Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to teach people about roof safety and more particularly to a transportable, trailer mounted, roof for training and teaching people about roof safety. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Roofers, insurance adjusters, home inspectors, and other professionals that work on roofs, in particular sloped roofs, are at risk of serious bodily harm when they are not safely trained to work on roofs and when they do not practice safe roof working procedures. Initial and follow-up training are important to keep people safe when working on roofs. In addition to classroom safety instruction and printed material, actual demonstrations and supervised practice of roof safety techniques help to properly train professions to safely work on roof tops. 
     The demonstration portion of training currently includes training on flat ground that lacks the inclined plane of a roof, using a steep surface on the ground or taking trainees onto actual roof structures high above the ground where new trainees are at risk of falling if they have not mastered safe roof techniques. 
     Some roof working professionals may go weeks or months without stepping on a roof and may forget their training. For example, some insurance adjusters may only inspect roofs during storm seasons and may never step on a roof between storm seasons. Many insurance adjustors may also travel long distances to visit storm damaged areas. Roof safety instructors will also travel to the storm damaged areas where they will try to find a suitable roof or other structure to train insurance adjusters in roof safety techniques. 
     The subject matter discussed in the Background section is not necessarily prior art and should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its discussion in the Background section. Along these lines, any recognition of problems in the prior art discussed in Background section or associated with such subject matter should not be treated as prior art unless expressly stated to be prior art. Instead, the discussion of any subject matter in the Background section should be treated as part of the inventor&#39;s approach to the particular problem, which in and of itself may also be inventive. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a transportable roof safety training system with a trailer including a movable roof platform is provided which allows for mobile training of professionals who work on roofs. The transportable roof safety training system includes a roof platform mounted to a trailer. The roof platform may have an anti-slip coating on its upper surface and may be movable from a stowed position that has a low resistance to wind to one or more inclined positions that mimic the slope of a roof. A lift moves the roof between the various positions. 
     In one or more embodiments, the transportable roof safety training system may include a trailer frame that has a front end and a rear end. A trailer bed may be attached to the trailer frame. The trailer may also include at least one wheeled axle and a hitch coupled to the front end of the trailer frame and configured to couple to a trailer hitch. 
     The training system may also include a platform including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first end rotatably coupled to the second portion and a second end rotatably coupled to the trailer. Roofing material may be mounted to an upper surface of the platform. The system may also include a lift having a fixed end coupled to the trailer bed and a lifting end coupled to the first portion of the platform. 
     In one or more embodiments a portable roof includes a trailer having at least one axle with rotatable wheels. The portable roof may also include a hitch coupler, the hitch coupler coupleable to a trailer hitch of a vehicle. The portable roof also includes a platform having an anti-slip upper surface and a lift coupled to the trailer and coupled to the platform, the lift configured to raise at least a portion of the platform to an inclined position. 
     By using a transportable roof safety training system, a roof safety instructor may quickly and easily transport the system to storm damaged locations to provide roof safety instruction and training on a realistic roof in a less dangerous environment as compared to using a roof on a building. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like labels refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The shapes of various elements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale either, and some of these elements are enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, each particular shape and positioning of an element as drawn is not intended to convey that said illustrated shape and position is the actual and only shape and position of the particular element; instead, said shapes and positions have been selected for ease of recognition in the drawings. One or more embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a transportable roof safety training system according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a detail view of a hinge of a transportable roof safety training system according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of a roller stop of a transportable roof safety training system according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 3B  is a detailed view of an engaged roller stop of a transportable roof safety training system according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a lift system according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a transportable roof safety training system according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a transportable roof safety training system according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a transportable roof safety training system according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of a transportable roof safety training system  10 . The transportable roof safety training system  10  includes a platform  105  mounted to a trailer  20 . The trailer  20  includes a trailer frame  15  with axles  115  mounted to a bottom of the frame  15 . Wheels  110  are rotatably coupled to the axles  115 . A front end  102  of the trailer  20  includes a trailer hitch coupler  101  that is configured to couple the transportable roof safety training system  10  to a vehicle. 
     The trailer  20  may also include stabilizing devices, such as jacks  112  for leveling and stabilizing the transportable roof safety training system  10  during use. The transportable roof safety training system  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  includes four jacks  112 . Two jacks  112  are located on the near side of the trailer  20 , one at the front end  102  of the trailer  20  and one at a rear end  104  of the trailer  20 . Two additional jacks are located on the far side of the trailer  20 , one at the front end  102  of the trailer  20  and one at the rear end  104  of the trailer  20  (not shown). 
