Firefighter's roof support

This invention provides a roof support upon which a firefighter or other user can stand. The support fits tightly against a sloped roof, thus the support is wedge shaped. At the upper portion of the support is a standing surface upon which the user will be supported. The roof support is locked into place on a sloped roof by inserting a T-bar attached to a chain into a hole in the roof. Once the T-bar is inserted, it is pulled up against the inner surface of the roof and locked into place by attaching a plug on the opposite end of the chain to a locking device on the roof support.

This application relates to a support useful to firefighters when they are 
positioned on a roof and more specifically to a roof support that can 
easily support a firefighter in a secure manner. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
When a structure such as a domestic or business building is on fire, it is 
important for firefighters to make a hole in the roof to allow smoke to 
escape from the structure. This is a safety precaution that is taken to 
allow smoke to easily exit, especially if people who may be in the 
building could be adversely affected by the smoke. Additionally, the 
ventilation of smoke minimizes the possibility of a smoke explosion. It is 
highly desirable to have ventilation through several smoke exit means 
including primarily through the roof. 
It is common practice today for firefighters who climb a roof to axe a hole 
in the roof, to use a ladder than can be somehow secured to a roof peak. 
Once the ladder has been secured to the roof, the firefighter will stand 
on and support himself on the rungs of the ladder. He will then use his 
axe to cut a hole in the roof at a location to the side of the ladder. 
This is generally an awkward standing and working position for the 
firefighter since he must swing the axe to the side of his position of the 
ladder. Since time is always an important factor in this type of 
ventilation process, anything that could safely expedite the firefighter's 
procedure would be a major step forward in the art. 
There are various pieces of equipment that can be used today for anchoring 
roof supports. Some of these are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 19,700 
(Kennedy); 462,849 (McComack); 568,003 (Shirer); 4,226,058 (Riley) and 
5,570,864 (Flores). 
The Kennedy device comprises a metal bolt with a head, the bolt is of 
sufficient length to pass through the upright part of a bracket for the 
side of a building. Also provided on the bracket is means on the lower 
bracket side for attachment to the roof of a building. A dog or pawl is 
provided with the bolt to hold and secure carpenter's brackets as 
fasteners to the building. The use of the Kennedy structure requires that 
a hole be drilled into the side or roof to support a bracket. The pawl or 
dog is not very large and could pull out if not set up properly. The 
device of Kennedy would not be acceptable for firefighting usage since it 
would take too long to install. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 462,849 (McComack) a roof scaffold is described and 
claimed. McComack's device is specifically designed for use by workmen on 
the roofs of buildings for painting, shingling or repairing the roof. The 
scaffold described has a platform seat or platform positioned on a 
supporting structure. This platform is ordinarily a plank resting by its 
opposite ends on end brackets. The workmen are supported on a moveable 
platform, which is traversed up or down as the roof section being worked 
upon is completed. McCornack uses a hook on a rope to secure the platform 
to roof boards. Not only would this type of support take too long for a 
firefighter to install, but it depends upon roof boards that could be weak 
or have knot holes. These defects could cause the securing hooks to pull 
out, thereby losing the hold for the structure. Also, the movable plank 
could dislodge and cause a serious potential problem for the firefighter. 
Shirer teaches the use of a roofing bracket that comprises a flat bar which 
fits against the roof and which forms the base for the structure. The base 
has bars E and F that are raised therefrom in a triangular configuration 
with the triangle base being the flat bar resting on the roof. A 
scaffold-board is then placed upon the horizontal bar E and secured 
thereon by a bolt or pin or other means. The device is held in place by 
nails connecting the base to the roof. Shirer's staging bracket is for use 
with planking where workers could stand on it while shingling a roof. As 
noted, it is merely nailed to a roof with ordinary nails which would be 
cumbersome for firefighters with bulky gloves and heavy equipment to 
install. Also it would be very time consuming and because of the movable 
board, could be a problem for a firefighter to use when fire is rapidly 
consuming a structure. 
Riley U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,058 discloses a roof anchor for securing a 
bracket to a roof. The anchor consists of an anchor bolt which has a 
hooked end with a terminal hook end portion off-set from the vertical axis 
of the main stem. To use Riley's device, a hole is made in a roof and the 
anchor bolt is inserted therein and extended down into the roof until it 
encounters a beam 20. It is then secured around beam 20 by its lower 
hooked portion. The upper section of the bolt which is threaded is then 
connected to a roof plate 30. Riley's patent merely describes a hooked 
bolt for supporting equipment on a roof. This hook must be hooked under a 
roof rafter or joist by a worker in the attic. This type of structure 
would not be practical for a firefighter to use when he or she climbs on a 
roof to axe a ventilation hole in the roof 
Flores U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,864 discloses an adjusting roofing stool 
comprising a movable plate which is rectangular with a planar surface 
adapted to support a person or materials. Attached to the plate or seat 
are a pair of legs which are triangular in structure. The legs have 
adjustment holes for raising or lowering the seat. The structure of Flores 
has a bottom surface adapted to be placed in contact with the surface of a 
pitched roof. Holding Flores structure in place is a hinge which on one 
end is connected to the bottom surface of the stool and at the other end 
has means for connection to the surface of a pitched roof. As in the other 
prior art patents above discussed the time required to set them up is too 
long. Also nailing a hinge to a roof is not too secure, especially if a 
firefighter with heavy equipment is supported thereon and swinging an axe. 
