AU721699B2 - A method of laying sheet roofing material, a support device for a stanchion post and a stanchion assembly - Google Patents

Description

W I9 -1- Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

a a Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: DGS Property Pty. Ltd.

Cornelis Johanes GRIEK DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

A method of laying sheet roofing material, a support device for a stanchion post and a stanchion assembly a.

a a. a a.

a.

Details of Associated Provisional Application(s) No(s): PO6419/97 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Q:\OPER\PHH6419-97.CMP 23/4/98 SP:\OPER\PHIH\DGSCAP. 104 -23/4/98 -2- A METHOD OF LAYING SHEET ROOFING MATERIAL, A SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A STANCHION POST AND A STANCHION ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a method of laying sheet roofing material on a roof structure and is particularly concerned with such a method which includes providing a safety barrier for the roof structure. The invention also extends to a stanchion post support device for the safety barrier and to a stanchion assembly.

It has become common practice in Australia to require a safety barrier on a roof structure while the roof is being covered with, for example, tiles or sheet roofing material (including roof decking and sheets of corrugated material). This is true whether the roof covering is being applied during the initial construction of the roof or during re-roofing.

There have been many proposals for stanchion assemblies for safety barriers for rooves, 15 including the clamping assembly described in our Australian Patent Specification AU-610721 and the bracket assembly described in our Australian Patent Specification AU-652609. The clamping assembly described in AU-610721 can be attached to existing sheet roofing material, but is not adapted to be secured directly to a roof member such as a batten or rafter of the roof structure. The bracket assembly described in AU-652609 is particularly adapted for use with tiled roofs since a stanchion post secured to the bracket assembly would project upwardly between the rafters and prevent sheets of roofing material being secured to the roof structure. In variations of the use of the bracket assembly shown in AU-652609, it has been S proposed to use an adaptor which extends beneath the roof structure so that the stanchion post projects upwardly beyond the outer end of the roof structure. However, it is not always S• 25 possible to provide access from beneath a roof structure, particularly during re-roofing C* S"operations, and it is not always possible or practical to locate the bracket assembly on or remove it from a rafter while sheet roofing material overlies the position of the bracket assembly on the rafter, particularly if the roofing operator is intended to be protected by the safety barrier at the same time.

P:\OPER\PHH\63562-98.RES 1/5/00 -3- It is an object of the present invention to enhance the safety of operators during the laying of sheet roofing material.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of laying sheet roofing material on a roof structure which includes providing a safety barrier, the method comprising securing at least three stanchion posts so as to project upwardly of the roof structure in spaced apart manner laterally across the fall of the roof structure with at least one of the stanchion posts projecting upwardly of the roof structure from within the periphery of the roof structure, supporting restraining means from the stanchion posts so as to extend between the stanchion posts, securing at least one sheet of roofing material to the roof structure so that the roofing material extends laterally to a position adjacent said one of the stanchion posts, releasing said one stanchion post from the roof structure, laterally displacing said one stanchion post relative to the restraining means while the restraining means remains :supported, resecuring said one stanchion post to the roof structure and securing one or more further sheets of roofing material to the roof structure laterally from said position.

By the present invention, the integrity of the safety barrier may be ensured at all times during 0 the actual laying of the sheet roofing material. While said one stanchion post is being displaced laterally to enable further laying of the sheet roofing material, the restraining means remains supported by the at least two other stanchion posts and the one stanchion post is resecured to the roof structure before the laying of the further sheets of sheet roofing material.

If the restraining means is in the form of mesh or netting, it will be necessary to release the one stanchion post from the restraining means while the stanchion post is displaced laterally, but the restraining means can be supported from that stanchion post before or after the stanchion post is resecured to the roof structure. If the restraining means is in the form of one or more barrier rails, as is preferred, the one stanchion post may be slid along the barrier rail or rails as it is displaced laterally. Advantageously, the or each barrier rail is supported on the one stanchion post in a respective slide member which is oversized at least parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support post compared to the Cross-section of the barrier rail.