     The jacks  112  depicted in  FIG. 1  are in an extended position so that they level and stabilize the transportable roof safety training system  10 . The transportable roof safety training system  10  and, in particular, the trailer  20 , should be level to reduce the likelihood of the system tipping during use. For example, when the platform  105  is in a raised position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a user  140  walking on an unleveled trailer  20  may cause the trailer  20  to tip over if his body approaches a side of the trailer  20  because the user&#39;s weight may shift the center of gravity of the transportable roof safety training system  10  such that it tips over. By using jacks  112  to level the transportable roof safety training system  10  the weight of the user  140  remains over the trailer  20  and reduces the likelihood of the system  10  tipping over. 
     In addition to reducing the risk of tipping, leveling the trailer  20  and the transportable roof safety training system  10  allows the platform  105  to remain level from one side to the other such that the slope of the plane of a second portion  106  of the platform  105  is in one direction, for example sloping from the front of the trailer  20  to the back of the trailer  20 . This sort of slope more closely simulates the slope of most roofs that slope in only one direction. 
     While in transport, the jacks  112  may be retracted such that they do not interfere with the movement of the transportable roof safety training system  10 . In some embodiments, the jacks  112  may also rotate from the vertical arrangement shown in  FIG. 1  to a horizontal arrangement. In some embodiments, the jacks may be removably coupled to the trailer  20  such that during transport the jacks  112  are decoupled from the trailer  20  and may be stowed for transport. 
     The trailer  20  and frame  15  may include a bed  103  that forms the base of the trailer  20 . The frame  15  may also include sidewalls  17  that extend outward from the bed  103 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sidewalls  17  extend upward and perpendicular to the plane of the bed  103 . 
     The transportable roof safety training system  10  also includes a platform  105 . The platform  105 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a first portion  107  and a second portion  106  rotatably coupled to each other via a hinge  118 . The first portion  107  may be at the front end of the transportable roof safety training system  10  while the second portion  106  may be at the back end of the transportable roof safety training system  10 . The hinge  118  allows the first portion  107  and second portion  106  to rotate relative to each other during the raising and lowering process, as discussed below. 
     The first portion  107  of the platform may slide on a track  124  or some other portion of the trailer frame  15  during the raising and lowering process. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a first end of the first portion  107  is rotatably coupled to the second portion  106  and a second end of the first portion includes a roller  120 , which may be a wheel that engages with the sidewall  17  of the trailer  20  and supports the second end of the first portion  107 . The roller  120  also facilitates movement and rotation of the first portion relative to the trailer sidewall  17  during the process of raising and lowering the platform  105 . 
     The transportable roof safety training system  10  also includes a stop  125 . The stop  125  aids in locking the position of the second end of the first portion  107  to the sidewall  17  of the trailer  20 . The stop  125  resists movement of the second end of the first portion  107  of the platform  105  and helps in preventing the platform from moving or changing position while a user  140  is using the transportable roof safety training system  10 . The stop  125  is discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     A first end of the second portion  106  of the platform  105  is rotatably coupled to the first portion  107  of the platform  105  while the second end of the second portion  106  is rotatably coupled to the trailer  20 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the second end of the second portion  106  is rotatably coupled to an upper end of the sidewall  17  via a hinge  116 . The hinge  116  allows the platform to rotate relative to the trailer during the process of raising and lowering the platform  105 . The hinge  116  is discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     The platform  105  may include a support structure  128 . The support structure  128  includes a frame  129  that takes the place of trusses or rafters in a real roof. The frame  129  supports sheathing  130  that forms the flat surface of the platform. The sheathing  130  may be plywood, other wood material, or metal. The top surface of the sheathing  130  may be covered with anti-slip material  132 , such as an anti-slip coating or roofing shingles. Generally speaking, a material having “anti-slip” properties may be any material that resists a person standing or moving on the material from slipping. For example, any type of roofing shingles (e.g., asphalt shingles, cedar shingles, rubber shingles, metal shingles, and the like) or any other roofing material at all may be considered herein to be an anti-slip material, an anti-slip surface, an anti-slip coating, or a material having anti-slip properties. 
