Securable parapet cap roof mat

In a first embodiment a safety mat for use with a parapet cap on a wall is disclosed. The cap extends over the top of the wall and partially down each side of the wall. The safety mat includes a durable flexible pad having a width greater than a width of the top wall; a first cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from an interior of the pad toward a first width end; and a second cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from the interior of the pad toward a second width end.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,077, filed on Jun. 16, 2008, now abandoned the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of safety equipment and more particularly to a safety mat for use with a parapet wall or a roof having a low level wall with a protective cap around the perimeter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many flat building roofs have parapet walls or walls that project above the perimeter around the edges of the roof. The parapet wall in turn usually has a cap over the top of the wall and extending partially down each side of the wall for sealing the top of the wall. This cap is made of a variety of materials including sheet metal. In many cases, in order to access the roof a ladder must be raised to the side of the parapet wall and the person trying to access the roof will have to step onto and over the wall from the ladder. Such a maneuver can be dangerous under the best conditions and especially so if the cap is wet from dew, rain snow, sleet or ice.

The concept of utilizing a mat over a surface to increase traction is well known. Various designs of mats for use in roofing settings have been put forth. U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,676 to Merriman et al. discloses a slip resistant floor mat for use on angled roofs. The mat includes a layered anti-slip surface with cloth reinforcing strip. The mat is held in place by hooks attached to the mat at one end.

Another example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,245 to Turner in which a portable roof mat is disclosed. This mat is designed to be utilized on roof surfaces to create a walkway on a roof.

Other safety mat designs have incorporated features pertaining to how the anti-slip surface is to be designed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,356 to Shoemaker et al. discloses a specific pattern of raised projections for supplying traction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment a safety mat for use with a parapet cap on a wall is disclosed. The cap extends over the top of the wall and partially down each side of the wall. The safety mat includes a flexible and durable pad having a width greater than a width of the top wall; a first cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from an interior of the pad toward a first width end; and a second cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from the interior of the pad toward a second width end.

In another preferred embodiment of the mat the first and second cinch down straps include hooks on an end opposite the interior of the pad. It is highly preferred that the safety mat further include a third cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from the interior of the pad toward a first width end; a fourth cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from the interior of the pad toward a second width end and a fifth cinch down strap extending between the third and fourth cinch down straps from the interior of the pad toward the second width end.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the safety mat includes a retainer for holding the safety mat in a rolled, folded or otherwise compact state. In further embodiments the width of the safety mat is dimensioned so that the flexible pad hangs over the parapet cap extending partially down the wall when the safety mat is in the deployed position.

In preferred versions, the flexible pad of the safety mat further includes a length and an open pattern section extending the entire length of the pad and a part of the width of the pad. It is highly preferable that the open pattern section is at least as wide as the section of the parapet cap covering the top of the wall.

In another embodiment, the safety mat further includes a pair of ladder cinch down straps extending at a first end thereof from the interior of the pad toward a first width end. Such an embodiment could also include a pair of ladder mounting straps for holding the safety mat onto a top of a ladder while the ladder is lifted.

In a still further embodiment a method of protecting a parapet cap disposed over the top of a wall and extending at least partially down each side of the wall is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a safety mat including a flexible pad having a width greater than a width of the top wall; a first cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from an interior of the pad toward a first width end; and a second cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from the interior of the pad toward a second width end. Next, the safety mat is placed over the top of the wall so that first and second cinch down straps hang over different sides of the parapet cap. Finally, each of the first and second cinch down straps are secured to a respective end of the parapet cap extending down the wall.

In other embodiments of the method the safety mat further includes a third cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from the interior of the pad toward a first width end; a fourth cinch down strap extending at a first end thereof from the interior of the pad toward a second width end and a fifth cinch down strap extending between the third and fourth cinch down straps from the interior of the pad toward the second width end. In such an embodiment the method further includes the step of securing each of the third, fourth and fifth cinch down straps to a respective end of the parapet cap extending down the wall. Furthermore, the method may include cinch down straps with hooks on an end opposite the interior of the pad.

In other preferred embodiments the method includes a retainer for holding the safety mat in a compact state when not deployed. In another preferred embodiment, the width of the flexible pad used in the method is dimensioned so that the flexible pad hangs over the parapet cap extending partially down the wall when the safety mat is in the deployed position. In a preferred method, the flexible pad further includes a length and an open pattern section extending the entire length of the pad and a part of the width of the pad. In a highly preferable version of the method, the width of the open pattern section is at least as wide as the section of the parapet cap covering the top of the wall.

