NZ717906A

NZ717906A - An anchor device

Info

Publication number: NZ717906A
Application number: NZ717906A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Borris Fisher Peter; James Fisher Mason
Original assignee: Pumpjack Australasia Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-13
Filing date: 2015-03-13
Publication date: 2021-10-29

Abstract

The present invention provides an anchor device, comprising a substantially planar base portion that includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners and an intermediate inclined portion that extends upwardly from one side of the base portion to a substantially planar tab portion, the tab portion including an aperture that is shaped and dimensioned to receive a securing member; wherein the plurality of spaced apart apertures includes a set of apertures located centrally on the base portion and at least two sets of apertures aligned relative to one another and located at or adjacent opposing edges of the base portion. The anchor device can be used on a number of roof cladding profile.

Description

AN ANCHOR DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an anchor device. In particular, the invention relates to an anchor device for ting an individual on an elevated surface, such as a roof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present ion is directed toward an anchor device for supporting an individual on an elevated surface, such as a roof and, more particularly, to such an anchor device that prevents the individual from accidentally falling from an elevated surface.

There are a number of anchor devices in existence that are designed to prevent an individual falling from an elevated surface during construction, maintenance or other d ties on the elevated surface. The demand for anchor devices has increased recently e regulations require the use of safety and fall prevention devices to ensure the safety of individuals working on ed es.

Previous anchor devices typically were adapted to secure to an individual’s safety line and these are commonly used as anchorage points to provide a fall protection safety systems while performing roof construction or repair or the like. Roof anchors may be temporary or permanent. One of the difficulties with prior art anchor devices is that the anchor device is often very specific to a particular roof cladding profile. In New Zealand and Australia a vast number of roof claddings are manufactured and each roof cladding has a different shape profile. Some roof claddings are ated in shape, others are ribbed. In many claddings the ribs and corrugations are spaced apart at different intervals, some ribs are flat topped and other ribs or ridges are narrow in shape. The wide variation in roof cladding profiles causes problems for workers that need to carry a number of different roof anchors for use with the different roof profiles. The risks also increase in that a worker may select an anchor that is not the best one for a given roof cladding e.

It is an object of the present invention to e an anchor device that can be used on a number of roof cladding profiles or to at least provide the public with a useful .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect there is provided an anchor device, comprising: (i) a substantially planar base portion that includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners; (ii) an intermediate ed n that extends upwardly from one side of the base portion to a ntially planar tab portion, (iii) the tab n including an aperture that is shaped and dimensioned to receive a securing member; wherein the plurality of spaced apart apertures includes a set of apertures located centrally on the base portion and at least two sets of apertures aligned relative to one another and located at or adjacent opposing edges of the base portion.

In one embodiment the planar base portion is substantially rectangular in shape.

In one embodiment the tab portion is centrally aligned relative to the base portion.

In a further embodiment the re of the tab portion is centrally aligned relative to the width of the base portion.

In one embodiment the planar base portion includes at least 2 centrally located apertures shaped to receive a plurality of ers.

In one embodiment the planar base portion includes 4 centrally located apertures shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners.

In one embodiment the centrally located apertures are centrally aligned to the tab portion.

In one embodiment the planar base includes two sets of 2 apertures shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners and located at or adjacent opposing edges of the base portion.

In one embodiment the planar base portion includes two sets of 4 apertures shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners and located at or nt opposing edges of the base portion.

In one embodiment the planar base portion is about 240mm wide by about 100 mm deep.

In one ment the planar base n includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures, the apertures being oned at spaced apart als along the width and depth of the base portion.

In one embodiment the planar base portion has a plurality of spaced apart apertures located centrally widthwise.

In a further embodiment the planar base portion includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures located proximate the edges of the width of the base portion.

In one embodiment the planar base portion includes at least 6 apertures shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners.

In one embodiment the planar base portion includes at least 10 apertures, more preferably at least 15 apertures or most ably 20 apertures.

In one embodiment the planar base portion includes 4 apertures that are aligned along a center line.

In one embodiment the intermediate inclined portion s upwardly at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the planar base portion.

In one embodiment the apertures in the base portion are about 8mm in diameter.

In one embodiment the aperture of the tab portion is key-hole shaped and is dimensioned to receive a snap hook, a carabineer, or another suitable securing member.

In one embodiment the anchor device is constructed from a metal or a metal alloy, such as but not limited to ium or steel.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of securing an dual or an item to an elevated structure including the steps of: (a) locating a point to fix an anchor device as defined above to the elevated structure; (b) positioning fasteners through the apertures of the base portion of the anchor device and fastening the fasteners to secure the base n to the elevated structure; (c) positioning a securing member h the tab aperture of the anchor device.

In one embodiment the method includes the further step of using the securing member to secure an individual or item on the elevated structure.

