Adjustable base bracket for roof scaffolding post

Abstract

An adjustable base bracket for roof scaffolding post includes a base adapted to be secured to roof trusses having a width sufficient to span at least two roof trusses. The base has a leading edge intended to be positioned upslope on a pitched roof and a trailing edge. An elongate body is pivotally mounted to the base for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis. The body has a first end oriented toward the leading edge of the base and a second end. The pivot axis is positioned at the first end of the body. A receptacle positioned on the body which is adapted to receive a scaffolding post.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustable base bracket for securing a scaffolding post on a roof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,122 (Cupp from 1989) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,204 (Goodwin et al from 1998) disclose adjustable base brackets for securing a scaffolding post on a roof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an alternative configuration of adjustable base bracket for securing a scaffolding post on a roof.

According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable base bracket for roof scaffolding post which includes a base adapted to be secured to roof trusses having a width sufficient to span at least two roof trusses. The base has a leading edge intended to be positioned upslope on a pitched roof and a trailing edge. An elongate body is pivotally mounted to the base for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis. The body has a first end oriented toward the leading edge of the base and a second end. The pivot axis is positioned at the first end of the body. A receptacle positioned on the body which is adapted to receive a scaffolding post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an adjustable base bracket constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the adjustable base bracket illustrated in FIG. 1 positioned for use on an angled surface.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the adjustable base bracket illustrated in FIG. 1 positioned for use on a flat surface.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the support leg of the adjustable base bracket illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the adjustable base bracket constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the adjustable base bracket illustrated in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment, an adjustable base bracket for a roof scaffolding post generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4. A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 6.

Structure and Relationship of Parts:

Referring to FIG. 1, adjustable base bracket 10 includes a base 12 adapted to be secured to roof trusses by a series of nail receiving openings 14. Either nails or screws may be inserted into nail receiving openings 14. Base 12 is wider than it is long. The width of base 12 is sufficient to span at least two roof trusses. Base 12 has a leading edge 16 intended to be positioned upslope on a pitched roof, and a trailing edge 18. Referring to FIG. 2, an elongate body 20, which has a first end 24 oriented toward leading edge 16 of base 12 and a second end 26 is pivotally mounted to base 12 for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis 22 which is positioned at first end 24 of body 20. A support leg 28 is used to support body 20 in a selected pivotal position. Support leg 28 is pivotally mounted to, and depending, from second end 26 of body 20. There are a series of slotted support receivers 30 on base 12 for locking support leg 28 in a selected angular position. In the illustrated embodiment, support leg 28 is locked in the selected position by inserting a pin 29 into one of the slotted support receivers 30. Referring to FIG. 4, pin 29 is attached to support leg 28 and is in the direction of the width of base 12. Referring again to FIG. 2, there is also a receptacle 32 adapted to receive a scaffolding post positioned on body 20. In FIG. 2, support leg 28 is locked in a position in a slotted support receiver 30 such that body 20 is horizontal and receptacle 32 is vertical, while base 12 is at an angle, and in FIG. 3, locking support leg is locked in a position in a slotted support receiver such that body 20 and base 12 are each in a horizontal position, with receptacle 32 in a perpendicular position in relation to the base, thereby facilitating use on a flat roof.

Operation:

The use of adjustable base bracket 10 will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4. Adjustable base bracket is placed on a roof such that base 12 spans at least two roof trusses, and such that leading edge 16 is positioned upslope on a pitched roof, or if the roof is flat, in any convenient orientation. Base 12 is then secured by putting nails through nail receiving openings 14 and into the roof trusses. First end 24 of body 12 is then pivoted about horizontal pivot axis 22, and support leg 28 is pivoted about second end 26 of body 20. Support leg 28 is locked in a position by inserting pin 29 into one of the slotted support receivers 30 such that body 20 is horizontal and receptacle 32 is vertical. The slotted support receiver 30 that is chosen will depend upon the pitch of the roof. Adjustable base bracket 10 is removed by removing the nails from nail receiving openings 14.