In further embodiments of the method, the safety mat further includes a pair of ladder cinch down straps extending at a first end thereof from the interior of the pad toward a first width end. In such an embodiment, the method further includes the step of placing a ladder against the safety mat and securing the ladder cinch straps to the ladder. In addition, the method may include a safety mat with a pair of ladder mounting straps for holding the safety mat onto a top of a ladder while the ladder is lifted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIG. 1a safety mat10according to a preferred embodiment is shown. In this embodiment the safety mat10is preferably made of rubber and is generally rectangular in shape, although other materials and shapes could be utilized. Safety mat10includes opposite length sides12,14and a opposite width sides16,18. Safety mat10is comprised of three primary regions extending between the width sides16,18. A center region20in one preferred embodiment is of a crossing pattern defining opening22for allowing moisture to pass through. In the preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, on each side of the center region is a solid side region24. Furthermore, safety mat10includes a top side26that, in the preferred embodiment, is coated with an anti-slip or non-slip coating. It may be appreciated that such an anti-slip or non-slip surface may be created by mixing an additive or creating an admixture to form the top surface or top side26of safety mat10. Such additive or admixture may include but are not limited to sand, sandpaper or other textured admixture or surface for grip. Such additives, admixtures and surfaces may be formed from or include one or more of alkyd, urethane, acrylic, epoxy, hybrid, latex, emulsion, hammertone, metallic, electrostatic, dip, aerosol, silicone & PTFE coatings in waterborne, high solids and similar compounds or coatings. In addition, such compounds or coatings may include non-stick coatings, liquid coatings, powder coatings, combination coatings, and the like. The bottom side of safety mat10in the embodiment ofFIG. 1(not shown) is typically not coated or included with a non-slip or anti-slip coating, but such surface may be coated or include a mixture within the surface depending on the application and configuration in which the safety mat10is being used.

Safety mat10further includes a cap strap system. In the preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the cap strap system includes two opposite pairs of cinch down straps28,30. First pair of straps28extends from the interior of the safety mat near opposite width sides16,18and over the first length side12. The location near, but not at, the width sides16,18ensures that the straps28stays over safety mat10during use. The opposite pair of straps30extends from the interior of the safety mat near opposite width sides16,18and over the second length side14. Each strap includes an end32hanging over the length sides12,14and each end32is attached to a hook34. In this preferred embodiment cinch down straps28,30are of a releasable cam-buckle design; however any tightening straps known in the art could be utilized. For example only, bungee cords or racheting straps could be used. This holds true for any of the cinch down straps described herein.

Safety mat10also includes a ladder strap system. In the preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, this ladder strap system includes a pair of ladder cinch down straps36. Ladder cinch down straps36extend from the interior of safety mat10closer to the length side14than length side12and preferably a ladders-width apart and centered on the middle of the width of safety mat10. Ladder cinch down straps36do not extend past the length sides12,14. Each of the ladder cinch down straps36includes an end38including a hook40.

Finally, safety mat10may include a ladder mounting system. In the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 1, this ladder mounting system includes a pair of ladder lifting straps42. Ladder lifting straps42extend from the interior of safety mat10closer to length side12than length side14and preferably a ladders-width apart and centered on the middle of the width of the mat. A top44of one of the ladder lifting straps42and the bottom (not shown) of the other ladder lifting straps preferably includes releasable buckle or hook and loop fasteners.

Referring now toFIGS. 2-4safety mat10of the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 1is shown in use. In most cases in order to use safety mat10, the mat must be raised into position and attached to a cap on top of a parapet wall60. This is best accomplished by attaching safety mat10to a ladder50in a preferred embodiment as shown inFIG. 2. Ladder50includes side rails52and a plurality of steps54. Ladder cinch down straps36are attached to the side rails52several steps down from the top of the ladder50as seen inFIG. 2. Referring now toFIG. 3, ladder lifting straps42are wrapped around a ladder step54above where the cinch down straps36are placed and secured to each other utilizing releasable buckle or hook and loop fasteners, thus securing safety mat10to ladder50.

Next, ladder50is positioned with safety mat10in contact with cap62of a parapet wall60. Preferably safety mat10is positioned with center region20extending slightly over sides64of cap62. This will keep moisture from building up on top of safety mat10. Once ladder50is raised and positioned, the person utilizing safety mat10can climb the ladder and undo ladder lifting straps42to allow safety mat10to overlap the top of cap62as seen inFIG. 4.

