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

US20120222370A1Inactive Publication Date: 2012-09-06CROOKSTON LAWRENCE A
11 Cites 10 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2012-09-06
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

Smart Images

  • Figure 1
    Figure 1
  • Figure 2
    Figure 2
  • Figure 3
    Figure 3
Patent Text Reader

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.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

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 ...

Examples

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...