II

P:\OPER\PHH\DGSCAP. 104 23/4/98 -4- During a re-roofing operation, it is preferred for safety reasons that the old sheets of roofing material are removed gradually so that the one stanchion post can be initially secured to the roof structure by engagement with or through the old roof material.

The at least one stanchion post may be clamped to the roof structure by, for example, a clamping assembly such as is described in AU-610721 engaging the sheet roofing material.

When the cross-section of the sheet roofing material is not appropriate for clamping by the clamping assembly, an undercut support device may be secured to the roof structure over the roofing material as described in AU-610721. However, in one alternative, preferred embodiment the clamping assembly is omitted and the at least one stanchion post is engaged with a support device secured by fasteners to at least one elongate roof member of the roof structure, preferably through the sheet roofing material. Advantageously, the aforementioned support device is elongate and is secured by the fasteners to at least two spaced elongate roof members of the roof structure.

"While many different support devices may be envisaged for securing the at least one stanchion post to the roof structure in the preferred embodiment, it may be imagined that the stanchion post and its support device may be both cumbersome and heavy, and it is preferred that the at least one stanchion post can be released from any support device before it is displaced 20 laterally over the sheet roofing material. The stanchion post may then be re-engaged with the same support device at the new location of the stanchion post after the support device has been relocated, or the at least one stanchion post may be engaged with a new support device at the new location with the old support device then being removed.

25 When the restraining means is in the form of at least one barrier rail, the number of barrier S"rails and the spacing of the stanchion posts may make the safety barrier sufficiently rigid that displacing the stanchion post, and possibly the barrier rail(s) to disengage the stanchion post from the support device, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is very difficult.

Advantageously, therefore, the support device is such that the stanchion post can be separated from it without substantial displacement of the barrier rail(s).

P:\OPER\PHH\DGSCAP. 104 23/4198 In one embodiment according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support device for a stanchion post comprising a first portion adapted to be secured to a roof structure and an upwardly projecting bracket engaged with the first portion for releasably receiving the stanchion post, the bracket being open at one side and upwardly whereby a stanchion post received in the bracket can be released laterally therefrom.

Further according to the second aspect of the invention there is provided a stanchion assembly comprising a stanchion post and a support device as described in the immediately preceding paragraph.

By this second aspect of the invention, the stanchion post may be slid along the barrier rail(s) as it is released from the bracket. Alternatively, if the restraining means is in the form of, for example webbing, the webbing may be released first from the stanchion post. The first portion may be in the form of an elongate support device as described above.

Preferably means is provided on the bracket to resist inadvertent release of the stanchion post from the bracket, such as a locking screw and/or a side wall portion at said one side of the bracket which is adapted to prevent release of the stanchion post in the usual orientation of the stanchion post. In a preferred embodiment, the locking screw is adapted to urge the stanchion post behind the side wall portion to prevent release of the stanchion post.

Security against accidental release of the stanchion post may also be provided in this second aspect of the invention by a stop member provided at or adjacent the base of the bracket which requires the stanchion post to be lifted slightly before it can be released through the 25 open side of the bracket. The slight upwards movement of the stanchion post may be required to be performed against the bias of the relatively rigid barrier rail(s) if the restraining means is in this form but, advantageously, the or each barrier rail(s) is supported in respective oversize slide member of the stanchion post, as described above, which permits such small degree of upwards movement. Preferably, locking means is provided to secure the or each barrier rail in its respective slide member which must be released to permit any relative P:\OPER\PH-IDGSCAP. 104 -23/4/98 -6movement between the barrier rail and the stanchion post.

In an alternative embodiment in accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a stanchion assembly comprising a stanchion post and a support device therefor comprising an elongate slide portion adapted to the secured to the roof structure and slide means which is carried by one of the elongate slide portion and an elongate member of the stanchion post or of an adaptor for the stanchion post and which is releasably engageable with the other of the elongate slide portion and the elongate member to locate the elongate member relative to the slide portion, the slide means being slidably displaceable relative to both the elongate member and the elongate slide portion to release the stanchion post from the elongate slide portion without relative longitudinal movement between the elongate member and elongate slide portion.

