Retrofit Roof Ridge Anchor

Abstract

A device, system and method for providing an assembly configured for hooking to a ridge rafter of a building is provided. In one embodiment the device comprises a single piece unit, made from steel or another sufficiently strong material which is hooked at one end and looped at the other end thus forming an eye. The hook starts by turning a 90 degree and then a 0 degree to 180 degree turn. The compound angle thus formed allows the device to be angled into a small opening. The device is used to hook the ridge rafter from the bottom side of a building roof while having a tie-off point for fall protection.

Description

The present application claims the benefit of and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application No. 61/536,566, filed Sep. 20, 2011 and titled Retrofit Roof Ridge Anchor, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technology described herein relates generally to anchoring systems. In particular, the technology described herein relates to devices for roof ridge anchoring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A roofer specializes in roof construction, concentrating on the application of materials that water proof and/or weather proof buildings, designed material—as a substrate for the roofing materials to be installed on. The rafters, beams, and trusses are the frame or skeleton for the roof to be built upon. Naturally, a roofer must not be scared of heights and have good balance as well as carpentry skills.

A rafter is one of a series of sloped structural members (beams), that extend from the ridge or hip to the downslope perimeter or eave, designed to support the roof deck and its associated loads. A beam is a horizontal structural element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by resisting bending. The bending force induced into the material of the beam as a result of the external loads, own weight, span and external reactions to these loads is called a bending moment. A truss is a structure comprising one or more triangular units constructed with straight members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes.

A roofing toe board is one of the most basic pieces of safety equipment a roofer can use. A toe board is a long piece of 2′×4′ (a 2×4) wood nailed horizontally along a roof in various locations.

A simple bolt on or nail on metal straps with an eye loop to tie off on is also used to facilitate safety from falling.

Most roofers work in a variety of weather conditions, sometimes severe heat, and resist wearing an apparatus such as a safety harness. As a result of needing both an unencumbered work environment and the need to stay as cool as possible, roofers prefer the toe board due to its freeness of movement. In case an accident does occur and a roofer loses his/her footing, the 2×4 would stop the roofer from sliding down and/or off the roof. More deaths occur in falls that for any other reason in the construction profession.

The need exists for efficient and effective alternatives for roofers to quickly provide a safety solution to prevent falling.

Related patents and published patent applications known in the background art include the following:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,685, issued to Cook on Sep. 10, 1996, discloses a personal fall-arrest safety anchor of a unitary form, including a hoop portion for encircling a standard dimensioned rafter and an apertured tab portion for attachment of a lifeline. The hoop portion includes two parallel vertical members and a bridging web unitarily connecting the lower ends of the vertical members. The bridging web prevents pullout of the anchor in the direction of forces exerted by a lifeline. The bridging web further allows a bracing or wedging member to be inserted between the bottom of the rafter and the bridging web, which act both as a locking wedge and additional load bearing support for the rafter. An independent overlapping plate installed over the vertical members of the anchor reduces the chances of fastener pull-out by a torque or shearing force upon fasteners. A preformed elastomeric flashing with a frusto-pyramidal apertured member is installed over the tab portion for weather-proofing the anchor.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,260, issued to Jalla on Jan. 21,1997, discloses a reusable roofline anchor and its installation between two adjacent roof trusses of residential buildings in order to provide lifeline support to roofing personnel. The roofline anchor is separated into smaller and convenient components which can be easily assembled at the installation location. After installation, the load bearing member of the roofline anchor can be easily removed for reuse at a different location or for replacement subsequent to any damage.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,535, issued to Rohlf on Nov. 18, 1997, discloses a detachable roof anchor having a fixed, permanent portion and a removable, reusable portion. The permanent portion includes a roof anchor base plate, two carriage bolts and a truss clamp having serrated edges that engage the bottom side of the roof rafter. Releasably attachable to the permanent portion is a pivoting D-ring attachment member held in place by a clamp plate bolted to the roof anchor base plate. The attachment member, while providing safe and secure attachment of fall protection devices, also permits a wide range of motion without compromising the safety of the worker on the roof

U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,245, issued to Conway on Mar. 24, 1998, discloses an anchor for safety cables which can be attached to the framing of the floor as it is built, and removed and re-used after the floor is completed. The anchor has lower and upper plates separated by a spacer the thickness of an I-beam cross-plate. The anchor clamps between two adjacent beams, with the upper and lower plates sliding around the top plate of the I-beam and being fastened firmly with setscrews in the lower plate. Eye bolts screw into the anchor plate to provide a tie-off spot for cables. The thickness of the anchor plate over the deck support beams is such that the top of the anchor plate is flush with the surface of the plywood decking over which the concrete will be poured. In use, the anchor is slid into the desired location between the top plates of two deck support I-beams and screwed tightly into place using the setscrews in the lower plate of the anchor. When the plywood deck is laid, it is notched around the anchor plate, and the surface of the upper plate of the anchor forms a flush floor with the top of the plywood deck. The workers can tie off their safety cables to the eyebolts screwed into the anchor. When the time comes to pour the floor, the eyebolts are removed and the holes covered with duct tape. The floor is poured, and when it cures and the beams and plywood are removed, the anchors can be easily detached from the I-beams and re-used.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,889, issued to Rexroad et al. on Dec. 22, 1998, discloses a single post anchor for lifelines with a generally elongate member having at one end a means configured to engage about a structural member and having a clamping assembly which acts on another surface of the structure to secure the anchor in place. A swivel is provided as part of the anchor to which a retractable lifeline device or the like is attached.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,835, issued to Souto et al. on May 11, 2004, discloses a roofing stage for pitched roofs which includes first and second elongated tracks disposed generally parallel to one another. A base bracket attaches a lower end of each track to roof beams. Padded feet extend from a bottom surface of the tracks for contact with the roof. Hooks extend from upper ends of the first and second brackets for attachment to an apex of the roof. A carriage bracket is slidably attached to each track and has a foot support extending therefrom. A platform bracket is slidably attached to each of the first and second tracks above the carriage brackets for supporting a platform therebetween. The movable brackets enable the roofer to property position himself and necessary tools and supplies.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,316, issued to Carroll on Aug. 24, 2004, discloses an anchor for providing an attachment point on a surface. In one embodiment, the anchor includes a center shaft having a first member and a second member pivotally coupled thereto. The center shaft has an attachment end and a piercing end. The piecing end is driven through the surface allowing the first and second members to pass therethrough. Once through the surface, the first and second members rotate away from the center shaft to an open position, thus preventing the anchor from disengaging the roof. A collar may be slidably disposed on the center shaft. The collar may be slid against the surface to lock the members in the open position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,868,647, issued to Poldman on Mar. 22, 2005, discloses a method is provided for mounting a roof anchor on a roof support structure having an underside surface, the roof fully or partially covered with roof covering material, the roof anchor including an attachment means and a shaft, the method including the steps of: a) making a first hole in the covering material and the roof support structure, which first hole is capable of receiving the shaft; b) forming an aperture in the covering material adjacent the first hole and the roof support structure; c) inserting an anchor block, having a second hole capable of fixedly engaging the shaft, through the aperture and locating the anchor block at the underside surface such that the first and second holes are in registry; and d) inserting the shaft through both the first and second holes whereby to fixedly engage the roof anchor to the anchor block, such that the roof anchor is mounted on the roof support structure.

U.S. Pat. No 6,966,531, issued to Curtin on Nov. 22, 2005, discloses an anchor for securing a working line to a structure. The anchor includes a sole plate with an attachment the working line. There is at least one friction plate and a connector strap. In use of the anchor the sole plate and friction plate are located against respective opposite sides of a rafter of the structure and are linked together by the strap in a manner such that the working line load on the sole plate generates a clamping force between the sole plate and the friction plate. This force resists movement of the anchor by gripping only the outside of the rafter.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,708,246, issued to Trask on May 4, 2010, discloses an actuator device operable to retract the cam elements of a spring-loaded camming device (SLCD) used in the sport of rock climbing. The actuator includes a remote finger and a remote thumb. The remote finger is mounted in a handle to permit translation of the remote finger along an axis, and rotation of the remote finger about that axis. In use, the remote finger can be rotated to present a narrow profile to pass between the trigger bar of a SLCD and a wall of a crack. Subsequent to its insertion behind the trigger bar, the remote finger can be rotated by about 90 degrees to capture the trigger bar. Then, the remote finger and remote thumb can be urged toward each other, effective to squeeze the SLCD and rotate its cam elements, to effect removal of the SLCD from the confines of the crack.

U.S. Published Patent Application 2005/0269154, inventor Siemienowicz, published on Dec. 8 2005, discloses an engineered fall-arrest mechanism that stops the free fall of up to two workers simultaneously. The invention is depicted in described in three preferred embodiments.

U.S. Published Patent Application 2011/0085873, inventors Guthrie et al., discloses an anchor bolt providing for fall protection. The anchor bolt has an anchoring device that may be of any standard type, for making use of an aperture either in or through a structure as an anchoring point, an elongate flexible member connected to the anchoring device at one end of the elongate flexible member, and a handle connected to a second end of the flexible member. The handle member is pivotally attached to the second end, for pivoting about the elongate axis of the flexible member as it extends from the second end. Preferably, the anchoring device is a novel, toggling type in which a toggling member is pivotally attached to the flexible member at a ball joint.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,553,685, 5,595,260, 5,687,535, 5,730,245, 5,850,889, 6,732,835, 6,779,316, 6,868,647, 6,966,531, and 7,708,246, plus Published Patent Applications 2005/0269154 and 2011/0085873 are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The foregoing patent information reflects the state of the art of which the inventor is aware and is tendered with a view toward discharging the inventor's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be pertinent to the patentability of the technology described herein. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that the foregoing patent and other information do not teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, the inventor's claimed invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technology described herein pertains to devices configured for hooking to a ridge rafter of a building.

In an exemplary embodiment the technology described herein comprises a single piece unit, made from steel or another sufficiently strong material which is hooked at one end and looped at the other end thus forming an eye. The hook starts by turning a 90 degree and then a 0 degree to 180 degree turn. The compound angle thus formed allows the device to be angled into a small opening. The device is used to hook the ridge rafter from the bottom side of a building roof while having a tie-off point for fall protection.

In an exemplary embodiment to use the technology described herein a user drills a hole into a roof and inserts the hooked end of the rod into the hole thus formed and turns the device until it hooks with the farter below. The user then pulls the eye upward to tighten up against the rafter. The user then holds this position while sliding a washer down to cover the hole. Then the user slides a sleeve down the device that has a thumb screw or bolt, and tightens the thumb screw or bolt in order to securely hold the device in place. This anchor can now be used to provide fall protection.

An aspect of the technology described herein is that it provides a solution to the problem of needing a secure anchor point to a ridge rafter or metal joist whenever there is a need to provide for safety fall protection.

Another aspect of the technology described herein is that it provides a quick way to install an anchor point from the roof side by drilling a hole through the deck and hooking to a rafter while still being on the roof.

Another aspect of the technology described herein is that screws or nails are not needed to secure it to a roof.

Another aspect of the technology described herein is that it uses the strongest rafter of a building as a securing point.

Another aspect of the technology described herein is that it takes one hole through a roof to install.

Another aspect of the technology described herein is that it easily removes from a roof

Another aspect of the technology described herein is that it is reusable.

Another aspect of the technology described herein is that it provides an anchoring system that is economical to manufacture.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the features of the present invention in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described and which will form the subject matter of the claims. Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technology described herein will be better understood by reading the detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a roof ridge anchor, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates the roof ridge anchor of FIG. 1 in the process of being inserted into a hole in a roof in the proximity of a rafter;

FIG. 3 illustrates the roof ridge anchor of FIG. 1 installed in a roof and secured to a rafter;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the roof ridge anchor of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a right side plan view of the roof ridge anchor of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In describing the preferred and other embodiments of the technology described herein, as illustrated in Figures. 1-5, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to Figures. 1-5, illustrated therein is a device, method and system for providing a roof anchor to facilitate fall protection.

In an exemplary embodiment the technology described herein comprises a single piece base unit 010, from ⅝″ to ¾″ in diameter and from 6″ to 18″ in length, made from steel or another sufficiently strong material that is hooked at one end and looped at the other end thus forming an eye 100. The single piece base unite is further comprised of a central element 200 proceeding from the eye 100 and terminating in a hook 300. The hook 300 starts by turning a 90 degree and then terminates in a 0 degree to 180 degree turn. The compound angle thus formed allows the device to be angled into a small opening, or hole, 500. The device is used to hook the ridge rafter 700 from the bottom side of a building roof 600 while having a tie-off point for fall protection. The technology described herein is further comprised of a washer-tightening sleeve assembly for securing the roof anchor.

In an exemplary embodiment to use the technology described herein a user drills a hole into a roof and inserts the hooked end of the device into the hole thus formed and turns the device until it hooks with the rafter below. The user then pulls the eye upward to tighten up against the rafter. The user then holds this position while sliding a washer down to cover the hole. Then the user slides a sleeve down the device that has a thumb screw or bolt, and tightens the thumb screw or bolt in order to securely hold the device in place. This anchor can now be used to provide fall protection.

Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the disclosed technology and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. In a wood roof having a truss structure composed of an array of a spaced apart joist running substantially perpendicular to a roof edge, a roof tie-off anchoring system, comprising: an anchoring assembly comprising a top eye portion, a main body portion, a bottom hook portion, the anchoring assembly further comprising a roof surface tightening assembly, the roof surface tightening assembly comprised of, in combination, a washer and a tightening sleeve, the bottom hook in releasable locking engagement with an underside of the joist through a hole in the roof edge and the roof surface tightening assembly in releasable locking engagement with an upper side of the roof edge.