Abstract:
In one embodiment, a fall protection system including a J-shaped stanchion that attaches to a roof truss (or rafter) in such a manner as to enable the entire girth of the roof truss overhang (or rafter) to be the sole support for the stanchion. The stanchion is designed to bend below the fascia and return up above the roof surface where successive stanchions similarly attached are connected via a fall protection guardrails providing fall protection for all workers. This single point of attachment allows the carpenters to attach the stanchions prior to hoisting the trusses onto the roof bearing walls. As soon as the trusses are properly braced, the guardrails can be hoisted and secured. In another embodiment, the disclosure includes a combination fall protection and catwalk system for above-ground floors. In another embodiment, the disclosure includes a fall protection system for reroofing applications.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED INVENTIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/329,404, filed Jan. 10, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/177,009, filed Jul. 7, 2005, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to fall protection devices and systems which are attached to roofs or other structures under construction. More particularly, this invention relates to fall protection devices and systems which are mounted on trusses or rafters of structures under construction or to the roofs of existing structures. This invention also relates to fall protection devices and systems for above-ground floors or decks under construction. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0005]    The Occupational Safety and Health Act mandates that every trade who must build or stand on a roof surface should have fall protection. At the very minimum a slide guard should be in place to protect the worker. The minimum slide guard is described as a two by four nominal dimension member secured on its edge to the roof below the worker to arrest his possible slide. Many trades must stand on a sloped roof to accomplish their work. Tradesmen include framing carpenters and roofers. For multi-storied structures, other tradesmen may include window installers, house wrap installers, siding installers, exterior trim carpenters, soffit installers, lathers and stucco crews. 
         [0006]    In practice, the framing carpenter installs a slide guard on the roof surface, but it is often promptly removed when the framing is finished since it becomes an obstacle to some subsequent trades. Moreover, the guards are seldom replaced. There therefore exists a need to overcome the shortcomings of conventional fall protection devices. 
         [0007]    Prior art fall protection devices include stanchions which attach to a truss below the roof line and to the fascia to dip down below the fascia and then up above the roof. Thus, the prior art cannot be employed in buildings designed with no fascia. Further, even though the buildings are designed with fascia, damage may occur where the fascia is the finished product. Still further, where the roofing requires a metal eave drip to the fascia to be installed before roofing, the connection to the fascia may have to be removed, thus rendering the prior art inoperable. Finally, the prior art cannot be properly attached until the fascia is constructed. Hence, there has existed a need for a fall protection device that does not require a mechanical attachment to fascia. 
         [0008]    Representative prior art include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,345,689; 5,221,076; 5,353,891; 5,573,227; 5,570,559; 4,666,131; 5,067,586; 4,669,577; 3,901,481; and 4,359,851. 
         [0009]    Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvement which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the fall protection art. 
         [0010]    Another object of this invention is to provide a fall protection system that attaches to a roof truss at a single point in such a manner as to extend below the fascia and return up above the roof surface such that the carpenters may attach the stanchions prior to hoisting the trusses onto the roof-bearing walls, or immediately thereafter, and then install the guardrails such that the workers are protected throughout the entire construction process. 
         [0011]    Another object of this invention is to provide a fall protection system having various constructions for connecting the J-shaped stanchions to a roof truss, optionally including a separate attachment bracket that may be pre-installed onto the truss during fabrication of the truss at the factory to which the J-shaped stanchion is then removably connected during assembly on the job site. 
         [0012]    Another object of this invention is to provide a fall protection system which is economical to manufacture while supporting the minimum impact of two hundred pounds (200 lbs.) required by OSHA for a slide guard or guard rail. 
         [0013]    Another object of this invention is to provide a fall protection system including a J-shaped stanchion that is extendible to allow additional rows of guard rails to be installed. 
         [0014]    Another object of this invention is to provide a fall protection system for reroofing a structure. 
         [0015]    Another object of this invention is to provide a combination fall protection/catwalk system along the edge of a structure such as an above-ground floor. 
