Field of application of the invention

The present invention refers to the field of safety devices installable on pitched roofs, and more precisely to a device for preventing the sliding of the snow accumulated on a pitched roof, with an anchorage point integrated for anti-fall individual protection devices.

Review of the prior art

When there are abundant snowfalls, great amounts of snow are accumulated on building roofs, which tend to be compacted in layers due to the effect of their own weight, and due to freezing when the atmospheric temperature drops below 0°C. Hereinbelow in the present description, with the expression "snow accumulation" it is intended to indicate a mass of snow and/or ice and, more par- ticularly, a layer thus formed. If the roof has one or more pitches, i.e. flat faces that are tilted with respect to the horizontal plane, the snow accumulations tend to slide downward due to the gravitational force, and in the absence of safety devices, the accumulations are retained on the roof by the static friction present between the snow and the cover, and by the "bonding" of the snow to the roof which occurs once the snow freezes. However, when the atmospheric temperature rises above 0 °C, the snow tends to melt, with the consequent reduction of the static friction and decrease of said bonding. The snow accumulations thus tend to slide due to the gravitational force towards the edge of the roof before falling to the ground. Naturally, this constitutes a risk for people who are below the roof edge.

In order to avoid this danger, on roofs with one or more pitches, and more gen- erally on cover structures that are tilted with respect to a horizontal plane, safety devices known as "snow stopper devices" are installed. The function of these devices lies in preventing a snow accumulation formed on a roof from sliding on the latter due to the gravitational force, falling to the ground. Due to the presence of the snow stopper devices, the snow accumulations are retained on the roof and progressively dissolve.

If the roof pitches have a slight slope (as an example, less than 36%), and are situated in a climactic zone with low snowfall, the snow stopper devices usually consist of simple protuberances, called "snow stopper noses", integrally connected to the roof. The snow stopper noses prevent the sliding of the snow ac- cumulations, stopping them. The snow stopper noses can be integrated in the tiles (as in the so-called "Marseilles" and "Portuguese" tiles) or be made of metal sheet and installed on the roofs.

If the roof pitches instead have a considerable slope (as an example comprised between 36% and 176%) and are situated in a climactic zone characterized by considerable snowy precipitation, the snow stopper noses are not enough to retain the snow accumulations; safety devices are installed comprising elements fixed to the roof near the same and acting as barrier suitable for obstructing the sliding of the snow accumulations, retaining them on the roof. These retention barriers can consist of bars, grates or sheets arranged horizontally and or- thogonally to the sliding direction of the snow accumulations on the pitch.

In addition to the snow stopper devices, the roofs of the buildings with one or more pitches can be provided with security devices which offer people required to move and/or operate on the roof the possibility to be coupled by means of harnesses and cords. Those who work on roofs, and more generally at a certain height above the ground (as an example, greater than 1.5 meters), must in fact be provided with suitable safety devices adapted to prevent them from falling to the ground. These devices are known as "anti-fall individual protection devices" and usually comprise a harness worn by the operator and connected to a cord that is coupled to the roof at an "anchorage point", e.g. by means of a snap- hook or similar coupling means. For such purpose, safety devices can be installed on roofs that are capable of acting as anchorage points, which can be connected to an anti-fall protection device. The devices acting as anchorage points can, as an example, consist of a ring integrally connected to the roof or of a tight rope between a pair of small bars integrally connected to the roof at the top.

Up to now, the snow stopper devices and the devices acting as anchorage points are separate safety devices that require two respective installations. In addition, each of said devices has a negative impact on the aesthetics of the roof.

Objects of the invention

Object of the present invention is to indicate a device that at the same time pre- vents snow accumulation resting on a roof pitch from sliding on the latter due to the gravitational force, and acts as an anchorage point to which an anti-fall individual protection device can be connected.

Summary of the invention

Object of the present invention is a device adapted to prevent a snow accumu- lation resting on a structure that is tilted with respect to a horizontal plane from sliding on said tilted structure due to the gravitational force, said device comprising means for connecting, to said tilted structure, support means for obstructing the sliding of the snow accumulation on said tilted structure, the resting of the snow accumulation against the obstruction means preventing said sliding, in which according to the invention said device comprises means for connecting, to said support means, coupling means connected to a person.

Further innovative characteristics of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, the support means comprise a plate, and the means for connecting the coupling means comprise a through hole obtained in said plate for the insertion of said coupling means, said insertion allowing the connection of the coupling means to the plate. According to another aspect of the invention, said plate has a thickness comprised between 0,004 m and 0,008 m.

