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FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to the protection of workers at construction sites. More particularly, the invention relates to a barricade system that can be positioned about a stairwell opening or some other hole in a roof or floor, on the surface of a pitched roof that is undergoing construction or maintenance, and/or along an unprotected edge, such as a balcony. The barricade system is installed to prevent a worker from accidentally falling through such a hole, off the edge of a flat or pitched roof, or from the edge of an elevated work area.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Workers involved in the construction or maintenance repair of buildings risk serious injury or fatality if they should lose their balance and fall off the edge of a roof or a walking-working surface, or into a hole in the floor or roof. Injuries and fatalities caused by falls from unguarded roof edges, through roof and floor holes, or through unprotected skylight fixtures are some of the most severe and costly categories of injury in all U.S. private industry. One estimate indicates that slips and falls injuries are at least a $5.7 billion/year construction industry problem. In response, various safety systems have been proposed over the years and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has promulgated regulations specifically requiring employers to provide fall protection to workers.  
         [0003]     Current OSHA regulations for the construction industry are contained in 29 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part 1926. Specifically, Subpart M, which includes Sections 1926.500 through 1926.503 and Appendices A through E, lists the requirements that are related to workplace falls. Section 1926.501 discusses the requirements for fall protection. Subsection 1926.501(b)(1) states that “Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.” Subsection 1926.501(b)(4)(i) states that “Each employee on walking/working surfaces shall be protected from falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6 feet (1.8 m) above lower levels, by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes.” In addition, subsection 1926.502(b) states that: 
        Guardrail systems and their use shall comply with the following provisions:     (1) Top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, shall be 42 inches (1.1 m) plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm) above the walking/working level . . . .     (2)(i) Midrails, when used, shall be installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working level . . . .     (3) Guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge . . . .     (4) When the 200 pound (890 N) test load . . . is applied in a downward direction, the top edge of the guardrail shall not deflect to a height less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working level. Guardrail system components selected and constructed in accordance with Appendix B [of] Subpart M . . . will be deemed to meet this requirement.     (5) Midrails . . . shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (666 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midral . . . .     (6) Guardrail systems shall be so surfaced as to prevent injury to an employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing.     (7) The ends of all top rails and midrails shall not overhang the terminal posts, except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard . . . .     (11) When guardrail systems are used at holes, they shall be erected on all unprotected sides or edges of the hole.     (12) When guardrail systems are used around holes used for the passage of materials, the hole shall not have more than two sides provided with removable guardrail sections to allow the passage of materials. When the hole is not in use, . . . a guardrail system shall be provided along all unprotected sides or edges . . . .     (14) Guardrail systems used on ramps and runways shall be erected along each unprotected side or edge.        
 
         [0015]     Attempts have been made in the past to solve this problem, but such past devices have either not been adjustable to a wide variety of roof pitches, use a pitch adjustment mechanism that presents a potential point of failure, are difficult to set up and remove, or are overly complex. Thus, there remains a need for a portable barricade system that meets OSHA requirements, is easy to set up and remove, is adjustable to the respective pitch of the underlying surface, is solidly constructed, and is collapsible so as to be easily transportable between job sites.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0016]     The present invention provides a novel and versatile barrier system that achieves the above-mentioned goals and can be installed and removed without the need to modify the underlying structure, such as, for example, a roof structure. The barricade system can be readily used in residential construction and the construction of sloped-roof structures in general, with additional application in flat (low-slope) structures and non-roof applications (leading edge work) in residential or industrial construction.  
         [0017]     In one aspect, the invention may be defined as a barrier system comprising at least one barricade bracket that permits the easy installation of protective guardrails, toe boards, and work surfaces on roofs and other surfaces over a wide pitch range. Each barricade bracket comprises a base member, a support member and a step member that can be fixed relative to each other such that the step member can be selectively and releasably positioned at a plurality of predetermined angles with respect to the base member.  
