Roof Standing Seam Anchors for Fall Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal fall protection anchorage devices for metal roofing pose challenges due to the need for expensive and time-consuming waterproofing, potential leak hazards, and the requirement for anchors that do not penetrate the metal panels or damage the seams, while also needing to be either permanently or temporarily installed.
Innovation Solution
A roof attachment system comprising a retention plate with y-axis slots for secure attachment to standing seams, using standing seam graspers with L-shaped and U-shaped elements to immobilize the seams without damaging them, and a D-ring for anchoring personal fall protection devices, allowing for adjustable and removable anchorage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anchorage devices are attached directly to structural components or surface mounted to exterior, then secure anchorage is achieved, but expensive and time-consuming waterproofing is required and future leak hazards remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces standing seam graspers as intermediary components that attach to the standing seams of metal roofing panels without penetrating the roofing membrane. These graspers serve as mediators between the anchorage device and the roof structure, eliminating the need for waterproofing penetrations while maintaining secure attachment capability
2Strength
If anchors penetrate the metal panels, then secure attachment is achieved, but the roofing surface and seams are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the attachment function from penetrating anchors and relocates it to the standing seams themselves. The standing seam graspers clamp onto the external standing seams, removing the need for penetration while maintaining attachment strength through mechanical gripping of the seam structure
3Reliability
If permanently installed anchorage devices are used, then secure anchorage is achieved, but flexibility for temporary installation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the anchorage system with dynamic characteristics, allowing the standing seam graspers to be installed temporarily or permanently based on user needs. The mechanical grasper design enables easy installation and removal without permanent modification to the roof, providing flexibility while maintaining security during use
4Ease of operation
If traditional anchorage devices are used, then anchorage function is provided, but damage to metal roofing surface and seams occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of penetration into a benefit by using the standing seam structure itself as the attachment point. The standing seams, which are already present structural features of the metal roofing, are utilized as gripping points, transforming what could be a damage source into a beneficial attachment mechanism that preserves the roofing surface
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods, etc., comprising anchors configured to attach to standing seams such as those typically present on metal roofs. The systems, etc., provide benefits such as improved anchorage points for personal fall protection anchorage devices and variability of and security of attachment to the standing seams. The personal fall protection anchorage devices can comprise a retention plate configured to hold the personal fall protection device to a central portion of the retention plate and having at least two y-axis spaced-apart slot configured to immobily hold opposed standing seam graspers each comprising at least two opposed grasping elements sized and configured to immobily squeeze standing seams of the metal roof.