Fall restraint system and method useful for roof inspection

A fall restraint system protects a worker while inspecting and/or repairing a roof of a building. The restraint system includes a ladder that is positioned against the building. A fall restraint device is removably connected to the ladder and contacts the roof. A cable support structure is connected to the fall restraint device, and a cable is attached to it. The cable extends from the cable support structure toward the peak of the roof, and from the peak toward the ground. The cable is adapted to be connected to a harness that is worn by the worker. The worker then uses the cable to inspect/repair the roof.

1. Technical Field 
This invention relates to a fall restraint system, and, more specifically, 
to a system for preventing a worker from falling from the roof of a 
building during inspection or repair. 
2. Background Art 
Fall restraint equipment is used to enhance safety and convenience to 
personnel climbing a sloped roof during construction or inspection for 
damage. The danger of falls from such structures has been recognized, and 
a number of federal, state and local regulations require a safety system 
to be used when working on a roof. 
Various kinds of conventional fall restraint equipment are available. 
Examples include nailing support plates into the roof, erecting overhead 
cables, lines and/or support pieces, or attaching scaffolds and railings. 
These techniques/devices, generally used during the installation of a roof 
or roof related materials, are not intended to be used for inspection of 
finished roofs where affixation of the equipment to the roof may damage 
the roof or leave noticeable and potentially dangerous marks, blemishes, 
scratches and the like. 
Moreover, such equipment is unsuitable for inspections because the 
equipment is typically heavy, expensive and time consuming for 
installation. Conventional equipment is additionally unsuitable for 
mounting to a finished roof as the equipment may destroy the water-tight 
integrity nature of the roof. 
I am aware of no prior art devices that can restrain a roof climber without 
attaching the device to the structure with nails or other fasteners that 
require customization or conditioning of a standard rooftop. I furthermore 
am aware of no prior art devices that have the ability to simultaneously 
base or support a ladder against the roof. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 
5,282,597 to Babcock relates to a safety line anchoring device with 
layered fastening straps nailed through the lower shingle, thus leaving 
the top shingle unpunctured. U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,944 to Woodyard relates 
to a roof mounted anchor used in a fall restraint system. The anchor uses 
wooden screw fasteners to mount the anchor to the roof top. Similarly, 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,558 to Thornton et. al. relates to a safety line 
anchor mounted on roof. The legs of the anchor are secured to the roof by 
lag screws. All of these prior art methods require screws to be inserted 
in the roof top to secure the anchoring device thereto, raising or causing 
significant problems as discussed above. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,935 to Gustavus and U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,023 to 
McCafferty both relate to platforms for use on a roof ladder. No mechanism 
disclosed therein is utilized with a fall restraint system, and neither of 
these patents relate to affixing or biasing regular ladders to the roof 
top while also providing a fall restraint system. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,949 to Crocker et. al. relates to a motion-stopping 
system for roof workers. The system uses bolts to threadedly engage in 
holes to grip the structural members by tightening the bolts. The system 
requires preconditioned areas of the roof for attachment with the gripping 
anchor. 
I have realized that it is desirable to provide a fall protection or 
restraint system for use in climbing sloped, finished roofs and the like, 
without requiring conditioning of the roof top. I have also realized that 
such a fall restraint system is needed that does not require affixation to 
the roof using screws, bolts and the like that may cause damage thereto. 
I have further determined that a fall restraint system is needed that 
prevents or restrains a roof top climber from falling while simultaneously 
biases or affixes a regular ladder to the structure so that the climber 
can descend from the roof top safely. 
I have further discovered that it is desirable and beneficial to design a 
fall restraint system that is used in conjunction with ladders. More 
specifically, I have discovered that ladders may be adapted to be more 
securely affixed or attached to the structure. 
I have further discovered a design for the fall restraint system that is 
convenient and portable. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Thus, a feature and advantage of the fall restraint system of my invention 
is in a device for use in climbing sloped roofs to effectively restrain or 
prevent the climber from sliding. 
