GB2235718A

GB2235718A - Safety device for workmen on a roof

Info

Publication number: GB2235718A
Application number: GB9018028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Gallimore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-08-17
Filing date: 1990-08-16
Publication date: 1991-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 2010-08-16
Also published as: GB8918745D0; GB9018028D0; GB2235718B

Abstract

Apparatus 10 for supporting workmen laying strips of roofing material 12 comprising a working platform 14 supported across the roof purlins 18. A plurality of support apparatus 16 are mounted on the platform 14. Each apparatus 16 comprises a pair of spaced bars 32 mounting therebetween netting 40 to arrest the fall of persons from the platform 14. The bars 32 and hence netting 40 extend beneath the top surface of the purlins 18 for a distance greater than the width of the strips of roofing material 12. <IMAGE>

Description

Support Apparatus This invention relates to support apparatus, particularly but not exclusively apparatus for supporting workmen on the roof of a building, and especially apparatus for supporting workmen laying roofing material.

The roofs of steel framed buildings such as factories or warehouses often comprise strips of roofing material extending transversely across the roof. Such roofs are conventially laid one strip at a time from a working platform also extending transversely across the roof. The platform is supported on the roof purlins and is progressively moved from one end of the roof to the other as the strips are laid. A problem encountered with this system is that after a strip of roofing material has been fixed to the building the platform is moved approximately the width of the strip for a new strip to be laid. At this point there exists a gap between the platform and the already laid strip. This gap is obviously dangerous in that a workman can fall through it.

Previously static and inertia safety lines have been used to arrest the fall of workmen falling through this gap but these restrict freedom of movement and workmen often choose not to wear them.

According to the present invention there is provided supporl apparatus comprising means for mounting same on a roof working platform such that a part of the apparatus can extend from one side of the platform, and means on said part of the apparatus for arresting the fall of a person from said one side of the platform, the apparatus being shaped to permit roofing material to be laid over said part of the apparatus.

The apparatus is preferably constructed such that it can extend between a pair of roof purlins, desirably with said part of the apparatus below the top surface of the purlins.

The apparatus is preferably movable between a first condition where said part thereof extends substantially parallel to the platform and a second condition where said part extends substantially perpendicular to the platform to define a side wall therefor.

The apparatus is preferably constructed such that the size of said part may be varied to accomodate different spacings between purlins.

The apparatus may include a pair of elongate members and means for mounting said members on the working platform in a spaced relationship, to extend from one side thereof with the arresting means being located between said members.

The arresting means may comprise netting mountable on the elongate members. Another part of the elongate members may be capable of extending beneath the working platform in said first condition for at least a substantial part of the width of the platform. The elongate members may be pivotally connected to the mounting means to be movable between said first and second conditions.

One or more further elongate members may be provided connectable between a pair of elongate members to provide the correct spacing therebetween, and the further elongate members may be adjustable in length.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a working platform with support apparatus according to any of the preceding seven paragraphs mounted thereon.

Preferably a plurality of such support apparatus are provided on the working platform.

The invention further provides apparatus for supporting workmen during the laying of strips of roofing msterial on a roof, the apparatus comprising a working platform mounting a support apparatus according to any of said seven preceding paragraphs for each space defined between adjacent roof purlins.

A pair of elongate members are preferably provided on each support aparatus with a part of said members extending from one side of the platform of a greater length than the strips of roofing material.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.1. is a diagrammatic plan view of a working platform and support apparatus according to the invention being used during the laying of sheets of roofing material; Fig. 2. is a cross-sectional view along the line A to A in Fig. 1; and Fig.3. is a plan view of part of the support apparatus of Fig. 1 in a second condition.

The drawings show apparatus 10 for supporting workmen who are laying strips 12 of roofing material. The apparatus 10 comprises a working platform 14 supported across the purlins 18 of a roof and mounting a plurality of support apparatus 16, one apparatus 16 between each pair of adjacent purlins 18. A hand rail 20 and uprights 22 are provided along the right hand side of the platform (as shown in Fig. 1) 14 and the support apparatus 16 are mounted on the left hand side of the platform 14.

