GB2229482A - Roof seat - Google Patents

Abstract

A roof seat 4 to be employed during the laying of tiles on roofs by a roof engineer comprises a seat area 5 with two legs 6 which extend downwardly from the seat area and two further legs 8 which extend sideways from the seat area away from the legs 6 towards the roof and resting o@ battens thereon. At the ends of these legs remote from the seat area there are mounted length adjustable bars 13B and 13A respectively each carrying rollers 14B and 14A. The rollers can hence contact the cross battens 1 of a roof over a range of roof slant angles so that the seat rests securely and horizontally thereon making the job of a roof engineer safer and easier. The rollers do not extend below the bottom of the battens to avoid cutting the underlying felt. <IMAGE>

Description

ROOF SEAT This invention relates to roofing, and more particularly to equipment employed during the layIng of tile on roofs by a roof engineer.

A common roof construction involves fixing rafters to define a V-shape above a building to be roofed. Felt or other similar terial is laid and fIxed to the upper side of the rafters to give a first watertight layer. Then a series of cross battens are fixed perpendicular to the rafters, generally parallel to the top edge of the building. The battens provide an ascending series of rungs on the rafters.

Roof tiles, slates or the like are then laid or fixed to the cross battens by a roof engineer to give a second watertight layer.

In the United Kingdom, scaffolding is Initially provided up the side of a building to be roofed as a safety precaution.

Then, prior the laying or fixing of the tiles, piles of them are placed at various convenient locations about the roof on the cross battens. To lay the tiles, the roof engineer climbs onto the roof, locates his feet on çhe cross battens and whilst leaning against the battens in a half crouch proceeds to fix the tiles. It will be apparent that the engineer must continually lean into the slope of the roof in order not to overbalance and fall, although the provision of scaffolding does reduce accidents in the event of the engineer overbalancing.

In addition to the risk of falling, there is the further problem relating to the position that must be adopted by te engineer whilst fixing the tiles. During fixing, the lower leg of the engineer must be twisted in order for the foot to engage the cross batten to provide adequate and safe support whilst not interfering with the felt layer. Although, the per leg must alsc support the engineer to a lesser degree, the problem assoc-atea with tis leg is that the thigh 15 pushed Into the cross battens as the engineer necessarily leans into the slope of the roof in a half croucn. As a result the batten cuts into the engineers thigh.It will be apparent that the position adopted during tile laying is extremely uncomfortable for both legs. In view of this, the roof engineer needs to frequently change position not only because of the degree of discomfort but also to ensure that blood supply is not cut off from the lower leg in its twisted position, a situation that is potentially very dangerous. Finally, as the engineer proceeds to lay the roof, it is necessary to always shift along slightly to fix the next tile in place. Naturally, the deleterious effects of these problems become more pronounced the longer the engineer works.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the comfort, safety and productivIty of roof engineers whilst laying tiles.

According to the present invention there is provided a seat for location on a slanted roof, the seat comprising:- a suDstantially planar seat area; first support mean extending substantially perpendicularly from the seat area and having at the remote end thereof locating means for locating in use with roof battens; second support means extending substantially parallel from te seat area, away from the first support means, and having at the remote end thereof locating means for locating in use with a relatively higher roof batten; whereby the seat area is supported in a substantIally orizontal manner in use.

In this way, a stabile seat can be provided on a slanted roof so tat the roof engineer can comfortably sit on the seat whilst fixing tiles without twisting his feet or having the battens cut into his thign consequent to leaning against the cross battens.

Preferably, the distance of the first and/or second locating means from the seat area is adjustable and the seat can conveniently incorporate lock means to lock the seat at the adjusted position. As a result, the seat can be adjusted for different angles of slant of roofs. It is also preferred for both locating means to be adjustable so as to allow for variation in the spacing between the cross battens. The lock means maintain the locating means at the adjusted position thereby enhancing the safety of the seat.

In another preferred embodiment, the locating means is rotatable at the end remote from the seat area so as to permit sliding movement along the battens in use. This rotatability of the locating means is conveniently stiff enough to prevent sliding along the battens from the force of gravity. Consequently, when the engineer wishes to move along the roof parallel to the cross battens, it is only necessary to slide the seat along the battens so that movement is easier and overall less tiring whilst the stiffness is sufficient to prevent the seat from sliding under its own weight down any slope that the battens may have.

The locating means can conveniently have rollers to contact the battens in use, which rollers preferably comprise two cones joined at their apices. The heights of the two cones are generally different. The use of such rollers are preferred since they provide adequate location with the battens over a variety of batten sizes and roof slopes. The locating means are selected so that in use they do not extend below the plane defIned by the battens whilst in contact therewith. Otherwise, sliding movement of the seat along the battens would cut into the roof felt on the rafters.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two support means are joined at a lockable hinged joint wnereby the seat can be folded into a generally flat form.

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the present invention, Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the present invention.

Referring to figure 1, a typical roof comprises a plurality of joists 1 angled relative to the top of a building to provide the frame for a roof. Occasional vertical supports 2 can also be provided. After laying felt on the upper surface of the rafters (not shown) , the roof engineer fixes a plurality of cross battens 3 perpendicular to the joists to defines a series of rungs or steps up along the joists as illustrated. The battens are generally parallel to the top of the building being roofed.