         [0016]    The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    For the purpose of summarizing this invention, one embodiment of this invention comprises a fall protection system including a J-shaped stanchion which attaches to a roof truss (or rafter) in such a manner as to enable the entire girth of the roof truss overhang (or rafter) to be the sole support for the stanchion. The J-shaped stanchion is designed to exceed the 200 pound minimum impact currently required by OSHA for a slide guard or guardrail. The J shape of the stanchion is configured to extend below the fascia and return up above the roof surface. During assembly, a plurality of stanchions is attached along the roof line. Horizontal fall protection guardrails are then connected to the upstanding stanchions thereby providing fall protection for workers. Notably, the single point of attachment to the trusses along the roof line allows the carpenters to attach the stanchions prior to hoisting the trusses onto the roof bearing walls. As soon as the trusses are properly braced, the guardrails can be hoisted and installed. Furthermore, the trusses may optionally be fabricated with a separate attachment bracket to which the J-shaped stanchion is removably connected. This feature of the preferred embodiment has the potential of protecting workers during the entire construction process of the structure which involves working on the roof. When all workers are safely off the roof, the stanchions may be easily removed and reused. 
         [0018]    Another embodiment of this invention comprises a truss plate affixed to the upper surface of a roof being reroofed, allowing the J-shaped stanchion to then removably attached to the truss plate. 
         [0019]    Another embodiment of this invention comprises a catwalk bracket affixed to the wall of a structure, to support a catwalk plank and the J-shaped stanchion 
         [0020]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the fall protection system of the invention including a J-shaped stanchion guardrail member and attachment bracket; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a side view of  FIG. 1  attached to a truss of a building with a square cut fascia; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a side view of  FIG. 1  attached to a truss of a building with a plumb cut fascia; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of three stanchion guardrail members shown in  FIG. 1  attached to the trusses of a building with the horizontal guardrail installed; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a the fall protection system of the invention with a removable extended stanchion; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fall protection system of the invention with a permanent extended stanchion; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a lock bracket that may be employed in combination with the fall protection system of the invention to more securely lock the attachment bracket to the truss; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the fall protection system of the invention shown in phantom with the lock bracket mounted in position on the attachment bracket for locking the attachment bracket into position with the truss; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention employing another type of coupler allowing a stanchion extension composed of a plank to be connected to the end of the stanchion; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fall protection system of the invention having an attachment bracket composed of a center web with a multiplicity of punched barbs extending therefrom (preferably on both sides), that dig into the truss when the attachment bracket is installed; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fall protection system of the invention having an attachment bracket with pointed upper members to facilitate insertion between the rafter and the already-installed plywood; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention in which the attachment bracket is removably connected to the J-shaped stanchion allowing the attachment bracket to be first installed to the truss, the truss erected, and the J-shaped stanchion connected thereto; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an attachment bracket of another embodiment of the fall protection system of the invention having a multiplicity of barbs formed in its center web for connection to the truss; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an attachment bracket of another embodiment of the fall protection system of the invention particularly designed to be pre-installed at the during factory fabrication of the truss; 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a J-shaped member employed as a support for another device such as a satellite dish; 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a J-shaped member having a hook at its end which may be employed for supporting objects such as Christmas ornaments, plants, etc.; 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a J-shaped member having an upstanding member serving as a flag pole; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  is a side view of a J-shaped member which may be employed as a support for an object such as a basketball hoop; 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of a roof truss bracket that is intended to be nailed on the roof to be reroofed; 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  is bottom perspective view of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a J-shaped stanchion having a J-shaped truss attachment bracket with a T-bar that removably engages into the roof truss bracket. 
