Patent Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for supporting a worker on an upper chord of a roof truss. The apparatus includes a saddle member which is positioned over an installed upper chord of a roof truss and secured thereto to prevent inadvertent movement of the apparatus with respect to the upper chord upon which it is mounted. The apparatus includes a pair of hanger assemblies which are pivotally secured to the saddle member and which extend downwardly therefrom for supporting a pair of footrests thereon. In use, the worker straddles the saddle member and the chord upon which it is mounted with his/her feet resting on the footrests. The footrests may be adjusted to compensate for varying roof pitches.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a worker on an upper chord of a roof truss during the construction of a roof and more particularly to an adjustable apparatus for supporting a worker on an upper chord of a roof truss to compensate for different roof pitches. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    During the construction of a roof which is constructed of a plurality of roof trusses, a worker must attempt to support himself on a previously installed roof truss to position an adjacent roof truss and to nail the same in place at the proper spacing utilizing truss spacers or the like. Previous attempts have been made to provide a portable temporary support for workers installing roof trusses as for example, the US Publication 2008/0022628. Although the support disclosed in the published application does enable a worker to straddle the previously installed roof truss to enable an adjoining roof truss to be installed, the worker must rest his/her lower legs in the gutter or trough members which will become extremely tiring on the worker&#39;s legs and back. Another device for installing or erecting roof trusses is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,722 wherein a pair of supporting devices are utilized. The devices disclosed in the &#39;722 patent do not enable the worker to straddle a roof truss and requires that the worker lean over the previously installed roof truss to reach the adjacent roof truss being installed. 
         [0005]    From the foregoing, it can be seen that there is a definite need to provide an apparatus or device for supporting a worker on an upper chord of a roof truss which is adjustable and which is safe and convenient to use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0007]    An apparatus is disclosed for supporting a worker on an upper chord of a roof truss. The apparatus includes an elongated, channel-shaped saddle member, having upper and lower ends, for embracing the upper chord with the saddle member including a top wall and spaced-apart side walls extending downwardly therefrom. The apparatus also includes an upper hanger assembly which is pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis to the saddle member below the upper end thereof. The apparatus also includes a lower hanger assembly having upper and lower ends with the upper end of the lower hanger assembly being pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to the saddle member adjacent the lower end of the saddle member. The lower ends of the upper and lower hanger assemblies are positioned below the upper chord. 
         [0008]    A first footrest is secured to the upper and lower hanger assemblies and extends therebetween below the chord at one side thereof. A second footrest is secured to the upper and lower hanger assemblies and extends therebetween below the upper chord at the other side thereof. The first and second foot rests, by being positioned on opposite sides of the upper chord enable the worker to straddle the saddle member and the upper chord. The saddle member is selectively secured to the upper chord to prevent the movement of the saddle member with respect to the upper chord. 
         [0009]    In the preferred embodiment, the footrests are adjustably secured to the upper hanger assembly to accommodate different roof pitches. 
         [0010]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus or device for supporting a worker on an upper chord of a roof truss during the erection of a roof comprised of roof trusses. 
         [0011]    A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described which is adjustable to accommodate different roof pitches. 
         [0012]    A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described which includes means for maintaining the apparatus in position relative to the upper chord. 
         [0013]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting a worker on an upper chord of a roof truss wherein the worker straddles the roof truss. 
         [0014]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting a worker on an upper chord of a roof truss which is comfortable and safe to use. 
         [0015]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the worker support or worker support apparatus of this invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the worker support of  FIG. 1  mounted on the upper chord of the roof truss. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view illustrating the adjustability of the foot rests to compensate for various pitches; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a partial exploded perspective view of means for maintaining the worker support on an upper chord of a roof truss; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an end elevational view illustrating the chord gripping means moving into engagement with the upper chord of a roof truss; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  except that the chord gripping means have been forced into the upper chord of the roof truss; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates the manner in which a worker uses two of the apparatuses of this invention during the erection of a roof utilizing roof trusses. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0025]    In the drawings, the numeral  10  refers to the worker support or worker support apparatus of this invention which is designed to be used with an upper chord  12  of a roof truss  14  during erection of a roof utilizing roof trusses. Support  10  includes an elongated channel-shaped saddle member  16  which is preferably comprised of a suitable metal material such as steel, or the like. Saddle member  16  includes a top wall  18  and side walls  20  and  22  extending downwardly therefrom. For purposes of description, saddle member  16  will be described as having an upper end  24  and a lower end  26 . 
