o~ the~ el~n~ E~a~ety ~y~m o~ Figur~ 1 talc~n alo~ the lin~
~-9 the~eo~; t .

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02-05-1992 10:12 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK : P.10/48 ~igur~ 10 ia an enlar6~ed ~tional v~ ew o~ the~ ell~e ~aPety 6y&tem oS Figure 9 t~XQn along th~ lin~ lO-l~ thereo~, Pigur~ sn ~nlarq~d p~r~p~ctiv~ ~riew o~ mp plata;
~ $gur~ side eleva~lonal vi~w o~ a thll~d eml~o~imen~
of th~ anahor a~E~em~ly amploying ths plate of Figur~ 11, SRi~
~nc:h~r ~ 5E!J~ y be~ng mounte~ to ~ ~eam illu~tr~tefl ~ seotlon;
~ i~ure 13 i~ a ~ld~ alevational ~iew o~ a ~ou~.~h ~mbodlment o~ an an~hcr a~;~em~ly and a ~oclzlte~ pl~e, ~aid a~e~1y ~nd pl~t~ b~ng mounted to a b~am ~n~ roo~ illu~trated ~ seotion.
Figure 14 i~ ~ p~r~pQctlve ~i~w o~ th~ ~nchor o~ Figur~ 13 illust~ated in con~unation with a second embo~iment: ID~ the ~la~ap plat~ o~ Figur~ nd ~u~thar illu~trating an appl~c~tion o~ the anchor and plEIt~ assem~ly: , Figur~ A perspe~tlva view o~ a fifth embddim~n~ 4~ the anchor a~sembly: 1 F~ure 16 iA A to~ plan view, p~r~ly in phantomJ par~ly in ~tlon ~nd pa~tly brc}can aw~y, lllu~trating a ~e !~or a i~l~t roof embodim~nt of A ro~ic ii~elinR ~afe~y system t~th~ w~ th v~r Arm/c:tsunt~3r w~ ight unit ) and Figure 17 i~ a E~ide el~v~onal vl~w, pe.rtly :L~ phantom, p~rtly in ~a~on ~nd partly ~roken ~w~y, o~ the ~lsæ o~ F.Lgur~

llo~ ~o~orlptlosl o~ th~ ~ro~arr~ ~o~ t W~th r~erence to th~ ~rAw~ngs wherein liko Jlu~r~l~
rep~esen~ lilca part~; throu~houk ~hs ~ev~rAl flgur~ eline sa~ety ~y~m in ~oc:4rdanae with th~ pre~e~t 1nY~n1ciDrl iB

.: . ,.:., .,. ~- . ' 02--05--1992 10: ~3 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK P. 11/4~3 2a~

gçnexally d~ nated by ~he numeral 10. ~he ~af~ty!sy~em lo i9 generally ad2pted to provid~ a 1~ ~llna ~or Rn indi.uiclual workln~
on a pit,chea roo~ l~ havin~ a p~ak 14. ~he lllu~trq~d pltche~
~oo~ 12 ~ in~endsd So be illus~ra~tve o~ a pre~e~rq~ ~nvironment ~or the invention and i~ n4t a llmitation o~ ~h~ ap~liCR~ lity of th~ invention. ~h~ Worxer pr~fRrably w~r~ a ~a~et:~ ~elt or ha~ness ~not 111UBtrat~d) whlch connects with th~ Qlin~
~ he ~afe~y system 10 comprlse6 a mount~n~ ~rac:~R~ a6~embly 20 whl~h i6 suppor~d ~y a pair of gen~rally xecta~ lA~ ba~
plat~s Z2 ~ a4~ The ba~e plate~ a~e d~ po~e~ at a~ an~l~ which i~ pr~f~rahly ~ub~tantially equal to thq ~ngle of ~h~
intRrseqtion at th~ pe~ o~ th~ pitched por~lon~ o~ roo~.
The ~9~ plate~ may b~ conneat~d by a h~.nge ~ ~o ~hat ~he angle m~y ~e vari~d t~ acqommodat~ ~ giYen ~oof pitch. E~ch o~ ~he ~a6e plate~ 2~ an~ 24 engagR oppo~ing pl~c~ed portL~n~ oP the ro4f in g~ner~lly ~ur~ace-to-~ur~acs aontact~ E~hlba~ pl~te has an opening 2~ ~Flg. ~) ~or rec~ g an anchor ~s d~t~lled bel~w. I
A box like ~amQ 30 ~x~en~s ~er~ica~l~ upwar~ om the base plat~ ~n~ i~ g6nRrally symm~triq to ~ ver~ic~ p~a~
throu~h the int~r~eation o~ th~ b~e plat~ he ~r~me 3 inalud~ opposiny ~ront an~ ~ear panels 32 and 34 ~d ~ub~n~ially iden~ia~l end panels 3fi~ opening~ ma~ be ~orm~d in ~h~ panel~ t~ allow. ~or w~er drain~e~ The p~nel~!extend v~tia~lly ~nd ~o~perats to $~m ~n ~ncl~gura ha~ln~ R
rectang~lAr ~pen ~nd ~ the t~p ~he~eo~. ~h~ ~r~nt p~n~l 32 m~y be hing~a to th~ ba~ plate 2~.~or a bra~k~t a3~embly , - ,: . .