           [0043]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the roof truss bracket and J-shaped truss attachment bracket removably assembled together; 
           [0044]      FIGS. 23A&amp;B  are a top perspective views of a combination fall protection/catwalk bracket that is intended to be nailed to the wall of the above-ground floor and tied to the floor by a tie strap, to which a catwalk plank may then be mounted thereon and to which the J-shaped stanchion may then be removably connected; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 24A&amp;B  are bottom perspective views of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 25  is an exploded perspective view of the combination fall protection/catwalk bracket being affixed to the wall of the structure; 
           [0047]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the J-shaped stanchion having an attachment bracket for connection to the combination fall protection/catwalk bracket; 
           [0048]      FIG. 27  is an exploded perspective view of the attachment bracket of the J-shaped stanchion being connected to the combination fall protection/catwalk bracket; 
           [0049]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a pair of J-shaped stanchions affixed to the wall of an above-ground floor showing the manner in which the catwalk plank is inserted into position on top of the upper plate and under the edge plate of the combination fall protection/catwalk bracket; and 
           [0050]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the assembled combination fall protection/catwalk system of the inventions with the guard rails installed. 
       
    
    
       [0051]    Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0052]    Referring to the drawing of  FIG. 1 , a J-shaped stanchion  1  includes a truss attachment bracket  2  in a preferred J shape comprised of center web  2 C to which an upper rear flange  2 A, upper front flange  2 B and lower flange  2 D, formed of flat stock steel are secured by weld  16 . The J-shaped formed of square stock tubing and bent 180 degrees is preferably affixed to the lower flange  2 D by weld  16 . Also preferably, two slide arrest guardrail brackets  3 , formed of flat stock steel and bent so as to accept a nominal 2′.times.4″ plank (or higher) horizontal slide arrest guardrail  5  (see  FIG. 4 ) is affixed to the stanchion  1  by weld  16  on the upper portion thereof above the roof line at its side  17  to face roof-ward. 
         [0053]    Referring next to  FIG. 2 , the stanchion  1  and the attachment bracket  2  are shown mounted to a structure or building  15  with square cut fascia  6 . The attachment bracket  2  is preferably fastened by nailing, screwing, welding, strapping, gluing, bolting, or any known equivalent to either side of the truss  11 . Where nails, bolts, screws, bolts, and their fastener equivalents are used to secure the attachment bracket  2  to the roof truss  11 , they are inserted through the orifices  4  in the center web  2 C of the attachment bracket  2  and into the adjacent truss  11 . 
         [0054]    Stanchions  1  are respectively installed on respective roof trusses  11  along the horizontal roof edge  18 . The strength of this attachment is due to the envelopment of the roof truss  11  between the upper rear flange of attachment bracket  2 A, the upper front flange of attachment bracket  2 B and the lower flange of attachment bracket  2 D adjacent the center web  2 C causing the entire truss  11  to react as one with stanchion  1  on impact. The lower portion of the stanchion  1  is bent 180 degrees from its end  17  such that the guardrail brackets  3  are perpendicular to the plane of the roof regardless of the roof pitch. 
         [0055]    Referring next to  FIG. 3 , the stanchion  1  and the attachment bracket  2  are shown mounted to a structure or building  15  with plumb cut fascia  6 . Note that the J shape of the stanchion  1  provides adequate clearance for the fascia  6 . 
         [0056]    Referring next to  FIG. 4 , the stanchions  1  are installed along horizontal roof edge  18  and then the guardrails  5  are installed into the respective guardrail brackets  3 . As shown, when two stacked guardrail brackets  3  are employed on the stanchion  1 , the guardrails  5  overlap adjacent guardrails  5  at their ends. 
         [0057]    Referring next to  FIG. 5 , the stanchion  1  is extendable by a removable stanchion extension  1 A coupled to the stanchion by a coupler  20 . Guardrail brackets  19 , similar in construction to brackets  3 , comprise flat stock steel bent so as to accept a nominal 2.times.4 plank (or higher) slide arrest guardrail  5  (see  FIG. 4 ), and are welded  16  to the upper portions of the extension  1 A to face roof-ward. 
