Fall Protection Systems

Abstract

In one embodiment, a fall protection system including a J-shaped stanchion that 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 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 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. In another embodiment, the disclosure includes a combination fall protection and catwalk system for above-ground floors. In another embodiment, the disclosure includes a fall protection system for reroofing applications.

1 . A fall protection system comprising: a stanchion comprising a J-shaped configuration; an attachment bracket connected to said stanchion, said attachment bracket comprising a center web to which is connected an upper rear flange, an upper front flange and a lower flange; and a guardrail mounted to said stanchion. 
     
     
         2 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said stanchion comprises a guardrail bracket to which said guardrail is mounted. 
     
     
         3 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said attachment bracket is double-sided. 
     
     
         4 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said attachment bracket is single-sided. 
     
     
         5 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said center web includes an orifice through which a fastener may be inserted for connecting said center web to a roof member. 
     
     
         6 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said attachment bracket is removably connected to said stanchion. 
     
     
         7 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 6 , further including a boss that removably connects with said stanchion. 
     
     
         8 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said guardrail comprises a plank. 
     
     
         9 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 8 , further including stacked attachment brackets for securing overlapping planks. 
     
     
         10 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said J-shaped stanchion is configured to extend substantially perpendicularly relative to a roof to which the attachment bracket is connected. 
     
     
         11 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein a plurality of said stanchions are connected to trusses of a building whereupon guardrails are then mounted to the stanchions along the roof line of the building. 
     
     
         12 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said stanchion further comprises an extended stanchion with at least one guardrail bracket allowing installation of additional rows of guardrails. 
     
     
         13 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said extended stanchion is removably connected to said stanchion. 
     
     
         14 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a lock bracket for securely attaching the attachment bracket to a roof. 
     
     
         15 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said lock bracket comprises a generally L-shaped configuration having an inturned end which engages said lower flange of said attachment bracket. 
     
     
         16 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an extended stanchion composed of a plank to which said guardrails may be mounted thereto, said plank being connected to said stanchion by a connector. 
     
     
         17 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one or both of said upper flanges comprise a pointed configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said center web comprises a plurality of barbs. 
     
     
         19 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said barbs extend on both sides of said center web. 
     
     
         20 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said J-shaped stanchion may be replaced by a modified stanchion for supporting an object such as a satellite dish, a hook, a flag pole, or a basketball backboard. 
     
     
         21 . A fall protection system for mounting to a roof truss of a building, comprising:
 an attachment bracket comprising two upstanding members forming a U-shaped channel for receiving the roof truss therebetween, said upstanding members being dimensioned to be contiguous with the roof truss and mechanically attached thereto during the manufacture of the roof truss; and   after the roof truss is transported to a job site and erected onto the building, a stanchion comprising a J-shaped configuration is connected to said attachment bracket and a guardrail is mounted to said stanchion.   
     
     
         22 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein one or both of said upstanding members comprises at least one barb that engages into the roof member. 
     
     
         23 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said attachment bracket is removably connected to said stanchion. 
     
     
         24 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 23 , further including a boss that removably connects with said stanchion. 
     
     
         25 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said guardrail comprises a plank. 
     
     
         26 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 25 , further including stacked attachment brackets for securing overlapping planks. 
     
     
         27 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said J-shaped stanchion is configured to extend substantially perpendicularly relative to the member to which the attachment bracket is connected. 
     
     
         28 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein a plurality of said stanchions are connected to the trusses of a building whereupon one or more guardrails are then mounted to the stanchions along the roof line of the building. 
     
     
         29 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said stanchion further comprises an extended stanchion to which is mounted said guardrails allowing installation of additional rows of guardrails. 
     
     
         30 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein said extended stanchion is removably connected to said stanchion. 
     
     
         31 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising an extended stanchion composed of a plank to which said guardrail may be mounted thereto, said plank being connected to said stanchion by a connector. 
     
     
         32 . The fall protection system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said J-shaped stanchion may be replaced by a modified stanchion for supporting an object such as a satellite dish, a hook, a flag pole, or a basketball backboard. 
     
     
         33 . A fall protection system for reroofing a roof, comprising in combination:
 a roof truss bracket to be nailed on the roof to be reroofed; and   a J-shaped stanchion having a J-shaped truss attachment bracket with a T-bar that removably engages into the roof truss bracket.   
     
     
         34 . A combination fall protection/catwalk system for an above-ground floor, comprising in combination:
 a combination fall protection/catwalk bracket to be affixed to the wall of the above-ground floor to which a catwalk plank may then be mounted thereon; and   a J-shaped stanchion removably connected to said combination fall protection/catwalk bracket.   
     
     
         35 . The combination fall protection/catwalk system as set forth in  claim 34 , further including a tie strap for interconnecting said combination fall protection/catwalk bracket to the floor.