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02-05-1992 10:14 20~ 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKI~K . P.12~48 embo~1men~ whioh aacommQdate~ varlou6 pitch a~ For a f ixed pi~oh embcdimsn~, th~ panels ~re ~ oined ~long ~h~ir Ibottom ed~e po~t$on~ ~o ~he ~ase plate~ and ~rs c~n~igured to ~Iqaommodata the pltched orien'ca~ion o~ th~ ba~ p~ates. In ~om~ eiu~7D~lim~nt~, the ~rame 30 may be ro~Ated 90 rel~1~iv~ ~o th~ base pl~s in aomparison t~ ~he orient~ion illu~trat~d in ~ths ~lr~ ng~.
Th~ ~rama op~ning 3~ and th~ ~rAme plate3 ar~ dlmensioned ~o ~losely rec:eive the ca~ing or hou~3ing or a retrac1:qlbla li:~eline sy6tem 5~ elin~ ~y~tern SO may b~ a cwnventionc~ lifeline ~uch as the ~IN~O Mo~el 64 :Retrat~ A-Ma~icTM li~ e m~r~eted by the a~ign~ae o~ ~he pre~ent in~en~ion, Ths llf~ e ~y-tem include~3 c~ ~e~l houstng 52 whi~h houses a s~lf-~on~ined 3~16 inc:h s~eel ~Able 54 . ~rh~ ~abl~ te~nina~ with a c~ab l ner 56 Por c~nnec:ting the cabl~3 with a ~a~ety b~lt or harn~s~ Thq c:~ble 54 or li~lin~ t ~ wound on a re~l wi~hin the ~usin~ and is ~xt~naablel ~d retractable ~o provid~ a llmited lsu~h a~
re~uirçd ~or w~r~ting on th~ ~oo~. A cen~rl~ugal I ~
loc:king/rewindln~ as~embly au~omat~cAlly pr~v~nl~ sao~den~l ~all~ by loclcing the cable a~ ~n ~ttsined l~ngth upwl rapld acceler~tion tæn~lin~ to un~nd ~l~n~then) tn~ el~ne aa~le.
The li~line aabl~ p~o~ect~ throu~h a gromm~ ke outlet 58 . in th~ hou~in~ A gromm~t h~ving an inside dlam~te~ 0.05 lnchss g~ater than th~ ~tiam~ter o~ th~ cabl~ o~ O . 05 gre~er thAn the ~ut~ide diame~er o~ ~he ~prirlg ~0 may 1~ employe~ L cc~iled ~prlng 60, wh~ah extend~ n~r~1y vertically elppro~ln~cely 6 02--Q15--199Z 10:14 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK ' P. 13/48 7~L

inche~, Rt ~he lower end mount6 ~t the outlet. ~h~ leprirl~ 60 ~urround~ the proxlm~l pori:lon o~ ths l~llne ~ab~ dhich i~
~l~p~d ~xteriorly ~ro~ th~ hou~ g 52~ ~he hou~ lnt~grally form~ an eye 62 tFig. 3) at a po~itlon tbottc)m in F~g. 1) generslly diamatric;~lly oppo$1te the o~tlet 58 ~o i^~c:llltate ~n~untiny ~r ar.~h~in~ tha li~eline ~s~m~ly, A pin 155 i8 in~er~d through opposed aligned opanin~5 o~ the ~rame panels 3a and 34 an~ the eye ~2 o~ tha lif~l~rte ~sg~ y to ~3ecure the li~lin~ a~mbly to the ~r~o~t ~oe7r~ . Other me~ns o~ ~ecuring the l:LfRlln~ A~sem~ly to the ~ra~ ay al80 be employ~d. T~e li~eline ~sembly i~ upri~h~ly o~ieJ~ d and con~trsin6~d by ths ~ra~ne ~o that the outlet 58 ~or ~e li~elin~
c ble i ori~anted ~enarally v~r~Gally a~ thQ top ot th~
housing~ Tha coil ~prlng 60 extend~ in a g~nerAlly ~upwa~d ~ient~ttol~ to 1~.RE~ proxi~nal portion~ of ~he li~elir~s ~o a po~ition v~rti¢ally position~d above the outlet ~ 1'1~ ~pring ~o ~hu~ func~ion~ to prevent th~ eline cable 54 :eron~ contacting th~ roo~ when properly 44upled to th~ saf~ty belt o~ harn~ worn by th~ wor}c~r ~ ~h~ spring 60 al~o p~ov~nt~ th~ c~bll~ ~rom kinkin~ by cc~n~rvll~ly ~l~xing ~ownw~rdly ~o pr~v~n'~ a ~ r~
Qngul~r b~nd in ~he cable., I
~ h~ bra~t a~emb~y 20 i~ ~eo~lrq~. ~o the roo~ loc:EItions on cppo~ e~ o~ the peak by m~ns oi:` a palr oi~ ~;an¢hor ~ssem~lies de~igna~ en~rally by the numsral 70. Il~ith addlt~iona~ re~e~enc6~ to F-~ g~3 . 2 em~ S, ~ach an~hor ~~ y 70 ~mpri~R~ ~ gen~rally ~-3haped ~nchor ~ 72 wh~hlla lr~serted : ~o : -02-05=1992 10:15 203 527 50~9 CHILTON ~LIX OANKIRK . P. 14~4 through ~n openln~ a~ ln ~he ~e pl~oe and throu~ n op~nlng O~ bor~ 18 drill~d ln the roo~. ~ wing nuk 80 thr~3~d~ to the anahor bol~ 72 i~ ~or~uQd ~gain~t th~ ~a~ pl~ curely ~n~hor the bxacket ~embly to ~he ~oo Wlth ~dditlon~l r~sr~nce ~ Figu~ 2, tha anchDr a~embly 70 aomp~i~es a t~nerally ~-shaped Rnch4r ~2 bnlt ml~nu~acture~ o~
~tqel or other ru~ged high~tranyth mat~rlal. The anchor ~olt 72 i8 ~on~lgur~d ~o lnt~ludta A lower hoo~ 74, an int~r~n~ te lon~ltudinally ex~end~ng shanX 7Ç a~d an lnteg~al u ~ Rr eye or conn~c~in~ ring 78. ~h~ dlam~ter of the conn~ctlnt3jrlng op~nin~
may ~ 2 3/4 in~he~ to 3 inche~ o ~ht~ rinq will ac~ept sa~y snap hoo~ havin~ ~nti-rollou~ ~atUre~. ~ thread~ ~ur~ac~ 77 i~ ~ormed on th~ sh~nk. ~ha nu~ ~O ha~ ~n in~erlo:rlthr~aded sur~oe whi~h aompl~ments thQ thr~ad~d aur~ACe o~ t~ ~olt. A
pair ~ wlng arms 82 ~n~ 8~ proje~t generally ~ran~rs~ly f~om the body portion of the nut to fa~llitat~ ~anu~lly ~pply~y a torqu~ to ~he nut. ~n ~ ~on~ention~l fash~on, the ~u~ i~
po~i~ionable along ~he 6hank by manuall~ ~rasplng t~ wing arms ~2 and 84 o~ th~ nu~ to torq~e t~ nut to ~h~ ~e~lr~d po~ition.
~ ith re~erenc~ to ~yur~ 3, the ~n~hor a3s~bl~ i~ moun~e~
in po~i~ion by d~illin~ ~n opening or bor~ 1~ throu~h ~he ~oo~
sub~ra~ 15 in clo~ proximity to ~ ~upport ra~erll7. The bolt 7~ i5 dimen~on~d ~or engagement with a ra~t0~ whic~
Conv~n~ionA~ ,ither ~ inch x 8 inah o~ a 2 ino~ x 10 in~h woo~ ~am ~prior ~o mlll~ng) althou~h th~ ~n~ho~ maF b~
applic~ble ~nd accordingly ~imen~ione~ ~o accommo~ oth~r -02-05~ 992 10:16 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK : P.15~48 Z~ 7~.