         [0058]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 5  in which the stanchion extension  1 A is integrally formed with the stanchion  1 . 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the invention also comprises a lock bracket  21  composed of a strip of steel bent in a generally L-shaped configuration. The shorter leg  21 A of the L-shaped configuration comprises an inwardly turned end  22  that defines space  23  between it and the balance of the shorter leg  21 A. 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the lock bracket  21  is dimensioned to be installed after the attachment bracket  2  is mounted to the truss  11  whereby the lock bracket  21  more securely holds the attachment bracket  2  in position. More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 8 , once the attachment bracket  2  is affixed to the end of the truss  11  with, for example, nails through orifices  4 , the space  23  of the lock bracket  21  allows it to be slid onto the lower flange  2 D from the inward side of the mounting bracket  2  to the underside of the lower flange  2 D with the end  22  overlapping one side thereof When slid downwardly to meet the stanchion  1 , the 2.times.6 plank of the truss  11  is captured between the web member  2 C and the longer side  21 B of the L shape of the lock bracket  21 . The lock bracket  21  fully captures the truss  11  to prevent any loosening of the fasteners that secure the attachment bracket  2  to the truss  11 . 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in lieu of the stanchion extension  1 A previously described above, another type of extension may comprise a wood plank  25  such as a 2.times.4 plank which is coupled to the end of the stanchion  1  by a tubular coupler  26  that conforms at its one end to the outer circumference of a nominal sized plank  25  and its other end to the upper end of the stanchion  1 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the horizontal guardrails  5  may be connected to the stanchion extension  25  by conventional nailing  27  or other techniques for fastening wood components. 
         [0062]    The operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention is as follows. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the stanchion  1  is attached only to the rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11  and is attached up to two inches from horizontal roof edge  18 . The attachment bracket  2  is comprised of the upper rear flange  2 A, the upper front flange  2 B, the securing plate  2 C, and the lower flange  2 D. Working in concert with its comprised parts, the attachment bracket  2 , envelopes the girth of rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11 , and once stanchion  1  is attached at securing plate  2 C, by means of nailing, and or screwing, welding, strapping, gluing, bolting, or any known equivalent, no additional points of attachment are necessary. Since this is the only necessary connection to the rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11 , it becomes evident that the ideal location for this connection is on the ground before the rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11  is hoisted onto the wall  14 . Ground level installation has many advantages. The installation can be more precise, is easy to install, and due to the firm footing of ground level installation, the occurrences of injury from heights (ladders, scaffolding, lift equipment, etc.) is eliminated. Lock bracket  21  may be installed while still on the ground or after the trusses are hoisted and seated on the wall  14 . 
         [0063]    The lock bracket  21  may be tethered to the attachment bracket  2  by a chain or other member to minimize the possibility of it being lost and inadvertently not used. Furthermore, to assure that the lock bracket  21  may not slide off, a headed stop pin  24  may be inserted into a hole in the lower plate  2 D to block the lock bracket  21  from being removed. The stop pin  24  may likewise be tethered to the attachment bracket  2  to prevent inadvertent loss or nonuse. 
         [0064]    Ground level installation of the fall protection device stanchion  1  greatly reduces the work time involved in assembly, and allows the system to be substantially assembled prior to the workman being in peril Immediately after the rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11  is hoisted onto structure  15 , the horizontal slide arrest guardrail  5  can be hoisted up and secured. Therefore, fall protection can be in position prior to the installation of the first sheathing/roof decking and if used until all roof operations are complete, it will provide the absolute time maximum uninterrupted fall guard protection possible. 
         [0065]    The process of ground level installation, although preferred, does not limit the attachment of the fall protection stanchion  1  in other situations, such as existing structures, or in conventional framing, i.e., framing in which the construction of the structure must be built in the field, on the job site, such as hips, dormers, or any other roof or balcony configuration as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such alternative attachments may require the use of additional equipment (ladders, scaffolding, lift equipment, etc.). 
         [0066]    Optional dimensions of attachment bracket  2  are available to accommodate other nominal sizes of rafters, roof trusses, roof members  11 , or for any architecturally specified size rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11 . 
         [0067]    Once stanchion  1  is properly attached to the rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11 , and the rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11  is properly affixed to building  15  and the slide arrest guardrails  5  are installed, a continuous barrier around the perimeter of the roof is formed. Such guardrails  5  may be composed of a nominal 2.times.4 or greater wood plank, a metal member, a crossbar, a rope, a strap, mesh netting or any known equivalent. The slide arrest guardrail  5  may be strung or inserted through the slide arrest guard bracket  3  and may be optionally fixed in place by means of nailing, screwing, welding, strapping, gluing, or bolting the strap to the bracket  3 , such nails, screws, bolts and equivalents, passing through the orifices  4  in the bracket  3 . 
