Roof Mount Adapter for Non-Invasive Flat Roof Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof mounting systems require invasive procedures to secure equipment, damaging the roof membrane and insulation, and often fail to meet approved flashing procedures, leading to compromised integrity and difficult repairs.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive, self-sealing roof mount adapter that uses standard fasteners to connect directly to various roof decks without cutting through the membrane or insulation, distributing load forces in multiple directions while maintaining weatherproofing without the need for additional flashings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If anchor devices are installed by penetrating the roof surface to attach directly to structural decking, then adequate support for equipment is achieved, but the integrity of the roof covering is compromised and repair work is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a roof mount adapter as an intermediary device that sits on top of the roof membrane without penetrating it. The adapter includes a base plate with fasteners that attach to the membrane surface, and a mounting surface that supports equipment. This intermediary structure provides the necessary support capacity while preserving the roof membrane's integrity, eliminating the need for invasive penetration and subsequent repair work
2Strength
If roof membrane and insulation are cut to expose structural decking, then anchor devices can be securely attached, but difficult to flash penetrations are created requiring additional repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the attachment function from the roof membrane itself and relocates it to a separate adapter device. The adapter's base plate attaches to the membrane surface through non-penetrating means, while the equipment mounting function is provided by the adapter's upper surface. This separation eliminates the need to cut or penetrate the membrane and insulation, thereby avoiding difficult-to-flash penetrations and simplifying any required repairs
3Adaptability or versatility
If invasive cutting operations are performed on the roof surface, then structural components become accessible for anchoring, but weatherproofing integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The roof mount adapter serves as an intermediary that provides equipment mounting capability without compromising the roof's weatherproofing. The adapter's base plate distributes loads across the membrane surface through non-penetrating fasteners, and the upper surface provides the mounting interface for equipment. This approach maintains the continuous weather barrier while providing the necessary adaptability to support various equipment configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting adapter for attaching an object to a mounting surface such as a flat roof includes a planar anchor plate having first apertures and second apertures extending therethrough. The first apertures receive an elongated fastener having a length sufficient to fasten the anchor plate over and to a support structure positioned beneath the mounting surface. A cover plate includes third apertures aligned with the second apertures and at least one fourth aperture. The cover plate extends over the first apertures and a second fastener extends through each third aperture and engages with a corresponding second aperture to secure the cover plate over the anchor plate. At least one third fastener interfaces with the at least one fourth aperture for attaching the object to the adapter such that load forces from the object are transferred directly to the support structure beneath the mounting surface through each elongated fastener.