GB2281093A

GB2281093A - Improvements in and relating to roof anchors

Info

Publication number: GB2281093A
Application number: GB9416546A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice O'callaghan
Original assignee: CITY OF GLASGOW DISTRICT COUNC
Current assignee: CITY OF GLASGOW DISTRICT COUNC
Priority date: 1993-08-21
Filing date: 1994-08-16
Publication date: 1995-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2014-08-16
Also published as: GB9317420D0; GB9416546D0; GB2281093B

Abstract

A portable roof anchor (10) comprises two pivotally connected spines (12, 14) for location on respective roof surfaces (16, 18) on either side of a roof ridge (20). The lower ends of each spine (12, 14) are provided with anchor points (22, 24) to which a safety line (25) may be attached. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ROOF ANCHORS This invention relates to a roof anchor for use in supporting a person working on a sloping roof.

When undertaking roof repairs, or inspection or cleaning work on a roof, it is desirable that an anchor is provided which will safely support a worker on the roof surface, or will provide mounting for a safety line to prevent the worker falling from the roof in the event that he, for example, loses his footing.

Various methods have been used to support workers on roofs: where skylights are provided in a roof, safety lines may be attached to roof trusses or rafters inside the loft space. However, roof trusses are not designed to support such loads and may not have sufficient strength to support the weight of a person, particularly in the event of a fall. Various forms of roof anchors have been proposed which are secured to one or more roof trusses, and which extend through the roof covering, to provide an attachment point for a safety line. While such anchors are generally effective they are relatively expensive to fit and require periodic inspection and replacement, as the anchors are weakened by corrosion. Roof ladders are also used, these being normal ladders provided with a large hook at the upper end which allows the ladder to be supported from the roof ridge.Such ladders have the disadvantage that they may be quite difficult to locate on a roof, as the ladder has to be lifted from ground vel and then manhandled onto the roof surface and positioned over the roof ridge.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a portable roof anchor which obviates or mitigates these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable roof anchor comprising two pivotally connected spine members for location on respective roof surfaces on either side of a roof ridge, at least one of the spine members including anchor means for providing a point of attachment for user support means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of supporting a person on a sloping roof comprising the steps: (a) providing a portable roof anchor comprising two pivotally connected spine members, at least one of the spine members including anchor means for providing a point of attachment for a user support; (b) adjusting the angle between the spine members to correspond to the pitch of the roof; (c) locating one spine member on each side of the roof ridge; and (d) attaching a user support to the anchor means.

In use, a person fitted with a safety harness can secure himself, by means of a length of rope or the like, to the anchor means. The roof anchor will support the user while he is working on the roof, for example while carrying out a repair or carrying out cleaning or inspection work, and will also restrain the user in the event of a fall.

The use of spine members provides a relatively compact and lightweight arrangement which may be carried or lifted onto a roof without difficulty, and which may be easily moved to different positions on a roof.

Preferably, anchor means are provided on both of the spine members.

Preferably also, at least the other of the spine members includes a support for a second, anchor person.

The weight of the second person provides additional security and stability and provides a convenient platform for the second person who would normally accompany the person carrying out the work on the roof. Most preferably, supports are provided on both spine members, such that the anchor does not have to be turned around to allow the user to work on the other roof surface. The support preferably permits the second person to stand, sit or kneel on the respective spine member and may comprise one or more crossmembers.

Preferably also, the spine members are connected by a hinge arrangement which permits the members to be fixed at a convenient angle to one another, corresponding to the pitch of the roof. Conveniently, the hinge includes a locking arrangement including a locking member pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of one spine member and having a pin at the other end for engaging a slot provided in the upper end of the other spine member, the pin being lockable at a desired location in the slot. Most preferably, the hinge arrangement allows the spine members to be pivoted between an in-use position and a transport and storage position, in which the spine members lie adjacent and substantially parallel to one another.

Conveniently, the hinge may lie above the longitudinal axis of one spine member and on the longitudinal axis of the other spine member.

Preferably also, the lower ends of the spine members are provided with handles to facilitate movement of the anchor along the roof. The handles may be provided in the anchor person supports.

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable roof anchor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the portable roof anchor of Figure 1, shown mounted on a roof; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of area 3 of Figure 2, illustrating a hinge arrangement; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the hinge arrangement illustrated in Figure 3.

The drawings illustrate a portable roof anchor 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As will be described, the portable roof anchor 10 is intended to form part of a system for supporting a worker on a sloping roof, such as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The portable roof anchor 10 comprises two pivotally connected spines 12, 14 for location on respective roof surfaces 16, 18 on either side of a roof ridge 20. The lower ends of each spine 12, 14 are provided with anchor points 22, 24 to which a safety line 25 may be attached.

In this example each spine 12, 14 is formed of square (50 x 50 mm) hollow section aluminium alloy, which is both light and strong. The spines 12, 14 are connected by means of a hinge arrangement 26, illustrated in some detail in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. The hinge axis 28 lies on the longitudinal axis 30 of the spine 14, but above the axis 32 of the spine 12. Two gusset plates 34, 36 are welded one on either side of the upper end of the spine 12 and the upper end of the spine 14 is located between the plates 34, 36. A ferrule is welded to the plates 34, 36, the hinge pin being the form of a bolt 42 held in the ferrule by means of a nut 44 and appropriate washers.