         [0068]    The stanchions  1  are secured to adjacent manufactured rafter, roof trusses or roof member  11  at horizontal roof edge  18 , they extend down below the fascia  6  location and up above the horizontal roof edge  18  where the 2.times.4 wood plank, metal member, crossbar, mesh netting or any known equivalent, horizontal slide arrest guardrail  5  is attached to the guard rail bracket  3  by means of nailing, screwing, welding, strapping, gluing, bolting, or any known equivalent and thus becomes the barrier which a sliding workman would contact thus preventing the workman from sliding off of the roof. 
         [0069]    This fall protection device stanchion  1  attaches directly to the truss tail, and does not touch the fascia  6 ; therefore there is no interference with the process of snapping a line from the first rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11 , to the last rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11 , for the purpose of determining which horizontal roof edges  18 , do not line up. At this point the roof edge  18  can be saw cut straight for a square cut  6 , or plumb cut  6 , fascia without interference from the fall protection device stanchion  1 , thus allowing the attachment of the fascia  6 . Due to the encompassing features of the attachment bracket  2 , fascia optional architecture (open design with no fascia) still allows continuous fall protection for workman. 
         [0070]    The continuous row of the J shaped stanchions  1  mounted along the horizontal roof edge  18 , allows a useful area in their inner radii for the temporary support of long stock materials, (i.e., fascia stock material or sub fascia stock material) thus providing a safer environment for the installation of the fascia  6 . Once the fascia  6  is attached and horizontal slide arrest guardrail  5  is properly fastened by nailing, screwing, welding, strapping, gluing, bolting, or any known equivalent; the sheathing process may begin. Therefore the safety of workers is enhanced even before stanchion  1  begins providing fall protection. 
         [0071]    Depending on the pitch and or overall size of a roof, OSHA requires additional slide guards at specific intervals going up the roof. As the sheathing or roofing progresses the stanchion  1  can be used as a brace against which a grid of additional 2.times.4 supports and slide guards can be constructed with minimal or no penetration of the roofing surface. 
         [0072]    The fall protection device stanchion  1  remains attached to the rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11  thus allowing all trades which may have to work on the roof surface, such as framers, roofers, plumbers, HVAC, electricians, window installers, siding installers, soffit installers, etc. to complete all work necessary while assuring continuous fall protection for all workman. 
         [0073]    The attachment bracket  2  encompasses the rafter, roof truss, or roof member overhang  11 , in such a manner as to allow the girth of the rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11  to support the fall protection device stanchion  1 . This strong connection is suitable for attachment of additional devices such as stanchion extensions with additional guard rails, proprietary or others, and may be fastened by means of nailing, screwing, welding, strapping, gluing, bolting, or any known equivalent. 
         [0074]    The fall protection device stanchion  1  attaches only to the rafter, roof truss, or roof member  11  and therefore does not interfere with the exterior finishes such as siding, lath, stucco, paint, trim, or other exterior claddings. 
         [0075]    The fall protection stanchion  1  becomes suitable for additional devices such as bracket arm extensions  21  with additional nets, rope, cables, straps or any known equivalents. Additional ropes, cables, straps, harnesses or any known equivalent may be attached tied, strapped, clamped or any known equivalent to the fall protection stanchion  1  or harness ropes may be placed over the crown of the roof to a stanchion on the opposing side for support of the workers on the roof. 
         [0076]    The fall protection stanchion  1  can be used to support any number of other devices such as Jacob&#39;s ladders, swings, swinging scaffolds, roof jacks, safety harnesses (for workman and materials) ropes, pulleys, beams, and cables upon which to hang lights, drapes or any known equivalent. 
         [0077]    The attachment bracket  2  is preferably double-sided and can be used on either side of any given roof truss, rafter, or roof member  11 . Furthermore, the fall protection system is economical, has little or no moving parts, is sturdy, requires nominal if any maintenance, and provides value far beyond the cost to build install and maintain. Lastly, the device easily and safely removed and is fully reusable. 