Each apparatus 16 comprises a pair of mounting brackets 24 which each have two profiled end portions 26 connected by a web 28. The portions 26 are shaped to snap fit on to an upstanding side edge flange 30 of the platform 14. Each bracket 24 pivotally mounts, between the portions 26, a rectangular section tubular bar 32.

The bar 32 is mounted to the bracket 24 along its length such that when lying substantially horizontal a part 34 ssof the bar underlies a substantial part of the width of the platform 14, and a further part 36 extends away from the platform 14 for a distance greater than the width of the strips 12. A pair of rods 38 extend between the parts 36 of the bars 32 provided on each pair of bracket 24, one adjacent each end of the parts 36. If required, the rods 38 may be adjustable in length by for example comprising one component telescoping in another component.

Netting 40 is provided extending across the rectangle defined by the parts 36 of a pair of bars 32 and the respective rods 38. The rods 38 can either be locked in a substantially horizontal condition as shown in figs. 1 and 2 or in a substantially vertical condition as shown in fig. 3 wherein the nets 40 act as a sidewall for the platform 14.

In use as shown in the drawings, strips of roofing material 12 are sequentially laid on the purlins 18 of a roof. The apparatus 10 is arranged on the purlins 18, as shown in fig.1, such that the free ends of the parts 36 of the bars extend just under the last strip of roofing material 12 to have been laid. A new strip 12 will then be laid so as to overlie the netting 40. The netting 40 and associated components close the gap between the previously laid strip 12 and platform 14 to prevent persons falling therethrough. When a new strip 12 has been fully laid over the netting 40 the apparatus 10 is moved to the right, a distance corresponding to the width of the strips 12 and the process is repeated.

There is thus described apparatus for preventing workmen from falling off the working side of a platform being used to install strips of roofing material. The netting either lies substantially horizontal closing the gap to the left of the platform or extends substantially vertically preventing workmen falling into this gap. The apparatus is particularly flexible and can be used on roofs with different size spacings between purlins.

Obviously if the apparatus is moved to a location with different spacing between adjacent purl ins the rods can either be altered in length, or, if not extendable, replaced, and the netting arranged accordingly. When the netting is either fitted or replaced on the bars this can obviously be carried in the vertical orientation therefore making this a simple and safer job.

The apparatus is of relatively simple construction and can thus be robustly and inexpensively made. The apparatus is easy to use but cannot be easily dismantled thus ensuring that it will be used.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the mounting brackets may be shaped differently according to the type of working platform used. The platform in the described example simply clips to the purlin and is slid therealong when required. Other platforms may be provided with wheels to run along the purlins. Further, the mounting brackets may have a different construction and may fit on the platform in a different manner.

Claims

1. Support apparatus comprising means for mounting same on a roof working platform such that a part of the apparatus can extend from one side of the platform, and means on said part of the apparatus for arresting the fall of a person from said one side of the platform, the apparatus being shaped to permit roofing material to be laid over said part ot the apparatus.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1,in which the apparatus is constructed such that it can extend between a pair of roof purlins.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the apparatus is constructed such that when the apparatus extends between a pair of roof purlins said part of the apparatus is below the top surface of the purlins.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is movable between a first condition where said part thereof extends substantially parallel to the platform and a second condition where said part extends substantially perpendicular to the platform to define a side wall therefor.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is constructed such that the size of said part may be varied.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including a pair of elongate members and means for mounting said members on the working platform in a spaced relationship to extend from one side thereof with the arresting means located between said members.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the arresting means comprises netting mountable on the elongate members.

8. Apparatus according to claims 6 or 7,in which another part of the elongate members is capable of extending beneath the working platform in said first condition for at least a substantial part of the width of the platform.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8, in which the elongate members are pivotally connected to the mounting means to be movable between said first and second conditions.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9, in which one or more further elongate members are provided connectable between the pair of elongate members to provide the correct spacing therebetween.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which, the further elongate members are adjustable in length.

12. A working platform with support apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11 mounted thereon.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which a plurality of such support apparatus are provided on the working platform.

14. Apparatus for supporting workmen during the laying of strips of roofing material on a roof, the apparatus comprising a working platform mounting a support apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11 for each space defined between adjacent roof purlins.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, in which a pair of elongate members are provided on each support apparatus with a part of said members extending from one side of the platform of a greater length than the width of the strips of roofing material.

16. Support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.