CA2157947A1 - Removable roof anchor - Google Patents

Removable roof anchor

Info

Publication number
CA2157947A1
CA2157947A1 CA 2157947 CA2157947A CA2157947A1 CA 2157947 A1 CA2157947 A1 CA 2157947A1 CA 2157947 CA2157947 CA 2157947 CA 2157947 A CA2157947 A CA 2157947A CA 2157947 A1 CA2157947 A1 CA 2157947A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
roof anchor
attached
roof
rigid
central portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2157947
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrew Nahum Tainter Terwilliger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
DB Industries LLC
Original Assignee
DB Industries LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by DB Industries LLC filed Critical DB Industries LLC
Publication of CA2157947A1 publication Critical patent/CA2157947A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

A removable roof anchor having two metal fastening members attached by a flexible belt, removably attachable to the roof structure of a building by screwing the two metal fastening members to a roofing timber or other permanent member of the support structure of the roof. The roof anchor also includes an attachment member in the form of a heavy gauge steel ring attached thereto by a chain, which is in turn permanently attached to the fastening members. The attachment member, while providing safe and secure attachment of fall protection devices, also permits a wide range of motion without compromising the safety of the worker on the roof.

Description

~157~47 REMOVABLE ROOF ANCHOR
BACKGROUND OF T~IE INVENT~ON
1. Te~hni -~l Field The present invention relates generally to safety devices for protecting workers doing construction or repair on the roof of a building, especially a roof having an angle. In particular, the invention relates to devices known as roof anchors that may be te---pol~;ly fastened to a roof, and to which a safety line or 10 other device, connected to a worker, may be attached.
2. Background Inform~ti- n Roof anchors have been developed to respond to the obvious need for some type of safety device to protect workers on angled roofs from falling and sust~ining serious injury. Some of these roof anchors have been developed for temporary use, intended to be removed as repair or construction of the roof is completed.
However, there are also pe~ nP~ roof anchors intended to become a f~ture on the roof, available for later use upon the occasion of subsequent --ailllenallce or repairs.
Most prior devices comprise complete safety assemblies, including safety lines or cables, line retraction devices, etc. However, many of the components of these systems perform functions that are recllln-l~nt with other safety devices already on the market that may be easily adapted to use with a simple anchor device. Additionally, some prior art devices are small so as to be inexpensive, but ~1~79~7 these devices also have small openings for attachment of a snap hook or similar device for attaching a safety line. However, because of the constant motion of the person working on the roof, the snap hook tends to twist and turn in the opening of the anchor device, and small anchor devices with small openings more easily 5 inadvellelllly release the snap hook, resulting in an unsafe condition where no fall prevention is provided by the anchor device.
Other, more simple devices are also available, but offer limited functionality. U.S. Patent No. 5,137,112, issued to Nichols on August 11, 1992, discloses a two pronged "staple" that may be driven part way into a structural 10 element of the roof. When the job is fnishPcl, it may be driven completely into the roof, or bent over to be covered by shingles. However, the staple, the small size of which renders it convenient for certain applications, is limited by its size in the number of devices that may be attached to it and the ease with which devices maybe attached to it.
U.S. Patent No. 4,249,713, issued to Glynn et al. on February 10, 1981, discloses a simple anchor that may be attached to the peak of an unfni~hP~ roof.It provides an opening to which a snap hook may be attached, and at the end of the roofing job, the projecting portion may be flattened against the roof with a hammer to be covered by shingles. However, the range of motion comfortably permitted to20 the worker ~tt~('hP,d to the anchor is limited somewhat, to reduce the likelihood that the snap hook will become disengaged from the anchor. Further, this anchor does not disclose a use or adaptation on other portions of the roof than the peak.
The roof anchor of the present invention overcomes difficulties described above and affords other featult;s and advantages her~lofor~ not available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The pr~relled embodiment of the present invention is reusable, including two metal fastening members ~ hPd by a flexible belt, and is removably attached to the roof structure of a building by screwing the two metal fastening members to 30 a roofing timber or other pellllallent member of the support structure of the roof.
The roof anchor also includes an attachment member in the form of a heavy gauge -2157~7 steel ring attached thereto by a chain, which is in turn permanently attached to the fastening members. The attachment member, while providing safe and secure attachment of fall protection devices, also permits a wide range of motion without colllp~lllising the safety of the worker on the roof.
It is an object of this invention to provide a safety device for the protection of workers doing jobs on angled, elevated surfaces such as roofs. It is a further object of this invention to provide such a safety device that may be securely mounted to either the flat portion of a roof or to a peaked portion of the roof. It is also an object of this invention that the safety device should be sturdy and secure, 10 capable of h~n(lling workers of all sizes, wearing any amount of nPcess~ry safety gear and tools. It is a further object of this invention to provide a safety device that will lessen the risk of a snap hook or carabiner becoming detached theler~
during use. It is a further object of this invention that the roof anchor should be removable upon completion of a roofing job. It is a further object of the invention 15 that the roof anchor, if pr~pefly used and m~int~in~d, should be reusable.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become appal~nl from the following det~iled description and from the appended drawings in which like numbers have been used to describe like parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRn~TION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of two separate removable roof anchors, showing one anchor affixed to a flat portion of the roof and the other sr~nning a peaked portion of the roof;
Figure 2 is a side elevation taken along line 2--2 of Figure 1, showing a cross section through the roof truss;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the roof anchor; and Figure 4 is a partial side sectional view.