         [0078]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , as noted above, the attachment bracket  2  may be affixed to the end of the truss  11  by any suitable means. As shown in  FIG. 10 , one method may comprise forming a multiplicity of barbs  30  in the center web  2 C, preferably extending on both surfaces thereof to engage into the surface of the truss  11  during assembly. Due to the engagement of the barbs  30  into the wood of the truss  11 , the attachment bracket  2  is firmly secured to the truss  11 . 
         [0079]    It is noted that in some applications, it may be desirable to have the J-shaped stanchion removably connected to the attachment bracket  2 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the attachment bracket  12  may comprise a boss  34  formed on the underside of the lower flange  2 D which comprises a configuration and is properly dimensioned to fit into the tubular stanchion  1 . Aligned holes  36  and  38  formed in the stanchion  1  and the boss  34  allows a fastener  40  to be inserted therethrough to removably interconnect the bracket  2  to the stanchion  1 . During installation, the attachment bracket  2  may be installed to the end of the truss  11  whereupon the truss may then be hoisted onto the wall and, once secured; the stanchion  1  may then be connected to the bracket  2  by means of the boss  34  and fastener  40 . The removability of the stanchion  1  from the bracket  2  allows more convenient installation and erection of the fall protection system of the invention. 
         [0080]      FIG. 13  illustrates still another method for attaching the attachment bracket  2  to the end of a truss  11 . More specifically, a plurality of barbs  30  are punched into the center web  2 C so as to engage into the wood of the truss  11  as described previously in connection with  FIG. 10 . The embodiment of  FIG. 13 , however, comprises a one-sided bracket, as opposed to the double-sided brackets described above. This one-sided bracket  2  is particularly adaptable to be installed at a truss factory during the fabrication of the truss itself. Indeed, it is contemplated that brackets  2  would be customarily installed at the fabrication plant during fabrication of the trusses whereupon, on the job site, the trusses would be erected onto the walls and the stanchions  11  then connected to the brackets by means of the removable connection composed of the boss  34  and fastener  40  that engages through hole  38 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 14  illustrates still another embodiment of a one-sided bracket  2  intended to be factory-installed during fabrication of the trusses. More particularly, in this embodiment, in lieu of the center web  2 C, the bracket  2  includes two upstanding webs  2 W, each having inwardly facing barbs  30 . During assembly, the truss  11  is placed within the U-shaped channel formed by the lower flange  2 D and the upstanding flanges  2 W whereupon the barbs  30  of the upstanding flanges  2 W are then pressed into the wood of the truss  11  for assuring a secure connection. 
         [0082]    As noted above, the attachment bracket  2  may be factory-installed or installed on the job site. In either case, the attachment bracket  2  with a removable connection may be used as a way of removably connecting modified stanchion members  42  to the attachment bracket  2  via the boss  34  and fastener  40  that engages into corresponding holes  36  and  38 . More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the stanchion member  42  may comprise a support for a satellite dish  44 . In  FIG. 16 , it is seen that the stanchion member  42  may be provided with an ornament hook  46  for connecting Christmas ornaments, plants, or any other object along the roof line of the structure. Indeed, the hook  46  with its bracket  46 B may be directly connected to the boss  34 . In  FIG. 17 , it is seen that the stanchion member  42  may be fitted with a flag pole  48  for supporting a flag, pennant or other object  50 . Finally,  FIG. 18  illustrates a stanchion member  42  having an elongated length to which is mounted a conventional basketball assembly  52  having a backboard  52  rigidly connected to the stanchion member  42  by brackets  54 . 
         [0083]    Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention it should be appreciated that  FIGS. 15 through 18  are exemplary and that stanchion member  42  may be used to support many other objects along the roof line of a structure. 
         [0084]    It is noted that in re-roofing applications, the roofing plywood is already nailed to the trusses  11  and therefore, it would be difficult to force the upper rear and front flanges  2 A and  2 B therebetween. Accordingly, in order to facilitate forcing the flanges  2 A and  2 B between the roofing plywood and the truss  11 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , the ends of the upper rear and front flanges  2 A and  2 B may comprise points  32  and be beveled. In this manner, the points  32  along with their bevels form a web shape that can be more easily driven between the roofing plywood and the truss  11 . 