Another feature and advantage of the fall restraint system is that it is 
simple, safe and inexpensive in construction. 
A further feature and advantage is in a device that is lightweight, 
portable, that can be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily and 
that can be transported in a compact form, such as in the trunk of an 
automobile. 
Yet another feature and advantage of the fall restraint system is in a fall 
restraint device that does not require physical attachment by, for 
instance, nails or other fasteners to the building structure. 
Another feature and advantage of the fall restraint system is in its use on 
finished roofs and the like, without requiring conditioning of the roof 
top. 
Another feature and advantage is in its use in conjunction with ladders. 
More specifically, the fall restraint system adapts ladders to be more 
securely affixed or attached to the structure that must be climbed. 
Another feature and advantage of the fall restraint system is in preventing 
or restraining a roof top climber from falling while simultaneously 
biasing or affixing a ladder to the structure so that the climber can 
descend from the roof top safely. 
In accordance with the above features and advantages, a fall restraint 
system is provided for protection of a worker on a building roof. The 
system includes a resistance device adapted to rest on a roof surface. A 
cable support structure is secured to the resistance device. A cable is 
connected at a first end to the cable support structure, and includes a 
first portion extending upwardly from the cable support structure toward a 
peak of the roof and a second portion extending downwardly from the peak 
toward the ground and terminating at a second end. The second portion is 
adapted to connect to a harness secured to the worker. A weight hangs from 
the second end of the cable to hold the cable taut. Preferably, the weight 
is approximately 5 kg. 
The resistance device includes a stabilizer device that contacts the 
surface of the roof and stabilizes the fall restraint system. 
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a fall restraint 
system for protection of a harnessed worker on a building roof includes a 
ladder positioned against the building, and a fall restraint device, 
removably connected to the ladder and contacting the roof. The fall 
restraint system also includes a cable support structure connected to the 
fall restraint device, and a cable having a first portion with a first end 
and a second portion with a second end. The first end of the cable is 
connected to the cable support structure and includes a first portion 
extending upwardly from the cable support structure toward the peak of the 
roof, and the second portion extends downwardly from the peak toward the 
ground and terminates at the second end. At least one of the first and 
second portions are adapted to be connected to a harness secured to the 
worker. The fall restraint system also includes a weight hanging from the 
second end of the cable to hold the cable taut. 
In another embodiment of the invention, a method of protecting a worker 
from falls from a building roof using a fall restraint system is provided. 
The method includes the steps of placing a ladder against the building, 
removably attaching a first section of the fall restraint device to the 
ladder, and placing a second section of the fall restraint device on the 
roof. The method also includes the steps of positioning the first portion 
of the cable attached to the cable support structure over the peak of the 
roof, positioning the second portion downwardly from the peak toward the 
ground, and attaching the harness worn by the worker to the cable. The 
method also includes the steps of climbing the ladder and climbing onto 
the roof, and inspecting the roof using the cable and the harness to 
prevent falling from the roof. 
The above and other objects, feature advantages of the present invention, 
will become apparent from the following description and the claims taken 
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
In FIG. 1, a fall restraint system 10 in accordance with the invention is 
shown as installed or positioned on a building 2 having a roof 12 
including a pair of opposing eaves 8, 10, and peak 16; other types of 
roofs are also applicable. 
The fall restraint system 10 generally includes a cable support structure 
for affixation to cable sections or portions 14, 18, a weight 28 suspended 
from cable section or portion 18, and ladders 6, 22. Cable section 14 
attached to fall restraint system 10 is positioned on the upper surface of 
the roof 12 near eave 8. Cable support portion 18 extends upwardly from 
fall restraint system 10 to peak 16 of roof 12, and downwardly toward the 
other side of roof 12, contacting and extending below eave 20 and 
terminating at end 26. Weight 28 is attached to cable section 18 at end 
26. Weight 28 is preferably approximately 5 kg. 
A worker 32 is shown wearing harness 34. Harness 34 is removably attached 
to cable 18 via a conventional rope adjuster 30. Rope adjuster 30 couples 
harness 34 to cable 18. Typically, worker 32 dons on the harness 34 on the 
ground, before climbing ladder 22. After climbing ladder 22 and reaching 
eave 20 in the vicinity of cable 18, worker 32 attaches harness 34 to 
cable 18 at rope adjuster 30. Worker 32 is then protected by fall 
restraint system 10 while inspecting roof 12. 
