CA2495683A1

CA2495683A1 - Roof edge fall protection apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA2495683A1
Application number: CA 2495683
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ken Thaler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-01
Filing date: 2005-02-01
Publication date: 2006-08-01

Description

04-OOSCA.spec1 ROOF EDGE FALL PROTECTION APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to a roof edge fall protection apparatus for flat roofs and parapets that serves to protect workers in the roofing industry and the like. The apparatus is adaptable to be permanently or temporarily affixed to the edge of the roof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Working on a flat roof is high risk. People may fall from the edge of a complete roof or from the edge where work such as roofing installation or re-roofing is being carried out. Safety in the work environment has become increasingly important and preventative measures are required during work on flat roofs where there is a risk of falling. Apart from horizontal lifeline fall protection systems, which may be in place, protective measures are typically required at the roof edge.
Such edge protection needs to be strong enough to withstand a person falling against it.

[003] Many regulatory bodies have implemented a multitude of various requirements and standards to cover a variety of work environments, such as roofing projects. One general requirement is for safety or guard barriers to be placed along the edges of roof to protect roofing workers during roof construction and repair.

[004] It is still quite common for a roofing contractor to assemble temporary safety or guard barriers from standard lumber material (e.g., 2'x4's) and to disassemble them when the roofing work is completed. Such temporary barriers may meet regulatory requirements if properly constructed, but require a fair amount of time to construct and often result in the destruction of materials used when disassembled after a job is completed. These types of temporary barriers necessarily require construction of barriers specific for each job. Although materials may be saved from one job to the next they have to be modified in order to provide a 04-005CA.specl vertical fence or barrier for the next crew. This results in little or no labour saving in the construction of such temporary barrier even if materials are re-used.

(005] Other roof edge protection apparatus rely on freestanding cantilever design with or without weights positioned well in from the roof edge. While such cantilevered systems may be permanent or temporary they also interfere with the roofing work to be done.

[006] Another barrier system incorporates post supports clamped to a roof parapet.

[007] It is accordingly desirable to provide a roof edge fall protection system that implements the required structural integrity while also allowing easy assembly and disassembly at the roof edge. In addition, the geometry of the perimeter to be guarded may vary dramatically from site to site, thereby requiring a system that is adaptable to different configurations.

[008] There is still exists a need for a device contemplated by the present invention which can be easily constructed at the roof edge and is adaptable for either temporary or permanent attachment to the building structure. Temporary attachment allows a roofing contractor to reuse the apparatus for a multitude of roofing projects. The device is adaptable to permit permanent attachment around the entire perimeter of a building or a portion thereof.

[009] The apparatus of the present invention is readily attachable to a roof parapet structure in a manner that does not significantly interfere with the construction or re-construction of a roof. The apparatus is also readily adjustable to accommodate structures having differing parapet wall thicknesses and a variety of parapet configurations. The apparatus may be easily assembled and disassembled and transported from one job site to another. Another desired feature is that optionally some or all the components may be permanently attachable to the building.

04-005CA.specl SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to an improved roof edge fall protection apparatus. Most industrial and commercial buildings having flat roofs will have a parapet wall around the perimeter edge of the roof. The height and configuration of the parapet wall will vary from structure to structure. Roof edge fall protection devices are typically installed at or near such parapet walls. The apparatus of the present invention comprises several components, which can be easily assembled and disassembled on site and which are adaptable to various building geometries.

[0011] The apparatus of the present invention has a first base plate that is fastened to the top of the parapet wall. Such wall may be horizontal or may be sloped. The base plate is affixed with standard fastening devices such as screws.
This base plate may be removed after the perimeter protection is no longer required or may be permanently left in place. If permanent, the top surface may be protected by roofing materials in an ordinary manner. The base plate has a channel-like flange on its upper surface at one of its edges, namely the edge at the roof perimeter when the base plate is installed.

[0012] A second base plate having a channel-like flange on its upper surface at one of its edges is then positioned on the outside vertical surface of the parapet wall perpendicular to one side of the first base plate. The flange of the second plate is aligned with the flange of the first plate and the second plate is slid into place.
When the plate flanges are engaged the second plate is fastened to the outside vertical surface of the parapet wall. This process of affixing two base plates is repeated around the perimeter of the roof. The spacing may vary from site to site but typically is at about 8 feet.

[0013] The outside surface of each second base plate has a receptacle means adapted to receive and secure a post in an upright position. Once the base plates are secured together and affixed in place, upright posts are inserted into the receptacle means of each second base plate. In one embodiment of the invention the post has a biased projecting pin near the post end to be inserted into the 04-005CA.spec1 receptacle means and an oppositely positioned hook. The pin co-operates with a slot in the receptacle so that when the upright post is inserted into the receptacle it can be turned and secured to become non-moveable. The hook is used to position the post in the desired vertical position. In one embodiment of the invention the post has upper and lower securing means near each end and a plurality of spaced barrier retaining means therebetween. The lower securing means may be a pair of fixed pins (above the biased pin) projecting from the post. This pair of pins will be in a horizontal and parallel orientation to the second plate when installed.

[0014] Once the posts are securely installed in their upright position a barrier, such as a safety mesh or fence (about 42" in height), is secured to the retaining means of each post. Barrier holding plates, which co-operate with and engage the barrier retaining means on the posts, are positioned against the safety mesh and posts. Lower hooks on the barrier holding means engage the fixed pins on the post. The upper securing member of each post is then engaged to secure the barrier holding means against the safety mesh on each post.

[0015] When the apparatus of the present invention is used in a temporary manner such as for re-roofing work, all components may be removed. The apparatus is disassembled generally in reverse order from the order of assembly.
Alternatively, the first base plate may remain affixed to parapet of the roof and roofing material may be applied on its upper surface except for the flange, which must be left available for engagement by the second plate. If the first plates are left in place they may be reused whenever roof edge fall protection is required.

[0016] Different barrier retaining means may be employed such as quick connecting clips, and 'pig-tail' hooks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention may be further understood by reference to the accompanying drawing sheets, in which:

04-005CA.specl

[0018] Drawing Sheet 1 shows several perspective views of the post assembly structure of the roof edge fall protection apparatus of the present invention, without the safety barrier or mesh.
5 [0019] Drawing Sheet 2 has a perspective view showing the placement or positioning of a safety barrier between the post assembly and a holding means of the present invention. This sheet additionally includes a top view of the assembly.
[0020] Drawing Sheet 3 shows several additional perspective and detail views of a post assembly.
[0021] Drawing Sheet 4 are perspective views of a post assembly with the safety barrier or mesh secured.
[0022] Drawing Sheet 5 are perspective views of a post assembly showing alternate means for securing the safety barrier or mesh.
[0023] Drawing Sheet 6 are perspective views of a post assembly showing further alternate means for securing the safety barrier or mesh.
[0024] Drawing Sheet 7 is a side view of a post assembly showing another means for securing the safety barrier or mesh.
[0025] Drawing Sheet 8 shows front and cross section views of the lower portion of the post assembly in drawing sheet no. 7.
[0026] Drawing Sheet 9 shows a perspective view of a portion of a roof with the roof edge fall protection apparatus of the present invention installed.
Additionally, drawing 10 includes a detail view of a base plate installation on a sloped parapet wall.
[0027] Although the above description and accompanying drawings relate to preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by the 04-005CA.spec1 inventor, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention