GB2528106A

GB2528106A - Seats and safety supports

Info

Publication number: GB2528106A
Application number: GB1412288.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-10
Filing date: 2014-07-10
Publication date: 2016-01-13
Also published as: GB201412288D0

Abstract

A foldable seat or platform 10, for use on an inclined surface, preferably a roof, having a base 12, a flap 20 engaged with the base, preferably via hinge 21, a support 26, preferably hingedly connected to the flap and engageable between the flap and base to support the flap at a angle relative to the plane of the base, so that the flap is horizontal in use. The base may be a frame having side member 14,16 and cross members 18,19. The angle may be adjustable over a discrete range via engagement of the support with detents 31,31,32 located on each side member. The detents may me recesses or slots (130,131,132, Fig. 9). The seat may be folded flat when not in use so that the flap and support lie in the same plane as the base. The base may have attachment hooks (36, Figs. 2,5) for attachment to the exposed battens of a roof during construction.

Description

SEATS AND SAFETY SUPPORTS

This invention has to do with seats and safety supports intended for use on inclined surfaces, in particular on roofs.

The work of assembling or repairing an area of roof may involve working on an inclined surface above the ground for an extended period. This can be difficult and tiring. Additional factors such as wet weather and steep roof pitch can add to the hazard and difficulty. Seeing this, I now propose a form of portable seat or support to assist workers in such a situation.

A first aspect is a seat having a base or base means for resting on an inclined roof surface, means for holding the base in position on the roof surface and a seat portion extending above the base means at an angle so as to be horizontal or substantially horizontal when in use the base means rests on an inclined roof.

A second aspect is a foldable seat, suitable for use on an inclined surface such as a roof, and comprising base means adapted for resting on the inclined surface, a seat flap having a side engaged or engageable with the base means, and a support engageable between the seat flap and base means to support the flap at an angle (non-parallel) relative to the base means. Desirably the seat flap is hinged to the base means.

A further aspect is a seat according to either of the above aspects in which the angle between the seat or seat flap and the base means is selectively adjustable to more than one different stable position. This enables the seat to provide a generally horizontal sitting or support surface for more than one surface inclination (roof

pitches for example)

The angle between the general plane defined by the seat surface and a base plane defined by the base means (corresponding to the plane defined by a support surface, such as the exposed frame or tinther structure of a roof) is typically between 40 and 70%. Where the angle is adjustable, it is desirably adjustable to any of a plurality of individual values over this range, continuously or discontinuously.

As mentioned, an inner edge of the seat (inner in the sense of being closer to the support surface in use, i.e. towards the top of the base means) can be hingedly connected to the base means. This may enable the seat to be folded flat when not in use.

It is also preferred that the support means, engaging an outer portion of the seat or seat flap, e.g. at or adjacent an outer edge thereof, is pivotally or hingedly attached to the seat or seat flap. This also facilitates folding and portability, while being conveniently compatible with the preferred adjustability of angle mentioned above.

The base means rests on the inclined support surface, e.g. roof surface, to define a stable base alignment relative to which the seat angle is defined.

To secure its pcsition on the inclined surface the base is desirably provided with attachment means for securing it in position on the inclined surface. This may be attachment means adapted for securing to elements of a frame structure, such as the exposed battens of a roof.

Desirable attachment means comprises one or more projections extending downwardly relative to the base plane of the base means, and more preferably one or more hook projections extending downwardly so as to be engageable both above and beneath such a frame structure element and prevent dislodgement of the seat. Preferably plural such downward projections e.g. hooks are provided, with a space or spaces between. The lateral breadth of this spaced structure gives stability. The space between enables the seat to be positioned without obstruction by elements such as rafters extending perpendicularly to the elements over which the hooks or projections are engaged, and which might otherwise prevent them from being moved into full engagement. The position can then be freely chosen.

In the above-mentioned preferred hinged, foldable embodiment the base means desirably has a detent formation engagable with a distal end of the support means (e.g. support flap) when the seat has been folded out into position. Engagement of the end of the support means with this detent formation holds the seat at the intended angle. For adjustability of the angle, a plurality of detent formations may be distributed up and down the base means, or else a movable, lockable detent means may be provided. Any suitably sturdy inter-engagement between the end of the support and the base means may be suitable. Desirably the engagement of these parts does not result in part of the support projecting below the base means, since this might be obstructed by or fouled on part of an underlying support surface. So, preferred detent formations are upward projections on the base means, behind which a corresponding portion of the seat support can be engaged. Desirably the support portion angles out and down below the seat in the operating position, so that weight on the seat reinforces

stable engagement.

The detent formation desirably extends across the width of the base means for stability and strength.

Preferably this lateral extent is provided by plural detent formations distributed across the base means at laterally spaced positions, e.g. on respective side members of a frame.

The base means may be a plate, board or an open construction such as a frame. Open construction is preferred for light weight. For example a preferable base means has a pair of laterally-spaced side members, to be positioned extending up and down the inclined surface in use, connected together by one or more cross-pieces, preferably at least across the top and preferably also across the bottom. A seat flap may be hinged to or at the top cross-piece. Detent formations such as upstanding abutments may be provided on the respective side members, to engage corresponding side portions of a support part for supporting the seat, e.g. a support flap depending from the seat. Suitable abutments or detents are conveniently provided as or by recesses or slots, e.g. in a longitudinally-extending (top-to-bottom direction) member of the base or frame.

The material is not critical. A wood and/or metal assembly is adequate. More preferably, the major structural elements are metal, especially of aluminium which is light and strong.

Embodiments of the above proposals are now described with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a roofing seat; Fig. 2 is a side view of the Fig. 1 seat; Fig. 3 is a schematic side view showing the seat in position on an inclined roof surface; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing a specific alternative formation of a seat support detent on a base frame side member; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top end view showing a specific formation and disposition of attachment hooks; Fig. 6 is an oblique view of a specific embodiment of a roofing seat; Fig. 7 shows a plate form used for a seat and for a seat support component thereof; Fig. 8 shows details of a top cross-piece thereof; Fig. 9 is an oblique top view of a side member of the base frame thereof, and Fig. 10 is an inner side view of the side member.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, a roofing seat 10 has a generally planar base frame 12 in an open form, made from a pair of spaced parallel side members 14,16, a top cross-piece 18 connecting between the top ends of the side meribers 14,16 and a stabilising rod or strip 19 connecting between the lower ends of the side members.

A seat flap 20 has its top (inner) edge hinged along the top cross-piece 18 by a hinge 21. A support flap or drop-leaf 26 is hinged along the lower/outer edge of the seat flap 20 by a further hinge 28.

The seat flap 20 and the support flap 26 are generally rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, and extend substantially the whole width of the base frame 12. The hinges may be secured to the plate by welding and/or riveting, according to the material used.

Each of the two side members 14,16 of the support frame 12 has a set of detents 30,31,32 arranged towards its lower end, with their positions aligned as between the two side members 14,16. In this schematic structure these detents are shown in the form of small plates fixed by their lcwer edges to the upper surfaces of the side members, and projecting up obliquely at angles corresponding to the angle which will be taken by the support flap 26 when its outer edge 34 slides in behind the respective detent 30,31,32. The positions of the respective detents are chosen, in conjunction with the length of the seat 20 and its support flap 26, so that the seat plate 20 will be horizontal when the support frame 12 is inclined at angles of 30%, 45% and 60%.

These correspond to typical roof pitches that may be encountered. With the seat horizontal, in each of these positions the drop-leaf 26 projects both out and down, so that weight on the seat tends to urge it more securely into contact behind the detent with which it is engaged.

Fig. 3 shows schematically the seat in position on a roof surface, showing how the seat flap 20 can be substantially horizontal.

A carrying handle is provided, e.g. in the form of a hole 22 adjacent to the top of the seat plate 20. It will be understood that by disengaging the drop leaf 26 from the detents, the seat flap 20 and the drop leaf 26 can then hang freely and flat, resting against the support frame.

For securing the support frame 12 in position on exposed roof timbers or frame elements, Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 indicate attachment hooks 36 which project down and back below the top edge of the frame. These are dimensioned to fit around a conventional roof batten timber, indicated in cross-section at 39 in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows that a pair of attachment hooks 36 provided at a spacing, with a clearance in between so that they can be engaged with a batten to either side of a rafter if necessary.

The detent plates 30,31,32 are only one option.

Other types of detent may be used, depending on the nature of the base frame and the support member (which of course need not be in plate form) . For example upstanding detent members may instead be cut out and folded up or otherwise formed integrally with the material of the base. Fig. 4 shows a practical structural option in which the side member 14 has an right-angle section, with a vertical outer flange 142 and a flange 141 lying in the base plane. This enables a detent tab 30 to be fixed securely by a side edge weld 144 and a bottom edge weld 143. Other possibilities will occur to the skilled person.

Furthermore the detent formation(s) of the base may be a slot or opening, adapted to receive a corresponding projection or end formation of the support means.

The hook formations 36 (Fig. 5) are desirably formed integrally with the top cross-piece 18, e.g. by using angle-section or channel-section stock to make this cross-piece 18 and cutting away as necessary to make the clearance between the hooks 36. The side members, which like the cross-piece are desirably of aluminium, may be secured to it in any convenient way. Alternatively the hooks 36 might be formed by integral bends at the top ends of the side members, and the cross-piece 18 may then be a separate piece connecting between them.

Figs. 6 to 10 show a most preferred embodiment and some of its component parts. Parts corresponding to parts already described in the previous schematic embodiments use the same reference numerals with 100 added.