Also according to the third aspect of the invention there is provided a support device for a 15 stanchion post comprising an elongate slide portion adapted to be secured to a roof structure and slide means which is carried by the elongate slide portion and is releasably engageable with an elongate member of the stanchion post or of an adaptor for the stanchion post to locate the elongate member relative to the slide portion, the slide means being slidably displaceable relative to both the elongate member and the elongate slide portion to release the 20 stanchion post from the elongate slide portion without relative longitudinal movement between the elongate member and elongate slide portion.

Preferably, the slide means comprises two slide elements and, when both are engaged by the slide means, the elongate member and elongate slide portion extend parallel.

S S"The slide means is preferably slidingly secured to the elongate slide portion so that the elongate member is releasable from the slide means to permit the subsequent lateral displacement of the stanchion post. Locking means such as a screw-threaded member may be provided to selectively lock the slide means to one or both of the elongate member and elongate slide portion.

I'

SP:\OPER\PHH\DGSCAP. 104- 23/4/98 -7- The elongate slide portion may be adapted to be secured directly to the roof structure, for example by means of fasteners, but preferably it is supported by an elongate support device such as is described above for engaging the roof structure. Conveniently, the slide axis of the elongate slide portion is parallel in use to the fall of the roof.

Two embodiments of a method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a safety barrier secured to sheet roofing material; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing one of the barrier stanchion posts displaced laterally over the sheet roofing material; Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment of stanchion post and support device illustrated in the safety barrier of Figures 1 and 2; 15 Figure 4 is an enlarged elevational view of a first embodiment of the stanchion post secured to the sheet roofing material; Figure 5 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of stanchion post and support S S o device for use in the safety barrier; and Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the stanchion post released from .20 the support device.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a safety barrier 10 is shown secured to sheet roofing material at the outer end 14 of the roof structure 16.

25 In addition to the sheet roofing material 12, the roof structure 16 comprises a plurality of rafters 18 (one only visible) which extend parallel to the fall of the roof to the outer end 14, and a plurality of spaced battens 20 which extend in known manner across the rafters and are secured to the top faces of the rafters. As shown, the sheet roofing material is in the form of corrugated material, usually metallic material, but the safety barrier 10 may be used with, for example, roof decking. The corrugated sheet roofing material is laid in side-by-side P:\OPER\PHH\DGSCAP. 104- 23/4/98 -8overlapping elongate strips each of which extends longitudinally with the fall of the roof and is secured in known manner by fasteners (not shown) which engage the battens The safety barrier 10 is shown only in part and may extend around the sides of the roof.

In Figures 1 and 2 the safety barrier 10 has been secured over the sheet roofing material 12, and it may therefore be assumed that the roofing material is old and to be replaced sheet by sheet laterally across the roof. Instead, however, the stanchion posts could be secured directly to the roof battens 20 if the old roofing material 12 were removed first or if the roof structure 16 were new. Either way, in order to lay the new sheets of roofing material sideby-side laterally across the roof structure 16, it is necessary to release each of the stanchion posts 22 of the safety barrier in turn as the new sheet roofing material is laid up to a point adjacent the stanchion post.

15 A disadvantage of releasing any one stanchion post is that it reduces the strength and integrity of the overall safety barrier and, in accordance with the invention, the released stanchion post is therefore displaced laterally along the safety barrier with the safety barrier remaining supported by the other stanchion posts, and is then resecured to the roof structure at a new location, usually where the new roofing material has already been laid. Once the released 20 stanchion post has been resecured to the roof structure at its new location, further new sheets of roofing material may be laid up to a position adjacent the next stanchion post with the integrity of the safety barrier being maintained during the laying operation.

