Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Force distribution and attenuation device for use in a roof anchor safety system

a technology of attenuation device and safety system, which is applied in the field of safety systems, can solve the problems of essentially caused damage, affecting the safety of roof anchors, so as to improve the distribution of roofers' weight and attenuate the for

Inactive Publication Date: 2012-09-06
CROOKSTON LAWRENCE A
View PDF11 Cites 10 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention is an anchor-to-lanyard adjustable riser cable with a choke and bearing plate that is positioned between a roof truss and a safety anchor system for distributing and attenuating the forces that would be applied to the truss and roof sheathing in the event of a roofer falling while being secured to the truss by a safety harness. In addition, the device transfers the energy force from the bottom of the truss rafter and the anchor connector plate to the top of the truss rafter when an attached workman slips or falls from the roof. This force transfer is important, creating a direction of force that favorably compresses the peak truss rafter joint rather than causing a horizontal pulling force on the lower portion of the truss connector plate. The device thus better distributes a roofer's weight and attenuates forces generated by the roofer falling than would be the case if the roofer's safety harness was directly secured by a cable or lanyard to a roof anchor on the truss. The bearing plate is configured to engage a portion of the truss and is provided with a non-skid surface to resist movement therealong. The bearing plate distributes the forces over a wider region of the truss than if only a cable connected the truss and harness. The plate protects the truss and roof ridge from possible damage when the lanyard suddenly is pulled taut and also aids in protecting the sheathing on the opposite side of the roof ridge. The choke is used to adjust the riser length.
[0008]The device of the present invention does not aid the anchor system in arresting the fall of the roofer. It does, however, offer a measure of protection to the structural members of the roof in the event of a roofer's fall so that those structural members remain capable of performing as intended for the useful life of the building.

Problems solved by technology

Should the roofer slip or fall, the cable connected to the anchor will tend to prevent them from falling off the roof and being severely injured.
One of the problems in previously known safety systems is that the anchor is typically mounted on the peak or on the opposite side of the truss from where the roofer is working.
Since the cable is made from steel, it can cause substantial damage to the truss peak and to the plywood sheets that are used as sheathing in the event that the roofer slips or falls.
This damage is essentially caused as the steel cable slams with force into the wood or plywood when the cable connected to the safety harness lanyard suddenly has to bear the roofer's full weight.
The impact of the cable can slice and splinter the wood or sheathing and potentially damage the structural integrity of the same.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Force distribution and attenuation device for use in a roof anchor safety system
  • Force distribution and attenuation device for use in a roof anchor safety system
  • Force distribution and attenuation device for use in a roof anchor safety system

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

second embodiment

[0036]FIGS. 7-11 show a force distribution device in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated at 136. Force distribution device 136 is also configured to be engaged with a truss anchor plate 126 mounted on a roof truss 118. As with the previous embodiment, force distribution device 136 comprises a bearing plate 138 and cable choke 140. Cable choke 140 is substantially identical to cable choke 40 and will therefore not be described in further detail.

[0037]The features of bearing plate 138 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 9-11. Bearing plate 138 comprises a generally L-shaped bracket having a first leg 142 and a second leg 144. First and second legs 142, 144 are disposed at an angle relative to each other that is between 80° and 100° and preferably is 90°. Bearing plate 138 is manufactured from a strong, rigid material such as metal, preferably steel.

[0038]First leg 142 of bearing plate 138 is a generally planar member having a first face 142a and a second face 1...

third embodiment

[0043]FIGS. 12 and 13 show a force distribution device in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated at 236. Force distribution device 236 is also configured to be engaged with a truss anchor plate 226 mounted on a roof truss 218. As with the previous embodiment, force distribution device 236 comprises a bearing plate 238 and cable choke 240. Cable choke 240 is substantially identical to cable choke 40 and will therefore not be described in further detail.

[0044]Bearing plate 238 comprises a generally L-shaped bracket having a first leg 242 and a second leg 244. First and second legs 242, 244 are disposed at an angle relative to each other that is between 80° and 100° and preferably is 90°. Bearing plate 238 is manufactured from a strong, rigid material such as metal, preferably steel.

[0045]First leg 242 of bearing plate 238 is a generally planar member having a first face 242a and a second face 242b. In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, fir...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

An anchor-to-lanyard adjustable riser cable with a choke and bearing plate. The device is positioned between a roof truss and a safety anchor system to better distribute the weight of a roofer on the truss in the event the roofer falls. The bearing plate is configured to engage a portion of the truss and to distribute forces into this structural member, thereby leading to attenuation of those forces. The bearing plate is provided with a non-skid surface to resist movement of the same along the structural member. Guide channels are provided on the bearing plate to receive portions of the cable from the cable choke therethrough. The bearing plate aids in protecting the structural member from being damaged by a lanyard extending to the safety harness in response to forces generated by the falling roofer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]This invention generally relates to safety systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a safety system for a roof anchor. Specifically, the invention relates to device that is engaged between a roof truss and a roof anchor safety system for distributing and attenuating the forces that would be applied to the truss and roof sheathing in the event of a roofer falling while being secured to the truss by a safety harness.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]There are a variety of roof anchor safety systems that are used by roofers to ensure their safety while they are working on a roof. The safety harness is worn on the body and is connected by a steel cable to an anchor that is temporarily or permanently mounted on some region of the roof truss system. Should the roofer slip or fall, the cable connected to the anchor will tend to prevent them from falling off the roof and being severely injured.[0005]One of the problems ...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): E04G21/32E04D13/12
CPCE04G21/3276
Inventor CROOKSTON, LAWRENCE A.
Owner CROOKSTON LAWRENCE A