     The anti-slip material  132  allows the user  140  to securely place his feet on the surface  131  of the platform  105  during use. The user  140  is also secured via a safety system that may include a rope  114 , a harness  142 , couplings  191 , knots  192 , and a trailer attachment point  402  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     The user may wear the safety harness  142  while using the transportable roof safety training system  10 . Any suitable harness may be used. The harness  142  may be a half-body, waist, or pelvic harness as depicted in  FIG. 1  or may be a full body harness or a combination of a half-body harness and a chest harness. 
     The harness  142  is coupled to the rope  114  via a coupling  191  or a knot  192 , or both. The coupling  191  may be a carabineer or a belay device, such as a  FIG. 8 , a stitch plate, a tubular device, or other suitable belay device. The knots may include a  FIG. 8  knot, a bowline, munter hitch, or other suitable knot. 
     If using a belay device or a munter hitch in combination with a carabineer, the user  140  may use the rope  114  to support himself in many different positions on the platform  105  and demonstrate the safety procedures used for walking up and down and otherwise working on a roof. 
     The transportable roof safety training system  10  may also include a hinge cover  126 . The hinge cover  126  helps to protect the rope  114  and aids in preventing pinching while raising or lowering the platform  105 . 
     The rope  114 , being secured at the front end of the trailer  20  is routed up and over the first portion  107  of the platform  105  and also over the hinge  118  and then back down the second portion  106  of the platform  105  to the user  140 . The rope  114  may lie on or contact the ends of the first and second portions  106 ,  107  of the platform  105  near the hinge  118 . During use, contact with the platform  105  may cause abrasion and wear on the rope  114  which can weaken the rope  114  and shorten its useful life. The hinge cover  126 , which may include padding material such as closed cell foam covered by water resistant material, for example, tarpaulin, cushions the edges of the platform  105  and reduces the amount of abrasion and wear on the rope  114  as compared to a system that does not have a hinge cover  126 . 
     By covering the hinge, the hinge cover  126  also aids in preventing pinching of a user&#39;s hands or other body parts and equipment during the raising and lower processes. 
     To demonstrate the various methods of safely working on roofs of different pitches, the transportable roof safety training system  10  can adjust the angle or inclination of the first and second portions  107 ,  106  of the platform  105 . A lift  108  is used to raise and lower the platform  105  and adjust the pitch of the first and second portions  107 ,  106 . The lift  108  includes a fixed end  109  that is coupled to the trailer bed  103 , the trailer frame  15 , or otherwise coupled to the trailer  20 , and a lifting end  111  that is coupled to the platform  105 . 
     The lift  108  may be an electrical, hydraulic, or manual lift. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the lift  108  is a hydraulic lift that uses an electrically powered hydraulic motor to extend and retract a hydraulic piston system to raise and lower the platform  105 . The lift  108  and the components of a lift system  200  are described in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of the hinge  116 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the hinge  116  rotatably couples the second portion  106  of the platform  105  to the frame  15  of the trailer  20 . The hinge  116  includes a hinge frame  164  that is attached to the trailer frame  15 , for example by welding or bolting the frame  164  of the hinge  116  to the frame  15  of the trailer  20 . The hinge  116  also includes a knuckle  162  attached to the platform  105 . The knuckle  162  rotates about a pin  160  that is coupled to the hinge frame  164 . 
     The hinge  116  shown in  FIG. 2  is one example of a hinge for rotatably coupling the platform  105  to the trailer  20 . Other types of hinges, such as butt hinges, strap hinges, or other hinges may be used to rotatably couple the platform  105  to the trailer  20 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows an exploded view of one non-limiting embodiment of a stop  125  and other associated parts of the transportable roof safety training system  10 . The roller  120  supports the second portion  107  of the platform  105  on a track  124 . The roller  120  may have a V-shaped profile that may engage with the track  124 . In some embodiments, the track  124  may have a triangular profile that mates with the V-shaped profile of the roller  120 . When the roller  120  is free to move, for example. when not locked in place with a stop  125 , the roller  120  rolls along the track  124  as the platform  105  is raised and lowered between various positions. 
     When the platform  105  is in a desired position, a user may install the stop  125  to lock the platform  105  in place and resist movement of the platform  105 . Locking the platform  105  in place with the stop  125  increases the safety of using the transportable roof safety training system  10 . For example, although the platform  105  may be supported by the lift  108 , should the lift  108  fail while a user  140  is using the transportable roof safety training system  10 , for example, if a hydraulic hose ruptures, the stop  125  can support the platform  105  and prevent it from moving. 