One method of utilizing the fall restraint system is as follows. In 
operation, the fall restraint system 10 is positioned in accordance with 
the following procedure. Worker 32 places the lower end of ladder 6 onto 
ground 4, and also places the upper portion of ladder 6 against eave 8 of 
structure 2. Fall restraint system 10 can either be installed or fixed to 
ladder 6 after ladder 6 has been positioned against structure 2, or fall 
restraint system 10 can be positioned or fixed to ladder 6 before ladder 6 
is positioned against eave 8 of structure 2. 
Once fall restraint system 10 is in place or installed on ladder 6 and on 
roof 12 of structure 2, the first cable portion or section 14 is then 
attached to the fall restraint system 10. Alternatively, the cable portion 
14 can also be affixed to fall restraint system 10 before fall restraint 
system 10 is placed on roof 12 of structure 2. Cable portion 14 is then 
extended over peak 16 of structure 2 and onto the other section of roof 12 
as cable portion 18. Cable portion 18 then extends over ladder wrung 24 of 
ladder 22 which is positioned against eave 20 of structure 2. The end 
portion of cable 18 terminates at 26 which is attached to weight 28. 
Weight 28 is beneficially used to keep cable 14, 18 taut, as well as to 
simultaneously bias or secure ladders 6 and 22 against eaves 8 and 20, 
respectively. Worker 32 is connected to cable portion 18 via conventional 
rope adjustment mechanism 30 and harness 34. 
In this manner, fall restraint system 10 is positioned on roof 12 of 
structure 2 securely, thereby allowing worker 32 to climb up roof 12 
securely. In addition, fall restraint system 10 is designed not to 
interfere with roof 12 of structure 2, nor to require any special or 
customized adaptation of roof 12. Therefore, no damage results to roof 12 
using the fall restraint system 10 described herein. In addition, fall 
restraint system 10 is compact and portable. As can be readily determined 
from FIG. 1, fall restraint system 10 is utilized in connection with at 
least one ladder, and perhaps two ladders, and is itself of a relatively 
compact nature. Thus, a ladder which is in any event an essential element 
of an inspection of a roof of a structure can be readily adapted to be 
used in conjunction with the fall restraint system 10 described herein. 
Therefore, fall restraint system 10 does not require an inordinate amount 
of additional materials or supplies to be carried and/or stored by the 
worker that is to inspect roof 12 of structure 2. 
FIG. 2 is a side view of the fall restraint system 10 illustrated in FIG. 
1, with the cable portions 14, 18 and structure 2 omitted for additional 
clarity. In FIG. 2, fall restraint system 10 includes ladder wrung brace 
36 in rotatable connection with extension section 56. Extension section 56 
is in turn rotatably connected to resistant device/section 66. Ladder 
wrung brace 36 functions as a brace for the fall restraint system 10 to a 
ladder which is then positioned near the roof of a structure. Resistant 
device 66 is used to assist in securing the fall restraint system 10 to 
the roof of the structure by creating a resistance upon placement on the 
roof. Extension section 56 provides the ability or spacing to permit 
ladder wrung brace 36 and resistance device 66 to simultaneously operate 
as described while still functioning as part of the same system. Extension 
section 56 may, of course, be omitted when the additional length is not 
needed. 
Ladder wrung brace 36 includes U-bolt fastener 38 which is secured thereto 
via nuts 40. U-bolt fastener 38 is used to securely attach the ladder 
wrung brace 36 to a wrung of ladder 6. Ladder wrung brace 36 also includes 
hook 42 which is attached thereto via bolts 44 and nuts 46. Hook 42 is 
also used to secure ladder wrung brace 36 to another wrung of ladder 6. 