The hinge 26 also includes a locking arrangement which includes an L-shaped locking plate 46 the ends of which are pivotally attached to the upper ends of the spines 12, 14 by means of hinge pins in the form of bolts 50, 52. The hinge provided by the bolt 50 between the member 46 and the spine 12 is formed in a somewhat similar manner to the main hinge, including a ferrule welded to the outer surfaces of the gusset plates 34, 36. However, the other bolt 52 is located in a slot 58 formed in the spine 14 and reinforced by a pair of aluminium alloy plates 60, 62 welded one to each side of the spine 14. A dog tooth rack 61 is welded to the plate 60 and engages a corresponding pad 63 mounted on the bolt 52.To facilitate loosening of the bolt 52, and thus adjustment of the angle between the spines 12, 14, the bolt is provided with a spring-loaded handle 64, which allows the bolt 52 to be loosened and tightened by hand, without requiring the use of tools.

The hinge arrangement 26 is such that the spines 12, 14 may be pivoted between the working position, as shown in the drawings, and a storage and transport position in which the spines 12, 14 lie adjacent and parallel to one another.

Mounted on each spine 12, 14 are various cross-members 68 - 71 which engage the roof surface 16, 18 and hold the spines 12, 14 clear 9f the roof, provide stability for the anchor 10, and allow a second, anchor person to stand, sit or kneel on the anchor 10. Each cross-member 68 - 71 is provided with a non-slip rubber bearing pad 72. It will be noted that the upper cross-members 70, 71 are spaced from the spine by blocks to provide greater spacing between the upper ends of the spines 12, 14 and the roof, to accommodate projecting ridge tiles and the like. A n g 1 e sections 73 are provided on the upper faces of the lower cross-members 68, 69 to form foot holds. The sections 73 include cut-outs 74 which may be utilised to assist in lifting the anchor 10 when it is to be moved along a roof.

The worker to be supported by the roof anchor 10 attaches a safety line 25 to one of the anchor points 22, 24. Each anchor point comprises a pair of plates 76 welded to the end of the spine, and a bolt 78 extending between the plates 76.

In use, the spine construction of the portable roof anchor 10, and the ability to arrange the spines 12, 14 to lie adjacent to one another, provides a lightweight and compact arrangement which may be easily lifted onto a roof, either by means of an external ladder or through a skylight from a loft area. Once on the roof, the spines 12, 14 may be easily set to the appropriate angle to match the roof pitch, and locked in this position by tightening the bolt 52. The worker who is to carry out the work on the roof then attaches a safety line to one of the anchor points 22, 24 while the second worker stands or kneels on the crossmember 69, 68 on the spine 14, 12 on the other side of the roof, and will also attach a safety line to the other anchor point 24, 22.

Thus, from the above described embodiment of the present invention, it will be seen that the roof anchor 10 provides a convenient and safe means for supporting a worker on a sloping roof, the anchor 10 being particularly useful for small jobs of short duration.

It will also be clear to those of skill in the art that the above described embodiment is merely exemplary of the present invention, and that various modifications and improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example a platform may be provided on each spine to allow the second worker to sit or kneel more comfortably.

Claims

1. A portable roof anchor comprising two pivotally connected spine members for location on respective roof surfaces on either side of the roof ridge, at least one of the spine members including anchor means for providing a point of attachment for user support means.

2. The portable roof anchor of claim 1 wherein anchor means are provided on both of the spine members.

3. The portable roof anchor of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least the other of the spine members includes a support for an anchor person.

4. The portable roof anchor of claim 3, wherein anchor person supports are provided on both spine members.

5. The portable roof anchor of any of the preceding claims wherein the spine members are connected by a hinge arrangement which permits the members to be fixed at an angle to one another, corresponding to the pitch of a roof.

6. The portable roof anchor of claim 5 wherein the hinge includes a locking arrangement including a locking member pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of one spine member and having a pin at the other end for engaging a slot provided in the upper end of the other spine member, the pin being lockable at a desired location in the slot.

7. The portable roof anchor of any of the preceding claims wherein the spine members are movable between in an in use position and a transport storage position.

8. The portable roof anchor of claim 7 wherein, in the transport storage position, the spine members lie adjacent and substantially parallel to one another.

9. The portable roof anchor of claim 8 wherein the pivot axis of the spine members lies above the longitudinal axis of one spine member and intersects the longitudinal axis of the other spine member.

10. The portable roof anchor of any preceding claim wherein the lower ends of the spine members are provided with handles to facilitate movement of the anchor along a roof.

11. A method of supporting a person on a sloping roof comprising the steps: (a) providing a portable roof anchor comprising two pivotally connected spine members, at least one of the spine members including anchor means for providing a point of attachment for a user support; (b) adjusting the angle between the spine members to correspond to the pitch of the roof; (c) locating one spine member on each side of the roof ridge; and (d) attaching a user support to the anchor means.

12. A portable roof anchor substantially described above and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.