         [0018]     In use, the protective barricade system is easily installed at roof edges and around holes or skylights on flat (low-slope) commercial/industrial roofs, and on sloped residential roofs with pitches ranging between 18° (4:12) to 63° (24:12). The barricade system&#39;s set pitches are 27° (6:12), 34° (8:12), and 40° (10:12) to 45° (12:12), 51° (15:12), 56° (18:12), and 63° (24:12). Roof slopes between these se pitches can also be accommodated, with the step member of the barricade bracket having a few-degree pitch toward the roof surface when used on non-standard pitches. The barricade system of the present invention allows for the installation of the three-member guard rail required by OSHA standards (top rail, midrail and toe-board), as well as the installation of support planks ranging from 2″×6″ to 2″×12″. The 12″ wide plank provides for a large walking/working area, comparable to the widest such surfaces available in the industry today.  
         [0019]     In one embodiment, the barricade bracket can be mounted directly on the surface of the roof to the underlying roof truss member and therefore enables a greater freedom of placement than do current devices that require rail placement either at the roof edge or at the seams between overlay sheets at four-foot intervals. The barricade system of the present invention can be used in various configurations, from simply supporting a plank for a horizontal work surface on a sloped roof, or as a set of stairs ascending the roof, to a plank and toe board combination, or a full safety railing and perimeter protection system that can be installed anywhere in a residential or industrial/commercial construction site. For a residence, this would range from the first floor (such as, for example, protecting an opening to the basement), to the second floor (such as, for example, protecting an unguarded balcony edge), to the peak of the roof. For industrial/commercial buildings, the barricade system can be used to protect unguarded holes that are waiting for construction to be completed (such as, for example, elevator shaft openings on consecutive floors, or openings on consecutive floors for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ductwork). An additional important usage would be as a set of handrails on an unprotected set of steps in any type of construction.  
         [0020]     In one aspect, the barricade system also includes a pole that includes a bend at one end. The pole can be connected to the barricade bracket to provide a substantially vertical support pole in both flat and sloped configurations. Moreover, in exemplary embodiments, the use of fasteners to set the angle of the barricade bracket and means for setting the rail or barrier height allows for easy and convenient manipulation of the barricade bracket and rail or barrier placement and configuration. Thus, the barricade system allows for maximum versatility and provides safe work conditions in a variety of work situations. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain aspects of the instant invention and together with the description, serve to explain, without limitation, the principles of the invention. These and other features of the embodiments of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a barricade bracket of the present invention for use in a barricade system.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the barricade bracket of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a base member of the barricade bracket of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a support member of the barricade bracket of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a step member of the barricade bracket of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the barricade system of the present invention mounted onto a portion of a pitched roof, showing a pole mounted to the barricade bracket of  FIG. 1  and showing a rail assembly mounted to a portion of the pole.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the barricade system of the present invention positioned about a portion of a hole in a structure.  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a perspective cross-sectional view of a rail assembly of the present invention releaseably mounted to a portion of the pole.  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the barricade bracket of  FIG. 1  in a storable position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]     The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, and claims, and their previous and following description.  
         [0032]     Before the present systems, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific articles, devices, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such, and can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.  
         [0033]     The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof. It is particularly noted that it is contemplated that alternative scaled devices of the present invention can be derived from the exemplary, and not meant to be limiting, dimensions provided herein in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “barricade bracket” includes aspects having two or more barricade brackets unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.  
         [0035]     Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.  
         [0036]     As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.  
         [0037]     The present invention provides a protective barricade system  2  that can be secured to an underlying surface at least partially surrounding a roof or floor opening or on a pitched roof. A conventional pitched roof includes an underlying truss structure formed by inclined, generally parallel, spaced apart joists that run generally perpendicular to the roof edge, and a plywood overlay on the joists that are formed by successive courses of sheet overlay, such as, for example and not meant to be limiting, plywood sheets. The first course of sheet typically begins adjacent the roof edge while successive courses progress upwardly toward the apex of the roof. As noted above, conventional sloped residential roofs have typical pitches ranging between 27° (6:12), 34° (8:12), and 40° (10:12) to 45° (12:12), 51° (15:12), 56° (18:12), and 63° (24:12). Of course, other customized pitches that vary from the typical pitches can be accommodated by the barricade system of the present invention.  