According to another aspect of the invention, the thickness of said plate is 0,006 m.

According to another aspect of the invention, the through hole is circular and has a diameter comprised between 0,02 m and 0,04 m.

According to another aspect of the invention, the diameter of said hole is 0,03 m.

According to another aspect of the invention, the distance between the edge of said hole and the edges of the plate is not less than 0,01 m.

According to another aspect of the invention, the distance between the edge of said hole and said tilted structure is not less than 0,05 m.

According to another aspect of the invention, the plate is made of steel, preferably S355J2 steel in accordance with the known UNI EN 10025-2: 2005 stan- dards.

Another object of the present invention is a plate connectable to a structure that is tilted with respect to a horizontal plane and on which a snow accumulation rests and tends to slide due to the gravitational force, said plate supporting means for obstructing the sliding of the snow accumulation on said tilted struc- ture, the resting of the snow accumulation against said obstruction means preventing said sliding, wherein according to the invention said plate comprises at least one through hole for the insertion of coupling means connected to a person.

Advantages of the invention

The device that is the object of the present invention allows, with a single installation operation, equipping a pitched roof with a snow stopper device and at least one anchorage point for anti-fall individual protection devices. This not only involves a considerable reduction of the installation costs, but also improves the aesthetics of the roof due to the fact that the snow stopper function and the anchorage function are carried out by a single device. In other words, it is no longer necessary to install two devices and thus there is less effect on the roof aesthetics. The device, object of the present invention, also offers an advantage with respect to the known safety devices. This consists of a tight rope between a pair of small bars integrally connected to the roof at the top. Said known devices act as anchorage points for an anti-fall individual protection device, at the top of the roof on which they are installed. Each time a person is required to move and/or operate on the roof near the roof gutter, said person must therefore be equipped with an anti-fall individual protection device comprising a cord with length not less than the distance between the top and the gutter of the pitch. In case of sliding, when near the top (for example for connecting the anti-fall indi- vidual protection device to the tight rope between the pair of small rods, before moving it near the roof gutter), the cord of the anti-fall individual protection device is stretched, stopping the sliding of the person along the pitch, only when said persona arrives close to the roof gutter. Hence, even if the fall from the roof is prevented, the harnessed person can undergo physical damage due to the sliding speed reached when the cord is stretched. Additional models of the device, object of the present invention, can instead be advantageously installed on the pitch at various distances from the top. In such a manner, a person required to operate on the roof has multiple anchorage points available for his own anti- fall individual protection device, and he can be connected to the anchorage point closest to the zone or zones of the pitch where he must operate. This allows employing an anti-fall individual protection device comprising a cord with length less than the distance between the top and gutter of the pitch, and sufficient to cover the distance between the anchorage point and the zone or zones of the pitch in which one must operate. In case of sliding, the sliding speed reached by the person when the cord of the anti-fall individual protection device is stretched will therefore be lower.

Brief description of the figures

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be clearer from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, and from the enclosed drawings, given as a merely exemplifying and non limiting example, wherein: - figure 1 shows, in perspective view, the device subject of the present invention installed on a pitched roof; - figure 2 shows the device of figure 1 in another perspective view;

- figure 3 shows, in perspective view, a plate that is a component the device of figure 1 , also subject of the present invention;

- figure 4 shows the plate of figure 3 in front plane view;

- figure 5 shows the plate of figure 3 in side plane view;

- figure 6 shows a variant of the plate of figure 3 in front plane view;

- figure 7 shows the plate of figure 6 in side plane view.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention

Hereinafter in the present description, for ease of description, reference is only made to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the device is installed on a pitched roof. It must be clear that the described device is not limited to the aforesaid example but can be installed on any tilted structure with respect to a horizontal plane, on which snow can be accumulated. A figure can also be illustrated with reference to elements not expressly indicated in that figure but in other figures. The scale and proportions of the various depicted elements do not necessarily correspond to the actual scale and proportions.

