U.S. patent application number 09/754118 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-25 for roof step system.
Invention is credited to Neuleib, Marlo Donald.
Application Number | 20020046543 09/754118 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22637207 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020046543 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Neuleib, Marlo Donald |
April 25, 2002 |
Roof step system
Abstract
A step system for providing a toehold/slide guard on inclined
surfaces, such as a roof is disclosed. Individual steps including a
toehold are connected at variable distances by flexible material
permitting the steps to be spaced sufficiently far apart to allow
an adult to kneel between neighboring steps. In preferred
embodiments of the step system, individual steps include molded
cutout handles, reenforced grommets for passage of fasteners, and
non-skid surfaces for additional safety when the step system is
employed in steeply pitched planes.
Inventors: |
Neuleib, Marlo Donald;
(Greensboro, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CATHERINE B. RICHARDSON, ESQ.
BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS, L.L.P.
P. O. BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA,
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
22637207 |
Appl. No.: |
09/754118 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60174714 |
Jan 6, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/749.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06C 1/345 20130101;
E04F 21/00 20130101; E06C 1/56 20130101; E06C 1/525 20130101; E04D
15/00 20130101; E06C 7/488 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/749.12 |
International
Class: |
E04D 015/00; E04F
021/00; E04G 021/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A step system comprising: connecting material; and a plurality
of steps attached to the connecting material, said steps being
spaced apart by a distance sufficient to allow an adult to kneel
between neighboring steps.
2. The step system of claim 1, wherein the steps are spaced apart
by approximately 20 inches to approximately 36 inches.
3. The step system of claim 1, wherein the connecting material is
approximately 10 inches to approximately 36 inches wide.
4. The step system of claim, 1, wherein the connecting material is
nylon 6000 pound seat belt webbing.
5. The step system of claim 4, wherein the nylon is approximately
900 to approximately 1,000 denier.
6. The step system of claim 1, wherein the connecting material is a
closed material.
7. The step system of claim 1, wherein the steps are attached to
the connecting material by 6000 pound seat belt webbing.
8. The step system of claim 1, wherein the step includes a
handle.
9. The step system of claim 1, further comprising a life line
attachable to the handle.
10. The step system of claim 1, wherein the step is comprised of
high impact plastic.
11. A step system comprising: connecting material; and a plurality
of steps attached to the connecting material, said steps being
variably spaceable.
12. The step system of claim 11, wherein the steps may be spaced
out of parallel.
13. The step system of claim 11, wherein the step further comprises
a non-skid surface.
14. The step system of claim 11, wherein the step further comprises
a keyhole-shaped sleeve for passage of a fastener.
15. The step system of claim 11, wherein the step further comprises
ruler demarcations along one edge.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/174,714 filed Jan. 6, 2000. The entirety
of that provisional application is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a step system for providing a
toehold/slide guard on inclined surfaces, such as a roof.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] Providing a safe and secure foothold for workers working on
an inclined surface, such as a roof, has been a concern in the
construction industry for years. The most common method for
providing a foothold on a roof today is by nailing a 2.times.4 (as
used herein, 2".times.4"refers to a 2 inch by 4 inch piece of
lumber) directly to the roof. This method has several
disadvantages. First, nailing a 2.times.4 to the roof creates holes
in existing roofing materials. Second, because there is no
protective material surrounding the 2.times.4, workers using the
2.times.4 as a toehold/slide guard will often dislodge granular
material that is attached to roof shingles. Third, the lack of
protective material around the roof step allows soil and other
debris from workers' shoes to be deposited on the roof.
[0006] The above identified short comings associated with the use
of a 2.times.4 for toeholds/slide guards has led to the development
of a number of alternative systems. These alternative systems can
generally be classified into one of two categories: 1) ladder-like
roofing systems; and 2) platform systems. Ladder-like systems
generally provide steps, similar to a ladder, that are intended to
allow a worker to climb the roof. An example of a ladder-like
system is the system described in UK Patent No. 2,131,475. Systems
such as these provide a number of steps, spaced approximately the
same distance as steps in a ladder. One drawback to the system
proposed in UK Patent No. 2,131,475 is that the system is comprised
of a rigid board, which makes the system cumbersome for use on a
roof. Another example of a ladder-like system is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 2,708,543. This system discloses a number of triangular
steps attached to a flexible rubber/foam backing board. Although
this system has the advantage of providing a flexible backing, it
still suffers from the relative disadvantage of being heavy and
cumbersome for use on a roof. More importantly, both of these
ladder-like systems do not provide toeholds that are spaced
sufficiently far enough apart to allow a worker to kneel between
successive, or neighboring, toeholds. Thus, while such ladder-like
systems are useful for climbing a roof, such systems are not as
useful for a roofer who needs to kneel while perched on a toehold
to install roofing shingles.