Hook 42 is typically used first by placing it over a wrung of ladder 6. 
Thereafter, U-bolt fastener 38 is then used to more securely attach ladder 
wrung brace 36 to ladder 6 via nuts 40. Hook 42 and U-bolt 38 are spaced 
apart by distance 48, which is generally the standard distance between 
ladder wrungs, i.e., approximately 12 inches in length. 
Ladder wrung brace 36 further includes sector 50 that is machined to allow 
pivoting of fall restraint system 10 when positioned on roof 12, thereby 
providing the ability for ladder 6 to be positioned at a safe upright 
angle with respect to structure 2. Sector 50 includes pivot fulcrum 52 and 
pivot slot 54. Pivot fulcrum 52 engages with fulcrum receiver hole 58 of 
extension section 56 via standard methods/means, such as a screw inserted 
therethrough. Of course, other types of connection means are possible, and 
considered within the scope of fall restraint system 10. For example, a 
cotter pin type connection means could be used instead of a screw being 
inserted through pivot fulcrum 52 and fulcrum receiver hole 58. 
Pivot slot 54 engages slot receiver hole 60 of extension section 56 via, 
for example, standard connection means. For example, a screw may be 
inserted through slot receiver hole 60 and pivot slot 54 that is movable 
within pivot slot 54. In this manner, extension section 56 is pivotally 
engaged with ladder wrung brace 36 to permit ladder 6 to be placed at as 
safe angle with respect to roof 12 of structure 2. 
Extension section 56 includes eye bolt 62 connected to extension section 56 
via, for example, segment 63. Extension section 56 is then pivotally 
connected to resistance device 66 via pinned joint pivot 64. Pinned joint 
pivot 64 may be, for example, a screw or cotter pin type pivot mechanism, 
or other standard pivot mechanism. Note that extension section 56 is "L" 
shaped. However, other shapes of extension section 56 are considered to be 
within the scope of fall restraint system 10. For example, extension 
section 56 may be shaped in an obtuse or in an acute angle or even a 
straight line. For the purposes of fall restraint system 10, however, 
extension section 56 has been shown to be particularly convenient in an 
"L" shape. 
Resistance device 66 includes section 68 connected to section 72 with a 
resilient pad 70 to rest on roof surface 12 of structure 2. Resistance 
device 66 is also in an "L" shape. However, as discussed above, other 
shapes are considered within the scope of fall restraint system 10. 
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the fall restraint system 10 illustrated in 
FIG. 2, along sectional lines 3--3. In FIG. 3, a sectional view of ladder 
wrung brace 36 is illustrated as being shaped in the form of a "U". The 
"U" shape of ladder wrung brace 36 permits attachment of U-bolt 38 and 
hook 42 without requiring U-bolt 38 or bolts 44 to be of excessive length 
for attachment thereto. The "U" shape also reduces the overall weight of 
fall restraint system 10, thereby increasing its portability. 
FIG. 4 is a top view of the resistance device 66 in the fall restraint 
system 10 illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 4, resistance device 66 includes 
pivot joint 64 connected to segment 68. Segment 68 extends in a straight 
direction from pin pivot joint 64. Segment 68 is then bifurcated or 
extended into two separate sections 72 that extend in a "V" shape 
therefrom. The sections 72 that extend outward from segment 68 of 
resistance device 66 include resilient pads 70 connected on the bottom 
thereof via any standard connection means 78, such as a screw, cotter pin, 
and the like. Thus, in accordance with this design, resistance device 66 
is able to be frictionally secured to the roof via the extended contact it 
has therewith. More specifically, the "V" shape of resistance device 66 
provides greater support and temporary adherence of resistance device 66 
to roof 12 of the structure 2. 
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the resistance device 66 in the fall 
restraint system illustrated in FIG. 3 along sectional lines 5--5. In FIG. 