Again, with large gloves, a firefighter would have a difficult time 
nailing or screwing a hinge to a roof. The movable plate 52 of Flores 
could accidentally move when in use, thereby causing a potential danger to 
the user. 
In summary, the prior art aware of and discussed herein disclose supports 
that would be dangerous for a firefighter to rely upon, would take too 
long to install, and would be difficult to nail or screw into an inclined 
roof surface. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a roof support 
devoid of the above noted disadvantages. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a roof support easy to 
install and at the same time very secure and stable. 
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a roof support that can 
rapidly be installed and can support a very heavy load. 
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a roof support that 
is easily adjusted and installed even for users having heavy gloves and 
wearing heavy equipment. 
Also a further object of this invention is to provide a roof support that 
is light enough to be easily carried by firefighters or repairmen, yet 
very strong and secure when installed on a sloping roof surface. 
Another still further object of this invention is to provide a roof support 
especially designed for use by a firefighter when putting a ventilating 
hole in a roof of a burning building. 
Yet still a further object of this invention is to provide a strong, secure 
and easily transportable roof structure that is relatively simple to use 
and inexpensive to manufacture. 
These and other objects of this invention are accomplished generally 
speaking by providing a sturdy, wedge-shaped support designed so that the 
support could lie on a sloped roof and provide one surface to be 
approximately level. The support unit is constructed of steel and strong 
but is easily carried by a firefighter or other user. The unit is placed 
on the roof and the bottom surface contains several spikes to dig into the 
roof for positioning. On the upper surface, a chain and dog unit would be 
attached that would allow the dog (T-bar or restraining rod) to be placed 
under the roof through a hole placed in the roof. After the firefighter 
(or other user) has poked a hole in the roof for it to be inserted, a 
chain would tighten to a key slot in the fastening attachment to hold the 
unit in place. The support or unit would be retained by the chain and dog 
while the spikes on the bottom surface are used for additional support. 
Thus, there are two securing means for the support, one the chain and dog 
and secondly the bottom spikes or cleats that dig into the outer surface 
of the roof. 
Generally, the present structure uses a T-bar that passes through the roof 
line, it is attached to a chain that is secured to platform with a hole 
and slot. The chain is secured in the slot with a plug that goes into a 
hole that runs through to stop it from slipping out of slot. None of the 
above discussed patents use this method of securing a platform to the 
roof. The chain can be adjusted to suit different situations or 
conditions; i.e., snow, freezing rain. With the use of T-bar under the 
roofline, a much greater surface area for holding is provided and there is 
very little, if any, chance of the bar pulling out of roof. This is a much 
more secure platform to work on. Also with an optional D-ring provided on 
the platform, it gives firefighters a point at which to hook up a safety 
belt if needed, thereby adding an extra safety measure. The support of 
this invention is also applied to the roof very expediently. It has been 
applied in a 20-to-30 second time frame with full firefighting equipment 
on. This expediency is crucial when ventilation of a building is required. 
To apply the unit, a small hole must be made with pickend of a fire axe, 
approximate diameter of 11/2", to allow T-bar to be inserted into the 
roof. This damage is minimal because the reason the firefighter is on the 
roof is to make a large hole approximately 4 feet by 4 feet to ventilate 
the building. After the unit is in place and the chain is shortened to the 
desired length and secured with a plug in the hole where it passes to form 
the platform that is needed, it is important to make sure the platform is 
parallel to the roof line and then stamp one foot onto the platform to set 
cleats into roofing material, i.e., shakes, shingles, tin, etc. The cleat 
stops sideways movement and adds to the hold on the roof. Now work 
required to be done can be done safely and efficiently without having to 
lean out to left or right of a roof ladder as heretofore required. The use 
of an axe or chainsaw is much easier. All of the procedures stated are 
easily done with bulky gloves and full firefighting equipment on. The 
standing surface and all of the attached components such as the upwardly 
extending flange and the upwardly extending key slot device are rigidly 
connected, such as by welding, etc. None of the components attached to the 
standing surface are movable, thus minimizing the change of movement when 
in use. The only movable component in the support of this invention is the 
adjustable chain and its end attachments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In FIG. 1 a slope roof 1 has a small hole 2 punched therethrough. To secure 
the illustrated support to roof 1, a T-bar or dog 4 which is attached to a 
chain 3 is inserted through the hole 2 and pulled up toward key slot 8 
until dog or T-bar 4 is pulled tightly against the inside surface 10 of 
roof 1. Once dog 4 is tightly in place, chain 3 is pulled through key slot 
8 and locked in place by the use of plug 5 which is attached to the end of 