Figure 2 illustrates the releasing and displacing steps in which, conveniently, the central stanchion post 22 in Figure 2 has been released from its support device 24 to facilitate the lateral displacement of the stanchion post along the safety barrier. Once the stanchion post 22 has been released from the support device 24, the support device may be disengaged from the roof structure, relocated to the desired new position of the stanchion post and re-engaged with the roof structure 16 before the stanchion post 22 is re-engaged with the support device.

4 P:\OPERTHHH\DGSCAP. 104 23/4/98 -9- Referring now also to Figures 3 and 4, the particular embodiment of stanchion post 22 and support device 24 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 will be described in detail.

The stanchion post 22 comprises an upright portion 26 of square cross-section tubular steel which extends into an inclined bottom portiol 28 of the same cross-section. The upright portion 26 has three spaced hoops 30 defining oblong lateral openings for receiving respective barrier rails 32 of smaller oblong cross-section (not shown in Figure Each hoop 30 has a locking screw 34 associated with it which extends through the upright portion of the stanchion post 22 to secure the respective barrier rail 32 in the hoop.

The support device 24 comprises an elongate roof engaging member 36 and an upwardly projecting bracket 38 at one end of the member 36 for engaging the bottom portion 28 of the stanchion post 22.

15 The roof engaging member 36 has such a length that it is able to span at least two, and preferably three, of the battens 20 of the roof structure and is screw threadedly engaged with the battens in use by fasteners (not shown). Since the member 36 is adapted to extend along a convex portion of the corrugated sheet roofing material 12, it is formed by a concave or top-hat section 40 with a substantially U-shaped reinforcing section 42 welded to the section 20 40. However, other cross-sections may be appropriate depending on the type of roofing material.

The bracket 38 is upwardly open to receive the bottom portion of the stanchion post in sliding manner. However, the rigidity of the barrier rails 32 and their engagement with the stanchion 25 posts are such that it would not be possible to lift the stanchion post 22 upwardly out of the bracket 38 to release the stanchion post from the support device 24. Accordingly, the bracket 38 is open to one lateral side 44, the opening being sufficient to enable the stanchion post to be released laterally from the bracket as the stanchion post slides along the barrier rails. In order to alleviate unintentional release of the stanchion post, the open side 44 of the bracket 38 is provided with a lip 46, and a locking screw 48 supported by the bracket is adapted to P:\OPER\PHH\DGSCAP. 104 -23/4198 urge the bottom portion 28 of the stanchion post behind the lip 46.

Furthermore, a step plate 50 is welded to the member 36 at the bottom of the open side 44 of the bracket 38 so that the stanchion post 22 must also be lifted slightly over the step plate 50 before it can be released from the bracket. As noted previously, the rail-receiving hoops are oversized compared to the rails 32. If, as shown in Figure 1, the rails are secured by the locking screws 34 in the uppermost portion of the hoops 30 of all of the stanchion posts 22, the stanchion post to be released may be raised sufficiently when the locking screws 34 are released without displacing the barrier rails 32 to enable the stanchion post to be lifted over the step plate Once the stanchion post 22 has been released from the bracket 38, it may be slid along the barrier rails 32 to the new location of the stanchion post while the remaining stanchion posts maintain the rigidity of the safety barrier.

Resecuring the relocated stanchion post is the reverse operation to its release, with the bottom portion 28 being re-engaged with the same relocated support device 24 or with another support device 24. It will be appreciated that a plurality of holes (not shown) will be provided through the web 52 of the roof engaging elongate member 36 to enable screwthreaded fasteners to pass through them and secure the support device 24 to the roof battens When the support device 24 is secured over new sheet roofing material 12, the fasteners will pass through the roofing material and, conveniently, the material 12 may be secured to the roof battens once the support device 24 has been removed, with fasteners passing through the same openings.

