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  Truss mounted rooftop fall protection systemUSPTO Application #: 20070007503Title: Truss mounted rooftop fall protection system Abstract: A J shaped stanchion which attaches to a roof truss (or rafter) in such a manner as to enable the entire girth of the roof truss overhang (or rafter) to be the sole support for the stanchion. The enveloping connection is designed to exceed the 200 pound minimum impact currently required by OSHA for a slide guard or guardrail. This stanchion is designed to bend below the fascia and return up above the roof surface where successive stanchions similarly attached are connected via a fall protection guardtails providing fall protection for all workers. This single point of attachment allows the carpenters to attach the stanchions prior to hoisting the trusses onto the roof bearing walls. As soon as the trusses are properly braced, the guardrails can be hoisted and secured. (end of abstract) Agent: Wayne V. Harper - Tampa, FL, US Inventors: Rafael Martinez, Joseph A. Martinez, James Harrison USPTO Applicaton #: 20070007503 - Class: 256059000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Fences, Rail The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070007503. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable. [0002] STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0003] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] The present invention relates to fall protection devices and systems which are attached to roofs of structures under construction. More particularly, this invention relates to fall protection devices and systems which are mounted on trusses or rafters of structures under construction, but are not attached to the fascia of such structures. [0006] 2. Description of the Problem [0007] The Occupational Safety and Health Act mandates that every trade who must build or stand on a roof surface should have fall protection. At the very minimum a slide guard should be in place to protect the worker. The minimum slide guard is described as a two by four nominal dimension member secured on its' edge, to the roof, below the worker, to arrest his possible slide. Many trades must stand on a sloped roof to accomplish their work. Some of these trades are, the framing carpenter, the roofer, (and on roofs with multiple levels), the window installer, the house wrap installer, the siding installer, exterior trim carpenter, the soffit installer, the lathers, the stucco crew, the list could go on and on. [0008] In practice, the framing carpenter installs a slide guard on the roof surface and it is removed when the framing is finished, since it becomes an obstacle to some subsequent trades. In practice the guards are seldom replaced. There exists a need to overcome the shortcomings of conventional fall protection devices. [0009] 3. Description of Related Art [0010] There is some prior art which addresses this problem. However, the art which is most likely to address this concern are those with stanchions which attach to a truss below the roof line, dip down below the fascia and up above the roof and also attach to the fascia. There are at least four deficiencies with this multiple attachment. For one, a building designed with no fascia, may not use these systems. Secondly, where the fascia is the finished product, this art would damage the fascia, and it could not be used. Thirdly, where the roofing requires a metal eave drip to be installed before roofing, the fascia connection may have to be removed, rendering this system inoperable. And finally, if they are to be used at all these stanchions cannot be properly attached until the fascia is constructed. Specific devices also suffer from other deficiencies. [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,689 to McNamee (2002). In abstract states "The shorter leg of each stanchion engages the underside of one of the rafters and extends downward lay there from, the longer leg of each stanchion is interconnected with the roofs fascia board by a fascia board mounting clamp and extends upwardly from the roof, while the interconnecting portion between the above noted legs extends under the fascia board." The additional attachment to the fascia required by McNamee presents many problems. In many cases where the fascia is the finished product, the fascia would be damaged by the fascia board mounting clamp. Where the architecture requires no fascia, the McNamee stanchion could not be used. Where the roof framing requires a sub fascia, the McNamee stanchion would have to be removed prior to the installation of a finished wooden fascia with metal eave drip, leaving the roofers and other workers following the removal without fall protection. [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,076 to Zust (1993) uses a fall protection system attached with roof anchors directly into a roof gutter system. With this system the gutter and anchors must be in place, which interferes with the roofing process. This system cannot be used with new construction. [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,891 to Griek Et. AI (1994) uses an assembly where the unit can only be used on a steel frame structure. [0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,227 to Hemauer (1996) in abstract states that "the bracket part of each stanchion is attached to the fascia board and also to a rafter of the building frame. Thus spreading the force caused by a falling person or large object between both fascia and rafters, providing maximum strength." Hemauer also states "in no way interfere with the complete roof process, including gutter." The additional attachment to the fascia required by Hemauer presents many problems. In many cases where the fascia is the finished product, the fascia would be damaged by the fascia mounting bracket part. Where the architecture requires no fascia, the Hemauer stanchion could not be used. Where the roof framing requires a sub fascia, the Hemauer stanchion would have to be removed prior to the installation of a finished wooden fascia with metal eave drip, leaving the roofers and other workers following the removal without fall protection. [0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,559 to Lewis (1996). The device can only be installed on a wood frame building and does not allow exterior finish to go on until roof is complete. [0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,131 to Kettlekamp and Shafstall (1987). The illustrations show a two bolt pattern secured thru the rafter tail, the application of extreme force could split the rafter tail. The complexity of the design and the multiple parts renders this design expensive and difficult to manufacture and assemble. [0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,586 to Myers (1991). The completion of both the roofing and siding processes are compromised by interference of the components of the device. [0018] U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,577 to Werner (1987). The patent states that a screw clamp is to be used to attach the bracket to the structure and is best suited for structures that have a floor comprised of concrete. [0019] U.S. Pat. No. 3,901.481 to Probst (1975) This unit is comprised of a roof plate nailed to the roof under shingles and may not be installed prior to partial sheathing. [0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,851 to Daniels (1982) illustrations show, a side mounted post bracket attached to the horizontal board of a deck platform. Prior to this installation the fascia, sheathing, edging, and bottom row of shingles must be installed. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0021] The preferred embodiment of this invention is a J shaped stanchion which attaches to a roof truss (or rafter) in such a manner as to enable the entire girth of the roof truss overhang (or rafter) to be the sole support for the stanchion. The enveloping connection is designed to exceed the 200 pound minimum impact currently required by OSHA for a slide guard or guardrail. This stanchion is designed to bend below the fascia and return up above the roof surface where successive stanchions similarly attached are connected via fall protection guardrails providing fall protection for all workers. This single point of attachment allows the carpenters to attach the stanchions prior to hoisting the trusses onto the roof bearing walls. As soon as the trusses are properly braced, the guardrails can be hoisted and secured. This feature of the preferred embodiment has the potential of protecting every single worker during the entire construction process of the structure which involves working on the roof When all workers are safely off the roof the stanchions are easily removed and reused. Continue reading... Full patent description for Truss mounted rooftop fall protection system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Truss mounted rooftop fall protection system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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