Abstract:
Roof staging bracket apparatus that adjustably straddles the ridge of a roof. The bracket comprises a first member and a second member, means for rotatably joining the second member to the bracket, a gusset brace that has positioning means to which the second member attaches in order to allow the second member to attach to the gusset brace at different positions thereon and enable varying the degree of rotation of the second member about the rotatably joining means, and means for securing the second member at a particular degree of rotation to the gusset brace. The first member comprises the gusset brace and at least one of members is adapted for attachment of staging base apparatus thereto.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a roof staging support device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bracket device that adjustably fits about and straddles a roof&#39;s ridge in order to enable securing roof staging on a roof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In perspective, a real problem facing anyone is how to secure staging to a roof without damaging the roof, as well as easily setting up and dismantling staging, and firmly and safely fastening the staging to a roof. Roof staging in operation and practicality is not convenient. It generally requires elaborate setup, and/or dismantling, and securing physically to the roof itself. Securing to the roof usually entails physically fixing to the roof itself, such as by nails or screws. Thus, upon finishing a roof job, the roof thereby requires patching. In fact, on some roofs, i.e. slate roofs, nails or screws cannot even be used. 
     Consequently, it is an objective of the present invention to enable quick, simple setup and dismantling of roof staging, and enable securing of staging without the need to fix physically the staging to the roof. Moreover, it is an objective of the present invention to enable multiple securing of staging--for example, capability of staging on both sides of a roof. These and still further objectives will become apparent hereinafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing objectives are realized by providing a device to which staging base apparatus can be attached, wherein the device itself can be clamped against or fitted about opposite sides of a roof&#39;s ridge (without the need of being physically fixed to the roof via, such as, nails or screws), and wherein the device is supported by the roof, is easily assembled and dismantled, and enables securing of multiple staging on a roof. 
     The present invention comprises a bracket device that has a first member and a second member, wherein at least the second member is rotatably joined to the bracket, brace means that braces the members at a particular angle, and means for securing at least the second member to the brace means at a degree of rotation sufficient for the bracket to straddle the roof&#39;s ridge in order to clamp or fit the members against opposite sides of a roof&#39;s ridge. 
     The first member comprises a length and the brace means, whereas the second member comprises a length and is rotatably joined to the bracket. The second member rotatably joins at a position of its length to define a length portion between the position rotatably joined and one end. The brace means has positioning means to which the second member&#39;s length portion can attach. The positioning means enables securing the second member&#39;s length portion to the brace means at different positions thereon, thereby varying the degree of rotation of the second member about the rotatably joining means. Thus, the degree of rotation of at least the second member can be adjusted for the members to clamp against or fit about their respective roof sides. 
     Preferably, the bracket device is made of metal for strength. The first member comprises the brace means. The brace means comprises dual, arcuate, right triangular-shaped plates respective to opposite sides of the first member&#39;s width, wherein one end of the first member comprises the plates&#39; vertical legs, and the plates&#39; hypotenuse are arcuate-shaped. The plates have a plurality of positioning holes (i.e. holes punched or drilled in the plates) through their vertical faces and spaced in an arc therealong. The second member&#39;s length portion has an attaching hole that aligns with the different positioning holes of the brace means when swung past the plates. By rotating the second member about the rotatable joint, the second member can be attached to any particular positioning hole (i.e. via a bolt or pin adapted therefor). In this manner, at least one of the members can be rotated to clamp or fit against opposite sides of a roof&#39;s ridge. 
     There are many advantages to the present invention. With the present invention, there is absolutely no need to nail or screw the staging to a roof itself. Rather, the staging is attached via the bracket device, which is then releasably clamped or fitted about the roof&#39;s ridge. The brace means not only allows the user to adjust the tightness of the bracket&#39;s fit about the roof&#39;s ridge (or the tightness of the clamp when utilized in that fashion), and therefore the fastening firmness of the bracket, but also allows the user to adjust the bracket to the incline of a roof&#39;s ridge. 