The entire construction is made from aluminium. The two side members 114,116 are upwardly-open U-channels with (Figs. 9 and 10) a flat base portion 241, an inner side wall 240 and an outer side wall 242. The top end piece 130 and bottom end piece 119 are also open channels, but with their openings directed inwardly. The parts are generally connected by riveting. The seat plate 120 and support plate 126 are rectangular plates, e.g. cheguer plate or tread plate 4 -6 mm thick. Fig. 7 shows the seat plate with a handle hole 122 towards its top end for carrying the seat, and rows 150,151 of holes for riveting to the top and intermediate hinges 121,128, along the edges of the sheet. The support plate or drop-leaf 126 also has a handle hole (123) towards the upper end (not visible in Fig. 6, but note schematic indication 23 in Fig. 1), that is, adjacent the hinge 128 making it easy to lift the hinged seat elements from the flat stowed position to the operating position shown.

In this embodiment the seat plate and drop-leaf plate are the same size and shape, facilitating manufacture. See Fig. 7. The only difference between them is that the distal edge of the support plate need not have the set of rivet holes 151. The width of the seat/support plates 120,126 is slightly less than the width defined by the outer walls of the side members 114, 116, so that when folded down the seat plates are recessed between them. For this purpose the inner wall of each side member is tapered down towards the top hinge: see taper 2401 on inner wall 240 in Figs. 9 and 10. The inner wall 240 also has a generally slightly reduced height relative to the outer, including a portion 2402 towards the bottom end defining a slot under the top wall of the bottom cross-piece 119, so that in the folded-down position the end of the drop-leaf 126 tucks into the slot for neat stowage. The side member inner wall also has a small notch clearance 241 about half-way along (see Fig. 10) to accommodate the intermediate hinge 128.

A particular feature in this embodiment is that the detents for the end of the seat support plate 126 are provided by angled slots 130,131,132 in the inner wall 240 of each side member. These are shown more clearly in Figs. 9 and 10. As in the previous embodiments (using additional lug or plate detents) the angle of each one is adjusted to match the corresponding angle of the support plate 126 according to the angle of the seat. Fig. 10 shows, for the two slots 131,132 with the greater degree of extension, a guide ramp portion 1310, 1320 at the entrance to the respective slot 131,132 to assist insertion of the plate edge at the flatter angles.

As in the proposal of Fig. 5, the top cross-piece has a pair of spaced hook portions 136 to give flexible positioning of the seat according to the disposition of rafters etc. As regards the dimensions, these are not critical provided that the seat is large enough and strong enough to take a person's weight, and the construction of the base has sufficient extent to give stability on the underlying structure with which it is to be used. As far as a roof is concerned, the base is preferably at least 400 mm from top to bottom, more preferably at least 500 mm, so that it will be stable and span e.g. plural battens at any normal spacing. The embodiment of Figs. 6 to 10 is e.g. about 600 mm long and about 230 mm wide.

The benefits of the construction are self-evident.

In addition to convenience and rest, this product materially enhances safety, especially on roofs of steep pitch.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A foldable seat, suitable for use on an inclined surface such as a roof, and comprising base means adapted for resting on the inclined surface, a seat flap having a side engaged or engageable with the base means, and a support engageable between the seat flap and base means to support the flap at an angle, non-parallel, relative to the base means so as to be horizontal or substantially horizontal when in use.
2. A foldable seat according to claim 1 in which the seat flap is hinged to the base means. r r
3. A foldable seat according to claim 1 or 2 in which o the angle between the seat flap and the base means is selectively adjustable to more than one different stable position.
4. A foldable seat according to any one of the preceding claims in which the angle between a general plane defined by the seat flap surface and a base plane defined by the base means is between 40 and 70%, and is adjustable to any of a plurality of individual values over this range.
5. A foldable seat according to any one of the preceding claims which can be folded flat.
6. A foldable seat according to any one of the preceding claims in which the support engages an outer portion of the seat flap, at or adjacent an outer edge thereof, and is pivotally or hingedly attached to the seat flap.
7. A foldable seat according to any one of the preceding claims in which the base means is provided with attachment means for securing it in position on a frame structure, such as the exposed battens of a roof, in use.
8. A foldable seat according to claim 7 in which the attachment means comprises one or more hook projections r extending downwardly so as to be engageable both above r 15 and beneath a frame structure element.LO
9. A foldable seat according to any one of the preceding claims in which the base means has a detent formation engagable with a distal end of the support to hold the seat flap at the intended angle.
10. A foldable seat according to claim 9 in which a plurality of said detent formations is provided distributed up and down the base means,
11. A foldable seat according to claim 9 or 10 in which plural detent formations are distributed across the base means at laterally spaced positions.
12. A foldable seat according to any one of the preceding claims in which the base means has a pair of laterally-spaced side members, to be positioned extending up and down the inclined surface in use, connected together by a cross-piece across the top and a cross-piece across the bottom, the seat flap being hinged to or at the top cross-piece.
13. A foldable seat according to claim 12 in which detent formations are provided on the respective side members, to engage corresponding side portions of the support which comprises a support flap depending from the seat. Il_So
14. A foldable seat according to claim 13 in which the detent formations are provided as recesses or slots in the side members of the base means.
15. A foldable seat substantially as described and shown herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, or with reference to Figs. 6 to 10 of the drawings.
16. Use of a foldable seat according to any one of claims 1 to 15 as a roofing seat, securing it in position on a frame structure of a roof.