         [0085]    Referring now to  FIGS. 19-22 , another embodiment of the fall protection system  100  of the invention is designed for reroofing applications. More particularly, in typical reroofing applications the existing shingles (e.g., asphalt or concrete shingles) are removed. Likewise, the underlayment (e.g., felt underlayment) is removed; thereby leaving exposed the plywood roof. Any damaged plywood may be replaced with new sheets of plywood. Flashing/drip edges along the roof&#39;s edges are commonly left in place and reused (although any damaged flashing or drip edges may likewise be removed and replaced). New shingles are then installed. 
         [0086]    It should be appreciated that fall hazards exist during reroofing applications. In order to minimize such hazards, the fall protection system  100  of the invention may be installed before the reroofing process begins. 
         [0087]    More specifically, the fall protection system  100  comprises a roof truss plate  110  preferably having a generally elongated rectangular plate  112  (e.g., steel) and having opposing transverse members  114  welded to the end of the elongated rectangular plate  110 . A bottom plate  116  interconnects the opposing transverse members  114  to form an opened box construction. 
         [0088]    The open box construction forms a rectangular socket for removably receiving a corresponding T-bar  120  welded to a J-shaped bracket  122  formed at the lower end of a stanchion  124 . 
         [0089]    During installation, the existing roof shingles along the edge  128  of the roof  130  are peeled back (or removed altogether) allowing elongated rectangular plates  112  to be installed along the roof edge  128  in a generally spaced-apart configuration. More specifically, each of the elongated rectangular plates  112  is aligned down the roof line with the opposing transverse members  114  extending over the edge  128  of the roof  130  (and over the roof&#39;s drip edge  131 ). Each of the elongated rectangular plates  112  includes a plurality of holes  132  allowing the roof truss plate  110  to then be nailed to and therefore permanently affixed to the plywood of the roof  130 . 
         [0090]    After the plurality of the roof truss plates  110  are affixed along the edge  128  of the roof  130 , the T-bar  120  of the J-shaped bracket  122  may be slipped sideways into the end of the box enclosure formed by the end of the elongated rectangular plate  112 , opposing transverse members  114  and bottom plate  116 , whereupon the stanchion  124  is prevented from tilting in any direction and is thereby held rigidly but removably in an upright position. 
         [0091]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, because roof gutters  134  are typically mounted to the fascia  136  of the roof  130  underneath the drip edge  131 , the J-shaped brackets  122  are preferably configured and dimensioned to fit within configuration of the gutter  134 . When configured and dimensioned in this manner, the roof truss plates  110  may be nailed to the roof  130  and the T-bar  120  slipped into the box structure as described above without having to remove the gutters  134  (see cross-sectional view of  FIG. 22 ). 
         [0092]    Once all the stanchions  124  are installed, guard rails  138  (shown in phantom) may be installed in the stanchions&#39; guard brackets  140  to interconnect the stanchions  124  and thereby provide fall protection. Workers on the roof may then safely begin removing the balance of the shingles (and the underlayment) and installing the new roof. It is noted that since the new shingles are installed from roof&#39;s edge upwardly and thereby cover the elongated rectangular plate  112  of the roof truss plate  110 , the plate  112  is preferably provided with nail access cut-outs  142  to provide less obstructions while nailing shingles. The roof truss plates  110  are intended to be permanently left in place once the roof  130  is completed. Nevertheless, when fall protection is no longer needed, the stanchions  124  may be readily removed by simply taking down the guard rails  138  and then for each stanchion  124 , sliding its T-bar  120  out from the box enclosure formed by the end of the elongated rectangular plate  112 , opposing transverse members  114  and bottom plate  116 . 