S S"In Figures 1 and 2 all of the stanchion posts 22 and support devices 24 are the same, but the end stanchion posts may not need to be secured through the sheet roofing material. For example, they may be secured directly to the adjacent rafters 18. Likewise, any other stanchion posts at the sides of the roof may not need to be secured through the sheet roofing material.

P:\OPER\PHH\DGSCAP. 104 23/4/98 -11- Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, an alternative stanchion post 60 and support device 62 is illustrated for use in the safety barrier 10. The stanchion post 60 is substantially identical to the stanchion post 22, but has a longer inclined bottom portion 64 welded to the upright portion 66 with the join reinforced by a web 68. The bottom portion 64 is received in a sleeve portion 70 of an adaptor 72. The adaptor has an elongate slide member 74 projecting from the opposite end of the sleeve 70, with a web 76 reinforcing the welded join. A locking screw 78 is provided to secure the bottom portion 64 in the sleeve 70, and a hoop 80 and locking screw 82 are provided on the sleeve 70 for a further barrier rail 84.

The support device 62 comprises an elongate roof engaging member 86 which may be of tophat section as illustrated for overlying a convex portion of the corrugated sheet roofing material 12. The member 86 is secured to the roof battens 20 by screw threaded fasteners 88 which pass through the sheet roofing material. Welded to the roof engaging member 86 through spacers 90 is an elongate slide portion 92 of the support device 62.

The elongate slide portion 92 has two slide elements 94 slidably engaged with it, each of which has a tubular portion 96 which slidably receives the elongate slide member 74 of the adaptor 72.

S" 20 Locking screws 98 are shown on the slide elements 94 for engagement with the elongate slide S'portion 92, but they may alternatively, and preferably, be provided on the tube portions 96 or on both.

When the stanchion post 60 is properly located by the support device 62, the elongate slide 25 portion 92 of the support device extends parallel to but projects beyond the elongate slide member 74 of the adaptor 72. Thus, if it is desired to release the stanchion post 60 from the support device 62 without releasing the barrier rails 32 and 84 from the stanchion post, the slide elements 96 may be displaced along the elongate slide portion 92 as shown in Figure 6.

The locking screws holding the barrier rails in place may then be released to enable the stanchion post 60 to be displaced along the barrier rails laterally across the roof in accordance P:\OPER\PHH\DGSCAP. 104 23/498 12with the method of the invention. The support device 62 may then be relocated at the new location of the stanchion post and resecured to the roof structure by means of the fasteners 88 before the slide elements 96 are re-engaged with the elongate slide member of the adaptor 72.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within its spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

9 4 9 9 9 9

Claims (14)

13- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A method of laying sheet roofing material on a roof structure which includes providing a safety barrier, the method comprising securing at least three stanchion posts so as to project upwardly of the roof structure in spaced apart manner laterally across the fall of the roof structure with at least one of the stanchion posts projecting upwardly of the roof structure from within the periphery of the roof structure, supporting restraining means from the stanchion posts so as to extend between the stanchion posts, securing at least one sheet of roofing material to the roof structure so that the roofing material extends laterally to a position adjacent said one of the stanchion posts, releasing said one stanchion post from the roof structure, laterally displacing said one stanchion post relative to the restraining means while the restraining means remains supported, resecuring said one stanchion post to the roof structure and securing one or more further sheets of roofing material to the roof structure laterally from said position. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the one stanchion post is released from the restraining means while the one stanchion post is displaced laterally. 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the restraining means comprises one or more 20 barrier rails and the one stanchion post is slid along the barrier rail or rails as it is displaced o*oS o: o laterally. 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the or each barrier rail is supported on the one stanchion post in a respective slide member which is oversized parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support post compared to the cross-section of the barrier rail. A method according to any one of the preceding claims which is a reroofming operation and wherein the old roofing material is removed gradually and the one stanchion post is initially secured to the roof structure by engagement with or through the old roofing material. I, P:\OPERTHH\GSCAP. 104 23/4/98 -14- 6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the one stanchion post is clamped to the roofing material. 7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the one stanchion post is engaged with a support device secured to the roof structure by fasteners. 8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the support device is elongate and is secured by the fasteners to at least two spaced elongate roof members of the roof structure. 9. A method according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the one stanchion post is clamped to the support device. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the one stanchion post is released from the support device before it is displaced laterally. 11. A method according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the support device includes an upwardly projecting bracket for releasably receiving the one stanchion post, the bracket being open at one side and upwardly whereby the one stanchion post can be released laterally therefrom. 20 12. A method according to claim 11 wherein means is provided on the bracket to resist i inadvertent release of the one stanchion post therefrom. 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said resist means comprises a side wall portion at said one side of the bracket and means adapted to urge the one stanchion post behind the side wall portion.