A roof seat 4 embodying the present invention comprises a seat area 5 wit two legs 6 as first support means which extend downwardly from the seat area. The lower end of the legs 6 include feet 7 to securely locate with a cross batten. Two further legs 8 as second support means extend sideways from the seat area away from the legs 6 towards t roof and also have feet 9 to securely locate with a higher cross batten. By suitable selection of the length of the legs 6 and 8, a horizontal and securely located seat area 5 is provided. Consequently, a roof engineer can sit sideways to the roof with his legs resting on cross battens without any need to grip the battens or support the weight of the engineer.The engineer twists his upper torso to face the roof and fix tiles without the necessIty to lean against the battens. Thus the effects of the battens cutting into the engineers thighs is avoided. At the same time the engineer can press with his feet against the battens and slide along the battens if the feet 7 and 9 permit such movement.

Consequently, the effort required to lay tiles is reduced thereby improving productivity and decreasing dangers resulting from fatigue.

Referring to figure 2, the seat shown in figure 1 is illustrated in greater detail. Components common to both figures bear common reference numerals. It can be seen that the legs 6 and 8 in fa-. comprises metal bars 6B and 8A respectively, which are joined at 10 to define an L-shape.

A strengthening cross strut 11 is provided. Each bar includes a pair of side flanges 12A and 12B respectively which are threaded to receive respective threaded bars 13A and 13B. The end of the bar 13A remote fro the seat area, that is to say recite from the point 10, narrows to a shaft 14A which rotatably bears a roller 9A. A nut 15A is provIded at the end of the shaft 14A to retain the roller thereon.

The end of the bar 13B is connected to the base of an inverted U-shaped piece of metal 153 which mounts an axle 14B rotatably bearing a roller 7B. Consequently, the distance of the rollers 9A and 7B from the seat area 5, that is to say from the point 1û, can be adjusted. As a result, the seat can be altered for use on roofs having a range of roof slant angles and nter-oatten spacing. Althougn not snown, it is apparent that lock nuts can be provided to lock the positIon of the oars 13A and 13B.

The rollers 7B and 9A are in this example identical and comprise two cones joined at their apices. The cones have different heights with the shorter height cone being arranged to contact the upper surface of the battens in use as illustrated. The angle 16 defined between the edges of the two cones is selected to ensure that the rollers contact the battens in a secure manner over a range of roof slant angles. It should be noted that the diameter of the base of the shorter of the two cones is selected so as not to cut into the felt on the rafters 1. Similarly, the nut 15A and U-shaped metal piece 15B are formed so as not to cut the felt.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the present invention can be modified in many ways. For example, a person skilled i the art could produce alternative forms of feet 7 and 9. For example, the feet 9 could comprise hooks, or both feet 7 and 9 could comprise respective pieces of metal defining an inverted V-shape having an internal angle similar to angle 16. Of course the slidability of the seat along the battens is then reduced. It is in fact preferred tat the rollers do not rotate too well otherwise a seat left unattented on the roof may roll off. Naturally, all components of the seat are selected to be capable of taking the loads and strains encountered during use.

Furthermore, the joint 10 could be hinge wit the strut 11 being lockable. In this way, the leg 6 could be folded under the seat area 5 so that the seat 4 is generally flat for storage. Also, the manner by which the distance of the feet 7 and 9 is altered relative to point 1C could be changed, for example sliding bars 13A and 13B with locking devices could be used. It will also be apparent that for optimum use, both legs 6 and 8 should be adjustable otherwise the range of roofs on which the seat can be used is limited to particular slant angles.

The size of seat area selected can be enlarged to any size suitable for the task to be performed.

Claims (11)

1. A seat for location cn a slanted roo urine construction thereof, the seat having a defined substantially planar seat area; first support means extending beneath the seat area and having at the remote end thereof locating means for locating in use with a batten lower than the seat area; second support means extending to the side of the seat area away from the first support means and having at the remote end thereof locating means for locating in use with a relatively higher roof batten; whereby the seat area is supported in a substantially horizontal manner in use.

2. A seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first support means comprises a pair of legs extending substantially perpendicularly from the seat area.

3. A seat as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the second support means comprises a pair of arms extending substantially parallel from the seat area.

4. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the length of extension from the seat area of at least one of the first or second support means is adjustable to permit location of the seat on a range of roof slant angles.

5. A seat as claimed in claim 4 wherein the or each adjustable support means inciudes locking means to lock said length.

6. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim wnerein the locating means have a size whereby they do not extend below the plane defined by the battens whilst in contact therewith.

7. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locating means of at least one of the first or second support means is rotatable so as to permit sliding movement of the seat along the battens in use.

8. A seat as claimed in claita 7 wherein the locating means comprises roller means.

9. A seat as claimed in claim 8 wherein the roller means comprises two cones joined at their apices.

10. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first support means is connected to the defined seat area by a lockable hinge means.

11. A seat for location on a slanted roof during construction thereof substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.