DESCR~r10N OF T~E PREFE~RED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1, the pl~rellcd embodiment of the removable roof anchor is generally in~1ir~ted by reference numeral 10. Roof anchor 10 includes an attachment assembly 12 that in turn includes two side plates or anchor plates 14 and a flexible belt member 16.
Anchor plates 14 are preferably made of 1/4 inch thick steel plate, and belt member 16 is made of the same reinforced, rubbe~zed material commonly used for S intl~lstri~l conveyor belts. The pr~rellc;d configuration of belt 16 is a two ply belt having a first outer layer of rubber, a first polyester fabric layer, a middle layer of rubber, a second polyester fabric layer, and a second outer layer of rubber. Thebelt preferably has a 150 pound per inch working tension. As best shown in Figure 4, anchor plates 14 are f~edly attached to belt member 16 by rivets 18 that 10 pass through anchor plate 14, belt member 16 and steel clamp plate 20.
Roof anchor 10 also includes a r~;l;,inillg assembly 22 including lt;l;.il~ing ring 24 through which passes a sturdy, flexible, elongate r~l~inin~ member such as chain 26. Chain 26 includes a first end link 27 and a second end link 29.
R~t~ining assembly 22 is fastened to attachment assembly 12 as by studs 28, which 15 are preferably welded to anchor plates 14 (Figure 4). Studs 28 are fastened to anchor plates 14 so as to allow easy movement of chain 26 thereabout, while at the same time ensuring secure attachment of chain 26 to anchor plate 14. R~t~ining ring 24 is preferably appro~llately three inches in diameter and approximately 3/8 inch thick. The links of chain 26 are preferably made of a heat treated alloy steel, 20 and chain 26 preferably includes twenty-five links. R~ot~ining ring 24 provides a means for attachment of fall arrest equipment. It is prerellc;d that connectors fastened to r~ ining ring 24 are not non-locking hooks. To avoid roll-out of theconnector, it is preferable to use self locking snap hooks or carabiners.
As indicated in Figure 1, removable roof anchor 10 may be fastened to a 25 flat portion of a roof or it may span the peak of a roof. In either case, it is attached to a rafter 30 of the roof as by lag screws 32. Lag screws 32 are preferably at least 2-1/2 inches long to ensure secure fastening of roof anchor 10 to the rafter. Lag screws 32 pass through openings 34 in anchor plates 14. The use of lag screws 32 also permits easy removal of roof anchor 10 following completion 30 of the roofing job.

- ~l579~J~

In use, roof anchor 10 should be inspected before each in~t~ tion to ensure that it has not been damaged. It is important that rivets 18 be tight, and that chain 26 and r~l; inil~g ring 24 have not been damaged. Further, anchor plates 14 should be flat and free of dents and corrosion, and belt member 16 should not be cracked S or torn. Damaged lag screws 32 should be replaced. Following inspection, roof anchor 10 is attached to the roof by placing lag screws 32 through the openings 34 of anchor plates 14 and driving them into a rafter 30. A safety device such as an energy absorbing lanyard may be attached to the removable roof anchor by attaching a self locking snap hook, for example, to ~l~inil~g ring 24. The 10 plt;rell~d embodiment of the roof anchor will support a worker with a combined weight of up to 310 pounds, including the weight of the person and the person's clothing, tools and safety equipment. No more than one safety device may be attached to the roof anchor at a time. Once the roofmg job is completed, lag screws 32 are removed from rafter 30, and the roof anchor is set aside. If it has 15 been damaged it should be repaired or replaced before using it again. Once it has been subjected to fall arresting forces, roof anchor 10 should be removed and discarded.
While the prefell~d embo~iment~ of the invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be 20 made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (22)

1. A flexible, reusable roof anchor to which may be attached a fall protection device, comprising:
an attachment assembly including a flexible central portion with first and second rigid end portions fixedly attached thereto; and a retaining assembly to which may be releasably attached the fall protection device.
2. The roof anchor described in claim 1, further comprising:
means for releasably attaching said attachment assembly of the roof anchor to a roof structure.
3. The roof anchor described in claim 2, wherein said releasable attachment means comprises lag screws.
4. The roof anchor described in claim 1, further comprising:
means for fixedly attaching said retaining assembly to said attachment assembly.
5. The roof anchor described in claim 4, wherein said means for fixedly attaching said retaining assembly to said attachment assembly comprises at least one stud member.
6. The roof anchor described in claim 5, further comprising:
first and second stud members projecting from said first and second rigid end portions, respectively.
7. The roof anchor described in claim 4, wherein said retaining assembly comprises:

a sturdy, flexible, elongate member having a first end and a second end, said elongate member being securely fastened to said attachment assembly; and a retaining member to which the fall protection device may be releasably attached, said retaining member being connected to said attachment assembly by said elongate member of said retaining assembly.
8. The roof anchor described in claim 7, wherein said elongate member comprises:
a chain having a first end link at said first end thereof and a second end link at said second end thereof.
9. The roof anchor described in claim 8, wherein:
said first end link of said chain is pivotally attached to said first rigid portion of said attachment assembly; and said second end link of said chain is pivotally attached to said second rigid portion of said attachment assembly.
10. The roof anchor described in claim 9, wherein said means for fixedly attaching said retaining assembly to said attachment assembly comprises first and second stud members projecting from said first and second rigid end portions, respectively, said first end link of said chain is attached to said first stud member and said second end link of said chain is attached to said second stud member.
11. The roof anchor described in claim 1, wherein said first and second rigid end portions are made of steel.
12. The roof anchor described in claim 11, wherein:
said flexible central portion of said attachment assembly includes a first end and a second end; and said first rigid end portion is fixedly attached to said first end of said flexible central portion and said second rigid end portion is fixedly attached to said second end of said flexible central portion.
13. The roof anchor described in claim 12, further comprising:
first and second clamp plates; and a multiplicity of rivets, whereby said first end of said flexible central portion is positioned between said first clamp plate and said first rigid end portion, said second end of said flexible central portion is positioned between said second clamp plate and said second rigid end portion, and said rivets are driven through said first clamp plate, said first end of said flexible central portion and said first rigid end portion, and said second clamp plate, said second end of said flexible central portion and said second rigid end portion, respectively.
14. The roof anchor described in claim 13, wherein said flexible central portion is comprised of a conveyor belt segment.
15. A flexible, reusable roof anchor to which may be attached a fall protection device, comprising:
an attachment assembly including a flexible central portion with first and second rigid end portions fixedly attached thereto;
a sturdy, flexible, elongate member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said elongate member being attached to said first rigid end portion of said attachment assembly and said second end of said elongate member being attached to said second rigid end portion of said attachment assembly;
means for attaching said elongate member to said attachment assembly; and a circular retaining member having said elongate member passing therethrough.
16. The roof anchor described in claim 15, wherein:
said flexible central portion of said attachment assembly includes a first end and a second end; and said first rigid end portion is fixedly attached to said first end of said flexible central portion and said second rigid end portion is fixedly attached to said second end of said flexible central portion.
17. The roof anchor described in claim 16, further comprising:
first and second clamp plates; and a multiplicity of rivets, whereby said first end of said flexible central portion is positioned between said first clamp plate and said first rigid end portion, said second end of said flexible central portion is positioned between said second clamp plate and said second rigid end portion, and said rivets are driven through said first clamp plate, said first end of said flexible central portion and said first rigid end portion, and said second clamp plate, said second end of said flexible central portion and said second rigid end portion, respectively.
18. The roof anchor described in claim 17, wherein said means for fixedly attaching said retaining assembly to said attachment assembly comprises first and second stud members projecting from said first and second rigid end portions, respectively, whereby said first end of said elongate member is attached to said first stud member and said second end of said elongate member is attached to said second stud member.
19. The roof anchor described in claim 18, wherein said elongate member comprises:
a chain having a first end link at said first end thereof and a second end link at said second end thereof.
20. The roof anchor described in claim 19, wherein:
said first end link of said chain is attached to said first stud member and said second end link of said chain is attached to said second stud member.
21. The roof anchor described in claim 18, wherein said first and second rigid end portions are made of steel.
22. The roof anchor described in claim 18, wherein said flexible central portion is comprised of a conveyor belt segment.
CA 2157947 1994-10-20 1995-09-11 Removable roof anchor Abandoned CA2157947A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US32648494A 1994-10-20 1994-10-20
US326,484 1994-10-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2157947A1 true CA2157947A1 (en) 1996-04-21

Family

ID=23272404

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2157947 Abandoned CA2157947A1 (en) 1994-10-20 1995-09-11 Removable roof anchor

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2157947A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2012216652B2 (en) * 2011-09-05 2015-08-20 Safetylink Pty Ltd Temporary roof anchor having shock absorbing means
US9227094B2 (en) 2011-09-05 2016-01-05 H2Flo Pty Ltd Height safety anchor
US9316008B2 (en) 2008-07-03 2016-04-19 H2Flo Pty Ltd Roof anchor with shock absorbing means
CN114392501A (en) * 2021-12-02 2022-04-26 国网浙江省电力有限公司金华供电公司 Moving device for assisting falling protector

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9316008B2 (en) 2008-07-03 2016-04-19 H2Flo Pty Ltd Roof anchor with shock absorbing means
AU2012216652B2 (en) * 2011-09-05 2015-08-20 Safetylink Pty Ltd Temporary roof anchor having shock absorbing means
US9227094B2 (en) 2011-09-05 2016-01-05 H2Flo Pty Ltd Height safety anchor
CN114392501A (en) * 2021-12-02 2022-04-26 国网浙江省电力有限公司金华供电公司 Moving device for assisting falling protector
CN114392501B (en) * 2021-12-02 2022-11-01 国网浙江省电力有限公司金华供电公司 Moving device for assisting falling protector

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