AU2008100254B4 - Domed mounting plate - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION SPECIFICATION APPLICANT: Roland Stephen Voss NUMBER: FILING DATE: INVENTION TITLE: DOMED MOUNTING PLATE The invention is described in the following statement: - DOMED MOUNTING PLATE Field of the Invention The invention relates to fall protection and arrest systems and associated components, and in particular, to a versatile and multi-purpose domed mounting plate which provides a means of securing either an eyebolt type fall arrest roof anchor or a static line intermediate bracket to a roof surface. The invention features a unique design whereby the domed mounting plate can accommodate any roofing profile or configuration. While the invention may be applied to other components of the respective fall arrest or static line systems which are required to be. permanently attached to a roof surface, for convenience sake, the invention shall be described herein In terms of a domed mounting plate for securing an eyebolt type roof anchor, or an intermediate bracket to a roof surface. Background to the Invention Most fall protection and arrest systems employ the use of roof anchor points, mounting plates and/or static lines, for enabling a person to secure himself to safety components in order to protect himself in the event of a fall situation. These systems generally comprise a combination of cable supports and/or other safety components, which are adapted to be secured across a roof surface for receiving safety restraint hamess gear coupled thereto, The cable supports generally consist of different types of eye bolt anchors and/or vertical devices with hook portions, while nunierous and various designs of mounting plates have been developed for specific applications. However, each of these systems and components are only suitable for Installation on particular roof profiles and in limited configurations and applications, while offering varying and sometimes Inadequate fall arrest load ratings and shock absorption characteristics. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art, by providing a versatile and multipurpose domed mounting plate which can be fitted to a new roof, or retro-fitted to an existing roof having any profile or configuration. Furthermore, which provides a means for enabling a person to secure himself to either a fall arrest anchor point or static line system via safety restraint harness gear, and ensures adequate protection and excellent shock absorption In a fall arrest situation. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a versatile and multi-purpose domed mounting plate including: an integral base portion having a plurality of mounting points adapted to secure the domed mounting plate to a roof surface having any profile or configuration; and an integral domed portion whereby the domed mounting plate provides a means of securing either an eyebolt type fall arrest roof anchor, or a static line intermediate bracket. The mounting points are preferably positioned in a unique series of rows so that the domed mounting plate can be attached to the roof surface on both sides, using the appropriate apertures to suit each particular roofing profile. The unique pro-formed domed portion is preferably In the form of a hemispherical shape, which is raised concentrically from the base portion of the mounting plate, to provide uniform load distribution, deformation and shock absorption In a fall arrest situation. Moreover, to provide clearance from the roofing profile and a flat surface for securing the fall arrest components. In a first preferred embodiment, the domed mounting plate further includes an eyebolt type roof anchor, which is adapted to be secured to the upper surface and to receive a safety restraint harness attachment device therethrough. In a second preferred embodiment, the domed mounting plate further includes an intermediate bracket, which is adapted to be secured to the upper surface and to receive a static line cable therethrough. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, we will describe by way of non-limiting examples specific emboo, nents thereof, -4 Brief Description of the Drawing Figures Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the domed mounting plate according to a first preferred embodiment of the Invention for securing an eyebolt type fall arrest roof anchor. Figure 2 shows a side view of the domed mounting plate according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for securing an eyebolt type fall arrest roof anchor. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the domed mounting plate according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention for securing a static line intermediate bracket. Figure 4 shows a side view of the domed mounting plate according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for securing a static line Intermediate bracket. Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the invention Figures 1 to 4 show a unique pre-formed domed mounting plate according to preferred embodiments of the invention. In a first preferred embodiment applied to a fall arrest safety system, the present invention features a domed mounting plate 1 which provides a means of securing a roof anchor to a roof surface, and incorporates a unique design for accommodating any roofing profile or configuration. The invention shall be described herein in terms of mounting an eyebolt type fall arrest roof anchor to a substantially flat and/or sloped pitch roof surface or steel deck. However, it is envisaged that the invention may also be mounted overhead where required, and/or adapted to attach any other compatible component of a fall arrest system to the roof surface. It is envisaged that the shape and/or dimensions, style and/or features of the domed mounting plate and/or its components may be varied as required to suit different roof anchors and/or other applications.

The domed mounting plate 1 Is preferably made of a metal material such as austenitic stainless steel. However, it is envisaged that any other suitable material may be adopted provided that it is strong and robust, durable and resilient, weather resistant and non-corrosIve, and meets the requirements of the invention for outdoor applications. The domed mounting plate I is preferably rectangular or square in shape with a uniform perimeter. However, it is envisaged that any other suitable shape and perimeter may also be adopted. The domed mounting plate 1 has an Integral base portion 10 which is preferably adapted to be secured to the roof surface for attaching the fall arrest system eyebolt type roof anchor 24. The base portion 10 is preferably substantially flat to suit a roof having any profile or configuration on which these components and systems may be specified, to ensure that the mounting plate fits flush and is held securely on the roof surface, and to limit flexing in the interface between the mounting plate and roofing profile. The base portion 10 has provided a plurality of mounting points 11 which are preferably in the form of precision punched apertures. The mounting points 11 are preferably provided on both sides of the domed mounting plate 1, to ensure adequate securing of the mounting plate to the roof surface and to provide a strong form of attachment for the roof anchor 24. In a preferred embodiment of the invention there are preferably provided a plurality of mounting points 11 positioned in a unique configuration, so that the domed mounting plate 1 can accommodate a roof having any profile or configuration. The mounting points 11 are preferably positioned in a series of rows so that the domed mounting plate 1 can be attached to the roof surface on both sides, using the appropriate apertures to suit each particular roofing profile. The domed mounting plate 1 may preferably be attached to the roof using rivet sets or other suitable fixings or fasteners, which are adapted to be received through the mounting points 11. The domed mounting plate 1 preferably has provided an integral precision formed central domed portion 20, raised to provide adequate clearance between the roof surface and the fall arrest components attached thereto. The upper surface 22 of the domed portion 20 is preferably adapted in width and height to provide an attachment for the eyebolt type roof anchor 24, mounted through a central hole 23 and secured using a long lock nut and standard nut set 21.

The integral domed portion 20 is preferably In the form of a hemispherical shape which Is raised concentrically from the base portion 10 of the domed mounting plate 1. The domed portion 20 is preferably adapted to be positioned centrally of the domed mounting plate 1, such that the base portion 10 will surround the perimeter of the domed portion 20. The unique design of the hemispherical precision formed concentric dome provides excellent dynamic load distribution and metal deformation characteristics, combining inherent strength with uniform shock absorption, in a fall arrest situation. In a second preferred embodiment applied to a static line system, the shape and dimensions, style and features of the domed mounting plate 1 are identical to that described above for a fall arrest system. However, the eyebolt type roof anchor 24, long lock nut and standard nut set 21 are replaced with an Intermediate bracket 30 mounted through the central hole 23 of the domed portion 20, and secured using a set screw 34 therethrough. The intermediate bracket 30 Is preferably in the form of an upright ninety degree support having an integral upper portion 31 and lower portion 32. The lower portion 32 preferably has provided a slotted hole 33 which is adapted to receive a screw set 34 or bolt, in order to secure the intermediate bracket 30 to the top of the domed mounting plate 1. The upper portion 31 preferably has provided an Integral tubular guide 35 which is adapted to receive a static line cable therethrough. While we have described herein two particular embodiments of the unique pre formed domed mounting plate 1, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications can be made without changing the various components described herein, or departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims (5)

1. A versatile and multipurpose domed mounting plate including: 5 an integral base portion having a plurality of mounting points adapted to secure the domed mounting plate to a roof surface having any profile or configuration; and an integral rigid domed portion whereby the domed mounting plate provides a 10 means of securing fall arrest components such as either an eyebolt type fall arrest roof anchor, or a static line intermediate bracket.

2. A domed mounting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting points are positioned in a series of rows on either side of the integral domed portion 15 so that the domed mounting plate can be attached to the roof surface on both sides, using the mounting points in the form of appropriate aperturesto suit each particular roofing profile.

3. A domed mounting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the integral domed 20 portion is in the form of a substantially hemispherical shape, which is raised concentrically from a flat base plate forming the integral base portion and to provide clearance from the roofing profile for securing the fall arrest components and to provide uniform load distribution, deformation and shock absorption in a fall arrest situation,. 25

4. A domed mounting plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the domed mounting plate further includes secured fall arrest components such as either an eyebolt type roof anchor which is adapted to be secured to the upper surface and to receive a safety restraint harness attachments device 30 therethrough, or an intermediate bracket which is adapted to be secured to the upper surface and receive a static line cable therethrough.

5, A versatile and multipurpose domed mounting plate as substantially described herein with reference to the above examples and drawing figures. -7-