         [0026]    The numeral  28  refers to a lower hanger assembly  28  which is comprised of a tube or collar  30  welded or otherwise secured to the top wall  18  of saddle member  16  adjacent the lower end thereof and which has a bolt  32  received therein. The upper ends of angular members  34  and  36  are pivotally secured to  1 the bolt  32  at the ends of tube  30  respectively. As seen in the drawings, the lower ends of the angular members  34  and  36  are located below the upper chord  12 . As also seen in the drawings, the hanger members  34  and  36  are positioned outwardly of the side walls of the saddle member  16  so as to be positioned on opposite sides of the upper chord  12 . 
         [0027]    The numeral  38  refers to an upper hanger assembly which includes a collar or tube  40  which is welded or otherwise secured to the top wall  18  of saddle member  16  at a location above the lower hanger assembly  28 . The upper ends of hanger members  42  and  44  are pivotally secured to the collar  40  by means of the bolt  46  extending therethrough. The lower ends of hanger members  42  and  44  are provided with a plurality of vertically spaced openings  48  and  50  formed therein respectively to provide an adjustment for roofs of various pitches as will be described hereinafter. A plurality of cups retainers  52  or storage units are secured to the hanger members  42  and  44  to provide for the convenient storage of various tools which are employed by the worker. 
         [0028]    The numeral  54  refers to a footrest including a top surface  56  and an inner wall  58  which extends downwardly therefrom. Preferably, the outer side of footrest  54  includes a flange or outer wall  60 . One end of inner wall  58  is secured to hanger member  34  by a pair of bolts  62  and  64 . The other end of inner wall  58  has a bolt  66  extending therethrough and through one of the openings  48  in hanger member  42  of upper hanger assembly  38 . The bolt  66  may be placed in various of the openings  48  to accommodate for various roof pitches so that the top  1 surface  56  of footrest  54  remains substantially horizontal regardless of the roof pitch. 
         [0029]    A footrest  68  including an upper surface  70  is similarly secured to the hanger members  36  and  44  as was just described with respect to footrest  54 . The top wall  18  of saddle member  16  is provided with a pair of spaced-apart keyhole slots  71  and  72  formed therein adapted to receive nails therein to selectively removably attach the saddle member  16  to the upper chord  12  as will be described in more detail hereinafter. 
         [0030]    A pair of spaced-apart ears  74  and  76  are secured to sides  20  and  22  of saddle member  16  by any convenient means such as welding or the like and have a bolt  78  extending therebetween as seen in  FIG. 2 . Collar  80  is positioned between the ears  74  and  76  and rotatably receives a bolt  78  extending therethrough. Actuator rod or handle  82  has its lower end welded or otherwise secured to collar  80  and extends upwardly as illustrated in the drawings. The upper end of handle  82  has a forwardly extending upper end portion  84 . 
         [0031]    Plate  86  is welded to the top wall  18  of saddle member  16  adjacent the upper end thereof and has a vertically disposed slot  88  formed therein. Plate  86  also has openings  90 ,  92  and  94  formed therein. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the sidewalls  20  and  22  of saddle member  16  have elongated slots  96  and  98  formed therein respectively. Slot  96  is positioned between laterally extending plates  100  and  102  while slot  98  is positioned between plates  104  and  106 . 
         [0032]    The numeral  108  refers to a chord gripper having an opening  110  in one lend thereof, a slot  112  formed therein the intermediate ends thereof and an arcuate slot  114 . Gripper  108  also includes a tooth portion  116 . The numeral  118  refers to a second chord gripper having an opening  119  at one end thereof, a slot  120  intermediate the ends thereof and an arcuate slot  122 , as best seen in  FIG. 4 . Gripper  118  also includes a tooth portion  124 . 
         [0033]    Bolt  126  extends through arcuate slot  114  of gripper  108 , through opening  119  of gripper  118  and through opening  94  in plate  86 . Nut  128  secures the bolt  126  in position. Bolt  130  extends through arcuate slot  122  of gripper  118 , through opening  110  in gripper  108  and through opening  90  in plate  86 . Nut  132  secures  130  in place. The end portion  84  of handle  82  extends through slot  112  in gripper  108 , through slot  120  in gripper  118  and through slot  88  in plate  86 . 
