DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 , an embodiment of a safety apparatus 10 consistent with the present invention is shown. The safety apparatus 10 consists generally of at least two supports 12 , at least one and preferably a plurality of planks 14 , and at least one and preferably a plurality of guard rails 16 .

[0023] Referring additionally to FIGS. 3, 6 and 9 - 11 , the supports 12 are now described in greater detail. Each support 12 preferably consist of an upright 20 having at least one and preferably three guard rail supports 18 thereon, a plank support 15 coupled at a first end at a substantially right angle to the upright 20 , and an attachment section 22 coupled at a second end of the plank support 15 and that permits attachment of the support 12 to the building 100 that is under construction. As best shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 - 3 , the planks 14 are placed across the plank supports 15 , and the guard rails 16 are secured by the guard rail supports 18 . Preferably, strengthening members 19 extend from the attachment section 22 to a point proximate where the plank support 15 and guard rail support 18 meet, in order to increase the strength of the support 12 .

[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 , attachment of the attachment section 22 of the support 12 to the building 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 1 ) is described. Preferably, a plurality of lag screws 24 are inserted through openings (not shown) in the attachment section 22 , and into one or more studs or posts on the building 100 . One and one-quarter inch lag screws 24 have been shown to be desirable for this purpose, though lag screws 24 of other lengths, or indeed other hardware such as bolts, could be utilized.

[0025] It is preferred to attach the attachment section 22 to a place on the building 100 where there are two studs 26 , three studs 26 (not shown), or a large post (also not shown). While coupling to a single stud 26 may be possible, it is preferred for safety reasons to require at least the use of a double stud 26 , so as to guard against accidental detachment of the attachment section 22 in the event that a person 200 falls onto the apparatus 10 . Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 7 - 8 , it is preferred that the attachment section 22 have a substantially L-shape, so that it may be coupled along a width and a thickness of the studs 26 . And, as shown for example in FIG. 1 , one support 12 may be coupled at a corner of the building 100 , while another is coupled within a side of the building 100 . It may also be possible to provide two supports 12 within a side of a building 100 , or to have an apparatus 10 consisting of three (or even more) supports 12 coupled, as desired, along a side of a building 100 . For example, where three supports 12 are utilized, it may be desired to place a support 12 at each end of one side (i.e, at the corners), and a third support 12 at substantially a midpoint therebetween. It is generally preferred that supports 12 be spaced no more than about 10 feet apart, so as to reduce the risk that planks 15 could break in the event that a person 200 falls thereon.

[0026] In terms of materials and dimensions, it is preferred that the planks 15 be 2×12's, and that the guard rails 16 be 2×4's. Other dimensions would also be possible, as desired. While the use of wood is preferred, plastic or metal materials could also be substituted.

[0027] The supports 12 are preferably formed from tubular steel. The upright 20 preferably has a length of about 44″, the plank support 15 preferably has a length of about 32″, the strengthening member 19 preferably has a length of about 44″, the guard rail supports 18 are dimensioned to be able to receive a guard rail 16 therein, and the attachment section 22 has a length of about 35″. These measurements are preferred, but even significant deviations are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. It should be noted that it may be preferred to provide gussets (not shown) for purposes of further strengthening the supports 12 , proximate the attachment of the upright 20 , plank support 15 and strengthening member 19 and/or proximate the attachment of the plank support 15 and attachment section 22 .

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 9 - 11 , in one embodiment, the apparatus 10 is coupled proximate the roof 110 of a building 100 that is under construction. As illustrated by way of comparison in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the position of the support 12 relative to the roof 110 may be varied somewhat, so long as the apparatus 10 will prevent a person 100 from falling past the apparatus 10 to the ground. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9 , the apparatus 10 could be positioned relatively higher, so that the guard rails 16 will stop a falling person 100 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10 , the apparatus 10 could be positioned relatively lower, in a manner that might permit a person 100 to fall to the planks 14 . An advantage of a relatively lower configuration is that it might permit the use of the apparatus 10 as a scaffold as well as a safety support.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 11 , it can be seen that the apparatus 10 may be positioned proximate a second floor of a building 100 . (Such placement could be instead of or in addition to the placement of a second apparatus 10 proximate the roof 110 .) When used in this manner, the apparatus 10 may particularly permit a dual use as a scaffolding and safety apparatus.

[0030] The term building 100 is intended to capture the full range of edifices that may be constructed. In the preferred embodiment, the building 100 is a home. However, the building 100 may also be a commercial or other non-residential structure.

[0031] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.