Patent ID: 9725916
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: E04B,E04D,E04G

Claim:
1. A fall protection system in a building roof structure, said building roof structure including structural roof elements which include at least first and second rafters, a space between said first and second rafters defining a first distance between said first and second rafters, each said rafter having a length, a top, and opposing first and second ends, said roof structure further comprising an eave, having a length, and extending between the first ends of said first and second rafters, a ridge, having a length, and extending between the second ends of said first and second rafters, and a second distance between said eave and said ridge, said eave and said ridge being disposed on, and extending transverse to, and being connected to, the tops of said first and second rafters, and a plurality of intermediate purlins extending between said first and second rafters and spaced from each other between said eave and said ridge, said intermediate purlins being disposed on, and extending transverse to, the tops of said first and second rafters, said fall protection system comprising: (a) a first set of longitudinal support bands extending from said first rafter to said second rafter and being connected to said building structural roof elements, said first set of longitudinal support bands being spaced along the lengths of said first and second rafters; (b) a second set of lateral support bands extending from said eave toward said ridge and under said intermediate purlins, said lateral bands of said second set of support bands having first and second end portions which are spaced along the lengths of said eave and said ridge; and (c) a suspension fabric overlying, and being supported by, said first and second sets of support bands, and being attached to said building structural roof elements, a first band of said second set of lateral support bands, next adjacent said first rafter, comprising a safety band, spaced from said first rafter by a distance of 12 inches to 23 inches, such that when a 400 pound bag, 30 inches diameter, is dropped such that an edge of the bag is close to said first rafter at impact, the force of the impact is transferred to a downward movement of the safety band whereby downward movement of the fabric is lessened, compared to a system where said safety band is six inches from said first rafter, such that the fabric is not cut by said first rafter, said safety band extending from said ridge to said eave under each of said intermediate purlins, and being anchored attached, for restraint of longitudinal movement of said safety band, at less than all of said intermediate purlins, whereby the amount of the force of a falling such 400 pound bag which must be dissipated by any one member of the fall protection system is reduced, compared to a system wherein the safety band is anchored to each said intermediate purlin crossed by said safety band.