Modular Roof Mounted Staging Bracket

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting workers and materials above-grade on both the eave and gable ends of a structure is disclosed. The apparatus can be combined with one or more additional staging apparatuses to create a staging system for the support of persons or materials while work is being done on a structure, e.g., roofing, siding, etc. The modular design of the apparatus simplifies installation, such that it can be readily attached to a roof or other support member of a structure by a single person, and facilitates the adjustable vertical positioning of people or materials along the walls of the structure. The staging bracket can be attached to any structural roofing member, including most any type of existing roofing material, e.g., shingle, standing seam, corrugated, etc., on new or existing roofs of any pitch and can be attached along either the eave or gable ends of the structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A staging bracket for attachment to an eave and/or a gable end of a roof of a structure comprising:
 a support structure having an inner rail, an outer rail, and a support platform, wherein said inner rail and said outer rail are coupled to said support platform and are disposed a substantially parallel relationship to each other;   a wall engagement member coupled to a lower portion of said inner rail; and   a roof engagement member releasably coupled to an upper portion of said inner rail, wherein said roof engagement member is extendably releasably coupleable with the roof.   
     
     
         2 . A scaffolding device according to  claim 1 , wherein said roof engagement member includes an interchangeable coupling for releasable attachment to the roof. 
     
     
         3 . A scaffolding device according to  claim 2 , wherein said interchangeable coupling is configured to releasably attach to a metal roof. 
     
     
         4 . A scaffolding device according to  claim 2 , wherein said interchangeable coupling is configured to releasably attach to a shingled roof. 
     
     
         5 . A scaffolding device according to  claim 2 , wherein said interchangeable coupling is articulable. 
     
     
         6 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 2 , wherein said interchangeable coupling is a coupling designed and configured to attach to a standing seem roof. 
     
     
         7 . A scaffolding device according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner rail, said wall engagement member, and said roof engagement member are longitudinally expansible. 
     
     
         8 . A scaffolding system capable of attaching to an eave and gable end of a structure comprising:
 a first scaffolding device having a first support structure, a first wall engagement member, and a first roof engagement member, wherein portions of said first support structure, said first wall engagement member, and said first roof engagement member are longitudinally adjustable;   a second scaffolding device having a second support structure, a second wall engagement member, and a second roof engagement member, wherein portions of said second support structure, said second wall engagement member, and said second roof engagement member are longitudinally adjustable; and   a platform, wherein when said first scaffolding device and said second scaffolding device are coupled to the roof, said platform rests on said first support structure and said second support structure.   
     
     
         9 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 8 , wherein said first support structure includes a first inner rail, a first outer rail, and a first platform member, and wherein said second support structure includes a second inner rail, a second outer rail, and a second platform member, and wherein said first inner rail and said second inner rail are longitudinally adjustable. 
     
     
         10 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 9 , further including a bracing member, and wherein said first outer rail has a first receiving bracket and said second outer rail has a second receiving bracket, and wherein when said first scaffolding device and said second scaffolding device are coupled to the roof said bracing member is supported by said first receiving bracket and said second receiving bracket. 
     
     
         11 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 9 , wherein said first platform member includes at least four sub-members that are configured in a substantially rectangular configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 9 , wherein each of said first and second scaffolding devices includes an interchangeable coupling for releasable attachment to the structure. 
     
     
         13 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 12 , wherein said interchangeable coupling is a coupling designed and configured to attach to a standing seem roof. 
     
     
         14 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 12 , wherein said interchangeable coupling is a coupling designed and configured to attach to a corrugated roof. 
     
     
         15 . A scaffolding system according to  claim 9 , wherein said first scaffolding device includes a first interchangeable coupling for releasable attachment to the structure, and wherein said second scaffolding device includes a second interchangeable coupling for releasable attachment to the structure, and wherein said first interchangeable coupling is designed and configured to releasably attach to a different roof type than said second interchangeable coupling. 
     
     
         16 . A method of removing a scaffolding device from a roof comprising:
 uncoupling a first portion from the scaffolding device;   uncoupling a second portion from the scaffolding device; and   moving a third portion of the scaffolding device in an upward direction consistent with the slope of the roof so as to release the fasteners connecting the third portion to the roof.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the first portion is an outer rail of the scaffolding device that includes a first portion of a support platform of the scaffolding device. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the second portion is an inner rail of the scaffolding device that includes a second portion of the support platform of the scaffolding device.