Figure 1 shows a roof 1 of a house comprising two pitches 2 and 3 that are tilted with respect to a horizontal plane and converging in a roof valley channel 4 starting from a respective top 5 and 6. The cover surface of the pitches 2 and 3 is made of metal sheet. In particular, the external cover structure of each pitch 2 and 3 comprises mutually parallel rectangular sheets 7 arranged side-by-side with respect to each other. The cover sheets 7 are joined together by means of seaming along the flanked edges. Due to the seaming, the flanked edges of the cover sheets 7 form strips 8 projecting orthogonally outward with respect to said sheets 7. Below, in the present description, with the expression "seamed edge" it is intended to indicate each strip 8 constituted by two seamed portions of two respective adjacent sheets. The seamed edges 8 are parallel to each other and orthogonal to the top of the pitch to which they belong.

In figure 1 , it is possible to observe the devices 10 connected to the roof 1 at the pitches 2 and 3 and the roof valley channel 4. As is better described below, the devices 10 carry out the double function of preventing the snow deposited on the pitches 2 and 3 and along the roof valley channel 4 from sliding, due to the gravitational force, towards the roof gutter and then to fall to the ground; and to provide a person who must establish a connection with the roof 1 for the purpose of moving and/or operating on the latter. The devices 10 have a common structure, which will be described by making reference to one of said devices 10 connected to the pitch 2 and indicated in the figure with number 15.

The device 15 comprises a plurality of flat plates 1 1 integrally connected with the pitch 2 at the seamed edges 8, parallel to the same and orthogonally to the cover sheets 7. The connection of the plates 1 1 to the seamed edges 8 determines the connection of the device 15 to the cover sheets 7 and thus to the pitch 2. The plates 1 1 are identical to each other, mutually parallel, and arranged along a direction parallel to the top 5. The device 15 also comprises a sheet 12 that is positioned, by means of the plates 11 , in proximity to the cover sheets 7, parallel to the top 5 and orthogonal to the seamed edges 8. The sheet 12 is extended from one edge 13 of the pitch 2 orthogonal to the top 5, to an- other edge of the pitch 2 at the roof valley channel 4. Given that the sheet 12 is close to the cover sheets 7, the snow (not shown in the figures) deposited on the pitch 2 and tending to slide thereon due to the gravitational force is prevented from sliding by the sheet 12. In particular, the snow is resting against the sheet 12 and is retained by the latter on the pitch 2. Specifically, the sheet 12 is arranged orthogonally to the direction of sliding of the snow due to the gravitational force. In addition, given that the sheets 12 retaining the snow are arranged parallel to the top of the pitch on which they are installed, the retention sheets 12 of the devices 10 connected with the same pitch are mutually parallel. As an example, the sheets 12 have a "C" cross section, with the concavity turned towards the top 5 of the pitch 2 and the portion of the letter "C" not parallel to the other two arranged orthogonal to the cover sheets 7.

Each plate 11 comprises a through hole 16, preferably circular, by means of which the plate 11 can act as an anchorage point for allowing a person required to move and/or operate on the roof 1 to be connected to the latter, e.g. by means of coupling an anti-fall individual protection device. The anti-fall individual protection devices are known safety devices usable by those who operate at a certain height above the ground, in order to prevent impact with the ground in case of fall. As an example, the anti-fall individual protection device includes: a harness comprising shoulder straps, belts and thigh guards that must be worn by the person operating on the roof 1 ; and a rope connected to the harness at one end thereof and to a snap-hook or a similar coupling means at the other end. The rope can be connected to one of the plates 11 by inserting the snap- hook in the hole 16. Without constituting a limitation for the invention, as an alternative to that stated above, at least one of the plates 11 of at least one of the devices 10 installed on the same pitch comprises the through hole 16. This ensures the presence, on each pitch, of at least one anchorage point by means of which a person can be connected to one of the plates 11 , and hence to the roof 1. Each device 10 is connected to the seamed edges 8 of the cover sheets 7 in a manner such that the holes 16 of the plates 11 are situated on the side opposite the top 5 of the pitch 2 with respect to the sheet 12 retaining the snow accumulation.

Figure 2 shows the mode in which the connection is achieved between the plates 11 of the device 15 and the seamed edges 8 of the cover sheets 7. Said connection is obtained in the same manner for all the plates 11 and will be illustrated by making reference to one of the plates 11 of the device 15, indicated in the figure with the number 20,

The plate 20 orthogonally rests, along one edge thereof, on one of the cover sheets 7, indicated in the figure with the number 21. One face of the plate 20 is also partially opposed to a face of one of the two seamed edges 8 of the cover sheet 21 , indicated in the figure with the number 22. The plate 20 has a height greater than that of the seamed edge 22 and therefore projects towards the outside with respect to the latter. A second plate 23 orthogonally rests, along one edge thereof, on the cover sheet 7 connected to the sheet 21 by means of the seamed edge 22, indicated in the figure with number 24. The second plate 23 has a slight concavity turned towards the plate 20, Due to said concavity, the second plate 23 is in contact with the plate 20 at one edge thereof, and with the face seamed edge 22 opposite the face to which the plate 20 is opposed, at the edge along which the second plate 23 rests along the cover sheet 24. Also the second plate 23 has a height greater than that of the seamed edge 22 and pro- jects outward with respect to the latter. The seamed edge 22 is therefore partially interposed with the plate 20 and the second plate 23. A plurality of bolts 25, preferably four, join the plate 20 to the second plate 23. The bolts 25 comprise respective screws whose shank is arranged orthogonal to the plates 20 and 23. The shanks of the screws, mutually parallel, lie in a plane parallel to the cover sheets 21 and 24 and cross through the plates 20 and 23 in proximity to the seamed edge 22. The bolts 25 press the plate 20 and the second plate 23 against the seamed edge 22, which is therefore fastened between the two plates 20 and 23. In other words, the plates 20 and 23 act as jaws of a clamp actuated by the bolts 25. Due to said clamping, the plates 20 and 23, and with them the device 15, are integrally connected to the seamed edge 22 and hence to the cover sheets 21 and 24. Below in the present description, with the expression "clamping plate" it is intended to indicate said second plates 23 coupled to the plates 1 1. As an example, in each of the devices 10, the clamping plates are in an intermediate position between the hole 16 of the respective plates 1 1 to which they are coupled, and the sheet 12 retaining the snow accumulations.

With reference to figure 2, it can be observed that the sheet 12 retaining the snow orthogonally crosses through each plate 1 1 at an opening 30 (visible in figure 3). The sheet 12 abuts against the seamed edges 8 at one of the three strips constituting the sheet 12, parallel to the cover sheets 7. The sheet 12 also abuts against an edge 33 (visible in figure 3) of the opening 30 at an external face of another of the three strips constituting the sheet 12, orthogonal to the cover sheets 7. The sheet 12 is pressed against the seamed edges 8 and the plates 11 due to the gravitational force and, in the presence of snow, by the weight of the latter. The plates 11 thus act as support means for the sheet 12. Below in the present description, with the expression "support plate" it is intended to indicate said plates 11.

The pressing of the support plates 1 1 and the clamping plates 23 against the seamed edges 8 due to the action of the bolts 25 must be such to generate a friction between the support plates 1 1 , the clamping plates 23 coupled thereto and the seamed edges 8 interposed between them, sufficient to maintain each of the devices 10 connected to the cover sheets 7 both in the presence of snow accumulations pressed, due to the gravitational force, against the retention sheet 12, and in the presence of a person connected to one of the plates 11 of the device 10 at the hole 16 by means of the anti-fall individual protection de- vice. Said structural details according to which it is possible to manufacture the device 10 such that the connection of the plates 11 to the respective seamed edges 8 is ensured in the above-described conditions, will be provided as an example in reference to the subsequent figures.

Figure 3 shows the support plate 20, a component of the device 15. The plate 20 is almost rectangular trapezium-shaped and rests against the cover sheet 21 along the edge 31 corresponding to the greater base of the trapezium. The opening 30 in which the snow retention sheet 12 is housed has rectangular shape, with the long side with length slightly less than the height of the trapezium and arranged parallel thereto, with the short side with length slightly less than the smaller base of the trapezium and arranged parallel thereto. The opening 30 is obtained from the edge 31 of the plate 20 and in proximity to the edge 32 of the plate 20 corresponding to the height of the trapezium. This means that, by making reference to the position occupied by the plate 20 when it is connected to the seamed edge 22, the opening 30 is open towards the cover sheet 2 at a short side of its rectangular form.

A plurality of holes 35, preferably circular and preferably four, are obtained in the plate 20 in proximity to the edge 31. The holes 35 are aligned parallel to the edge 31. When the plate 20 is connected to the seamed edge 22, the holes 35 are crossed by the shanks of the screws of the bolts 25. The distance of the edge of the holes 35 from the edge 31 of the plate 20 is greater than the height of the seamed edge 22. This ensures that there is no interference between the latter and the shanks of the screws of the bolts 25.

The through hole 16 for the anchorage of the anti-fall individual protection device is obtained in proximity to the vertex of the trapezium in which the greater base and the oblique side converge. The through hole 16 is more distant from the edge 31 than from the edge 36 of the plate 20 corresponding to the oblique side of the trapezium. In particular, the distance of the edge of the hole 26 from the edge 31 of the plate 20 is greater than the height of the seamed edge 22. This ensures that the seamed edge 22 does not interfere with the snap-hook of the anti-fall individual protection device, when inserted in the hole 16.

Figure 4 shows the plate 20 of figure 3 in front plane view. As an example, the plate 20 is made of low alloy galvanized steel, preferably S355J2 in accordance with UNI EN 10025-2: 2005 standards.

The holes 35 for housing the shanks of the screws of the bolts 25 have a diameter preferably comprised between 0,005 m and 0,025 m, and still more preferably it is 0,009 m. The distance between the centers of two consecutive holes 35 is preferably comprised between 0,02 m and 0,04 m, and still more preferably it is 0,033 m. The distance between the center of each of the holes 35 and the edge 31 of the plate 20 is preferably not less than 0,01 m, and still more preferably it is 0,035 m.

The anchorage hole 16 of the snap-hook of the anti-fall individual protection de- vice has a diameter preferably comprised between 0,02 m and 0,04 m, and still more preferably it is 0,03 m. The distance between the center of the hole 16 and the edges of the plate 20 is preferably not less than 0,02 m, and still more preferably not less than 0,03 m. The distance between the edge of the hole 16 and the edges of the plate 20 is preferably not less than 0,01 m, and still more preferably not less than 0,015 m. In particular, the distance between the edge of the hole 16 and the edge 31 of the plate 20 is preferably not less than 0,03 m, and still more preferably it is 0,05 m. The distance between the center of the hole 16 and the center of the holes 35 is preferably not less than 0,03 m, and still more preferably it is not less than 0,05 m. The distance between the edge of the hole 16 and the edge of the holes 35 is preferably not less than 0,01 m, and still more preferably it is not less than 0,03 m.

Figure 5 shows the plate 20 of figure 3 in side plane view. The thickness of the plate 20 is preferably comprised between 0,004 m and 0,008 m, and still more preferably it is 0,006 m.

If the seamed edge 22 has a thickness of at least 0,006 m, it is preferable that the bolts 25 be constituted by M8 class 8.8 screws in accordance with UNI EN ISO 898-1: 2009 standard, and M8 class 8.0 nuts in accordance with UNI EN ISO 898-6: 1996 standard, the clamping plate 23 be made of S355J2 steel in accordance with UNI EN 10025-2: 2005 standard and the edge of the plate 23 be in contact with the seamed edge 22 for a length section not less than 0,13 m. By obtaining the support plate 20 according to the above-indicated structural details, the support plate 20 remains integrally connected with the seamed edge 22 by a traction force applied on the edge of the hole 16 parallel to the cover sheet 21 of intensity not greater than 10000 N. Said traction force can be due to the connection to the plate 20 of a person, by means of the anti-fall individual protection device, or it can be a force equivalent to that exerted on the plate 20 through the sheet 12 by a snow accumulation retained by the device 10 on the pitch 2, or it can result from a combination of both abovementioned forces.

The same result can be obtained by means of a support plate 40, alternative to the support plate 30 and shown in figures 6 and 7.

Figure 6 shows the support plate 40 in front plane view. The support plate 40 differs from the support plate 30 for the position of the anchorage through hole 41 of the snap-hook of the anti-fall individual protection device.

The hole 41 has a diameter of 0,03 m. The minimum distance between the center of the hole 41 and the edges of the plate 40 is 0,035 m. The minimum distance between the edge of the hole 41 and the edges of the plate 40 is 0,02 m. The minimum distance between the edge of the hole 41 and the edge 42 of the plate 40 corresponding with the greater base of its trapezoidal shape is 0,086 m. The minimum distance between the center of the hole 41 and the center of the holes for housing the screws of the fastening bolts is 0,053 m. The minimum distance between the edge of the hole 41 and the edge of the holes for housing the screws of the fastening bolts is 0,033 m.

Figure 7 shows the plate 40 of figure 6 in side plane view. The thickness of the plate 40 is 0,006 m.

On the basis of the description provided for a preferred embodiment, it is clear that some changes can be introduced by the man skilled in the art without de- parting from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.