     The stop  125  includes several parts, a fastening plate  154  with associated fasteners  155 , a stop plate  152  with apertures  158  to receive the fastener  155 , fasteners  153  that engage with the fasteners  155  and a cover member  159  that covers the wheel  120 . The frame  15  of the trailer  20  may also include apertures  156  for receiving the fastener  155 . 
     To secure the roller  120  with the stop  125 , the platform  105  is positioned such that the roller  120  is between two adjacent frame apertures  156  on a flange  127 . Although the transportable roof safety training system  10  is depicted as having frame apertures  156  that are spaced further apart from each other than the diameter of the roller  120 , in some embodiments, the frame apertures  156  may be spaced closer together. In such an embodiments, the roller  120  is placed between two frame apertures  156 , but the two frame apertures  156  may not be adjacent to each other. 
     Once the roller  120  is between two apertures  156 , the fastening plate  154  is placed beneath the flange  127  and aligned with the apertures  156 . In some embodiments, during alignment of the fastening plate  154  with the apertures  156 , the fasteners  155  are placed through the apertures  156 . In some embodiments, the fastening plate  154  may, itself, include apertures that are aligned with apertures  156  in the flange  127 . In such embodiments, the fasteners  155  are placed through both the apertures in the fastening plate and the apertures  156  in the flange  127 . The fasteners  155  may be bolts or another suitable fastening mechanism. 
     The stop plate  152  is aligned with the apertures  156  and also with the roller  120 . Aligning the stop plate  152  with the apertures  156  may include aligning the apertures  158  of the stop plate  152  with the apertures  156 . In some embodiments, the stop plate  152 , rather than having apertures  158  may include fasteners. In such an embodiment, the fasteners are aligned with and inserted into the frame apertures  156 . 
     To align the stop plate  152  with the roller  120 , the cover member  159  is aligned with the roller  120 . The wheel cover may include a notch  151  and cover member  159 . In such embodiment, the notch  151  is placed around the roller  120 . In particular, the perimeter of the notch  151  extends in front of and behind the roller  120  such that movement in either direction along the track  124  causes the roller to contact the perimeter of the notch  151  which resists further movement of the roller  120 . The cover member  159  is configured to extend over at least a portion of the roller  120 . By extending over at least a portion of the roller  120 , the cover member  159  aids in preventing the roller  120  from rising up off the track  124  and escaping the stop  125 . In some embodiments, the cover member  159  extends from a first edge of the perimeter of the notch  151  to a second edge of the perimeter of the notch  151 , enclosing the top portion of the roller  120 . 
     With the stop plate  152  and fastening plate  154  aligned with the frame apertures  156  and the roller  120 , the fasteners  153  can be coupled to the fasteners  155  to fix the stop  125  to the trailer  20  and secure the platform  105  in position. The fasteners  155  may be bolts, such as shoulder bolts, and the fasteners  153  may be nuts, such as wing nuts. 
     In some embodiments, rather than using fasteners  155  attached to or through apertures in the fastening plate  154 , the fasteners  155  may be placed directly through the apertures  156  in the frame  20  and the apertures  158  of the stop plate  152  without using a fastening plate  154 . 
       FIG. 3B  shows a detailed view of the stop  125  securing the roller  120  and the first portion  107  of the platform  105  to the trailer  20 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a diagram of an embodiment of a lift system  200 . The lift system  200  includes a power supply  202 , a controller  204 , a lift  108 , and motor  210 , which may also include a pump, and a hydraulic reservoir  212 . The power supply  202  may be an electrical power source, such as a battery, generator, or vehicle alternator. The power supply  202  provides power to the motor  210 . The motor  210  may include a hydraulic pump that is in fluid communication with the hydraulic reservoir  212 . A controller  204 , which may be a hand controller, includes one or more switches  205  to control the operation of the motor  210 . For example a first switch of the one or more switches  205  may cause the motor  210  and associated pump to operate in a first direction whereby hydraulic fluid is pumped out of the pump at orifice  213 , through hydraulic line  218  and into orifice  214  of an actuator  113  of the lift  108 . 
     The lift  108  includes a fixed end  109  that may be coupled to the trailer  20  and a lifting end  111  that is coupled to the platform  105 . The lift  108  may also include an actuator  113 . The actuator  113  includes a first end coupled to the fixed end  109  of the lift  108  and a second end that is coupled to the lifting end  111  of the lift  108 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the actuator  113  is a hydraulic actuator and the first end is a rod attached to a piston and the second end is a barrel or cylinder. 
