GB2342380A

GB2342380A - Roof anchor

Info

Publication number: GB2342380A
Application number: GB9818483A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Paterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-26
Filing date: 1998-08-26
Publication date: 2000-04-12
Also published as: GB9818483D0

Abstract

A roof anchor comprises a yoke (10) arranged to seat upon the ridge of a roof, and a pair of legs (20,40) which are pivoted to the yoke and arranged to rest on the roof either side of the ridge. Preferably the underside of the yoke is curved to complement the curvature of the ridge tile and is faced with a lining of frictional material.

Description

Roof Anchor Device The present invention relates to a portable anchor device for use on a ridged roof, to provide a support or anchoring point for a person or persons working on the roof.

Safety measures relating to pitched roofs have traditionally concentrated on scaffolding variations and staging supports all of which involve considerable time to erect. Anchoring points on pitched roofs have conventionally concentrated on devices that may be secured permanently to various elements of a roof, such as a roof truss, rafter or ridge, so that the anchoring element typically an eye-bolt, projects through the roof surface. While such anchoring devices have proved satisfactory, most require to be installed at the time of roof construction. The fixing of such permanent anchors on an existing roof may require the displacement of roof tiles or slates and the partial removal of roof boards.

I have now devised a portable roof anchor which is of relatively simple construction but straightforward to use and provides a high degree of safety: in particular, the device enables one-man working.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a roof anchor which comprises a yoke arranged to seat upon the ridge of a roof, and a pair of legs which are pivoted to the yoke and arranged to rest on the roof either side of the ridge.

The yoke seats on the ridge of the roof and thus provides a stable foundation for the anchor. Preferably the underside of the yoke is curved to complement the curvature of the ridge tile. Preferably the underside of the yoke is faced with a lining of frictional material.

Preferably each leg is telescopic so that it can be extended to a desired length.

Preferably the upper ends of the two legs are coupled together, e. g. by intermeshed toothed sectors, such that the two legs always lie at corresponding angles relative to the yoke.

Preferably the yoke comprises an inverted-U shaped member and the upper end of each leg projects into the space between the opposite sides of this member, a pivot pin extending through the opposite sides of the yoke member and through the upper end of each leg.

Preferably a foot is coupled to each leg, adjacent its upper end, and an arrangement is provided for urging this foot against the surface of the roof, so clamping the anchor firmly and safely in position.

Preferably the lower end of each leg has a pair of arms projecting sideways from it, for resting on the roof surface.

Preferably the yoke is provided with a fixing point, e. g. an eye-bolt, to which a safety line is attached, in use of the device.

Preferably a peg projects upwardly from the lower end of each leg. If two of the roof anchors are fitted to the roof, spaced along its ridge, then a toe board can be coupled to the pegs of the two anchors, on one side of the roof, by engaging holes in the toe board over the respective pegs.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a roof anchor in accordance with the present invention, fitted onto a roof; FIGURE 2 is an end view of the roof anchor, shown partly in section; FIGURE 3 is an elevation of the roof anchor from one side; FIGURE 4 is an end view of the roof anchor, shown with its two legs closed together for storage or transport of the anchor; and FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the roof anchor with its legs closed together.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a portable anchor which comprises a yoke assembly 10 for seating onto the ridge of a roof, and two telescopic legs 20,40 which are pivoted to the yoke assembly 10 and extend down the opposite sides of the roof. The yoke assembly comprises an inverted-U shaped member 12 the lower edges of which are curved to seat onto the ridge of the roof: brackets 14 project from the opposite sides of the yoke member 12 to extend along and rest on the ridge of the roof to help stabilise the anchor. The underside of the yoke member 12 and brackets 14 are preferably faced with a rubber or other anti-slip lining.

Each leg e. g. 20 comprises three box-section members 21,22,23 assembled together in telescopic manner: the upper end of the outer member 21 projects into the space between the opposite sides of the yoke member 12 and a pivot pin 24 extends through the opposite sides of the yoke member 12 and through the upper end of the member 21, to pivot the leg to the yoke.

The upper ends of the two legs have toothed sectors e. g. 26 which are meshed together so that when either leg is pivoted relative to the yoke, the other leg will be correspondingly pivoted and the two legs will always lie at corresponding angles relative to the yoke. For each leg, a series of holes e. g. 28 is provided in the opposite sides of the yoke member 12 and a locking pin 29 is provided for passing through a selected pair of holes, above the leg member 21, to lock the leg against pivoting upwards.

The outer end of the innermost leg member 23 has a pair of elongate arms 30 projecting sidewards in opposite directions, to rest onto the roof. The outermost leg member 21 has a foot 32 slidably coupled to it adjacent its upper end and a bolt 34 threaded through it to bear on the foot 32: by tightening the bolt 34, the foot 32 is clamped against the roof, adjacent the ridge.

An eye bolt 36 is fixed to the top of the yoke 12 to provide a fixing point for a line, the other end of which is fastened to the worker on the roof. A similar fixing point is provided at 37 adjacent the upper end of each leg.

The lower end of each leg is provided with an upwardlyprojecting peg 38. If two of the roof anchors are fitted to the roof, spaced apart along the ridge, then a pre-holed toe board may be engaged over the pegs 38 of the two anchors, on one side of the roof.

It will be appreciated that the anchor which has been devised is portable and enables one-man working. 3t is of relatively simple construction yet straightforward to use and ensures a high degree of safety to the user.

Claims

Claims 1) A roof anchor which comprises a yoke arranged to seat upon the ridge of a roof, and a pair of legs which are pivoted to the yoke and arranged to rest on the roof either side of the ridge.

2) A roof anchor as claimed in claim 1, in which the underside of the yoke is curved to complement the curvature of the ridge tile.

3) A roof anchor as claimed in claim 2, in which the underside of the yoke is faced with a lining of frictional material.

4) A roof anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each said leg is telescopic for adjustment in length thereof.

5) A roof anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the upper ends of the legs are coupled together so as always to lie at corresponding angles relative to the yoke.

6) A roof anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the yoke comprises an inverted-U shaped member and the upper end of each leg projects into the space between the opposite sides of said member, a pivot pin extending through the opposite sides of said member and through the upper end of each leg.

7) A roof anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a foot is coupled to each leg and an arrangement is provided for urging said foot against the surface of the roof, for clamping the anchor firmly in position on the roof.

8) A roof member as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lower end of each leg has a pair of arms projecting sideways therefrom, for vesting on the roof surface. 9) A roof anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the yoke is provided with a fixing point for attachment of a safety line.

10) A roof anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a peg projects upwardly from the lower end of each leg.

11) A roof anchor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.