         [0034]    The numeral  134  refers to a locking plate having an opening  136  at its upper end and an arcuate recess portion  138  formed in its lower end. Plate  134  is positioned adjacent the upper end of plate  86  and bolt  140  extends through opening  136  in plate  134  and through opening  92  in plate  86  and which is held in place by nut  142 . 
         [0035]    When the end portion  84  of handle  82  is in its upper position as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the teeth  116  and  124  of grippers  108  and  118  are not in engagement with the upper chord  12  as will be described in more detail hereinafter. When the end portion  84  of handle  82  is in its lower position as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the grippers  108  and  118  have been pivoted from the position of  FIG. 5  to the position of  FIG. 6  so that the teeth  116  and  124  have been driven into or forced into the upper chord  12  to securely maintain the saddle member  16  in position on the upper chord. When the plate  134  is in the locked position of  FIG. 6 , the recessed portion  138  thereof engages the end portion  84  of handle  82  to lock the teeth in their penetrating or piercing position of  FIG. 6 . When the plate  134  is in the position of  FIG. 5 , the handle  82  is not in its locked position. 
         [0036]    The method of using the apparatus of this invention will now be described. Normally, the end roof truss  14  on a roof being erected will be installed in conventional fashion. After the end roof truss has been erected, the apparatus  10  will be mounted on the chord  12  of that erected roof truss. Prior to mounting the apparatus  10  on the chord  12 , the locking plate  134  will be moved to its unlocked position so that the handle  82  may be moved to its uppermost position so that the hooks  116  and  124  do not protrude objectionably into the interior of the saddle member  16 . The saddle member  16  is then positioned on the end of the truss so that the upper chord  12  is received within the saddle member  16 . If not previously done so, a pair of nails will be driven into the upper end of the chord  12  so that the heads thereof may be received in the keyhole slots  71  and  72  with the saddle member  16  then being moved slightly downwardly so that the shanks of the nails are received within the narrow portion of the slots  71  and  72 . The handle  82  will then be moved downwardly from its uppermost position to its lower locked position which causes the grippers  108  and  118  to be pivotally moved so that the teeth  116  and  124  thereof will pierce or penetrate the sides of the chord  12 . The locking plate  134  is then pivotally moved to its locking position so that the recess  138  receives the end portion  84  of the handle  82  to lock the handle  82  in its lowermost position. 
         [0037]    The worker will then straddle the saddle member  16  and place his/her feet on the footrests  54  and  68  respectively. The footrests  54  and  68  will have been previously adjusted with respect to the upper hanger assembly  38  so that the footrests will be in a generally horizontally disposed position. The next adjacent roof truss will then be moved into the roof area and the worker, while straddling the saddle member  16 , will guide the roof truss into position adjacent to the roof truss which the worker is straddling. When the roof truss is in position, the worker will nail truss spacers to the previously installed truss and the truss just being installed. When the roof truss has been nailed into place, the worker will take another or a second apparatus  10  and place the same onto the most recently installed roof truss and secure it into position. The worker will then step from the apparatus  10  which he/she used to install the next truss and step onto the footrests of the second apparatus  10 . The worker will then guide the next roof truss into position, while standing on the second apparatus  10  and nail that into place. When the next roof truss has been nailed into place, the worker will then remove the first apparatus  10  from its associated upper chord and place the same onto the newly installed roof truss. The first apparatus  10  is released from its associated chord  12  by pivoting the locking plate  134  out of its locking position so that the handle  82  may be raised which will cause the grippers  108  and  118  to disengage from the chord  12 . The apparatus will then be moved slidably upwardly with respect to the chord  12  so that the heads of the nails in the slots  71  and  72  will register with the enlarged portions thereof so that the saddle  16  may be raised and disengaged from the chord  12 . The process is repeated until all of the roof trusses are erected. 
         [0038]    Thus it can be seen that a novel apparatus has been provided for supporting a working on an upper chord of a roof truss with the apparatus being adjusted to compensate for roof trusses of different pitches. The apparatus of this invention is convenient and safe to use primarily due to the fact that the worker is straddling the upper chord on which the apparatus  10  is mounted. Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes all of its stated objectives. 
         [0039]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4