This invention relates to support apparatus for supporting one or more items and/ or persons in use and/ or to a method of use thereof.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a support apparatus for use on a pitched tiled roof of a building for supporting a bucket, a person and/ or or one or more tools in use, it will appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the support apparatus of the present invention could be used in other suitable applications. For example, the support apparatus could be used in ground based applications, applications where support is required on a gradient and/ or the like.

Conventionally, when a roofer is working on a pitched tiled roof, such as for example when they are undertaking roof maintenance work, it is a struggle for them to prevent their tools from sliding off the roof under gravity and possibly falling off the roof. This can result in a potential injury hazard for a person walking below the roof and/ or can result in damage to the tools. In addition, it can provide a health and safety risk to the roofer who may over reach and/ or lose their balance when trying to prevent a tool from sliding off the roof. In order to help avoid these problems, a roofer will often locate their tools in a bucket and balance the bucket on the roof. A roofer may try to balance the bucket between their legs or feet, thereby increasing the risk of the roofer falling from the roof while working. In addition, roof maintenance work such as tile replacement, lead valley repair work, gutter maintenance and/ or coping stone or ridge tile repair work, typically requires one or more buckets containing tools, cement and/ or other repair compositions to be taken up on the roof. The buckets also present a potential slip and/ or fall hazard. Yet further, in order to get the buckets onto the roof, a roofer has to hold a bucket whilst also trying to hold onto a ladder and/ or scaffolding and this increases the risk of a roofer falling.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide support apparatus that overcomes the abovementioned problems. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using support apparatus that overcomes the abovementioned problems.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a roof or pitched roof support apparatus and/ or a method of use thereof.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide fall arrest apparatus and/ or to a method of use thereof.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided support apparatus, said support apparatus including a base member having a first free end and a second end; a back member protruding outwardly and upwardly from said base member at or adjacent the second end of the base member; an engaging edge defined between the second end of the base member and the back member of the support apparatus; and wherein said engaging edge is arranged to act as a pivot point or fulcrum for the support apparatus in use, such that when the base member is located under an existing roof tile, object and/ or on a surface in use, the engaging edge of the apparatus engages with a surface of the roof tile, roof, object and/ or surface, and/ or the first free end of the base member engages against an underside surface of the existing roof tile, an object and/ or a surface, thereby holding the support apparatus in place.

With the support apparatus of the present invention engaged in place on a roof, a roofer can, in one embodiment, attach themselves to the support apparatus and the support apparatus can act as a fall arrest device to prevent a user from falling from the roof in use.

In one embodiment, the back member can be used to support one or more items against the same, such as one or more tools, containers or buckets against the same, thereby preventing the items from slipping or falling in use.

The apparatus of the present invention is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, thereby providing a cost effective safety device, such as for example, for roof work. Since the support apparatus of the present invention allows tools, buckets and/ or roofers to be safely supported by the same and/ or secured to a roof in use, this significantly reduces the fall and/ or injury risk to a user or roofer using the apparatus.

In one embodiment the support apparatus is a pitched roof support apparatus, a gradient surface support apparatus and/ or a fall arrest device.

Preferably the back member protrudes outwardly and transversally of the base member.

Preferably the second end of the base member is opposite or substantially opposite to the first free end.

Preferably the base member is flat, substantially flat, planar, substantially planar, a plate member, a plate like member and/ or the like. This allows the base member to be easily slid under an existing roof tile or object in use, irrespective of the size of the gap underneath an object, existing roof tile or between two surfaces in use.

In one embodiment the apparatus is arranged such that first free end of the base member can be slid underneath an existing roof tile. The second end or engaging edge is typically positioned lower on the roof or gradient surface to the first free end of the base member in use.

Preferably the base member and/ or back member has a thickness of approximately 1mm + /-0.5mm (i.e. the thickness of the material forming the base member and/ or the back member). Preferably this provides the base member and/ or back member with sufficient strength and rigidity, while keeping the apparatus lightweight and therefore easily transportable, and while providing a degree of flex between the base and back members in one example.

In one embodiment gripping means may be provided on and/ or associated with the base member and/ or back member to improve engagement with a surface of an object and/ or between a surface of the base member and an existing roof tile in use. For example, the gripping means may include any or any combination of friction creating means, one or more protrusions, ribs, nodules, indentations, members which increase the friction between the base member and a surface, surface of a roof tile or object and/ or the like.

In one example, the gripping means increases the grip of an item being supported on and/ or with the support apparatus in use, such as for example, a bucket, tool, container and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the gripping means are provided on an inwardly facing surface of the back member (i.e. surface facing towards the base member).

Preferably the gripping means are provided on an upper or top surface of the base member and/ or a lower or base surface of the base member.

In one embodiment an upper or top surface of the base member and/ or a lower or base surface of the base member is a relatively low friction surface, is smooth, substantially smooth, even, substantially even, regular, substantially regular surface, level or substantially level surface.

In one embodiment the base member has a narrowing taper in a direction from the second end or engaging edge towards the first free end of the same. This improves the ease with which the base member can be inserted and/or located under an existing roof tile or object in use, it reduces the cost of manufacturing the apparatus, improves the weight to strength ratio of the apparatus, and can provide improved engagement between the first free end and the underside of an existing roof tile or object in use.

Preferably the narrowing taper of the base member is sufficient to provide a point or significantly narrowed end (compared to the second end) at the first free end, thereby increasing the ability of the first end to engage against an underside of an object or existing roof tile in use and improving the ability of the support apparatus to be inserted between overlapping roof tiles, between two objects and/ or between an object and a surface in use. In one embodiment the back member has a length that is at least equal to or greater than the length of the base member.

In one embodiment the engaging edge is a linear, substantially linear, straight, substantially straight, planar or substantially planar edge.

In one embodiment the engaging edge and/ or the back member is curved, convexed, shaped, angular, non-linear or non-straight. This improves the retainment of one or more items against the back surface in use. For example, it can improve the retainment of an item located between the base member and the back member. It is also thought that the shaped engaging edge may allow a more even distribution of weight over an existing roof tile or object in use.

In one embodiment the engaging edge and/ or the back member has a middle or first section and at least one side section provided on a side of the middle or first section. In one example the engaging edge and/ or the back member has a middle section and a side section of either side of the middle section.

Preferably at least one section of the engaging edge and/ or back member is provided at a different angle to at least one other section of the engaging edge and/ or back member.

Preferably the at least one side section is provided perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, at an acute angle or at an obtuse angle to the middle or first section. In one example, the rear surface of each side section is provided at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the rear surface of the middle or first section.

Preferably the engaging edge and/ or back member is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical in form. However, the engaging edge and/ or back member could be asymmetrical in form if required.

In one embodiment the back member is arranged to be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the base member. This angle allows the greatest load applied to the support apparatus to be transmitted to the engaging edge in use. In one embodiment the back member is arranged at an angle between 70-110 degrees relative to the base member, and further preferably 80-100 degrees.

In one embodiment the back member and the base member are arranged such that there is flex and/ or resilience between the same. This flex and/ or resilience typically increases or focuses the force that can be applied to the engaging edge of the apparatus against a surface, an existing roof tile surface, or object in use.

Preferably the flex and/ or resilience between the back member and base member is approximately less than 2 degrees but greater than 0 degrees, and preferably approximately 1 degree +/- 0.5 degrees.

Preferably the degree of flex and/ or resilience is created, at least in part, as a result of the type of material used to form the back member and/ or base member, the thickness of the material(s) used to form or provide the back member and/ or the base member in use and/ or the like. For example, the back member and/ or base member can have a thickness of approximately 1mm +/-0.5mm and this has been found to provide sufficient flex and resilience between the back member and base member in use in one example.

In one embodiment one or more side wall members or sections are provided between the back member and the base member in use. The side wall members or side sections typically help to retain one or more items on or relative to the apparatus in use.

Preferably the one or more side wall members or side sections protrude outwardly and transversally of the base member.

Preferably the one or more side wall members or side sections protrude outwardly and transversally of the base member and/ or arranged laterally of the back member at the same or substantially the same angle as the back member.

Preferably at least two side wall members or side sections are provided, one side wall member provided either side of the back member. In one embodiment the back member and/ or one or more side walls members are integrally formed with the base member.

In one embodiment the back member and/ or one or more side wall members are joined to the base member via joining means, such as for example, via welding, adhesive, inter-engaging means, one or more screws, nuts, bolts, brackets, clips and/ or the like.

In one embodiment a further support element or handle means is provided on and/ or associated with a rear or outwardly facing surface of the back member. For example, the further support element or handle means can be arranged to carry the support apparatus, to provide improved strength and rigidity to the back member and/or provide a further engaging edge for the support apparatus to further maintain the position of the support apparatus on a roof in use.

Preferably the further support element or handle means extends outwardly from the rear or outwardly facing surface of the back member.

Preferably a first end portion or portions of the further support element extends from and/or is joined to the back member and a second portion or second end portion of the further support element is arranged to engage with an outer surface of an existing roof tile member, an object, a surface on which the support apparatus is located in use.

For example, where the further support element is arranged to engage with an outer surface of an existing roof tile member, object or surface on which the support apparatus is located in use, the second portion or second end engages with the roof tile member, object or surface at a lower point than (or below) the engaging edge between the base member and back member in use.

Preferably this second portion is a second lower end of the further support element or handle means. In one embodiment the further support element or handle means extends outwardly from the back member at an acute angle, at an angle of approximately 45 degrees +/- 5 degrees, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular, or 90 degrees +/- 5 degrees, with respect to the back member.

In one embodiment the further support element or handle means is in the form of a linear or substantially linear member. For example, with one end of the linear member can engage with the back member and a second opposite end of the linear member can form a further engaging edge for the support apparatus to engage with an object, surface or roof tile in use.

In one embodiment the further support element and/ or handle means is in the form of a loop, ring, annular member, apertured member and/ or the like.

Preferably the aperture in the apertured member, annular member, ring or loop allows the apparatus to be transported and/ or held more easily in use.

Preferably the further support element and/or handle means is arranged to be gripped by a user in use to help locate the support apparatus between existing roof tiles in use, to help carry or transport the support apparatus on and/ or off the roof in use and/ or to act as a further engagement edge for the apparatus on the roof in use.

Preferably the further support element and/ or handle means is provided on and/ or associated with a middle or first section of the back member.

In one embodiment the further support element and/ or handle means are attached to the back member via attachment means.

Preferably the attachment means can include any or any combination of welding, adhesive, one or more inter-engaging members, screws, bolts, clips, nuts and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the support apparatus is arranged to support one or more items in use, such as for example, one or more buckets, containers, tools and/ or the like. The one or more items are typically located so they are located on or above the base member, and supported by the back member of the apparatus and a surface of an object on which the apparatus is located with in use.

In one embodiment the support apparatus is made from or includes metal, plastic, rubber, wood and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the support apparatus is provided in two or three parts which are attached or detachably attached together in use. This allows the apparatus to be disassembled for transport, postage and/ or storage if required.

In one embodiment the second end of the base member can be provided with a flange portion that protrudes outwardly and/ or upwardly from the same. The back member could be attached to the flange portion via the attachment means or joining means. For example, a portion of the back member could be brought into overlapping engagement with the flange portion of the base member to allow attachment or detachable attachment of the same together in use.

In one embodiment the handle means can include one or more flange portions to allow attachment of the handle means via the flange portions to the back member in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using support apparatus, said support apparatus including a base member having a first free end and a second end; a back member protruding outwardly and upwardly from said base member at or adjacent the second end of the base member; an engaging edge defined between the second end of the base member and the back member of the support apparatus; and wherein the method includes the steps of locating the base member under an existing roof tile, object and/ or on a surface, such that the engaging edge of the apparatus engages with a surface of the roof tile, roof, object and/ or surface, and/ or the first free end of the base member engages against an underside surface of the existing roof tile, object and/ or surface, thereby holding the support apparatus in place, the engaging edge being arranged to act as a pivot point or fulcrum for the support apparatus.

According to further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided fall arrest apparatus and/ or a method of use thereof.

According to further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided pitched roof support apparatus and/ or a method of use thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Figures la-le show a perspective view from a base of the support apparatus, a base plan view, a side view, a rear view and a perspective view from a top of the support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention respectively;

Figures 2a-2c show a perspective view from a base of the support apparatus, a side view and a perspective view from a top of the support apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention respectively;

Figure 3 is a side view of the support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention engaged on a pitched roof in use; and

Figure 4 is a side view of the support apparatus acting as a fall arrest device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to figures la-le, there is shown pitched roof support apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus can be used to support one or more tools, buckets and/ or act as a fall arrest device for a roofer, as will be described in more detail below.

The support apparatus 2 includes a base member 4 and a back member 6. The base member has a first free end 8 and a second end 10 forming an engaging edge for engaging against an upper surface of a roof tile in use, as will be described in more detail below. The base member has an upper surface 12 and a lower surface 14. In this embodiment the base member is a flat, plate like member with relatively smooth upper and lower surfaces. However, it will be appreciated that gripping means could be provided on the upper and/ or lower surfaces of the base member if required to help engage the support apparatus between overlapping roof tiles in use.

The base member has a narrowing taper from second end 10 towards the first free end 8. In this embodiment, the taper narrows to a point 16 at first free end 8. The point 16 helps the base member to be inserted between two overlapping roof tiles in use and also act to transmit an upwardly acting force against the underside of a roof tile in use.

The back member 6 is joined to the base member 4 at the second end 10 or engaging edge of the base member. In this embodiment the back member 6 protrudes outwardly of said base member 4 and is perpendicular thereto. However, it will be appreciated that the back member could be provided at angles other than 90 degrees to the base member if required.

The back member 6 and engaging edge 10 are shaped or non-linear in the illustrated example. This helps to improve the support of a bucket or tool with the back member in use. More particularly, in this example, the back member and engaging edges includes a middle section 18 and a side section 20, 22 provided either side or laterally of the middle section. The rear surface of the side sections 20, 22 are provided at an acute angle to the rear surface of the middle section. In this example, the acute angle is approximately 45 degrees but other angles could be used.

Handle means 24 protrude outwardly from the rear surface 26 of the middle section 18 of the back member. The handle means 24 allow a user to easily grip and manipulate the support apparatus 2 in use. The lower surface of the handle means can also act as a further engaging edge for the support apparatus 2 against an upper surface of a roof tile in use. The lower surface of the handle means typically engages a point of the roof tiles below the point of the roof tiles which the engaging edge engages with in use.

Thus, in one embodiment, there are three main points of engagement with the roof: the point 16 of the base member that engages with the underside of the roof tile, the engaging edge 10 between the base member 4 and the back member 6, and the lower surface or end of the handle means 24. On a sloping roof, the point 16 is a higher engagement point on the roof than the engaging edge 10, and the engaging edge 10 is a higher engagement point on the roof than the lower surface or end of the handle means.

In the illustrated example, the handle means 24 includes a top portion 26, middle portion 28 and base portion 30. At least a lower surface of the base portion 30 is provided at an acute angle, substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the rear surface 26 of the back member 6. The edge 32 between the base portion 30 and the middle portion 28 forms a further engaging edge to engage the support apparatus against an upper surface of a roof tile in use.

The handle means 24 is joined to the middle section 18 of the back member 6 via nuts and bolts in this embodiment but any suitable attachment means can be used.

The support apparatus 102 shown in figures 2a-2c is similar to support apparatus 2 in figures la-le but side wall members 104 are provided to help retain a bucket or item on or relative to the support apparatus in use. The side wall members 104 protrude outwardly from the base member 4 at a similar angle to back member 6 and are located laterally of the back member 6.

Figure 3 illustrates how the support apparatus 2 can be used to support an item in the form of a bucket 200 in use. The bucket 200 is of a standard type including a base 202 and side walls 204 protruding outwardly from the base 202. An upper edge 206 of the side walls 204 defines an opening 208 of the bucket 200. The bucket 200 can have a handle 210 associated with a top of the bucket to allow carrying of the bucket 200 in use. The support apparatus 2 is arranged to allow support of bucket 200 when used on a pitched roof.

Figure 3 illustrates the support apparatus 2 in use with a bucket 200 on a pitched roof of a building. More particularly, the pitched roof includes a plurality of roof tiles 300 that are fixed at one end 301 to vertically spaced apart horizontal roof battens 302. The roof tiles 300 slope at an acute angle relative to the roof battens 302 in a downward direction and at least part of an upper roof tile overlaps with at least part of a lower roof tile.

In use, the first free end 8 of the base member 4 of the support apparatus 2 is inserted in the gap between an upper and lower overlapping roof tile 300, until the lower free edge of the upper tile engages against the back member 6 of the support apparatus 2. The engaging edge 10 of the support apparatus engages against an upper surface of the lower roof tile, the upper surface 12 and the first free end 8 of the base member 4 are pushed up against the underside surface of the upper roof tile. This helps to retain the support apparatus in place on the roof via friction. Thus, the engaging edge 10 of the support apparatus acts as a fulcrum for any load applied to the support apparatus in use. As the engaging edge 10 is forced towards the lower roof tile, the upper surface of the base member 4 is pushed up towards and engages with the underside surface of the upper roof tile. When the weight of a bucket is placed onto the support apparatus 2 such that the bucket leans against the back member 6, most of the weight of the bucket in the bucket is directed towards the engaging edge 10 of the support apparatus via gravity, this further increases the pivotal force that is applied to the engaging edge 10 of the support apparatus, thereby increasing the engaging force applied to the engaging edge 10 against the lower roof tile and further increasing the force of the upper surface 12 of the base member 4 against the underside surface of the upper roof tile. This helps to further increase the stability and engaging force of the bucket on the support apparatus on the roof in use. The steeper the roof, the more downward force is applied to the engaging edges of the support apparatus on the roof in use.

The engaging edge 32 of the handle 24 also engages against the lower roof tile to further increase the engaging force of the support apparatus to the roof tile in use.

Figure 4 illustrates a pitched roof 400 having a front pitch 402 and a rear pitch 404. Both the front and rear roof pitches 402, 404 have a plurality of spaced apart horizontal battens with roof tiles 300 attached to the same. In this illustration, the support apparatus 2 is used as a fall arrest device. The support apparatus 2 is engaged to a front pitch 402 of the roof 400 as has been described previously. A rope 406 is attached to the support apparatus 2 via a carabiner or similar fixing (not shown) and passes over the apex of the roof and down to a roofer 408 working on the rear pitch 404. The rope 406 is also attached to the roofer via a carabiner or similar fixing (not shown). This provides an extra safety measure for the roofer such that if the roofer slips, the support apparatus prevents the roofer from falling. Apertures can be defined in the back member of the support apparatus to allow fixings or a carabiner to be attached to the same in use. The support apparatus can be used on either side of the roof.

It will be appreciated that a number of support apparatus could be used on a roof at any one time. The support apparatus of the present invention provides a means of support buckets, tools and/ or roofers in a safe and efficient manner.

It will also be appreciated that the support apparatus of the present invention can be used on any surface, any surface with a gradient, such as for example, a sloping ground surface or wall surface and/ or the like.