         [0038]     In an exemplary use on a roof, the barricade system  2  of the present invention can comprise a plurality of barricade brackets  10  that are spaced apart along the roof. The purpose of the barricade brackets is to provide a trustworthy support for barricades, such as, for example, rails, that are positioned at the mandated OSHA regulation heights. In one exemplified embodiment, each barricade bracket  10  comprises a base member  20 , a support member  30 , a step member  40 , and a plurality of shafts or fasteners  70 .  
         [0039]     The base member  20  of the barricade bracket comprises an anchor plate  22  and a pair of opposing base side members  24 A,  24 B that extend from opposing edge portions of the anchor plate. In one exemplary aspect, at least a portion of the base member  20  defines a U-shaped channel. In one aspect, the anchor plate  22  of the base member defines a plurality of anchor openings  23  that are adapted to receive a fastener  80 , such as, for example and not meant to be limiting, a nail, a screw, a bolt, and the like, for releasable connection to the underlying surface. The anchor plate  22  has a first width w 1 , which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base member. In one example, the first width w 1  is about 2.75 inches.  
         [0040]     Each base side member  24 A,  24 B defines a first opening  26  and at least one second opening  28  such that the pair of opposing base side members defines a first pair of opposing first openings  26  and a spaced at least one second pair of opposing second openings  28 . In one example, the first opening of each base side member is spaced from the at least one second opening. In a further aspect, the first opening  26  is positioned on a top portion  25  of the base side member, and, in an alternative aspect, the at least one second opening  28  is positioned on a bottom portion  27  of the base side member.  
         [0041]     In one example, the at least one second opening  28  comprises a plurality of second openings. The plurality of second openings can extend linearly substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base member. In one aspect, each of the plurality of second openings is spaced from an adjacent second opening a predetermined distance. It is contemplated that the predetermined distance between each of the second openings is substantially uniform or is variable. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the predetermined distance varies between at least two of the second openings of the plurality of second openings.  
         [0042]     For example and not meant to be limiting, the second opening  28 A is spaced from the first opening  26  about 4.54 inches; the second opening  28 B is spaced from the first opening  26  about 5.57 inches; the second opening  28 C is spaced from the first opening  26  about 6.37 inches; the second opening  28 D is spaced from the first opening  26  about 7.04 inches; the second opening  28 E is spaced from the first opening  26  about 7.63 inches; the second opening  28 F is spaced from the first opening  26  about 8.25 inches; the second opening  28 G is spaced from the first opening  26  about 8.88 inches; and the second opening  28 H is spaced from the first opening  26  about 9.50 inches.  
         [0043]     The support member  30  of the barricade bracket  10  comprises a back plate  32  and a pair of opposing support side members  34 A,  34 B that extend from opposing edge portions of the back plate. In one exemplary aspect, at least a portion of the support member  30  defines a U-shaped channel that has a second width w 2 , which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support member and which is greater than the first width w 1  of the base member. In one example, the second width w 2  is about 3.25 inches.  
         [0044]     In a further aspect, the pair of opposing support side members  34 A,  34 B define a third pair of opposing third openings  36  and a spaced at least one fourth pair of opposing fourth openings  38 . In this aspect, each support side member defines a third opening  36  and at least one fourth opening  38  that is spaced from the third opening. In one example, the third opening  36  is positioned adjacent a lower portion  33  of the support side member and the at least one fourth opening  38  is positioned on an upper portion  37  of the support side member.  
         [0045]     In an exemplary aspect, the at least one fourth opening  38  comprises a plurality of fourth openings. In this aspect, the plurality of fourth openings can extend linearly substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support member. Each of the plurality of fourth openings is spaced from an adjacent fourth opening a predetermined distance that can be substantially uniform or can be variable. In one example, the predetermined distance varies between at least two of the fourth openings of the plurality of fourth openings.  
         [0046]     For example and not meant to be limiting, the fourth opening  38 A is spaced from the third opening  36  about 4.50 inches; the fourth opening  38 B is spaced from the third opening  36  about 5.53 inches; the fourth opening  38 C is spaced from the third opening  36  about 6.33 inches; the fourth opening  38 D is spaced from the third opening  36  about 6.96 inches; the fourth opening  38 E is spaced from the third opening  36  about 7.55 inches; the fourth opening  38 F is spaced from the third opening  36  about 8.12 inches; and the fourth opening  38 G is spaced from the third opening  36  about 8.70 inches.  
         [0047]     In a further aspect, the support member  30  of the barricade bracket further comprises at least one U-shaped trough member  39 . In this aspect, one side of the trough member is connected to a portion of an upper edge of the support side member. In one example, the side of the trough member is connected to a lower portion  33  of the upper edge of the support side member. In another example, the closed bottom portion of the trough is oriented downwardly toward the lower portion  33  of the support side member. In another example, the closed bottom portion of the trough member  39  can be positioned adjacent the third opening  36  of the support member. The at least one trough member  39  is adapted to seat or mount a board, such as, for example, a conventional stock piece of lumber therein such that the board is positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the back plate of the support member. In one aspect, the at least one trough member  39  comprises an opposed pair of trough members. In this aspect, each trough member  39  extends from opposing edges of the opposing support side members  34 A,  34 B. In a further aspect, each trough member defines at least one opening that is adapted to receive a fastener such that a toe board can be releaseably mounted therein the trough member  39 .  
         [0048]     The step member  40  of the barricade bracket comprises a top plate  42  and a pair of opposing step side members  44 A,  44 B that extend from opposing edge portions of the top plate. The pair of opposing step side members defining a fifth pair of opposing fifth openings  46  and a spaced sixth pair of opposing sixth openings  48 . In one aspect, each step side member defines a fifth opening  46  and a spaced sixth opening  48 . In one example, the fifth opening is positioned adjacent a proximal end  45  of the step side member and the sixth opening is positioned adjacent a distal end  47  of the step side member. In one example and not meant to be limiting, the fifth opening is spaced from the sixth opening about 9.5 inches. In one exemplary aspect, at least a portion of the support member  40  defines a U-shaped channel that has a third width w 3 , which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support member and which is greater than the first width w 1  of the base member and less than the second width w 2  of the support member. In one example, the third width w 3  is about 3.0 inches.  
         [0049]     In one aspect, the top plate  42  of the step member defines a plurality of mount openings  43  that are adapted to receive a fastener  80 , such as, for example and not meant to be limiting, a nail, a screw, a bolt, and the like. In one example, the mount openings  43  can be used for releasable connection of a support plank  12  directly to the top plate  42  of the step member. In an alternative embodiment, the step member can further comprise a shoulder member  50  that defines at least one opening  52 , which is adapted to receive the fastener. Thus, in use, the shoulder member  50  can be selectively connected to the top plate  42  of the step member. Further, the shoulder member can comprise a stop  54  that extends substantially transverse from a distal end  56  of the shoulder member. In use, the support plank  12  can be positioned thereon the shoulder member and against at least a portion of the stop. It is contemplated that the support plank  12  can rest on the shoulder member or it can be releasably secured to the shoulder member. In a further aspect, the shoulder member defines at least one opening that is adapted to receive a fastener  80  such that the support plank  12  can be releaseably secured to the shoulder member  50 .  
         [0050]     In one embodiment, the respective base, support and step members are selectively fixed relative to each other by the selective use of the plurality of fasteners  70 . In one example, at least one fastener  70  of the plurality of fasteners is adapted to mount therein the first pair of opposing first opening  26  of the base member and the fifth pair  46  of opposing fifth opening of the step member; at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners is adapted to mount therein one of the at least one second pair of opposing second openings  28  of the base member and the third pair of opposing third openings  36  of the support member; and at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners is adapted to mount therein one of the at least one fourth pair of opposing fourth openings  38  of the support member and the sixth pair of opposing sixth openings  48  of the step member. In, use, when the fasteners are selectively mounted, the step member  40  is selectively and releasably positioned at one of a plurality of predetermined acute angles with respect to the base member  20 . In one example, the plurality of predetermined acute angles comprises angles about that of conventional sloped residential roofs having typical pitches about 27° (6:12 pitch); 34° (8:12 pitch); 40° (10:12 pitch); 45° (12:12 pitch); 51° (15:12 pitch); 56° (18:12 pitch 63° (24:12 pitch). However, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, it is contemplated that by selective use of the available openings in the respective base, support and step members, the step member  40  can be positioned with respect to the base member  20  at a predetermined angle between about 10° to about 70°. Thus, it is contemplated that custom roof slopes can be accommodated by the present invention. In one aspect, in the “custom” position, the step member of the barricade bracket has a few degree pitch relative to the horizontal and toward the underlying roof surface.  
         [0051]     In one further aspect, the at least one fastener  70  of the plurality of fasteners mounted therein the first pair of opposing first opening  26  of the base member and the fifth pair of opposing fifth openings  46  is adapted to be releasably mounted. Alternatively, the at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners mounted therein the first pair of opposing first opening  26  of the base member and the fifth pair of opposing fifth openings  46  can be adapted to be non-releasably mounted. It is further contemplated that the at least one fasteners connecting the respective base and step members  20 ,  40  to the support member  30  are releasably mounted. Exemplary fasteners  70  comprise, but are not meant to be limited to, conventional complementary nut and bolt and a pin and complementary clip that is adapted to releasably mount to a distal end of the pin.  
         [0052]     In one exemplified embodiment, the plurality of fasteners  70  can comprise a first shaft  70 A, a second shaft  70 B, and a third shaft  70 C. In this example, the first shaft  70 A is sized and shaped adapted to mount therein the first pair of opposing first openings  26  of the base member and the fifth pair of opposing fifth openings  46  in the step member such that the step member  40  can be pivotally moved relative to the base member  20  about an axis of the first shaft. In a further aspect, the second shaft  70 B is adapted to mount therein one of the at least one second pair of opposing second openings  28  of the base member and the third pair  36  of opposing third openings of the support member such that the support member  30  can be positioned relative to the base member  20 . In this aspect, the third shaft  70 C is sized and shaped to mount therein the one of the at least one fourth pair of opposing fourth openings  38  of the support member and the sixth pair of opposing sixth openings  48  of the step member. In use, the third shaft  70 C allows the step member  40  to be positioned relative to the support member  30 .  
         [0053]     In use, and as one skilled in the art will appreciate, when the respective first, second and third shafts  70 A,  70 B, and  70 C are mounted therein the respective openings, the respective base, support and step members are fixed relative to each other. The respective base, support and step members  20 ,  30 ,  40  can be selectively positioned with respect to each other such that the step member is selectively and releasably positioned at the plurality of predetermined acute angles with respect to the base member. In certain aspects of the invention, the support member extends substantially transverse to the base member.  
         [0054]     For example, and as shown below, for a typical 6:12 pitched roof slope, the first shaft  70 A is positioned therein opposing first openings  26  of the base member  20  and the opposing fifth openings  46  in the step member  40 . The second shaft  70 B is positioned therein opposing second openings  28 G of the base member and the opposing third openings  36  of the support member. Finally, the third shaft  70 C is fit into the opposing fourth openings  38 A of the support member  30  and the opposing sixth openings  48  of the step member  40 .  
         [0055]     In one example of assembling the barricade bracket for mounting thereon a flat surface, the first shaft  70 A is positioned therein opposing first openings  26  of the base member and the opposing fifth openings  46  in the step member. The second shaft  70 B is positioned therein opposing second openings  28 B of the base member and the opposing third openings  36  of the support member. Finally, the third shaft  70 C is fit into the opposing fourth openings  38 F of the support member and the opposing sixth openings  48  of the step member. In another example of assembling the barricade bracket for a flat surface, the first shaft  70 A is positioned therein opposing first openings  26  of the base member and the opposing fifth openings  46  in the step member. The second shaft  70 B is positioned therein opposing second openings  28 A of the base member and the opposing third openings  36  of the support member. Finally, the third shaft  70 C is fit into the opposing fourth openings  34 G of the support member and the opposing sixth openings  48  of the step member. In these embodiments, the step member is positioned at an angle with respect to the underlying flat surface.  
         [0056]     Alternatively, in a stowed or closed configuration, the first shaft  70 A is positioned therein opposing first openings  26  of the base member and the opposing fifth openings  46  in the step member. The second shaft  70 B is positioned therein opposing second openings  28 H of the base member and the opposing third openings  36  of the support member. Finally, the third shaft  70 C is fit into the opposing fourth openings  38 A of the support member and the opposing sixth openings  48  of the step member.  
         [0057]     Exemplary mountings of the respective shafts of the invention relative to the openings in the side members of the respective base, support, and step members  20 ,  30 ,  40  for typical surface pitches include:  
                                                                 Fastener/Shaft Opening Locations                Base Member   Step Member   Support Member       Pitch   Hole #   Hole #   Hole #                6/12   26-28G   46-48   36-38A        8/12   26-28F   46-48   36-38B       10/12   26-28E   46-48   36-38C       12/12   26-28D   46-48   36-38D       15/12   26-28C   46-48   36-38E       18/12   26-28B   46-48   36-38F       24/12   26-28A   46-48   36-38G       Flat   26-28B   46-48   36-38F           26-28A   46-48   36-38G       Stored   26-28H   46-48   36-38A                  
 
 Of course, as noted above, for non-conventional pitched surfaces, the mounting of the shafts will be varied, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, to position the top plate of the step member near a horizontal position. 
 
         [0058]     The barricade bracket  10  can further comprise a pole  60  and a complementary mount  65 . The mount  65  is connected to the outwardly facing portion of the back plate  32  of the support member and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support member. The mount  65  defines a bore  67  that is sized and shaped for complementary receipt of an end portion  62  of the pole  60 .  
         [0059]     In one aspect, the pole has a first end portion  62 A and an opposed second end portion  62 B. In this aspect, the first end portion is positioned at an obtuse angle γ with respect to the second end portion. The obtuse angle γ is between about 130° and 155°, or between about 140° and 145°. Both of the first and second end portions  62 A,  62 B are adapted to be received in the bore  67  of the mount  65 . Thus, in use, either the first or the second end portions are placed therein the mount for the desired orientation of the intermediate portion  62 C of the pole relative to the step member.  
         [0060]     In a further aspect, the barricade bracket  10  can further comprise a rail assembly  90  for selectively mounting safety rails or barriers, such as, for example, a top rail and/or a midrail, extending therebetween a pair of adjacent barricade brackets  10 . In this aspect, the rail assembly  90  comprises a spine member  92  and at least one bracket side member  94  that extends from an edge of the spine member. The spine member  92  defines a passage  96  and the at least one bracket side member defines an opening  98  that is shaped and sized for complementary receipt of a safety rail or barrier, such as, for example, a predetermined dimensioned piece of lumber. In one aspect, the at least one bracket side member  94  comprises an opposed pair of bracket side members  94 A,  94 B. In this aspect, each bracket side member extends from opposing edges of the spine member. In a further aspect, a first threaded member  97  is mounted to the spine member such that its threaded bore  99  is coaxial with the passage  96 .  
         [0061]     In another aspect, the rail assembly  90  further comprises a sleeve  100 , a second threaded member  110 , and a fastener  120 . The sleeve defines a conduit  102  that is sized and shaped for mounting to a portion of the exterior surface of the pole that can be selected for the desired height of the rail or barrier relative to the underlying surface. The sleeve  100  further defines an opening  104  in communication with the conduit  102 . The second threaded member  110  defines a threaded bore  112  and is mounted thereon the exterior surface of the sleeve. In one aspect, the threaded member  110  is connected to the sleeve  100  such that the threaded bore  112  is coaxial to the opening  104  of the sleeve  92 . In a further aspect, the fastener  120 , such as, for example and not meant to be limiting, a bolt, has a distal end portion  122  that is adapted to engage the threaded bore  99  of the first threaded member  97  and the threaded bore  112  of the second threaded member  110  such that the distal end of the fastener  120  can selectively engage a portion of the exterior surface of the pole  60  to selectively secure the rail assembly  90  to the pole and such that the sleeve  100  is releasably connected to and positioned substantially parallel to the spine member  92 . In this aspect, one will appreciate that the longitudinal axis of the sleeve  100  can be releasably positioned at a desired angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spine member  92 .  