         [0093]    Referring now to  FIGS. 23-29 , another embodiment of the invention comprises a combination fall protection/catwalk bracket  150  that is intended to be nailed to the wall  152  of an above-ground floor  154  (e.g., a deck) to provide fall protection around the perimeter of the above-ground floor  154  while at the same time providing a catwalk allowing workers to work around the floor  154  without walking on it (e.g., to allow painting of the floor  152  out to the edge). 
         [0094]    The fall protection/catwalk bracket  150  comprises a generally L-shaped backplate  156  whose longer leg portion  156 L comprises a plurality of holes  156 LH formed therethrough for rigidly connecting it to the wall  152  of the floor  154  by fasteners  158  (e.g., screws or nails). The shorter leg portion  156 S extends outwardly from the floor  154  to form a lip (as described in more detail below the lip extends over a plank  160  forming the catwalk). The shorter leg portion  156 S may also comprise plurality of holes  156 SH formed therethrough for rigidly connecting it to the plank  160  by fasteners  158  (e.g., screws or nails). 
         [0095]    The fall protection/catwalk bracket  150  further comprises a T-shaped web member  162  composed of a center web  162 C extending downwardly from a transverse top web  162 T. The T-shaped web member  162  is welded at its ends to the longer leg portion  156 L of the L-shaped backplate  156  to extend outwardly therefrom. 
         [0096]    The upper surface of the top web  162 T of the T-shaped web member  162  functions as a platform on which the plank  160  may rest to form the catwalk. The center web  162 C of the T-shaped web member  162  functions as a mounting plate to which a generally J-shaped bracket  164  of stanchion  166  may be removably connected (see  FIG. 26 ). 
         [0097]    In one embodiment, J-shaped bracket  164  comprises a generally U-shaped configuration composed of generally parallel side members  1645  extending upwardly from opposing sides of a bottom member  164 B. A pair of blind slots  164 BS are formed inwardly from the ends of the bottom member  164 B. 
         [0098]    The center web  162 C of the T-shaped web member  162  comprises downwardly extending tabs  162 CT that are dimensioned to fit into the respective blind slots  164 BS of the bottom web  164 B when the opposing parallel side members  162 S straddle the center web  162 C. Once extended into the slots  164 BS, the tabs  162 CT may be locked into position by fasteners  158  (e.g., nails or screws) inserted into holes  162 H. 
         [0099]    It is noted that segments of angle iron  168  may be welded to the opposing sides of the center web  162 C to take up the play between the opposing parallel side members  162 S and the center web  162 C, thereby minimizing the wobbling of stanchion  166 . It is also noted that for roofing fall-protection applications, a plurality of holes  164 H are formed through the side members  1465  allowing the J-shaped bracket  164  to be connected directly to the roof truss or to a factory-installed bracket such as those described above. 
         [0100]    During installation, as best shown in  FIG. 5 , a plurality of combination fall protection/catwalk brackets  150  are affixed spaced-apart about the peripheral wall  152  of the above-ground deck or floor  154  by the fasteners  158 . For added securement, a slot  174  may be formed in the longer leg portion  156 L close to the bend in the L-shaped backplate  156  so as to be in approximate alignment with the surface of the floor  154 . A nail strap  170  may then be folded over a conventional nail  172  and then inserted into the slot  174  and nailed to the upper surface of the floor  154 . 
         [0101]    Once all the stanchions  166  are connected to their respective combination fall protection/catwalk brackets  150 , the planks  160  may be slid into position onto top web  162 T and under the lip of the shorter leg portion  1565  of the backplate  156 , and fasteners  158  installed. Guard rails  176  may be installed in the stanchions&#39; guard brackets  178  to interconnect the stanchions  166 . As the work on the floor  154  is underway, full fall protection is provided along with a catwalk allowing the workers to work around the floor  154  without stepping on it. 
         [0102]    After the work is completed, the guard rails  176 , stanchions  166  and combination fall protection/catwalk brackets  150  may be easily removed. However, it should be appreciated that the nail strap  170 , if concealed or covered over by carpeting, tile or other floor coverings, may be simply left in place permanently by pulling the nail  172  out from in between the folded-over nail strip  170  allowing the bracket  150  to be removed. 
         [0103]    The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0104]    Now that the invention has been described,