~uppox~ ~tm~ture ~ype~ ~nd dim~n~ion~. The anchor~bolt 72 is inaer~d ~hrough th~ ~a~o pl~t~ op~nlng 2~ and th~ ~oo~ open~ng 1~ and i~ rot~ted ~nd po~itioned ~o thnt th~ hook 74! snga~e~ th~
un~ar~lfle o~ th~ r~fte2 17 and c~t~he~ the oppo~in~ ow~r ~i~e.
~he hoo}c 74 pre~erably hAs ~Iuaru corn~r~ ~o alos~Ly con~orm to the ~n~ge~ portion~ ~ th~ raft~3r. ~hla wln~ nut 1~ i& then to~3ued ~gain6~ th~ bas~ pïat~ ~2 to thereby ancho~ he ba~
pl~e to the raf~er ~n~ adjaaent ~uctures of ~he ~oo~. The thr~ded Yl~r~aa~ 77 ex~ends to ~ pr~-~stabl~sn~d 1~ liml~ ~o a~ to provid~ R 6~ety indi~a~or. I~ tha nu~c botto~ oul: ~1; the lowar limit, the in~t~ r will know that the bolt ~ ot prop~rly engaged tha r~f~e~
~ ith rQ~Qren::~ t~ Figure 5, ~h~ 2nchor may ~sq be empl~yed wikh oth~r ~ppliqation~. ~or ex~mpl~, th~ an¢hor ~ mbîy mby b~
employed ~ ~n indepl3ndent ~n~hor ~or a cros~ r~ ~r o~her ~uppor~ing ca~l~ tnot l~.lu~tr~t~. For ~uch ~ppll~ztlon~, plate go whi~h in~lud~ an openin~ g2 dlm~n~ioned t~ p~rmit in~rtion 1~y the ~nehor sh~t may ~loo ~e mounted ~q the an~h~r bolt. A bo~e i~ drilled in the roof ~d~ac~nt th~ r~t~r 17 or o~he~ ~uppor~ me~r. The an~hor b~lt i~ th~n ins~a thro~lgh tha op~nlng Arl~ pCE~it;ibned ~,~ pre~ utlly d~sorib~d ~ eng~gement b~ the r~f~r 3.7~ ThR wlng nut 80 is ~hen tor~ue~ in~t ~he top o~ th~ pl~ 90 to provl~lq a ~ecur~ ~ixed mour~ with the roo~.

.

.

02-05-1992 10:17 203 527 5029 i CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK P.16~4a 2~

The ey~ or ~onnector rin~ 78 whlch pr~rably ~ gr~ïly extend~ ~rom ~e ~hA~t 7~ ~y b~ Qmployed ~or rec~:i~ng a ca~le connector or other ~4nnector elem~n~ or ~he cable may be inserted through th~ rlng and ~ecured in v~rlou2; manners.
With re~erence to Figu~4~ 6 and 7, a ~e~ond elnb~diment of a lif~line ~a~ety ~yst~3m adapted fox ~ pltched roo~ ation ls generally designa~e~ by the numeral 100. Th~ unl:ed br~ ke~
aeæembly 102 i8 adap~e~ ~or mounting to ~ pitched xoo~ ~or ecllrins~ a r~rac:~able li~eline system 50. ~he braa~k~t a~embly ::om~rl~Qs a reGt~ngular sho~ 104 which i~ simllar ~ orm and function to ~r~m~ 30. A palr o~ pods llo and 120 ~ p~votally mounted to tha sho~ Rt oppo~d lower ~pi~a~d l~ati~ s by ~ ns o~ -pivot pins 11~ an~ 122. End p~nel~ of the ~hoe lol~ ihave s;:utout3 106 to ac:commod~1:e ~e protruding r~al axle o~ th~ e. The pivot pins 112 ~n~. 122 exk~nd tra~er~Rly ~t~rough th~ ~n~ p~nels of the ~hoe. ~he pod~ inc:lud~ opposed pairs of trav~ersely spaced legs 114 and 1~4 whi~h ~xtend ~om 'ch~ ~hoe ex~erior.. 'rh~ lqgs 114 ~r~d 12d~ ext~nd a uniform digtance ~rom 'ch~ pivot~ axe~ and are re6p~tively joined ~t ~ixe~ o~lique ~ngla~ to sub~;~ntially ldent~c21 ~uppo~ pla~e~ 116 and 1~ ~ . In a pre~err~l ~m~odiment, ~h~ lnterlor an~ b~cw~en th~ logE~ ~nd the support~ pla'ce are ehch approxlm2l~ely 30, ~he BUpport pla~a~ are ad~ d ~or ~n~Agin~ oppo~ed ~d~ o~ ~ p:ltched roof in genera:LLy ~ur~e-to-su~ac~a relationshiP~ 'rhe roo~ anohor~ not illu~tra~d ln Fi~res 6 ~nd 7.