         [0062]     An exemplified procedure for installing the barricade system  2  of the present invention on a 6:12 pitched roof will be described. First, a plurality of barricade brackets  10 , as described above, are provided. The slope of the surface is identified so that the respective openings in the base, support and step members  20 ,  30 , and  40  can be identified. In this example, for each barricade bracket, the first shaft  70 A is positioned therein the first pair of first openings  26  of the base member  20  and the fifth pair of fifth openings  46  of the step member  40 . Next, for each barricade bracket, the second shaft  70 B is positioned into a select one of the second pair of second openings  28  (in this example, second opening  28 G) of the base member  20  and the third pair of third openings  36  of the support member  30 . The third shaft  70 C is positioned into a select one of the fourth pair of openings  38  (in this example, fourth opening  38 A) of the support member  30  and the sixth pair of fourth openings  48  of the step member  40  for each barricade bracket in the barricade system. One will appreciate that, with the shafts positioned in the selected openings of the respective base, support and step members, the base, support and step members are fixed relative to each other. Further, the step member is selectively positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the base member. In one embodiment, the predetermined angle is complementary to the slope of the surface such that the step member is substantially horizontal.  
         [0063]     Further, the respective anchor plates of two adjacent barricade brackets  10  are releasably mounted to the surface of the roof, such as to the underlying plywood sheathing. In one aspect, the two adjacent barricade brackets are positioned such that the respective top plates  42  of the at least two barricade brackets are coplanar. In one aspect, it is contemplated that the anchor plate  22  of the base member can be mounted to the surface of the roof prior to the mounting of the first shaft  70 A, and/or the second shaft  70 B, and/or the third shaft  70 C. In an alternative aspect, it is contemplated that the anchor plates  22  of the base member should be mounted to the surface of the roof after mounting of the first shaft  70 A, and the second shaft  70 B, and the third shaft  70 C. In this aspect, the barricade bracket can be assembled on the ground and the assembled bracket assembly can be delivered to the mounting surface for installation.  
         [0064]     Further, a plurality of poles  60  can be provided such that an end portion of each pole can be mounted therein the mount  65  of the support member. A barrier  14  is mounted to a portion of each pole to prevent a person from progressing therethrough the space between adjacent barricade brackets. In one example, the barrier can be a guard rail formed from a piece of dimensioned lumber. Alternatively, for example and not meant to be limiting, the barrier can comprise rigid metal tubing (such as aluminum, steel, etc.), netting (such as cloth, plastic, rubber, or any other suitable material), or any other suitable barrier means.  
         [0065]     In one example, at least one rail assembly  90  is mounted onto each pole  60  such that at least one opposed pair of rail assemblies are formed between two adjacent barricade brackets. A barrier  14 , such as a piece of dimensioned lumber, can be placed into the brackets of the respective rail assemblies to form the desired barrier. Still further, in another aspect, a selected piece of dimensioned lumber can be positioned within the respective trough members of the two adjacent barricade brackets  10  to form a toe board  16  for the barricade system  2 . In an additional aspect, the support plank  12  is positioned on the respective top plates  42  of the two adjacent barricade brackets to form a work surface that is, in one example, substantially horizontal.  
         [0066]     Thus, the barricade system of the present invention allows for the installation of the three-member guard rail required by OSHA standards (top rail  14 A, midrail  14 B and toe-board  16 ), as well as the installation of support planks  12  ranging from, for example and not meant to be limiting, 2″×6″ to 2″×12″. The exemplary 12″ wide plank provides for a large walking/working area.  
         [0067]     Although several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is therefore understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that many modifications and other embodiments of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention.

Summary:
A protective barricade system to prevent persons from accidentally falling through holes in roofs or floors or from the edges of stairwells, balconies, or pitched roofs. The barricade system comprises a plurality of barricade brackets that are spaced apart and can be releasably attached to the underlying surface.