Pivoting Rooftop Equipment Mounting Assembly With Remote Latch Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rooftop mounting systems face challenges such as flexing, vibrations, and potential damage to flat rooftops due to non-ideal weight distribution, and require service personnel to access the edge of the roof for maintenance, posing safety concerns and risking damage to the rooftop surface.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly with a pivotable beam and remotely operable latch allows equipment to be safely serviced from a distance, minimizing rooftop penetration and distributing weight evenly to prevent damage, featuring a base, post, beam, equipment mounting bracket, and latch system that can be operated from 6 feet or more from the roof edge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If equipment is mounted at the edge of the roof to reach over adjacent areas, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the safety of service personnel deteriorates due to the need to access near the roof edge
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a base mounted on the roof, a post extending upward, and a beam with equipment mounting bracket positioned at the edge. This segmentation allows the equipment to be mounted at the optimal edge location for imaging coverage while the service personnel can access and service the equipment from the safe interior location through the remotely operable latch mechanism.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rooftop surface is penetrated to mount equipment, then the mounting stability is improved, but the rooftop surface integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system uses an intermediary approach by employing a base that distributes weight across the rooftop surface without penetration. The base acts as a mediator between the mounting structure and the roof, providing stable support through weight distribution while preserving the rooftop surface integrity.
3Ease of repair
If service personnel access the roof edge to service equipment, then the equipment accessibility is improved, but the safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service capability through the remotely operable latch mechanism. Service personnel can release and reposition the beam from a safe interior location without needing to physically access the roof edge, allowing equipment servicing while maintaining safety. The latch mechanism is designed to be operable from a distance of 6 feet or more from the roof edge.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing mounting systems are used, then the equipment can be mounted, but flexing and vibrations occur under severe weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system incorporates a counterweight mechanism that balances the beam to prevent flexing and vibrations during operation and servicing. The counterweight offsets the weight of the equipment and beam, providing stability under severe weather conditions while maintaining ease of installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting assembly includes a base; a post extending from the base, the post defining a vertical axis; a beam mounted on the post and being pivotable about the vertical axis, the beam comprising a first portion extending in a first horizontal direction and terminating in a first end, and a second portion extending in a second horizontal direction opposite of the first direction and terminating in a second end; an equipment mounting bracket at the first end; a latch along the beam and having an engaged position and release position, wherein in the engaged position the latch prevents the beam from pivoting; and a latch release along the second portion of the beam. A method of accessing equipment mounted on the mounting assembly includes actuating the latch release such that the latch moves from the engaged position to the release position; and rotating the beam about the vertical axis.