chain 3. Chain 3 has on one end (lower end) a dog 4 and chain 3 has on the 
opposite end a lock plug 5. On the lower side of the support (closest to 
the roof) are positioned cleats 6 which dig into roof 1 to both further 
secure the support to the roof and also to prevent side-to-side movement 
of the roof support. Thus, there are two means to secure the support to a 
roof 1, first the cleats 6 which digs into the roof 1 and secondly the dog 
4 and chain 3 which are locked firmly into key slot 8 by plug 5. However, 
the dog 4 and chain 3 are the primary securing means for the support. The 
triangular legs or runners 7 have on their lower sides cleats 6. Legs 7 
support the horizontal surface 9 upon which the firefighter or user will 
stand. By "horizontal" is meant at a plane that is at a right angle to a 
vertical line when in use or installed. Once the firefighter is standing 
on horizontal level surface 9 he or she can easily axe a ventilation hole 
in the roof at any location while swinging the axe in a normal (rather 
than to the side) motion. In FIG. 2 a perspective view of the support of 
this invention is illustrated having a flat approximately level non-skid 
surface 9 upon which the user will stand. Surface 9 has an upwardly 
extending flange 11 to provide insurance that the users feet don't slip 
off surface 9. Triangular shaped legs 7 support surface 9 and contain 
cleats or spikes 6 on their face that will contact the outer surface of 
roof 1. Once the T-bar is pulled up tightly against the inside surface 10 
of roof 1, chain 3 is locked into key slot device 8 and the chain is 
located off surface 9. The drawing shows chain 3 on surface 9 for clarity; 
however, in use chain 3 would be off surface 9 so surface 9 is clear of 
any obstructions or impediments. Plug 5 has spring loaded pinch clamps 12 
which are pinched closed to insert through the key slot, then released to 
lock plug 5 into key slot device 8. The standing platform or surface 9 has 
a rigidly connected upwardly extending flange 11 and a rigidly connected 
key slot device 8 to ensure that nothing will move once the support is in 
use. By "rigid" is meant no moving parts or components, the standing 
surface 9 is rigid, as are the rigidly connected components 8 and 11. 
"Rigid" means immovable. 
In FIG. 3 a top perspective view of the roof support is illustrated showing 
the major components of the roof support of this invention. Non-skid 
standing surface 9 is shown with flange 11 on one side and on the opposite 
side of surface 9 is an upwardly extending key slot structure 8. Chain 3 
is fitted through an aperture in key slot structure 8, chain 3 having on 
one end T-bar 4 and on the opposite end of chain 3 is plug 5 with spring 
loaded pinch clamps 12. Supporting the standing surface 9 are triangular 
shaped legs 7 which have cleats 6 on the leg portion that contact the 
outside surface of roof 1. An extremely important feature of this 
invention is the integrity of the roof securing means used to attach the 
support to roof 1; the chain T-bar, key slot and plug means provide the 
main securing means bolstered by the cleat 6 retaining means. In FIG. 4 
the location of the T-bar 4 when in a locked position is shown when 
installed. The T-bar 4 and chain 3 are inserted through the aperture or 
roof hole 2, then pulled upwardly until T-bar is against the inside 
surface 10 of the roof 1. Once the T-bar is in place tightly the plug 5 is 
pulled through the aperture in key slot device 8 and the chain pushed down 
into the key slot 13 (as seen in FIG. 7) to lock a link of chain 3 in 
place. Chain 3 will not move or dislodge once it is positioned in key slot 
13. In FIG. 5 a side plan view of the standing surface 9 and legs 7 is 
shown. Standing surface 9 has an upwardly extending flange 11 which 
provides a guard against the users feet slipping off surface 9. Cleats 6 
project downward from triangular legs 7 and are secured thereto by 
conventional means, such as welding, nut and bolt, etc. On the side of 
surface 9 opposite the side with the flange 11 is located the key slot 
device 8 which is not shown in this figure only for clarity. The angle of 
legs 7 can be determined so as to conform to the slope of the roof upon 
which it will be used. The length of cleats 6 will also vary depending 
upon the thickness of the roof surface to be penetrated. In FIG. 6 the 
standing non-skid surface 9 is shown having a flange 11 on one 
longitudinal side and a key slot device 8 on the opposite longitudinal 
side. The link of chain 3 is shown locked into lower keyhole or slot 13 
were it cannot move unless pulled out. Upper keyhole slot 14 is used to 
insert the lock plug 5 to further ensure the locking of a link of chain 3 
in place. Plug 5 is shown with pinch clamps 12 for entering and subsequent 
locking in the upper keyhole slot 14. 
In FIG. 7 the keyhole device 8 is shown in an enlarged form. The keyhole 
device 8 comprises an upper aperture or slot 14 and a lower slot 13. The 
link of chain 3 is locked into lower slot 13 as shown in FIG. 6 and the 
plug 5 attached to an end of chain 3 is locked into upper slot 14 as shown 
in FIG. 2. The dimensions of lower slot 13 should be smaller than the 
thickness of a chain link in order to ensure that the link cannot pass 
through lower slot 13 when locked therein. 
The preferred and optimumly preferred embodiments of the present invention 
have been described herein and shown in the accompanying drawing to 
illustrate the underlying principles of the invention, but it is to be 
understood that numerous modifications and ramifications may be made 
without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.