The final step of the installation is to secure the cap strap system to cap62. Cinch down straps28,30are put into place with hook34over a lower edge66of cap62. Cinch down straps28,30are then tightened and safety mat10is secured to cap62. It is important to note that preferably ladder cinch down straps36remain in place in order to keep the ladder in place and positioned close to the building during use.

Now referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, another preferred embodiment of safety mat10is illustrated. Specifically, safety mat10is preferably made of rubber and is generally rectangular in shape, although other materials and shapes could be utilized. Safety mat10includes opposite length sides12,14and a opposite width sides16,18. In the preferred embodiment ofFIGS. 5 and 6, safety mat10is comprised of one solid piece of rubber which is anti-slip or non-slip flexible material and which does not cause any damage or harm to the parapet cap or the material the cap is made from. It will be appreciated that such anti-slip or non-slip material may be solid or may be of an open woven material as required by the user of the specific application. Safety mat10further includes a cap strap system. In the preferred embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, the cap strap system includes two opposite pairs of cinch down straps28,30. The first pair of straps28extends from the interior of safety mat10near opposite width sides16,18and may positioned over the first length side12. The location near, but not at, the width sides16,18ensures that straps28stay over safety mat10during use. The opposite pair of straps30extends from the interior of safety mat10near opposite width sides16,18and over second length side14. In addition, another positioning and securing strap68is positioned between straps28,30for precise and secure placement and holding of safety mat10in a specific position when mounted and placed in position for use over the parapet cap or parapet wall. Each strap28,30and68includes an end32which may be positioned over and hung over the length sides12,14. Each end32includes an attached hook34. In the preferred embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, cinch down straps28,30and68are of a releasable cam-buckle design; however any tightening straps known in the art could be utilized. For example, bungee cords, racheting straps and straps made of a variety of material could be used. As noted above, any of the cinch down straps described herein may include such adjustment.

Safety mat10illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6includes another preferred embodiment of a ladder strap system. In the preferred embodiment ofFIGS. 5 and 6, the ladder strap system includes a pair of ladder cinch down straps70. Ladder cinch down straps70are affixed to the interior of safety mat10closer to the first length side12than the second length side14, and preferably a ladder-width apart and centered on the middle of the width of safety mat10. Ladder cinch down straps70do not extend past the length sides12,14. Each ladder cinch down strap70includes an end72and a releasable buckle arrangement. In one embodiment the releasable buckle arrangement includes a male insert end74and a female receiving end75for securing safety mat10over the parapet cap or wall, and attaching safety mat10to the ladder rungs as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3.

As also illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, a preferred safety mat10includes a retaining strap76which releasably secures safety mat10in a compact position for storage or transport. As illustrated in one preferred embodiment, retaining strap76is an elastic band78which includes snaps80at either end. When safety mat10is rolled, elastic ban78is positioned around the rolled mat and secured with snaps80such that the mat is held in a rolled position for transport, storage or the like. It will be appreciated that any type of securing arrangement can be used to hold safety mat10in a rolled or folded condition. Such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, hook and eye fasteners, releasable buckles, hooks, ratchets and the like.

FIG. 6illustrates the side of safety mat10opposite that illustrated inFIG. 5. As is illustrated inFIG. 6, each of the straps28,30,68and70are reinforced on this opposite side of safety mat10. Such reinforcing may include an additional patch of material such as illustrated by patch82or stitching as is illustrated by the “X” stitch84associated with each strap28,30,68and70. In a highly preferred embodiment, both a reinforcing patch82and stitching84are used together to provide the most reliable, secure and durable reinforcement for each strap. Other types of reinforcement are also contemplated depending on the application and durability desired. Such may include, but are not limited to, single and multi-layer fabric reinforcement, metallic reinforcement, wire enhanced reinforcement, multi-layer and multi-side reinforcement, combinations thereof and similar materials that will add strength at the connection points of straps28,30,38,42,68and70, as well as adding strength to safety mat10itself. Such material may be layered, adhered sewn into or otherwise positioned within or on safety mat10as necessary for a given application. Such material may include cotton, nylon, polyester as well as specialty materials such as Nomex®, Dia-Tuff® or the like, including coated materials for specific applications Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “a preferred embodiment” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “in a preferred embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

While the present invention has been described in connection with certain exemplary or specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications, alternatives, modifications and equivalent arrangements as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any such changes, modifications, alternatives, modifications, equivalents and the like may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.