. ~3 .. ..

0Z-05-19S2 10:17 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK ' . P.17~48 ~ he support pl~Æ ~16 and 126 each h~ve an oblong ~lot 12 whlch ~unction~ ~!IB bo~h a ~rr~r elot ~or ~ran~po.c~;; and ~n aperture ~or a roo~ arlchor. A lat~ral ac~e~s 81OI; ~2~ la~d~ from one ~id~ o~ th~ ~;uppo~t plate to~th~ ~nl~rqed ~lo~ . The 610tB 1~8 ~nd 12~ zlr~ ~m~n~ion~d to r~c~ * a mountlng bolt, ~u~h a6 anahor a~sembly 70 pr~vlou~ly describ~d or bther anchor a6~emblles d~crib~d ~elow, for anchorlnq ~he BUppO:l~t pl~e~ to th~ roo~ . Pre~erably, the ~nch~r bolts ar~ pro-mo1l~ted to th4 roo~ ~nd the ~ntir~ bracke'c frame ~embly ~02 is ~zms~rE;Ply di~pl~t3ed ~n the dlre~tlon o~ the Figure 7 &rrow un'çil th- ~noho~
bolt: i0 l~c:ated ln the ~lot 128. Ths oblong slot~ ~2~ are ~l~o d~m~n~ioned ~nd located Elt~ that when the pods ~ra Pi~rot~ in -he d~ection o~ $ha ~rrow6 ln Figurla ~, ~he ~lates 11~ land eng~ga in gen~r~lly 3ur~ac~o-sur~ace relation~hlp~ and th~
~lot~ ~re ~enerally align~bl~ ~o provide a h~aldle ~ r ~rA~p~n~ by the work~r $e~r ~xAnOEportlng th~ br~cket a3~embly tl~ ' ~nd ~rom th~
wo~k 8:Lt8. l~he Elho~ 104 i~ es~enti~l~ y lnvert~ad d~l~ing tran~?or~. Th~ E~$de~ he plAi:e~ n~l 126 arls 1 b~nt upw~rdly t~ ~orm ~lang~ ~17 and 127 to enhanl::e the r~idity ~ of ~h~
plat~
With ~ddition~ rence 'co Figux~ 6, 7, 9 ;R~lld 10, a ~prir~g mount ~ss~mbly 130 ~ompr:lsa ~ pair ~ compl~monta~y, .
g~ne~ly inver~ed, ~r_~hAp~ ~upport br~c:~ce~ 13~ an~l 13~ which Rt~ach to the top o~ ~h~ lino h~uf~in~ ad~ac~nt ~ho out~et.
The ~brAc)c~t~3 13~ ar~ 3g ~oop~ra~l3 tc~ form a clo~e ~itt~ng sleBve ~. -:.

02-05 1992 10:18 2~3 52-7 5~29 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK ! P.1~48~

2~

mount ~or ths ~prin~ 136. The brac:}cetE~ ~r~ ~oined ~o th~
n~ houoing 52 by ~a~ten~x~ 140. Th~ upper po~tions o~ the brac:k2t3 ~r~ clamE: ~d tog~th~r and ~ec~red by bol~ and nuts l44. The ~le~v~ ~ g~ner~ loc~tsd c:oaxl~lly with the outl~t ~hu lif~line hou~ing. I
A rubb~r plu~ lS0 l~ axially lnsRr~ed through ts~ pring ~or ~ng~g~men~ Rt ~he lowl3r ~p~ing por~ion ilgain~3t 'che ~ou~i~ng around the housing 4utlet. ~he rubber pluç~ 150 ~ri~tlona.~y enga~e~ the lnt:~rlor o~ the ~pring coil~ an~ inc:lud~!3 an axi~l ~PDr~3 ~5~
through wh~ch th~ llfeline cable pAssell~. The plug 1~ gener~lly ~unction~ to pre~ent WAt~r ~rom enteril~g ~h* lif~ll~ hou~lng an~
al~ ~unctions to ~ ylatQ ~br~6ive ~ng~g~ nt ~e~sen the llf~lin~ cal:~le S4 and the lnt~rlor surfa~es of the cDll pring 36~ .
Ni~h additional r~f~rQns~ o Figure~ ~ ~ 11 and ,12, ~he li~eline ~fety a~eml~lle~ ~0 Rnd 100 may al60 be a~chorgd to tl~e roo~ by mean~ o~ ~n ancho~ a~em~ly d~E~igna~ed gen~rally ~y th~
num~ral 17 0 . ~ lea t ~wo anchor a~;~em~ re re~ ed ~or eaoh ins ~3a~ety a~6embly~ Anchor ~;3~T~1y 170 ~n~lu~es a ~a~i-J-~haped ~olt comp~ing ~ ~hre~dl3d 3~4 inch ~d-liX~ ~t~el ~hank 17Z. P. ~.pe~ed plate 174 whle;~h may tap~r ~ro~L
~pproximAtqly c~n~3 inch to on~ hal~ inch~i~ W~ldqd a~: one ~nd ~h~ sh~n~, ~he t;!lpe~d ah~pe ~a~ a~ m~nlpul~t,~on during installak~n, Th~ pla~s 174 ~xt~n~6; to ~orm ~n up~ ed tang 17 ~ ' , , : ~ ' 02-05-1992 1~:19 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK P.l9/4~

a~ p~eviou~ly ~escr$~ed ~or J-bol~ E~138131llbly 70. A ~ing mlt l80 iB thr~z~ded ~o ~ho ~hank and i~ axl~lly ~plac~ab:l~ thereon.
Th~ hook and tang ~rs ~lco d~m~nalonad tc ~a~.itak~ in~artlon c~f the 3'-bolt ~hrough th~ op~h~n~ O~ the roo~ !
A E~zur~m~ni: pl~ 0 i~ ~u~th3r moun~e~ to k~ ~hA~t 170 ar~ lock~d to th~ ~ol1: l~y the nut 180 ~n~l a washer lBa. ~hc ~curem~nt pla~ 190 i~ ~p~cially ad~p~qd ~or use ~ith ~he bolt to ~ecur~ the braa~c~t aa~i~mbly 102 to the roclI but al ha~ oth~r ~pl;lcaitlon~. 'rhe ~oiurçment plate 190 h~ an Elpert~r~
dimeneiion~d ~o r~ lv~ the~ sha~t 172 o~ tha J-~olt. I q~h~ ap~rture i~ syn~ne~rio lly located betw~n a p~i~ of tranever~ly ~pac~d upturn~d ~ide i~ ngCl~G 1~94 arld 1~6. ~hs ~l~n~o~ 1~41 ~nd 1~6 xein~o~e ~h~ plate . ~n anohor loop lg8 hav~ ng a ~n~r~lly ~: lnv~rt~d U-~;haped con~igurat~on is w~lded to the pl~te ln ~eneral alignmen~ w~th tha aperture and midway between the ~lan~eçl~ ~he an;:horin~ loop lg8 may thu~ ~un~tion a~ An anahor~:nq point for a uspended ~aa~old a~ ly, swing 6ta~ or ~or o~h~r lne~llation~ and applia~iOn~. i Th~ wlng nu~ ~.80 ha~ ~ pair o~ diam~tria~llY o~posed win~
18~ ~n4 186 whiGh ~xtondi upwelrdly and kr~novçi~ely to ~al~itste tor~uing 'en~ nu~ ~o~ mounting And ~ismou:~tin~
p~rp~ae~. The wln~ a~lR msy aon~tltu~ R pair o~ b~nt ro~s whlch r~ welded to ~h~ n~lt.. 'rhq~ wing a~ 4 and ~86 ar~ a~nfigured o; ~C~Ommodats th~ h~Adroom qon~traln~ b~tw~o~ th~l po~ iiig6 and J ,~

___ 02 - 05-1992 1~:19 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK ~ P.20~48 Z~

~aoili~t~ torquing ~he nut upon imp~c~ by a m~ c ~I Dr othær ~uita~10 lmp~ct tool. Alt~rn~t~ly~ nuk 1~0 m~y ~e 2~ c~mmer~ial w~ighte~ wlng nut D6M mArxeted by ~ m~ Form ~nl~in~ing Corp.
oP ~and F~apid~ sichl5~sn~ - j With r~f~rence to ~iguræs ll and 1~ ~ ~n upper ql~mp E~l~te 200 i~ alao mountA~lq to th~ ~ha~ 172 o~ th~ J-bql~ in pl~e c~
~aur~m~nt plat~ l~0. ~lamp pl~te ~00 ha~ R downt~ ng ~02 and an opp~ng angled wing 204 whi~h ha~ an apartux~ 206. A
guid~ Ble~v2 208 i~ W~ld~ to a c:~nt~al pl~n~ por~iion ~o pro~ride guideway ~or tb~ J-l: olt shank 17~
As lllu~r~ted, ~n Fig~lra l~, ~he upper alamp p~te 200 is d;men~onad and c~n~igur~d ~or on~aging th~ upp~r po~tlorl o~ a beelm l~ ~uch as, ~or ex~mpl-, may b~ a ~omponent ~l ~ roo~
tru~3~ ~rhe J-bolt a~3ssmbly i~ clamped to ~h~ 3~eam ~9 by ~he oo~pex~ti~r~ eng~gem~n~ J-bolt pl~t~ 17~ ~nd th~ uppe~ olamp ~00.
h~ illus~ra~ed ms~unt~n~ ¢onfig~ation m~y b~ employe~ to ob~ain a t~e-o~ poln~ ~h~ough ap~rture 20h be~or~ ~hR ~oot ~hQathin~ l~
s~allqd. Thu~ ~he anchor bolt a~Bem~ly iE~ capabl~ o~ pro~iding a tl~-of~ ~o ~n~:u~e worker ~a~ty ~lur~ng th~ inl~la,l roo~
con~ruct~cn ~tag~. A~r the roo~ ~h~Q~h~ng ~ all~d, tne upp~r olamp plat~3 ~00 i~ rcmoved ~hd ~¢~em~nt pla~ 190 zlnd wing nut 180 arq ~unt~d to th~ bolt in a l008e ~ A53e.
Alterna~ely, ~h~ n~.re~ bolt~el~mp pl~te ~o~ombly~ ~y bo di~mount~ A~t~r .a p~ir ~ th~ J-bolt ~embl~e0 ~u~h z~, ~or XamP}Q~ ~5~ ly 170 illustrA~ed in ~i.g-lre 8, ar~ ~o~eely 02-05-1992 10:20 203 527 5~29 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK ~ P.~1~48 2~ ~ J ~