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13 wherein said resist means comprises a stop member at or adjacent a base of the bracket whereby the one stanchion post must be lifted over the stop member before it can be released through the open side of the bracket. P:\OPER\PHH\63562-98.RS 1/5/00 A method according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the support device includes an elongate slide portion and slide means which is carried by one of the elongate slide portion and an elongate member of the stanchion post or of an adaptor for the stanchion post and which is releasably engageable with the other of the elongate slide portion and the elongate member to locate the elongate member relative to the slide portion the slide means being slidably displaceable relative to both the elongate member and the elongate slide portion to release the stanchion post from the elongate slide portion without relative longitudinal movement between the elongate member and elongate slide portion.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the slide means comprises two relatively slidable slide elements.

17. A method according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the slide axis of the elongate slide 1portion is parallel to the fall of the roof.

18. A method of laying sheet roofing material substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. a

19. A support device for a stanchion post comprising a first portion adapted to be secured to a roof structure and an upwardly projecting bracket engaged with the first portion for releasably receiving the stanchion post, the bracket being open at one side and upwardly :"*whereby a stanchion post received in the bracket can be released laterally therefrom.

20. A support device according to claim 19 wherein means is provided on the bracket to resist inadvertent release of the stanchion post therefrom.

21. A support device according to claim 20 wherein said resist means comprises a side wall portion at said one side of the bracket and means adapted to urge the stanchion post behind the wall portion. ,I 22. A support device according to claim 20 or 21 wherein said resist means comprises a P:\OPER\PHH\63562-98RES 1/5/00 -16- stop member at or adjacent a base of the bracket whereby the stanchion post must be lifted over the stop member before it can be released through the open side of the bracket.

23. A support device for a stanchion post substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A stanchion assembly comprising a stanchion post and a support device according to any one of claims 19 to 23.

25. A support device for a stanchion post comprising an elongate slide portion adapted to be secured to a roof structure and slide means which is carried by the elongate slide portion and is releasably engageable with an elongate member of the stanchion post or of an adaptor for the stanchion post to locate the elongate member relative to the slide portion, the slide means being slidably displaceable relative to both the elongate member and the elongate slide portion to release the stanchion post from the elongate slide portion without relative longitudinal movement between the elongate member and elongate slide portion. o

26. A support device for a stanchion post substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

27. A stanchion assembly comprising a stanchion post and a support device therefor comprising an elongate slide portion adapted to the secured to the roof structure and slide means which is carried by one of the elongate slide portion and an elongate member of the stanchion post or of an adaptor for the stanchion post and which is releasably engageable with the other of the elongate slide portion and the elongate member to locate the elongate member relative to the slide portion, the slide means being slidably displaceable relative to both the elongate member and the elongate slide portion to release the stanchion post from the elongate slide portion without relative longitudinal movement between the elongate member and elongate slide portion. P:\OPER\PH"-\63562-98. RES 1/5/00 17

28. A stanchion assembly according to claim 27 wherein the support device is according to claim 26. DATED this 1st day of May, 2000. DGS PROPERTY PTY. LTD. By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE S S S. a S S a. a S a *a a a a *a a a a.. a. V V a a a a V. V.