Advantages:

The present invention provides a number of advantages over the Cupp reference and the Goodwin et al reference:

• • The base has a width that extends between two or more roof trusses and, therefore, provides a more secure mode of attachment to the roof.

The body can be locked in a selected pivotal position, in order to place the receptacle in a desired angular orientation. This is in contrast to the Cupp reference and the Goodwin et al reference in which the receptacles pivoted freely.

Rapid adjustment is possible by merely repositioning the support leg in a different one of the series of slotted support receivers.

The adjustable base bracket can also be used on a flat roof, as there is included an adjustment that places the receptacle in an orientation perpendicular to the base.

Variations

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a second embodiment generally referenced by numeral 100 will now be described.

As with first embodiment 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, second embodiment of adjustable base bracket 100 illustrated in FIG. 6, includes a base 112 adapted to be secured to roof trusses by a series of nail receiving openings 114. Either nails or screws may be inserted into nail receiving openings 114. Base 112 has a leading edge 116 intended to be positioned upslope on a pitched roof, and a trailing edge 118. Referring to FIG. 6, an elongate body 120 is provided, which has a first end 124 oriented toward leading edge 116 of base 112 and a second end 126 is pivotally mounted to base 112 for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis 122 which is positioned at first end 124 of body 120. A receptacle 132 is positioned on body 120 for receiving a scaffolding post.

Referring to FIG. 6, a support leg 128 is used to support body 120 in a selected pivotal position. With first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, angles 32 on base 112 extended outward where as with second embodiment 100, angles 132 on base 112 extend inward as illustrated in FIG. 5. This facilitates support body 132 laying flat on an underlying surface. Support leg 128 is pivotally mounted to, and depending, from second end 126 of body 120. There are a series of slotted support receivers 130 on base 112 for locking support leg 128 in a selected angular position. In the illustrated embodiment, support leg 128 is locked in the selected position by inserting a pin 129 into one of the slotted support receivers 130. Referring to FIG. 6, a spacer 133 is provided to facilitate adjustable base bracket 100 laying flat on an underlying surface.

In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable base bracket for roof scaffolding post, comprising:

a base adapted to be secured to roof trusses and having a width sufficient to span at least two roof trusses, the base having a leading edge intended to be positioned upslope on a pitched roof and a trailing edge;

a body pivotally mounted to the base for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis, the body having a first end oriented toward the leading edge of the base and a second end, the pivot axis being positioned at the first end of the body; and

a receptacle adapted to receive a scaffolding post positioned on the body.

2. The adjustable base bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein means are provided for supporting the body in a selected pivotal position.

3. The adjustable base bracket as defined in claim 2, wherein the means for supporting the body in a selected pivotal position is a pivotally mounted support which depends from the second end of the body, means being provided on the base for locking the support in a selected angular position.

4. The adjustable base bracket as defined in claim 3, wherein the means for locking the support in a selected angular position are a series of support receivers.

5. The adjustable base bracket as defined in claim 4, wherein one of the support receivers is adapted to place the body in a position in which the receptacle is in a perpendicular orientation in relation to the base, thereby facilitating use on a flat roof.

6. An adjustable base bracket for roof scaffolding post, comprising:

a base adapted to be secured to roof trusses, the base being wider than it is long, the width being sufficient to span at least two roof trusses, the base having a leading edge intended to be positioned upslope on a pitched roof and a trailing edge;

an elongate body pivotally mounted to the base for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis, the body having a first end oriented toward the leading edge of the base and a second end, the pivot axis being positioned at the first end of the body;

a support leg for supporting the body in a selected pivotal position, the support leg being pivotally mounted to and depending from the second end of the body;

a series of slotted support receivers on the base for locking the support leg in a selected angular position; and

a receptacle adapted to receive a scaffolding post positioned on the body.

7. The adjustable base bracket as defined in claim 6, wherein one of the support receivers is adapted to place the body in a position in which the receptacle is in a perpendicular orientation in relation to the base, thereby facilitating use on a flat roof.