     Pumping hydraulic fluid into orifice  214  fills the lower end of the barrel, forces the piston up, causing the rod to extend and lift the lifting end  111  of the lift  108 , thereby causing the attached platform, such as platform  105  to move. As the piston and rod move, hydraulic fluid is forced out of the upper end of the actuator  113  and back into the pump or the reservoir  212  via line  219  and orifice  215 . 
     Pushing a second switch of the one or more switches  205  of the controller  204  may cause the motor  210  and pump to operate in a second direction whereby hydraulic fluid is pumped out of the pump at orifice  215 , through hydraulic line  219  and into orifice  216 . Pumping hydraulic fluid into orifice  216  fills the upper end of the barrel and forces the piston down and causes the rod to retract and lower the lifting end  111  of the lift  108 , thereby causing the attached platform  105  move. As the piston and rod move, hydraulic fluid is forced out of the lower end of the actuator  113  and back into the pump or the reservoir  212 . 
     Other types of lift systems may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the actuator may be a mechanical actuator, such as ball screw, lead screw, screw jack, or other actuator. 
     Although the control  204  is depicted as wired, in some embodiments, the control  204  may be wireless. 
       FIG. 5  shows the transportable roof safety training system  10  in a transport configuration. The platform  105  is in a substantially flat position on the trailer  20  and the trailer hitch coupler  101  is coupled to a trailer hitch on a towing vehicle  300 . In this configuration the towing vehicle  300  may transport the transportable roof safety training system  10  to, from, or between training locations. 
     To transition from a training configuration, such as shown in  FIG. 1 , to a transport configuration, such as shown in  FIG. 5 , the stop  125  is removed to allow the roller  120  and the platform  105  to move. The lift system  200  is activated to cause the lift  108  to move such that the lifting end  111  of the lift moves downward and the platform  105  transitions from an inclined position, such as shown in  FIG. 1 , to a transport position, which may be a substantially flat position, as shown in  FIG. 5 . When the platform is in the transport position the stop  125  may be coupled to hold the platform in the transport position. 
     The jacks  112  may be retracted or removed from the frame  20  and the hitch coupler  101  can be coupled to a trailer hitch of the towing vehicle  300 . 
     Similar steps may be carried out to transition the transportable roof safety training system  10  from a transport configuration, for example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , to a training configuration, for example, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The jacks  112  may be attached to the frame  20  and extended to level the transportable roof safety training system  10  and the hitch coupler  101  can be decoupled from the trailer hitch of the towing vehicle  300 . 
     If a stop  125  was installed to hold the platform  105  in the transport position, then the stop  125  can be removed. Once the stop is removed, the lift system  200  may be activated to transition the platform  105  from the transport position to a training position, for example, as shown in  FIG. 6 . During the transition, the roller  120  may roll along the track  124  until the roller  120  is positioned between frame apertures  156  at which point the stop may be installed to lock the platform in the training position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , as compared to  FIG. 1 , the platform  105  is positioned at a steeper angle to aid in training users in how to work on steep roofs. Using a trailer  20  with multiple frame apertures  156  (see  FIG. 3A ) allows the installation of the stop  125  in multiple different positions which, in turn, allows the platform to be held in place at multiple different angles. 
       FIG. 7  shows a front view of the transportable roof safety training system  10  and the system for attaching the rope  114  to the trailer  20 . The rope  114  is coupled to an attachment point  402  on the trailer  20  via a coupling  404  or a knot  406 , or both. The coupling  404  may be a carabineer or a belay device, such as a  FIG. 8 , a stitch plate, a tubular device, or other suitable belay device. The knots may include a  FIG. 8  knot, a bowline, munter hitch, or other suitable knot. 
     In some embodiments, for example, when the user  140  is attached to the rope  114  via a belay device or belay knot, the other end of the rope  114  may be attached to the attachment point with a fixed knot, such as a  FIG. 8  or a bowline. In some embodiments, an instructor may wish to belay the user  140 . In such an embodiment, the user  140  may be attached to the rope with a fixed knot while the other end of the rope  114  is attached to the trailer with a belay device or belay knot, such as a munter hitch. 
     Although the platform  105  is depicted as having two portions, in some embodiments the platform  105  may have a single portion with a first end attached to the trailer via a hinge  116 . In such an embodiment the lift  108  may hold the platform in position during use. 
     The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to provide yet further embodiments. 
     These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Technology Category: 3