~n~ he li~elin~ 1~racket a~ mbly 102 ~ tr;~r~el~ mo~rad 80 that th~ J-~olts pa~ hrou~h ~ç~ lo~s 1~9 ~ he ~hank eventually pro~ eatE!I through th~ ~lots la8 . The wlns~ nut~ 180 ~re th~ urQly l~ck~ to anchor the l~f~line ~racke~ ! n~ em~ly ~o the roo~
Wi~h re~ n~e to Figure 1~, anchor a~embly 3~0 comprise~
J-bol~ 302 having a lower foo~ or h~ok 04 which i~3l~imensloned tr~n~ver~:~ly ex~e~d the thic)cne~ o~ two waod b~ r r~er~. An opening 30~ ~typi~Ally 1 ~4 ~nch~ llad ~ ~ ~he rvo~ 2Idjz~cent ra~ter 307. Th~ J-bolt i~ ~ecu~ed b~a wsiyhted wln~ nut ~0~ threaded to the 3han~c 3D8. ~hs w~ight~ wlng nut tor~ue~ agalnet a w~sh~r 310 havlng an inner coll~r 1312 which ~q 6~At~d ln ~he open~ng of the an~hor plate 314. ~aGher 310 may ~l~o be emp~oy~d wi~h plat~ 116 and ~26 with the cdell~r 31~
e~n~lally lo~a~lng the washe~ in the ~lots 1~ Ihe weighted w~ng nut i8 re~;ist0nt to loo~laning du~ to vlbratory!~orc~
,.,~/, "~. , .
A pla~lc reba~ t:ap 316 1~ mounted to thl3 top *f ~he ~,hank of J-bolt, A lo~tor pin 31~ ecured to the ~3h2~ and exteJ ds ~ .: ... . .
t~rough ~n opening in the ~ide o~ tha r~bar t;:ap at ~ob~tantl~lly .
a righ~ angl~ to th~3 shAnlc~ Th~ pin 318 i~ orisnt~d ~0 an~ularlY
ali~n wl~h ~he ~an~ver~ely projec:ting ~oo~ 304 ~o ~at during n8t~ tlon, wh~n th~ ~not i~ not r~3~dily vi~ibl~ h~ in~taller Will know the angular Po~iti~n o~ ~h~ ~oot. It wi:Ll llk~wiee be ppr~iAt~d th~ ~h~ winy nu~ 30~ and thla wa~her 3:lO ~re ¢s~nti~ly ~p~ure~ on the ~hank o~ thO ~-bolt~ 1 02-05-1992 10:21 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK P.22/48 7~

~ he anchor plAt~ 3 ~ O in~ludes a pair o~ upturn~d ~elnforcement ~lang~ 3~2 And 3~4 ~nd a p~ir o~ op~ lng n~il h~ 32~. A n~ll 3~a ~nay b~ drivar~ throu~h A hol~s 1326 into th~
wood~n raft~r 307 ~ lxing th~-po3i~ion o~ t:h~ ~ndlor pl~ 3~0 on th~ roc~ a6~ b~ lllus~a~d ln Fi~ur~ 13.
With r~3~ar~n~ ~o Fi~ure 141 anchor bolt aGsem~ly 350 acmprl~s a ~-bolt 35a and an anchor plate 354 which ~r~ ~ecured to a ra~ter ~s~em~ly o~ a roof beam fram~ 355, ~uch l ~5 may be in place prio:r tc) $n~;tall~10n o~ th~ xoo~. ~h~3 3-bolt lnclud~
~oot 356 whlc~h i~ Porm~d ~rom ~n elongat~d ~trip o:E l~el.
M~dlal portlons~ the ~trip ~re bont arour~d th~ lo~ ~r~lon o~
khe ~h~nk an~ w~l~led in pla~e. ~h~ uppc~ed o~ O;~ Ith~ ~t~ip have a gr~atsr width to form l:hee hç~ok tang. ~rh~ foat has a t~p~re~ tal ~nd 3 58 which ~omrerg~ in a V-shap~3 con~gu~ ti~n whtch io al~o weld2d.
A 6wivel qonneator 360 may ~ bo~Lted to thQ an~or plate thxough an ap~ure of ~he ~ncho~ plake and conne~t~ with a cara~ r 3 ~2 ~or anchor~ ng a ~ ty xope 364 .
Wi~h re~e~encs to F~ g~r~ 15, A :~amp pl~te 370 l lnclu~e~ a p~i~ o~ n~ hol~ 37~ ~n~ an upw~x~ projsc~ing lu~ which 1 ~iepcs~d betwe~n reihP~rcem~n~ rlsng6~E~ 376. ~h~ lug h~s a through b~r~ ~or ~nounting a ~wl~1 conn~oto~ 360 ~3~ noho~ng a el3~ety rop~ 364 via car~inor 36~ ~he ~lAmp plat~i 37û al~o lnalude~ ~n enlarged op~nin~ ~or ~a~ing th~ collarl 312 (nat vi~ in Figur~ ~,S) o~ th~ wa~her 310 whi~h is t~ued a~ingt ;the plate by th~ weight~d w~ng nut 306.