[0007] The second type of alternative roofing systems are platform
based roofing systems. An example of a platform based roofing
system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,123. This system
consists of an angled bracket that holds a 2.times.4 at an angle
with respect to the roof to provide toehold. This system suffers
from many of the same drawbacks associated with using a single
2.times.4, including the necessity of driving nails through the
bracket to secure the bracket to the roof. Several more complicated
platform systems are also known in the art, including those
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,785,606; 5,908,083; and 5,624,006.
These systems all provide good working surfaces, but are
complicated and clumsy for use on a roof. Variations on the
platform based systems are mobile platforms that can be attached to
a worker's feet such as the platform described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,726,028 and UK Patent No. 2,131,475. Systems such as these are
also cumbersome to use on a roof. What is needed is a light weight,
easy to use system that provides a toehold/slide guard for a worker
that will allow the worker to kneel on the roof in order to perform
tasks such as installing shingles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention overcomes to a great extent the
deficiencies found in the prior art discussed above by providing a
step system comprising a number of spaced apart steps attached to a
connecting material, wherein the steps are spaced sufficiently far
apart to allow an adult to kneel between neighboring steps. In
preferred embodiments, the connecting material is a light weight
nylon and the steps are formed from high strength, light weight
plastic. Highly preferred embodiments of the present invention
employ a woven nylon material, approximately 900-1,000 denier. This
type of fabric has been found to exhibit exceptional traction when
used on asphalt shingles. The material is preferably solid. Besides
providing traction on the roof surface, the use of a "solid"
material also protects the roof both from dirt and other debris and
from worker's shoe which tends to dislodge the granular material
found on many asphalt shingles. The connecting material may be
provided with a number of grommets, suitable for attaching the
connecting material to the roof. In preferred embodiments of the
invention, the step system is of sufficient length such that it can
be draped over the entire roof and secured in sections to the roof.
In preferred embodiments, the step includes a handle, which may
also be used to secure a life line to the step. Preferably, the
steps are separated by approximately 20 inches to approximately 36
inches, which is generally sufficient to provide room for a worker
to kneel using one step as a toehold/slide guard. The step system
may be any width, but as preferably between approximately 18 inches
to approximately 50 inches wide, which is generally sufficiently
wide to provide a toehold for both of a worker's feet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of
the attendant features and advantages thereof will be readily
obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the
following detailed description when considered in connection the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roof step system according
to the present invention in use on a roof.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the roof step system of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a top view of the roof step system of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the roof step
system of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front view of the roof step system of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the roof step system of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the roof step according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a functional application of
the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the roof step according to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another preferred
embodiment of the roof step according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, a perspective view of a roof step system 100
installed on the roof 10 of a building 20 is shown in FIG. 1. A
worker 30 is using the roof step system 100 to install shingles 12.
As shown in FIG. 1, the roof step system 100 extends over the peak
of the roof 10. The roof step system may be attached to the other
side of the roof before the shingles are attached to that side, or
may extend entirely over the other side of the roof and be attached
at a place on the house, thereby avoiding the necessity of creating
holes in the roof 10 sheathing. The spacing between successive
steps 130 on the roof system 100 allows the worker 30 to kneel
between successive steps 130. The step system 100 also protects
installed shingles 12 from being scuffed and dirtied by the
worker's feet.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the roof step system 100. FIG. 2
illustrates the connecting material 110. The connecting material
110 may be any material that is sufficiently strong to connect the
step. In preferred embodiments, the material 110 is solid, or
closed (as used herein, a solid or closed material is a material of
a sufficiently dense weave such that dirt and other debris is
prevented from passing through the material 110). However, other
types of material may also be used. These other types of material
may include open nets or meshes. It is also possible to use two
thin strips of material spaced apart such that the strips of
material are attached to opposite ends of a step 100. In a highly
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting
material is made from a heavy gauge (900 to 1,000 denier) nylon
pack cloth. This material has been found to exhibit excellent
traction on commonly used asphalt roof shingles. As can be seen
with reference to FIG. 3, in an even more highly preferred
embodiment of the invention, the fabric 110 is reenforced by thin
nylon strips 120, comprised of a 2 inch wide 6000 lb. break
strength nylon/seat belt webbing for added strength.
[0022] Still referring to FIG. 3, a distance D separates the
toehold 134 of one step 130 from the start of a successive step
130. The distance D is chosen to allow a worker to kneel between
successive steps 130. Preferably, the distance D is between
approximately 20 inches and approximately 36 inches.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the reenforcing
strips 120 include grommets 140. The grommets are used to secure
the step system 100 to a nail, screw, or other object. Experience
has shown that in many situations, a single grommet 140 on each
side of the top of the step system 100 is sufficient to secure the
step system 100. This is partially due to the excellent traction
provided by the connecting material 110. However, a plurality of
grommets 140 are provided to allow multiple screws or nails to be
used to secure the step system 100 to the roof for the sake of
safety; especially when the step system 100 is used on an uncovered
plywood roof. The multiple grommets 140 also allow the roof step
system 100 to be attached to a roof at a number of different
points.