In one embodiment the fasteners are spaced apart and positioned along the base plate to suit the shape e of the elevated structure. In one ment where the elevated structure is a roof and the roof has a profiled roof cladding, the fasteners are positioned at points that are suited to the profile of the roof cladding.

In a third aspect, the t invention includes a kit comprising an anchor device as defined above and a securing .

In one embodiment the kit further includes a protective member that is placed over the tab n of the anchor device to protect the substrate to which the anchor device is affixed from wear by the securing member when in use.

This summary of the ion broadly describes the features and advantages of certain embodiments of the invention. Further features and advantages will be bed in the detailed description of the invention that follows.

Novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention will be better understood from this detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. However, the accompanying drawings are intended to help illustrate the invention or assist with understanding the invention, and are not intended to define the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1(a) to 1(i): show various roof cladding profiles and their respective cross sections.

Figure 2: shows a perspective view of an anchor device of the present invention.

Figure 3: shows a plan view of the anchor device shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4: shows a perspective view of the anchor device shown in Figure 2 connected to a securement member.

Figure 5: shows a perspective view of the anchor device connected to a securement member and including a substrate protecting member.

Figure 6: shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of an anchor device of the t invention.

Figure 7: shows a perspective view of the anchor device shown in Figure 4 fastened to a corrugated roofing cladding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Prior to g forth the invention in detail, it may be l to provide definitions of certain terms to be used herein.

The term “about” as used herein in connection with a referenced numeric indication means the referenced numeric indication plus or minus up to 10% of that referenced c indication. For example, the language “about 50” units covers the range of 45 units to 55 units.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1(a) -1(i) show a number of roof cladding profiles that are used throughout New Zealand and Australia.

The cross-section profiles show the wide variety of roof cladding shapes that are in use.

As shown in Figures 2 to 5, an anchor device 1 of the present invention is shown. The anchor device 1 has a substantially planar base portion 2 that es a plurality of about 8mm spaced apart apertures 3 shaped to receive a ity of fasteners 8, which are shown as rivets in Figure 2. The fasteners are used to secure the anchor device 1 to a substrate, such as a roof cladding 7. In this ular embodiment of the anchor device, 20 apertures are depicted. The on of the apertures 3 has been determined so as to allow fastening of the base portion to any of the roof profiles depicted in Figures 1(a) to 1(i). An intermediate inclined portion 4 extends upwardly at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the planar base portion 2. The inclined portion extends from one side of the base portion 2 to a substantially planar tab portion 5. The tab portion 5 includes an aperture 6 that is shaped and dimensioned to receive a securing member 9 (see Figures 4 and 5). As can be seen from Figure 3, the tab portion is centrally aligned relative to the base portion. Importantly, the re 5 of the tab portion is d with at least three centrally positioned apertures on the base portion. In a further embodiment the aperture of the tab portion 5 is centrally aligned relative to the width of the base portion 2. In a preferred embodiment the planar base portion is about 240mm wide by about 100 mm deep. The aperture 6 of the tab portion is key-hole shaped and is ioned to receive a snap hook, a carabineer, or another suitable securing member 9 (as shown in Figures 4 and 5). In one embodiment the anchor device is constructed from a metal or a metal alloy, such as but not limited to aluminium, stainless steel or steel.

In use, the anchor device 1 is fastened to an elevated structure, such as a roof ng that has a gauge of at least 40. With nce to Figures 4 and an anchor device 1 is fastened to a roof cladding 7 by positioning fasteners 8 through the base portion of the anchor device and ing the fasteners 8 to secure the base portion to the elevated structure 7. It can be seen from Figures 4 and 5 that the apertures used to fasten the anchor device to the roof cladding are those res that are aligned with the ridges of the roof cladding. The positioning of the fasteners along the base portion of the anchor device depends on the nature of the roof cladding and the substrate under the roof cladding. A person skilled at working on ed structures will be able to ine the optimum positioning of the fasteners and the number of ers required. In some instances regulations and safety guidelines will also specify what is best practice. A person working on the ed structure, would then secure a securing member, such as a carabineer or snap hook that is attached to the person’s body harness or the like, through the tab aperture of the anchor device. The person working would then be secured by their harness to the roof anchor. The roof anchors of the present invention can be used on and ed surface having a pitch range from flat to vertical.

As can be seen from Figure 5 a protective cover 10 has been placed over the tab portion 5. The tab portion 5 extends through a slot in the protective cover.

The protective cover protects any wear between the securing member 9 and the substrate 7.

In Figure 6, an alternative embodiment of an anchor device 11 is depicted.

The anchor device has a substantially planar base portion 12 that includes a plurality of about 8mm spaced apart apertures 13 shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners (not shown). In this particular embodiment, 12 apertures 13 are positioned on the base portion. The position of the apertures 13 has been determined so as to allow fastening of the base portion to any of the roof profiles depicted in Figures 1(a) to 1(i). An intermediate inclined portion 14 extends ly at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the planar base portion 12. The angle of incline is best seen in Figure 7. The incli ned portion extends from one side of the base portion 12 to a substantially planar tab portion 15. The tab portion 15 es an aperture 16 that is shaped and dimensioned to receive a ng member (not shown). As can be seen from Figure 7, the tab portion 15 is centrally aligned relative to the base portion 11.

In a further ment the aperture 16 of the tab portion 15 is centrally aligned relative to the width of the base n 12. In a red embodiment the planar base portion is about 240mm wide by about 100 mm deep. The aperture of the tab portion is key-hole shaped and is dimensioned to receive a snap hook, a carabineer, or another suitable securing member (not shown). In one ment the anchor device is constructed from a metal or a metal alloy, such as but not d to aluminium or steel.

In use, the anchor device 1 or 11 as defined above is fastened to an elevated structure, such as a roof cladding that has a gauge of at least 40. With reference to Figure 7 an anchor device 11 (as shown in Figure 4 above) is fastened to the roof cladding 12 by positioning fasteners 18 through the base portion of the anchor device and fastening the fasteners 18 to secure the base portion to the elevated structure 17. It can be seen from Figure 7 that the apertures used to fasten the anchor device to the roof ng are those apertures that are aligned with the ridges of the roof cladding. A person g on the elevated structure, would then, optionally position a protective cover over the tab portion, and then secure a securing member, such as a carabineer that is attached to the person’s body s or the like, through the tab aperture of the anchor device. The person working would then, be secured by their harness to the roof anchor. The roof anchors of the t invention can be used on and elevated surface having a pitch range from flat to vertical.

The anchor devices of the present invention described above were manufactured from aluminium, specifically 6061-T6 Aluminium having a 5.0 mm thickness. The aluminium was cut and die pressed to from the requisite shape. The apertures were e punched. The anchor device is then chemically cleaned and optionally coated with a powder coat surface or the like.

The securing members such as snap hooks and carabineers are readily available in the market place.

The protective cover 10, as shown in Figure 5, was made from a sheet of a plastic al such as a low or high density polyethylene, a polypropylene or a polyethylene terephthalate. The plastic protecting member as shown in Figure 5 was cut into a square shape about the width of the anchor device and then proximate one edge of the plastic member, a slit was cut parallel and central to the edge of the plastic member. The slit being wide enough to fit over the tab of the anchor device. As can be seen from Figure 5 the size of the plastic material is sufficient to avoid wear between the securing member and the roof cladding.

The anchor device as shown in Figure 2 and as described above has been independently tested by a mechanical engineering consultant and the anchor device was able to withstand a fall arrest load of up to 15kN or up to about 1500 kg force. At this force the device suffered permanent deformation and would need to be replaced after exposure to a fall or arrest event.

The present ion and its embodiments have been described in detail.

However, the scope of the t invention is not intended to be limited to the ment described in the specification. Modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiment without ing from the scope or essential characteristics of the present invention.

Claims

1. An anchor device, sing: (i) a substantially planar base portion that includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners; (ii) an intermediate inclined portion that extends upwardly from one side of the base portion to a substantially planar tab portion, (iii) the tab n including an aperture that is shaped and dimensioned to receive a securing member; wherein the plurality of spaced apart apertures includes a set of apertures located lly on the base portion and at least two sets of apertures aligned relative to one another and located at or adjacent opposing edges of the base

2. The anchor device as d in claim 1 wherein the planar base portion is substantially rectangular in shape.

3. The anchor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tab portion is centrally aligned relative to the base portion.

4. The anchor device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the planar base n includes at least 2 centrally located res shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners.

5. The anchor device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the planar base portion includes 4 centrally located apertures shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners.

6. The anchor device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the lly located apertures are centrally aligned to the tab portion.

7. The anchor device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the planar base includes two sets of 2 apertures shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners and located at or adjacent opposing edges of the base portion.

8. The anchor device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the planar base portion includes two sets of 4 apertures shaped to receive a plurality of fasteners and d at or adjacent opposing edges of the base portion.

9. The anchor device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the intermediate inclined portion extends upwardly at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the planar base portion.

10. The anchor device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the aperture of the tab portion is key-hole shaped and is dimensioned to receive a snap hook, a carabineer, or another suitable securing .

11. A method of securing an individual or an item to an elevated structure including the steps of: (a) locating a point to fix an anchor device as defined any one of claims 1 to 10 to the elevated ure; (b) positioning ers through the apertures of the base portion of the anchor device and ing the fasteners to secure the base portion to the elevated structure; (c) positioning a securing member through the tab aperture of the anchor device.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, including the further step of using the securing member to secure an dual or item to the ed structure.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fasteners are spaced apart and positioned along the base plate to suit the shape profile of the elevated structure.

14. A kit sing an anchor device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 and a securing member.

15. The kit as d in claim 14, further comprising a protective member that is placed over the tab portion of the anchor device to protect the substrate to which the anchor device is affixed from wear by the securing member when in use.