     Further, it is readily apparent that, not only do the members fit or clamp about opposite sides of the roof&#39;s ridge, but the roof&#39;s ridge also provides the support for the bracket, thereby removing the need to nail or screw the device to the roof itself. Further, because the bracket device comprises two members fitted on opposite sides of the roof, each member can be utilized for securing staging (generally via staging or nailing base apparatus, such as 2&#34;×8&#34; boards, attached to the bracket&#39;s members)--greatly accommodating the convenience of the user and enhancing the utility of the bracket device. 
     The bracket is easily assembled and/or dismantled. To assemble, it is merely a matter of joining the two members at their common pivot point with a pin or bolt, and then rotatably adjusting the members about the pin or bolt and then locking the second member to the desired positioning hole on the brace means with another bolt. Staging or nailing base apparatus is easily nailed to the ends of each of the members adapted therefor (nail holes). Similarly, dismantling simply requires undoing and removing of the bolts. Once assembled, it is only a matter of fitting the bracket device about the roof&#39;s ridge, and adjusting the members&#39; angle to fasten or clamp tightly and/or to set against the roof&#39;s opposite sides. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the Roof Staging Bracket, wherein the bracket lies upon one of its sides in order to show a perspective of the gusset brace. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the Roof Staging Bracket, wherein the bracket lies upon one of its sides in order to show a perspective of the attachment of the two members at the rotatable joint and attachment of one of the members to the gusset brace. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of part of the Roof Staging Bracket, wherein the first member and gusset brace are shown. 
     FlG. 4 is a perspective view of part of the Roof Staging Bracket, wherein the second member is shown. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the Roof Staging Bracket, wherein the bracket is positioned to show a view of the two members. 
     FlG. 6 is a perspective view of a pivot rod and locking clip used in the preferred embodiment to join rotatably the members together. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fastening pin and locking clip for securing the second member to the gusset brace. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bolt and locking nut for attaching staging or nailing base apparatus (e.g. 2&#34;×8&#34; boards) to the Roof Staging Bracket. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An in depth description of the invention and the preferred embodiment is now in order. With reference to the drawings, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. It is understood by persons skilled in the art that the Roof Staging Bracket is not restricted to the embodiment shown. Rather, the present embodiment shown is a representative embodiment for purposes of disclosing the preferred embodiment of the present invention and for purposes of explaining the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, bracket device 1 comprises first member 2, second member 3, and rotatable joining means that comprises pivot rod 5 and pivot rod holes 31a and 31b. First member 2 further comprises the brace means, in this embodiment gusset brace 4. As shown in FIG. 3, gusset brace 4 comprises two arcuate, right triangular-shaped plates 7a and 7b, which are respective to portions of opposite sides 30a and 30b of first member 2 and have faces 38a and 38b respectively, and positioning means for varying the degree of rotation of second member 3. End 9b of first member 2 comprises the vertical leg of the triangle (the vertical leg is perpendicular to first member&#39;s 2 length), and wherein the hypotenuse of the triangle is arcuate-shaped. The positioning means comprises a plurality of positioning holes 8a and 8b through plates 7a and 7b, which are aligned respectively with each other. 
     Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, first and second members 2 and 3 each comprise ends 9a and 9b, flanged sides 30a and 30b, pivot rod holes 31a and 31b, attachment holes 32 to which the staging base can be attached, and bottom surface 33. Pivot rod holes 31a and 31b align respectively with each other through sides 30a and 30b and are adapted to receive pivot rod 5 therethrough when aligned. Pivot rod 5 in combination with pivot rod holes 31a and 31b rotatably join members 2 and 3 together in order to enable members 2 and 3 to rotate about rotatable joint P. Pivot rod holes 31a and 31b of member 2 are proximate to end 9b of first member 2, but pivot rod holes 31a and 31b of member 3 are spaced from end 9b of second member 3. 
     Width dimension A--A between sides 30a and 30b of first member 2, as measured from inner faces 34a and 34b of said sides 30a and 30b, is greater than width dimension B--B between sides 30a and 30b of second member 3, as measured from outer faces 35a and 35b of said sides 30a and 30b. Second member 3 can therefore fit widthwise between inner faces 34a and 34b of first member&#39;s 2 sides 30a and 30b, and pivot holes 31a and 31b of both members 2 and 3 can be aligned with each other in order to fit pivot rod 5 therethrough. Second member&#39;s 3 length portion 11 is the length between second member&#39;s 3 position rotatably joined, via pivot rod 5 and pivot rod holes 31a and 31b, and end 9b of second member 3. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, second member 3 also comprises fastening pin attachment holes 37a and 37b, which align respectively with each other through sides 30a and 30b. Fastening pin attachment holes 37a and 37b are positioned proximate to end 9b of second member 3. Width dimension C--C between gusset brace&#39;s 4 plates 7a and 7b, as measured from inner faces 36a and 36b of plates&#39; 7a and 7b, equals width dimension B--B. Thus, length portion 11 can fit widthwise between inner faces 36a and 36b. Positioning holes 8a and 8b and attachment holes 37a and 37b are aligned with each other wherein, when second member 3 is rotated about rotatable joint P, attachment holes 37a and 37b align with positioning holes 8a and 8b. Positioning holes 8a and 8b, and attachment holes 37a and 37b are adapted to receive fastening pin 6 therethrough. One manner of enabling such alignment, as in the present embodiment shown, is via spacing positioning holes 8a and 8b in an arc along the vertical faces 38a and 38b of plates 7a and 7b respectively, and positioning attachment holes 37a and 37b appropriately to align with positioning holes 8a and 8b when second member 3 is rotated. 
     Surface portions 33 of each of the members 2 and 3 have sufficient width dimension in order to provide sufficient surface area to set against the respective surface of opposite sides of a roof&#39;s ridge and, in the situation when used as a clamp, to enable greater friction for clamping purposes against opposite sides of a roof&#39;s ridge. 
     To assemble the bracket, the user simply fits the outer faces 35a and 35b of second member&#39;s 3 length portion&#39;s 11 sides 30a and 30b between the inner faces 34a and 34b of first member&#39;s 2 sides 30a and 30b, aligns the respective pivot holes 31a and 31b of first and second members 2 and 3, fits pivot rod 5 therethrough to lock thereon with locking clip 5a. The user then rotates either of the members (or both) to the appropriate incline of the particular roof. The user then aligns locking pin attachment holes 37a and 37b of second member 3 with the appropriate positioning holes 8a and 8b of gusset brace 4. Fastening pin 6 is then fitted through fastening pin attachment holes 37a and 37b and positioning holes 8a and 8b, and locked thereon with locking clip 6a. To dismantle the bracket 1, the user simply unclips clip 5a and removes pivot rod 5 from pivot holes 31a and 31b of members 2 and 3, and unclips clip 6a and removes fastening pin 6 from fastening pin attachment holes 37a and 37b of second member 3 and position holes 8a and 8b of gusset brace 4. 
     Two 2×8 wood boards of appropriate lengths comprise the staging base apparatus. Each board length secures to its respective member by fitting the particular board against the respective member, and then bolting, nailing or screwing the board to the respective member via attachment holes 32 of members 2 and 3. Support staging can then be attached to the staging base. 
     Referring to gusset brace 4 and positioning holes 8a and 8b, it is understood to those skilled in the art that these means described are merely one type of an embodiment of a brace means and positioning means. Appropriate brace means include a brace, a gusset brace, support, prop, angle member, a frame. A factor of an appropriate positioning means focuses upon enabling the securing of the second member to the brace means at different degrees of rotation about rotatable joint P. Of course, it is readily apparent that the positioning means might comprise spaced holes on the second member itself. In such embodiment, it would be the brace means that fastens to the different spaced holes on the second member when rotated. Consequently, the present invention is not restricted or limited to the particular brace means or positioning means embodiment shown. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described, further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective art and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.