[0024] The step 130 is attached to the connecting material 110 by
6000 pounds of nylon seat belt webbing 120. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 4, two slots 138 per side are used to attach the step 130
to the connecting material 110 through the reenforcing strip 120.
Any number of fasteners other than nylon seat belt webbing 138
could be used to secure the step 130 to the connecting material
110, but nylon seat belt webbing is preferred because the nylon
webbing 120 has low profile on the opposite side of the material
110.
[0025] The step 130 includes a base 132 having a width W. The width
W is chosen to prevent the step 130 from tipping over when used as
a toehold/slide guard. In preferred embodiments, the width W is
approximately 8 inches. The width W of the connecting material is
approximately 10 inches to approximately 30 inches wide. More
preferably still, the step 134 may be comprised of an textured
plastic, which has been shown to provide surprisingly good
traction, especially when sneakers are worn.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the step 130
includes a toehold 134 of a height H. In preferred embodiments, the
height H is equal to approximately 4 inches. Greater heights H are
also possible, but the use of greater heights would require an
increase in the width W of the base 132 of the step 130. Also shown
in FIG. 5 is a handle 136, which is formed by removing portions of
the toehold 134. The handle 136 provides a convenient surface for a
worker to grab. The handle 136 may also be used to provide a point
at which a life line could be attached to the step system 100. Such
a life line is intended to be a short, e.g., 6 foot, life line. A
short life line such as this prevents the step system 100 from
being exposed to excessive force in the event that a worker should
lose his footing. Another advantage of a short life line is
convenience of use.
[0027] The step 130 is preferably comprised of a high strength,
light weight plastic. Of course, other materials could also be
used. For example, steps comprised of aluminum, steel and/or
vulcanized rubber are also possible. It should also be noted that
it is possible to use the solid nylon seat belt webbing 6000 pounds
connecting material 110 without steps 130. Used in this manner, the
connecting material 110 provides good traction while keeping the
roof 10 clean.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the toehold 134 is solid other
than the cutout for the handle 136. One advantage to this
arrangement is that the toehold 134 can be used by a worker 30 as a
tool rest as shown in FIG. 1.
[0029] Further as shown in FIG. 7, in a preferred embodiment of the
step 130, the base 132 includes keyhole-shaped sleeves 142 that are
designed to permit passage of a nail, screw, or other fastener (not
shown), in order to secure the step 130 to the roof surface. The
keyhole shape allows the step 130 to be removed from the fastener
without having to remove and reinstall the fastener, or without
having to remove the fastener and patch or repair the hole left by
the removed fastener. Furthermore, the keyhole-shaped sleeve 142
permits step 130 when installed to be anchored in place by sliding
the step 130 so that the fastener passes through the narrow portion
of keyhole-shaped sleeve 142. In the example shown in FIG. 7, it is
anticipated that 1.5 inch #10 Phillips head screws will be used,
and upon removal of the step 130, the screws are simply countersunk
into the roofing material to maintain an impervious surface.
[0030] A further advantage to the preferred embodiment shown in
FIG. 7 is that individual roof steps may be placed in irregular
patterns as conditions require. As shown in FIG. 7A, at the
discretion of the user, connecting material 110 may be used between
individually placed steps 130.
[0031] FIG. 8 displays another preferred embodiment of the step
130, wherein the step is especially suitable for use on vertical or
steeply pitched planes. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG.
8, toehold 134 has non-skid surface 144 which permits the user to
maintain stable footing while working on the vertical or steeply
pitched plane. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the
non-skid surface 144 is provided through a pattern of molded
knurls, but the non-skid surface can also be provided through the
use of applique, sand paint, or other techniques familiar to
persons of ordinary skill in the art. Keyhole-shaped sleeves 142
are preferably placed relatively close to toehold 134, to minimize
the stress on the fasteners (not shown) that are used to attach
step 130 to the roof or steeply pitched plane.
[0032] Turning to FIG. 9, a further preferred embodiment of the
step 130 is shown, wherein the overall length of the step is
increased, to permit extensive lateral movement by the user. The
preferred embodiment shown includes multiple keyhole-shaped sleeves
142, preferably placed at construction industry-relevant
standardized intervals such as 16 inches and 24 inches. The
embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 further includes non-skid surface
144, and one edge of step 130 includes ruler demarcations 146 to
indicate length from any point along step 130. Multiple cutouts for
handholds 136 permit one or more users conveniently and safely to
carry the preferred embodiment shown. As shown in FIG. 9, it is
anticipated that the preferred embodiment of the step will be
formed from 14 gauge cold-rolled or cold-drawn steel, but any
material of sufficient strength, resilience, resistance to
corrosion and other desirable properties, which will be obvious to
those of ordinary skill in the relevant art, may be used.
[0033] While the invention has been described in detail in
connection with the preferred embodiments known at this time, it
should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to
such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified
to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions
or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described but which are
commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the
foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *