Fall protection assembly

Abstract

A fall protection assembly is provided. The fall protection assembly may include a base member that is configured for attachment to a structure. The base member can have first and second upright pieces arranged with respect to one another so as to be capable of receiving at least a portion of a kick member therebetween. An upright support member can also be present and can be supported by the base member. The upright support member can be capable of supporting at least one cross member for use in fall prevention.

Description

FIELD

The embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a fall prevention apparatus that helps prevent workers and equipment from falling from structures such as buildings. More particularly, the present application involves a fall protection assembly that may have a base member and an upright support member capable of supporting cross members for use in retaining workers and equipment.

BACKGROUND

During the construction and maintenance of structures, workers are placed at risk of falling from heights that can result in injury or death. Additionally, tools and other equipment may also fall from the structure resulting in their destruction or in the injury of other workers or bystanders on the ground below. In view of these dangers, insurance companies and government agencies have mandated that a safety barrier be constructed on a roof to prevent accidental falls.

A typical roof safety barrier includes a base that is mounted via nails or other fasteners to a roof or framing member of the structure. A post extends from the base and carries a number of cross members. Additional base and post assemblies are arranged along the perimeter of the roof. The cross members, which are pieces of lumber that are cut to size, extend the distance between adjacent posts and function as a barrier to prevent workers from falling off of the roof. A row of cross members can be located proximate to the upper end of the posts and additional rows may be included along the length of the posts. Kick members, which are also pieces of lumber, can extend between the posts and may be positioned at their bottom near the surface of the roof in order to prevent tools and equipment from sliding off.

While some roof safety barriers employ lumber as cross members, others may instead employ cable. In this regard, loops are attached to the posts through which the cable is disposed. A turnbuckle is provided at some point along the length of the roof safety barrier in order to take up slack in the cable to achieve a desired tightness necessary in providing resistance to falling. The use of a turnbuckle may be problematic in that during tightening of the cable forces may act on one or more of the posts and bases causing them to shift positions or possibly even detached from the roof.

Although suitable for their intended purpose, roof safety barriers are sometimes provided with bases that are rigidly attached to the posts. This arrangement may be heavy and awkward to maneuver thus necessitating two workers position and balance the rigidly attached base and post at the end of the roof during installation. Further, bases of roof safety barriers may be provided with a plate that is configured for attachment to the vertical face of the structure to which the roof safety barrier is installed. The face plate may be of such a size that it damages the surface of the building to which it is attached. Additionally, in other arrangements the plate may not be attached to the vertical face of the building but may still cause damage thereto. For example, wind or other forces may cause the plate to rub against the building thus resulting in damage and discoloration. As such, there remains room for variation and improvement within the art.

SUMMARY

One aspect of one embodiment is provided in a fall protection assembly that may include a base member configured for attachment to a structure. The base member can have first and second upright pieces arranged with respect to one another so as to be capable of receiving at least a portion of a kick member therebetween. An upright support member can also be present and can be supported by the base member. The upright support member can be capable of supporting at least one cross member for use in fall prevention.

Another aspect of a further embodiment can be provided in a fall protection assembly as immediately discussed that further includes an upright fitting attached to the base member. The upright support member may be releasably attachable to the upright fitting so that when attached to the upright fitting the upright support member is supported by the base member.

An additional aspect of yet another exemplary embodiment is found in a fall protection assembly as previously discussed in which the first upright piece and second upright piece are arranged with respect to one another to be additionally capable of receiving at least a portion of a second kick member therebetween. The first kick member and second kick member are separated from one another when both are received between the first upright piece and second upright piece.

A further aspect of another embodiment is found in a fall protection assembly as mentioned prior in which the base member has a first plate attached to the first upright piece and second upright piece. The first plate defines a plurality of apertures for use in attaching the first plate to the structure. The upright support member is located within a perimeter defined by the first plate. The base member has a second plate that is attached to and is perpendicular to the first plate. The second plate may define a plurality of apertures for use in attaching the second plate to the structure.

One aspect of one embodiment exists in a fall protection assembly that has a base plate assembly that may be configured for attachment to a structure. An upright support member can be releasably attachable to the base plate assembly. The upright support member may be configured for supporting a cross member for use in fall prevention. The location of support of the cross member is capable of being selected at a desired location along the length of the upright support member.

An additional aspect of a further embodiment is provided in a fall protection assembly as immediately discussed in which the base plate assembly has an upright fitting. The upright fitting is capable of being attached to and removed from the upright support member in order to render the upright support member releasably attachable to the base plate assembly. The location of attachment can be selected in order to locate the upright support member at a desired position with respect to the base plate assembly.

One aspect of one embodiment exists in a fall protection assembly as discussed above in which the upright support member defines a plurality of apertures along its length. The apertures are capable of being used to effect attachment of a shackle to the upright support member for use in retaining a cross member, that is a cable, to the upright support member. The apertures are capable of being used to effect attachment of a support bracket to the upright support member for use in retaining a cross member, that is a rigid horizontal member, to the upright support member.

Another aspect of yet another embodiment is provided in a fall protection assembly as mentioned prior in which the upright support member has an attachment member that is a spring loaded retainer. The attachment member is located on an upper end of the upright support member. The attachment member is configured for retaining a warning flag string to the upright support member.

One aspect of one embodiment resides in a fall protection assembly that has a base plate assembly. An upright support member engages the base plate assembly. The upright support member is capable of supporting at least one cross member for use in fall prevention. A retention member capable of engaging the upright support member is configured for retaining a cross member, that is a cable, to the upright support member. A support bracket is present and is capable of engaging the upright support member. The support bracket is configured for retaining a cross member that is a rigid horizontal member to the upright support member.

An additional aspect of a further embodiment exists in a fall protection assembly as immediately mentioned in which the base plate assembly has a base member with a first plate from which a first upright piece and a second upright piece extend. The base plate assembly has an upright fitting that extends from the first plate. The first upright piece and second upright piece are arranged with respect to one another so as to be capable of receiving at least a portion of a first kick member therebetween and at least a portion of a second kick member therebetween. The upright fitting is positioned with respect to the first upright piece and second upright piece so that the upright fitting is located between the first kick member and the second kick member when the first kick member and the second kick member are received by the first upright piece and second upright piece. The upright support member is releasably attachable to the upright fitting. Also, the relative position between the upright support member and the upright fitting is capable of being modified.

These and other features and aspects of embodiments of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the workings of the embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a fall protection assembly in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front exploded view of a base plate assembly along with an upright support member of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3(a) is an isometric view of a base plate assembly secured to a structure with a horizontal and vertical surface.

FIG. 3(b) is a top view of the base plate assembly of FIG. 3(a).

FIG. 3(c) is a front view of the base plate assembly of FIG. 3(a).

FIG. 3(d) is a side view of the base plate assembly of FIG. 3(a).

FIG. 4 is a front view of a fall protection assembly in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the base plate assembly and upright support member of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6(a) is a side view of the support bracket of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6(b) is a front view of the support bracket of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a fall protection assembly in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the upright support member of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention as claimed. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment.

It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5.

An embodiment of the present invention provides for a fall protection assembly 10 that can be used to provide safety to workers who work at dangerous heights at a site under construction or maintenance. The fall protection assembly 10 may help prevent a worker from falling from a roof of a building or other structure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a fall protection assembly 10 is shown installed at a horizontal surface of a structure for preventing workers from falling from the surface which can be situated at a dangerous height. According to a first embodiment, the fall protection assembly 10 is installed at the edge 12 of the horizontal surface 14 of the structure. For the purpose of description, the element “member”, as used hereinafter, shall be understood to be possibly manufactured from any material, for example steel and the like, suitable for construction of such an element. The fall protection assembly 10 has a plurality of post-base assemblies 100. Each post-base assembly 100 has a base member 16, an upright fitting 26 and an upright support member 18. The upright fitting 26 can be fixedly attached by means of welding, riveting or the like to the base member 16 to form a base-plate assembly 56 as shown in FIG. 2 (also in FIG. 3(a)). However, it is to be understood that in accordance with other embodiments that the base-plate assembly 56 need not include the upright fitting 26.

The base member 16 can be used to removably mount a plurality of upright support members 18 about the perimeter of the horizontal surface 14 at spaced intervals. The upright support members 18 are used for supporting cross members 20 and 22. The cross members 20 and 22 serve as safety rails to prevent the workers from falling from the horizontal surface 14. The cross members 20 and 22 illustrated in FIG. 1 are made of cables. However, it is to be understood that in accordance with other embodiments that the cross members 20 and 22 can also be rigid horizontal members or a combination of cables and rigid horizontal members. The length of the cables used as the cross members 20 and 22 may be eight feet.

Apart from the cross members 20 and 22, one or a plurality of elongated members 24(b) span the distance between two adjacent base members 16. The two ends of the elongated member 24(b) can be removably fixed to the two adjacent base members 16. The elongated member 24(b) can be a rigid horizontal kick member. In this regard, the kick member can be used to prevent tools or other objects from sliding off of the roof. The kick member may also be capable of at least partially preventing workers from falling off of the roof as well. At the top of each upright support member 18 an attachment member 30 can be located. The attachment member 30 may be a spring loaded retainer such as a spring loaded snap pin. The attachment member 30 is adapted to retain a warning flag string 32. The attachment member 30 may have a loop or a hook that allows the warning flag string 32 to be secured thereon. The warning flag string 32 passes through the attachment member 30 on each upright support member 18.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the upright fitting 26 can be fixedly attached by means of welding, riveting or the like to the base member 16 to be incorporated into a base-plate assembly 56. FIG. 3(a) depicts the isometric view of the base-plate assembly 56. A gusset 62, also shown in FIG. 3(d), may be welded to the base member 16 to provide extra strength to the base member 16. The base member 16 includes a first plate 16(a) which is adapted to be secured to the horizontal surface 14. The base member 16 further includes a second plate 16(b) adapted to be secured to a vertical surface 15. The second plate 16(b) is positioned perpendicular to the first plate 16(a) in the illustrated embodiment. However, it is to be understood that the first plate 16(a) and second plate 16(b) may be variously configured in accordance with other embodiments.

The first plate 16(a) and the second plate 16(b) can be made from ¼ inch steel. The first plate 16(a) may have eighteen pre-punched holes 44, as shown in FIG. 3(b). The second plate 16(b) may also have one or more pre-punched holes 42 as shown in FIG. 3(c). The holes 44 on the first plate 16(a) are spaced to allow the first plate 16(a) to be fastened to studs sized 2×4, 2×6 or 2×8. The breadth of the second plate 16(b) may be 2 inches. This may help ensure that the second plate 16(b) prevents the surface on which the second plate 16(b) is secured or in proximity from damage or discoloration due to movement of the second plate 16(b) through wind forces. Although described as extending 2 inches from the first plate 16(a), the second plate 16(b) may extend up to 6 inches from the first plate 16(a) in accordance with other embodiments. Further, the second plate 16(b) may extend from 1 inch to 12 inches in accordance with yet other embodiments.

Referring back to FIG. 3(a), a first upright piece 46 and a second upright piece 48 may be fixedly attached by means of welding, riveting or the like to the base member 16. The first upright piece 46 and the second upright piece 48 may be made from ⅛ inch steel. A channel 50, illustrated in FIG. 3(b), is defined between the first upright piece 46 and the second upright piece 48, which is divided into a first slot 50(a) and a second slot 50(b), as the upright fitting 26 is fixed to the base member 16 within the channel 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the first slot 50(a) is adapted to receive a first elongated member 24(a), and the second slot 50(b) is adapted to receive a second elongated member 24(b). The first elongated member 24(a) and the second elongated member 24(b) may extend from base member 16 to subsequent base members 16 on either side.

As shown in FIG. 2, each upright fitting 26 is sized and open at the upper end 52 to receive the lower end 54 of the upright support member 18. In accordance with one embodiment, the upright fitting 26 is a steel tube with a cross sectional dimension of 2 inches by 2 inches (2×2 inches). Also, the upright support member 18 is a steel tube with a cross sectional dimension of 1¾ inches by 1¾ inches (1¾×1¾ inches). The upright fitting 26 has a first set of apertures 34, shown in FIG. 3(c), throughout its length on all four sides. The upright support member 18 may have a second set of apertures 34′ also formed on all four sides throughout its length. The first set of apertures 34 on the upright fitting 26 are adapted to be aligned with the second set of apertures 34′ on the upright support member 18. The aligned apertures 34 and 34′ can receive a snap pin fastener 28 to achieve a desired height of the upright support member 18 securely positioned within the upright fitting 26. In order to support the cross members 20 and 22 links can be provided on the upright support member 18. In this regard, the upright support member 18 may carry bolt 58(a) and bolt 58(b) which can be attached to shackles 60(a) and 60(b) respectively.

A second embodiment of the fall protection assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 4. Here, the fall protection assembly 10 is installed at the edge 12 of the horizontal surface 14 of the structure. The present embodiment is similar to the first embodiment described hereinabove except that rigid horizontal members are used for forming the cross members 20 and 22. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the rigid horizontal members are wooden studs having a cross section of 2 inches by 4 inches (2×4 inches). However, it is to be understood that other types and sizes of rigid horizontal members are contemplated as being used in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 5 demonstrates the front exploded view of the base-plate assembly 56 and the upright support member 18 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Each upright support member 18 has support brackets 36(a) and 36(b) for supporting the cross members 20 and 22 respectively. The cross member 20 may be tightly secured to the support bracket 36(a) using bolts 38(a) and 40(a). Similarly, cross member 22 can be tightly secured to the support bracket 36(b) using bolts 38(b) and 40(b). The support brackets 36(a) and 36(b) can be made from ⅛ inch steel. FIG. 6(a) shows the side view of the support bracket 36(a) or 36(b). FIG. 6(b) illustrates the front view of the support bracket 36(a) or 36(b). The support brackets 36(a) and 36(b) are wide enough to fit the thickness of two studs sized 2×4 inches. In this embodiment, the use of the warning flag string 32, shown in FIG. 4, is optional. Like the first embodiment, the second plate 16(b) of the base member 16 is sized as 2 inches to avoid any damage or discoloration of the surface to which it is tied or otherwise located in close proximity.

A third embodiment of the fall protection assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 7. The fall protection assembly 10 can be installed at the edge 12 of the horizontal surface 14 of a structure. The present embodiment is similar to the first and second embodiments described hereinabove except that a combination of cables and rigid horizontal members for forming the cross members 20 and 22 are used. The cross members 20 and 22 for one post assembly 100 are cables and the cross members 20 and 22 for the subsequent post assembly 100 are rigid horizontal members as shown in FIG. 7. In the present embodiment the rigid horizontal members can be wooden studs with a cross section of 2 inches by 4 inches (2×4 inches). It is to be understood, however, that other types of rigid horizontal members are contemplated for use in other embodiments.

The front view of the upright support member 18 is illustrated in FIG. 8. The upright support members 18 may carry links for supporting both the rigid horizontal members and the cables. On each upright support member 18, support brackets 36(a) and 36(b) are present. The rigid horizontal member used as cross member 20 can be secured to the support bracket 36(a) using bolts 38(a) and 40(a). The rigid horizontal member can be attached to one another through the use of nails, bolts or other suitable fastener or configuration. Similarly, the rigid horizontal member used as cross member 22 can be secured to the support bracket 36(b) using bolts 38(b) and 40(b). Each upright support member 18 also carries a bolt 58(a) and a bolt 58(b) which can be attached to shackles 60(a) and 60(b), respectively, for supporting the cables that are used as the cross members 20 and 22. Between the adjacent upright support members 18, for which the rigid horizontal members are being used as the cross members 20 and 22, it is optional to install the warning flag string 32. The warning flag string 32 may be retained using the attachment member 30 provided on the top of each upright support member 18 as shown in FIG. 7. In a similar manner, when cables are being used as the cross members 20 and 22 the warning flag string 32 can be incorporated using the attachment member 30 provided on the top of each upright support member 18, shown for example in FIG. 7. The second plate 16(b) of the base member 16 may be sized 2 inches in order to avoid damage to the surface to which it is tied.

All of the embodiments of the fall protection assembly 10 may be designed to meet current OSHA regulations and can be installed at any structure with ease and convenience. The first step in the installation procedure is to secure the base member 16 at the outside edge of the structure, for example at the roof-edge of a building. The first plate 16(a) may be pulled tight to the horizontal surface 14 of the roof-edge and the second plate 16(b) may fit flush against the vertical surface of the roof-edge as shown for instance in FIG. 3(a). The first plate 16(a) can be fastened to the horizontal surface 14 of the roof-edge with a minimum of 6 fasteners in such a way that there are an equal number of fasteners on each side of the upright fitting 26. Each of the fasteners may be at least 1.5 inches in length for suitable securement. The fastener to be used should be designed from a material that allows the fastener to work in the material to which it is fastened. The base member 16 can be tightly secured to the roof by using fasteners passing through the holes 44 provided on the first plate 16(a) to avoid the need for a person to bend over the roof and secure the second plate 16(b) to the vertical surface 15. However, for additional attachment, the second plate 16(b) may be fastened to the vertical surface 15 of the roof-edge using fasteners passing through the holes 42 provided on the second plate 16(b). In accordance with other embodiments, the second plate 16(b) may be attached while the first plate 16(a) is unattached to the roof-edge.

The next step in the installation procedure is to insert the upright support member 18 in the upright fitting 26. The upright support member 18 should be installed so that that the side of the upright support member 18 carrying the links for supporting the cross members 20 and 22 is facing inward towards the roof. A desired height of the upright support member 18 is selected by aligning the first set of apertures 34 present on the upright fitting 26 with the second set of apertures 34′ present on the upright support member 18. The aligned apertures 34 and 34′ are fastened with the snap pin fastener 28. The selected height of the upright support member 18 should be at least 40 inches to meet government regulations in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments.

Once the upright support member 18 is installed, an end of the elongated member 24(b) is inserted in slot 50(b) of the base member 16. The other end of the elongated member 24(b) locates the position for slot 50(a) of a subsequent base member 16 which will be installed. After the two ends of the elongated member 24(b) are inserted into their respective slots they are secured with the help of fasteners. In accordance with one embodiment, the elongated members 24(a) and 24(b) are eight feet long, 2 inch by 4 inch (2×4 inches) boards. By using the elongated members 24(a) and 24(b) as spacers, the need for use of a measuring tape is eliminated. The distance between the adjacent base members 16 should not be more than six feet in accordance with certain embodiments.

Next, the cross members 20 and 22 can be installed between adjacent upright support members 18. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cross member 20 is formed by attaching the shackle 60(a) to one end of a cable and to bolt 58(a), while the other end of the cable is attached to another shackle 60(a) that is attached to another bolt 58(a) of the subsequent upright support member 18. A similar procedure is performed for forming the cross member 22 in which the shackle 60(b), attached to one end of a cable, is attached to the bolt 58(b), while the other end of the cable is attached to another shackle 60(b), that is attached to another bolt 58(b) of the subsequent upright support member 18. The length of the cable which serves as the cross member 20 or 22 should be equal to the distance between the adjacent upright support members 18 so as not to create any slack in the cable after it is installed. If the distance between the adjacent base members 16 is less than eight feet, the rigid horizontal members can be used to form the cross members 20 and 22.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, rigid horizontal members are placed in the support brackets 36(a) and 36(b) in order to form the cross members 20 and 22. Cross member 20 is further secured with the bolts 38(a) and 40(a), and cross member 22 is further secured with the bolts 38(b) and 40(b). The final step in the installation process is to install the warning flag string 32 so that the warning flag string 32 passes through each attachment member 30 provided at the top of each upright support member 18. The warning flag string 32 may not be installed between the upright support members 18 that have rigid horizontal members as the cross members 20 and 22.

It is therefore the case that a plurality of post-base assemblies 100 may be installed around the roof for fall prevention and protection with proper installation and use. The fall of personnel from the surface may be prevented by the cross member 20, the cross member 22 and the elongated members 24(a) or 24(b). The elongated members 24(a) and 24(b) can also be used to prevent any tool or object from falling from the surface 14 and thus getting damaged or hitting a person standing directly below the edge of the surface 14.

As stated, the upright support member 18 may be independent from the base member 16. A base member 16 may be fabricated to accommodate a flat roof or any steep pitch. This flexibility allows the end user the option of buying special steep slope base plates and using their existing safety posts for the rest of the fall protection assembly 10. However, it is to be understood that in other embodiments that the base plate assembly 56 and the upright support member 18 may be permanently attached to one another.

The base member 16 has been described as being attached to a structure. The structure may be any component of a roof or wall of a building. Further, the structure may be a 2×4 or other board or member located on any part of a building. Still further, the structure to which the base member 16 may be attached can be various components in accordance with other embodiments.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that the claimed invention is not to be limited in scope to the aforementioned and described embodiments.

Claims

1. A fall protection assembly, comprising:

a base member configured for attachment to a structure, wherein said base member has a first upright piece and a second upright piece arranged with respect to one another so as to be capable of receiving at least a portion of a kick member therebetween; and

an upright support member supported by said base member, wherein said upright support member is capable of supporting at least one cross member for use in fall prevention.

2. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an upright fitting attached to said base member, wherein said upright support member is releasably attachable to said upright fitting such that when attached to said upright fitting said upright support member is supported by said base member.

3. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first upright piece and said second upright piece are arranged with respect to one another so as to be additionally capable of receiving at least a portion of a second kick member therebetween, wherein the first kick member and the second kick member are separated from one another when both are received between said first upright piece and said second upright piece.

4. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base member has a first plate attached to said first upright piece and to said second upright piece, and wherein said first plate defines a plurality of apertures for use in attaching said first plate to the structure, wherein said upright support member is located within a perimeter defined by said first plate, and wherein said base member has a second plate that is attached to and is perpendicular to said first plate, wherein said second plate defines a plurality of apertures for use in attaching said second plate to the structure.

5. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said second plate extends no more than two inches from said first plate.

6. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upright support member is configured so that the position of said upright support member with respect to said base member is capable of being modified.

7. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upright support member is configured for supporting the cross member at various locations along the length of said upright support member.

8. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upright support member has an attachment member configured for retaining a warning flag string to said upright support member.

9. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upright support member defines a plurality of apertures along the length of said upright support member, wherein at least some of said apertures are capable of being used to effect attachment of a shackle to said upright support member for use in retaining a cross member that is a cable, and wherein at least some of said apertures are capable of being used to effect attachment of a support bracket to said upright support member for use in retaining a cross member that is a rigid horizontal member.

10. A fall protection assembly, comprising:

a base plate assembly configured for attachment to a structure; and

an upright support member releasably attachable to said base plate assembly, wherein said upright support member is configured for supporting a cross member for use in fall prevention, wherein the location of support of the cross member is capable of being selected at a desired location along the length of said upright support member.

11. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said base plate assembly has an upright fitting to which said upright support member is capable of being attached and removed in order to render said upright support member releasably attachable to said base plate assembly, wherein the location of attachment can be selected in order to locate said upright support member at a desired position with respect to said base plate assembly.

12. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said base plate assembly has a base member that has a first plate that defines a plurality of apertures for use in attaching said first plate to the structure, wherein said upright support member is located within the perimeter defined by said first plate, and wherein said base plate assembly has a first upright piece and a second upright piece arranged with respect to one another so as to be capable of receiving at least a portion of a kick member therebetween.

13. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said base plate assembly has a second plate that is attached to and is perpendicular to said first plate, wherein said second plate defines a plurality of apertures for use in attaching said second plate to the structure, wherein said second plate extends no more than two inches from said first plate.

14. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said upright support member defines a plurality of apertures along the length of said upright support member, wherein said apertures are capable of being used to effect attachment of a shackle to said upright support member for use in retaining a cross member that is a cable to said upright support member, and wherein said apertures are capable of being used to effect attachment of a support bracket to said upright support member for use in retaining a cross member that is a rigid horizontal member to said upright support member.

15. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said upright support member has an attachment member that is a spring loaded retainer that is located on an upper end of said upright support member, wherein said attachment member is configured for retaining a warning flag string to said upright support member.

16. A fall protection assembly, comprising:

a base plate assembly;

an upright support member engaging said base plate assembly, wherein said upright support member is capable of supporting at least one cross member for use in fall prevention;

a retention member capable of engaging said upright support member and configured for retaining a cross member that is a cable to said upright support member; and

a support bracket capable of engaging said upright support member and configured for retaining a cross member that is a rigid horizontal member to said upright support member.

17. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

said base plate assembly has a base member with a first plate from which a first upright piece and a second upright piece extend, wherein said base plate assembly has an upright fitting that extends from said first plate, wherein said first upright piece and said second upright piece are arranged with respect to one another so as to be capable of receiving at least a portion of a first kick member therebetween and at least a portion of a second kick member therebetween, wherein said upright fitting is positioned with respect to said first upright piece and said second upright piece so that said upright fitting is located between the first kick member and the second kick member when the first kick member and the second kick member are received by said first upright piece and said second upright piece; and

wherein said upright support member is releasably attachable to said upright fitting, and wherein the relative position between said upright support member and said upright fitting is capable of being modified.

18. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 17, wherein said upright support member defines a plurality of apertures, and wherein said upright fitting defines a plurality of apertures, and further comprising a snap-pin fastener capable of being disposed through aligned said apertures of said upright support member and said upright fitting for effecting attachment of said upright support member and said upright fitting.

19. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 17, wherein said base member has a second plate that is attached to and is perpendicular to said first plate, wherein said second plate defines a plurality of apertures for use in attaching said second plate to a structure, and wherein said second plate extends no more than two inches from said first plate.

20. The fall protection assembly as set forth in claim 17, wherein said upright support member defines a plurality of apertures along the length of said upright support member, wherein said apertures are used to effect releasable attachment of said retention member that is a shackle to said upright support member, and wherein said apertures are used to effect releasable attachment of said support bracket to said upright support member.