5, segment 66 includes resilient pad 70 attached to the bottom thereto. 
Resilient pad 70 includes an aluminum alloy backing plate 74 and a 
resilient material 76 on the bottom thereof. Segment 66 and backing plate 
74 may be of any generally rigid material that is capable of withstanding 
the necessary force exerted when the worker on the roof uses the cable 
attached thereto for support. Accordingly, a metal alloy, a steel alloy, 
an aluminum alloy, a rigid plastic and/or other composite material are all 
considered within the scope of fall restraint system 10 described herein. 
FIG. 6 is a front view of the fall restraint system 10 with ladder wrung 
brace 36 secured to ladder 6. In FIG. 6, ladder 6 is biased against the 
structure at eave 8. Ladder 6 includes wrungs 7 and 9. Wrung 7 is secured 
to ladder wrung brace 36 via eye bolt 38 and nuts 40. Ladder wrung brace 
36 is also biased against or fixed to ladder wrung 9 via hook 42 and bolt 
44 and nut 46. Of course, as indicated above, any standard type of 
connection can be used to affix hook 42 and eye bolt 38 to ladder wrung 
brace 36. Further, ladder wrung brace 36 may be secured to ladder 6 using 
any conventional means. 
Ladder wrung brace 36 is then pivotally connected to extension section 56 
via sector 50, pivot fulcrum 52 and slot 54 (not shown; see FIG. 2). 
Extension section 56 includes cable connection means or eye bolt 62 that 
is connected thereto via, for example, platform 63 that provides 
additional stability. Cable 14 is then connected to cable connection means 
62 and it extends over roof 12. Resistance device 66 is then pivotally 
connected to extension section 56 via pivot joint 64. Section/legs 72 then 
extend outwardly in a "V" shape onto roof 12 and are in contact therewith 
via resilient pad 70. 
In this manner, fall restraint system 10 is able to be removably secured to 
ladder 6 and be frictionally secured to roof 12 of structure 2 to ensure 
that cable 14 can be used by a worker that is inspecting the roof. That 
is, when the worker pulls on cable 18, 14 while on roof 12, the cable 14 
will attempt to pull the ladder 6 and the resilient device 66 against roof 
12, thereby insuring that cable 18, 14 is safely attached to fall 
restraint system 10. Further, in accordance with the design of fall 
restraint system 10, when the worker ascends roof 12, the worker pulls on 
cable 14 in a direction opposite to fall restraint system 10. Fall 
restraint system 10 then further biases ladder 6 against eave 8 of 
structure 2. Further, restraint device 66 is also further biased against 
roof 12, thereby further securing ladder 6 to structure 2. 
It thus can be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention 
offers many advantages over the prior art systems. The apparatus, made of 
the materials described herein, is lightweight and portable. The ladder(s) 
and fall restraint system can be contracted or expanded as necessary, and 
in its contracted state, requires very little storage room. The fall 
restraint system contacts the roof without requiring any alteration or 
modification to the roof. No fasteners are required. The fall restraint 
system further provides safe and effective restraint of a worker from 
falls. 
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein, 
other variations within the scope of the invention are possible. For 
example, the apparatus is equally applicable to other types of roofs where 
fall restraint is desired. The materials used to construct the apparatus 
may be varied according to weight, design, safety and other 
considerations. The "V" shaped brace design of the resistance device may 
be replaced with any other suitable designs, providing an advantageous 
cable attachment point above the roof so as to minimize contact with the 
roof, as well as damage resulting from such contact. The load bearing 
points on the roof may be relocated to other locations, and the fall 
restraint system may be modified with other suitable designs. For example, 
the fall restraint system may be constructed without the use of the 
extension section between the ladder wrung brace and the resistance 
device. In this situation, the resistance device and the ladder wrung are 
directly pivotally connected to each other. 
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in 
detail, it is clearly understood the same by way of illustration in 
example only and is not to be taken by way of limitations, the spirit and 
scope of the invention being limited only by terms of the appended claims.