~2-~5-1992 10:22 203 527 5029 CHILTON ALlX VANKI~K : P.23/48 W~th r~f~renoe ~o Fi~ures 16 and 1~, ~ ba~e fo~ an~hor~ng a ro~ llne ~a~ty ~y~te~ 3i~n~t~d g~ne~all~r i~ ~h~
num~ral 400. ~ase 400 iB espsai~lly ~ul~eâ ~r ~ roo~ ~nd/or roofs whRr~ dir~çtly s~urirtg th~ elin~ ~afoty ~e 104 to the r~o~ oh a~ b~ anchor bolt~ i~ probl~matio. ~wo i~n~lc~l ~qu~re tube~ 40~ and 404 ar~ wqlded ~ ~ight ~ng~ to ~h~ media por~lons o~ a longer 'cube 40G. A platQ ie welded l;d the tops o~
the ~UbB~ o f~o:rm e, plati~o~n 410. ~he ~ube endD fo~ four s~uare ~ock~t~ 41Z w~i~h ar~ di~poso~ in pexpendicu13r re:L~ n~;hip z~nd ex~end outw~rdly ~rom the under~id~ o~ ~he platfor~n ~S10.
L-~h~ped loc~klng hanâl~ 414 Rr~ threaded through ld~k nut 416 into th~ ~oolc~at~ 4~3 ~o~ tionally eec~uring the cantil~ r Z~m8 41~ r~aiv~ ln the ~o~::ket 41a (only ~ n~f~e arm Seing ~ch~Tnstically illu~tra'c~ in Figur~ l~h~
can~ v~r e~ 41~ m~y assume a wide Y~riety o~ sh~pes. ~he e)ut~ ends of th~ arm~ are anahor~ by A weight 4ao~ 5~he woights 420 w~ll&h b~r ag~lnst ~h~ ou~Qr ~nds o~ the cantil~r arme func~ion t~ imn~obilize the ba~e on h ~lat roo~. Tho veigh~ 420 m~y be blo~cs o~ con~re~e or nun~rcluE~ othur ~u1t~ i!o~ h ving a high m~ p~r uni~ volumq.
Oppo~ed pz~irE~ o~ ~lAng~ a elnd ~a4 extend up~r~lly ~rom the p~elt~orm ~or c10801y xe~eiving the ~ho~ ~04 ~ ~h~ nge~
inals~de oppo~ed, ~lign~ ap~rtur~ 4a6 which re~iv~ pln~ ~not ~ . . ...
ustr2lt~d) l~or Elecu~n~ th~ ~ho~2 to the pl~tr~orm. I 'rh~ ~n~s o~

:; . , ,:

., -02 - ~5 - 1992 10:22 203 527 5~29 CHILTON ALIX VANKIRK : P.24~4B

Z~

the ~hoe also engaga a~aln~t ~nglR ironæ 428 to en~ n~ th~
d o~cur~men~ D~ thQ ~ho~ to ~hs pl~t~orm. ~ L~e~ractabl~
li~eline as~mbly S0 1~ thqn ~e~ùr~d to th~ ~oe 11~4 ln the manner previously d~crib~d. _: ~
It ~hould b~ appr~ciat~d ~hat the ~or~going l.L~çllne ~ety ~y~tems and tha anchor ~s~mbli~ p~o~i~e e~ici~ntis~ruoture~
$or mcunting ~ 6~ty l~eline to a pitched roof an~ o~he~
el2vated ~tructure~. The li~elin~ ~a~t~ ~y~tem i'3 l~ily in~tall~ a~ pro~ide~ a moun~ing a~m~ly hi~ving i~!nlgh d~gxe@
o~ structural in~grity. ~n i~ddition, th~ bracket ~r~m~ as~mbly 102 may ~ relat$vely eaæily t~ans~orm~d to ~ port~le con~igur~ion ~o~ transporting th~ braqk~ a~emblyl~o and ~r~m th~ ~o~ h~ ~ariou~ anch~r a~embl~e~ ~lcio a~a ~dapt~ble to provide anchor poin~s ~or ~ wlde v~rie~y o~ applic~on~.
Whil~ ~ pr~err~id ~mbo~ment of th~ ~or~o~ng inYqntlon has b~en set ~orth ~or p~rpos~ of illustr~ n, the ~or~goin~
de~rip~i~n ~h~uld not ~e ~eemed a limitation ~f th~ inventio~
horsin~ Accordingly, varlou~ modl~ication~, ~dap~ i4n~ ~nd altern~iv~ may oc~ur to one ~k~llQ~ in ~he art wi~hout , ~, ,.
~ departlng ~rom ~he ~pi~tt ~n~ the SCOp2 0~ ~he prel3~nt inY~ntion.

,, ~;.. ". ~,,. . , ' .

Claims (23)

1. CLAIM 1. A safety system for a pitched roof comprising:
   lifeline means comprising a housing, a lifeline receivable by said housing and extendable and retractable relative thereto;
   bracket means for mounting said lifeline means for disposition above the roof at the peak thereof comprising frame means for receiving said lifeline means and pod means pivotally mounted to said frame means, said pod means defining shoulder means for engagement against said roof on opposing pitched sides thereof;
   securement means for securing said lifeline means to said frame means; and anchoring means for anchoring said shoulder means to said roof.
2. CLAIM 2. The safety system of claim 1 wherein said frame means comprises a shoe having four panels forming an enclosure defining a generally rectangular upper opening, said frame closely receiving said lifeline means.
3. CLAIM 3. The safety system of claim 1 wherein said shoulder means comprises a pair of plates which are positionable at a variable angle to each other, each said plate engageable against opposed pitched portions of said roof in substantially surface-to-surface relationship.
4. Claim 4. The safety system of claim 1 wherein said securement means comprises a pin, said frame means further comprise a pair of spaced panels and means defining aligned openings through said spaced panels, and said housing defines an aperture, said pin being insertable through said panel openings and said aperture.
5. CLAIM 5. The safety system of claim 1 wherein said shoulder means further defines an opening and said anchoring means comprises a generally J-shaped bolt comprising a hood and a threaded shank, and a nut threadably engageable to said shank and torqueable for locking said shoulder means to said bolt.
6. CLAIM 6. The safety system of claim 5 wherein said shoulder means comprises a pair of plates and each said plate defines a slot, and said anchoring means comprises a pair of substantially identical generally J-shaped bolts.
7. CLAIM 7. The safety system of claim 6 wherein said slot has an oblong shape and a restricted portion opening through an edge of said plate.
8. CLAIM 8. The safety system of claim 1 wherein said pod means comprises a pair of pods each comprising a pair of legs and a mounting plate connecting said legs and extending at an oblique angle thereto.
9. CLAIM 9. The safety system of claim 8 wherein said frame means comprises a pair of spaced panels and said leg pairs are pivotally mounted to said panels at opposing locations thereof.
10. CLAIM 10. The safety system of claim 1 wherein said housing defines an outlet and further comprising support bracket means mounted to said housing proximate the housing outlet for mounting a coil spring, said lifeline traversing through said spring.
11. CLAIM 11. The safety system of claim 10 further comprising a plug defining a bore, said plug disposed interiorly of said spring and said lifeline traversing said bore.
12. CLAIM 12. The safety system of claim 1 wherein said shoulder means further comprise a pair of plates and each plate further defines a carrying slot, said plates being pivotal so that said plates mutually engage in surface-to-surface relationship and said slots generally align.
13. CLAIM 13. The anchoring system of claim 8 wherein said leg pairs are each mounted to said frame means by a pin and said plates are relatively positionable at a variable angle.
14. CLAIM 14. AN anchor assembly comprising:
    a quasi-J-shaped member comprising a hook portion and an elongated shank having a threaded surface;
    a plate mountable to said member, said plate defining an aperture dimensioned to receive said shank and an anchoring loop mounted to said plate; and a nut threadably engageable with said threaded surface for threadable longitudinal displacement therealong, said nut comprising a pair of opposing wing arms.
15. CLAIM 15. The anchor assembly of claim 14 wherein said plate further comprises a pair of spaced side flanges.
16. CLAIM 16. The anchor assembly of claim 15 wherein said loop is a generally inverted U-shaped member disposed between said side flange.
17. CLAIM 17. The anchor assembly of claim 14 wherein said hook porition further comprises a tapered plate connected to said shank and having an upturned tang at a narrow portion of said tapered plate.
18. CLAIM 18. The anchor assembly of claim 14 further comprising a clamp plate mounted to said shank, said clamp plate comprising a tang, an opposing wing portion defining an aperture and a guide sleeve disposed between said tang and aperture and dimensioned to receive saidshank.
19. CLAIM 19. An anchor assembly for securing a member having an opening therethrough to a substrate disposed above a support comprising:
    a quasi-J-shaped member comprising a hook portion and an elongated shank having a threaded surface, said hook portion being dimensioned to be generally commensurate with the width of said support, and having a planar portion which tapers from a enlarged portion adjacent said shank to a narrow portion from which a tang extends generally perpendicularly, said tang being dimensioned for insertion through said opening and said shank being greater than the combined thickness of said substrate and the height of said support, so that said hook portion may engage the underside of said support and said shank projects upwardly through an opening of the substrate wherein said threaded surface extends at least partially generally above said substrate; and a nut threadably engagable with said threaded surface and disposed generally above said substrate, said nut having opposing transversely extending arms adapted for torquring said nut for clamping said member against said substrate.
20. CLAIM 20. The anchor system of claim 19 further comprising an anchor plate defining an aperture dimensioned to receive said shank, said plate being mounted to said shank and disposed between said member and said nut, an anchoring loop projecting from said anchoring plate.
21. CLAIM 21. The anchor assembly of claim 19 further comprising a clamp plate mounted to said shank, said clamp plate comprising a tang, an opposing wing portion defining an aperture and a guide sleeve disposed between said tang and aperture and dimensioned to receive said shank.
22. CLAIM 22. The anchor system of claim 19 further comprising an anchor plate defining an aperture dimension to receive said shank, said plate being mounted to said shank and disposed between said member and said nut, an anchoring loop projecting from said anchoring plate.
23. CLAIM 23. A safety system for mounting a lifeline to a pitched roof wherein said lifeline comprises housing, and a cable receivable by said housing and extended and retractable relative thereto, said system comprising:
    bracket means for mounting said lifeline means for disposed above the roof at the peak thereof comprising shoe means for receiving said lifeline means and pod means defining a pair of shoulder plates for said pod means defining pair of shoulder plates for engagement against said roof on opposing pitched sides thereof at a variety of pitch angles, said shoulder plates each defining a carrier slot, said plates being pivotal to a first pivotal position wherein said slots generally align in adjacent relationship; and securement means for securing said lifeline to said shoe means.
    CLAIMS 24. A safety system for a roof comprising:
    lifeline means comprising a housing, a lifeline receivable by said housing and extendable and retractable relative thereto;
    base means comprising a platform and four socket means extended therefrom, said socket means each adapted to receive an arm and lock means for locking said arm to said socket means;
    shoe means for receiving said lifeline means;
    
    frame means projecting from said platform and spaced to receive opposing sides of said shoe means; and securement means for securing said shoe means to said frame means.
    CLAIM 25. The safety system of claim 24 wherein said sockets are substantially square and said sockets are oriented in mutually perpendicular relationship.
    CLAIM 26. The safety system of claim 24 wherein said frame receive said shoe means, one said pair defining spaced pairs of opposed aligned apertures.
    CLAIM 27. The safety system of claim 24 wherein said lock means comprises a L-shaped handle threaded to said socket means CLAIM 28. An anchor assembly comprising:
    a quasi-J-shaped member comprising a threaded shank having first and second ends and a hook portion projecting at a generally right angle to said shank at said first end;
    a cap mounted to said second end; and an indicator projecting from said shank proximate said second end said indicator generally angularly aligning with said hook portion.
    CLAIM 29. The anchor assembly of claim 20 further comprising a weighted wing nut threaded to said shank.
    
    CLAIM 30. The anchor assembly of claim 28 further comprising a washer having a projecting collar mounted to said shank.
    CLAIM 31. The anchor of assembly of claim 30 further comprising a clamp plate, said plate defining an opening dimensioned to receive said collar and seat said washer.
    CLAIM 32. The anchor assembly of claim 31 wherein said plate further connectes with a swivel connector.
    CLAIM 33. The anchor assembly of claim 31 further comprising a lug projecting from said plate, said lug defining a bore, a bolt disposed in said bore for connecting with said swivel connection.
    CLAIM 34. The anchor assembly of claim 28 wherein said hook portion further comprises a metal strip having opposing ends and a medial portion, said strip being bent around said shank at medial strip portion, said strip converging at said end portions thereof.
    CLAIM 35. The anchor assembly of claim 31 wherein said plate further defines at least one opening dimensioned to receive a nail.