U.S. patent application number 11/317849 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for mounting bracket for roof-top structures.
Invention is credited to Edward Charles Blanchard.
Application Number | 20070144105 11/317849 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38191981 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070144105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blanchard; Edward Charles |
June 28, 2007 |
Mounting bracket for roof-top structures
Abstract
A one-piece mounting bracket for securing a roof-top structure
to the roof top of a building. In one embodiment, the one piece
mounting bracket includes a first substantially L-shaped portion
for engaging the roof top of a building, a second substantially
L-shaped portion for engaging the roof top of a building, and a
substantially flat base portion integrally connecting the first
substantially L-shaped portion and the second substantially
L-shaped portion such that the first substantially L-shaped portion
and the second substantially L-shaped portion are aligned
substantially in one direction.
Inventors: |
Blanchard; Edward Charles;
(Carrollton, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRIS MANNING MARTIN LLP
3343 PEACHTREE ROAD, NE
1600 ATLANTA FINANCIAL CENTER
ATLANTA
GA
30326
US
|
Family ID: |
38191981 |
Appl. No.: |
11/317849 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/698 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01Q 1/1221
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/698 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A mounting bracket for securing a roof-top structure to the roof
top of a building, comprising: a. a base portion having a first end
and an opposite, second end defining a base body having a base
width, W.sub.0, therebetween; b. a first leg portion extending from
the first end of the base portion; c. a second leg portion
extending from the second end of the base portion; d. a first foot
portion having a width, W.sub.1, and extending from the first leg
portion to form a first substantially L-shaped portion with the
first leg portion; and e. a second foot portion having a width,
W.sub.2, and extending from the second leg portion to form a second
substantially L-shaped portion with the second leg portion, wherein
the first foot portion and the second foot portion are
substantially parallel to each other, the first substantially
L-shaped portion and the second substantially L-shaped portion are
aligned substantially in one direction, and the base portion is
elevated by the first leg portion and the second leg portion with
respect to the first foot portion and the second foot portion.
2. The mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein the first leg portion
has a height, H.sub.1, defined between the base portion and the
first foot portion, and the second leg portion has a height,
H.sub.2, defined between the base portion and the second foot
portion such that H.sub.2.gtoreq.H.sub.1.
3. The mounting bracket of claim 2, wherein the base portion has an
angle, .alpha., relative to the first foot portion and the second
foot portion, and wherein 0<.alpha.<.pi./2.
4. The mounting bracket of claim 2, wherein the base portion is
substantially parallel to the first foot portion and the second
foot portion.
5. The mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein the width W.sub.0 of
the base portion is narrower than each of the width W.sub.1 of the
first foot portion and the width W.sub.2 of the second foot
portion.
6. The mounting bracket of claim 5, wherein the width W.sub.1 of
the first foot portion and the width W.sub.2 of the second foot
portion are different or substantially same.
7. The mounting bracket of claim 5, wherein the first leg portion
has a width WL.sub.1 that is gradually changed from the width
W.sub.0 of the base portion to the width W.sub.1 of the first foot
portion.
8. The mounting bracket of claim 5, wherein the second leg portion
has a width WL.sub.2 that is gradually changed from the width
W.sub.0 of the base portion to the width W.sub.2 of the second foot
portion.
9. The mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein each of the base
portion, the first leg portion, the second leg portion, the first
foot portion and the second foot portion is substantially flat.
10. The mounting bracket of claim 9, wherein each of the base
portion, the first foot portion and the second foot portion is
substantially rectangular.
11. The mounting bracket of claim 1, further comprising means for
securing the mounting bracket to the roof top of a building and a
roof-top structure to the mounting bracket, respectively.
12. The mounting bracket of claim 11, wherein the securing means
comprises a plurality of screws.
13. The mounting bracket of claim 12, wherein the base portion has
a plurality of spaced holes formed in the base body, each of the
spaced holes capable of receiving a corresponding screw to secure
the roof-top structure to the mounting bracket.
14. The mounting bracket of claim 12, wherein each of the first
foot portion and second foot portion has a plurality of spaced
holes formed therein, each of the spaced holes capable of receiving
a corresponding screw to secure the mounting bracket to the
roof-top of a building.
15. The mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket
is formed of a one piece rigid material.
16. The mounting bracket of claim 15, wherein the one piece rigid
material comprises metal, fiber glass or plastic.
17. A one piece mounting bracket for securing a roof-top structure
to the roof top of a building, comprising: a. a first substantially
L-shaped portion for engaging the roof top of a building; b. a
second substantially L-shaped portion for engaging the roof top of
a building; and c. a substantially flat base portion integrally
connecting the first substantially L-shaped portion and the second
substantially L-shaped portion such that the first substantially
L-shaped portion and the second substantially L-shaped portion are
aligned substantially in one direction.
18. A method for securing a roof-top structure to the roof top of a
building, comprising the steps of: a. providing a mounting bracket
comprising: (i). a base portion having a first end and an opposite,
second end and a plurality of spaced holes formed therein; (ii). a
first leg portion extending from the first end of the base portion;
(iii). a second leg portion extending from the second end of the
base portion; (iv). a first foot portion having a plurality of
spaced holes formed therein and extending from the first leg
portion to form a first substantially L-shaped portion with the
first leg portion; and (v). a second foot portion having a
plurality of spaced holes formed therein and extending from the
second leg portion to form a second substantially L-shaped portion
with the second leg portion, wherein the first foot portion and the
second foot portion are substantially parallel to each other, the
first substantially L-shaped portion and the second substantially
L-shaped portion are aligned substantially in one direction, and
the base portion is elevated by the first leg portion and the
second leg portion with respect to the first foot portion and the
second foot portion; b. positioning the mounting bracket onto a
location of the roof top of the building; c. securing the mounting
bracket to the location of the roof top by screwing a set of screws
through the pluralities of spaced holes of the first and second
foot portions into the roof structural material of the building
therein, respectively; and d. securing the roof-top structure to
the mounting bracket by screwing a set of screws through the
plurality of spaced holes of the base portion.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the mounting bracket is formed
of a one piece rigid material.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one piece rigid material
comprises metal or plastic.
Description
[0001] Some references, which may include patents, patent
applications and various publications, are cited and discussed in
the description of this invention. The citation and/or discussion
of such references is provided merely to clarify the description of
the present invention and is not an admission that any such
reference is "prior art" to the invention described herein. All
references cited and discussed in this specification are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the
same extent as if each reference was individually incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a mounting
bracket, and more particularly to a mounting bracket for securing a
roof-top structure to the roof top of a building.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is a common practice to mount a satellite dish antenna to
the roof top of a building to provide an unobstructed view of an
appropriate satellite operable with the antenna for receiving
signals including audio, video and other communication signals form
the satellite. The antenna must have an extremely stable base to
provide constant support so the antenna can be aligned to receive
the signals from the satellite. In order to hold the antenna in
place to provide the desired stability, the base is permanently
attached to the roof top by means of an attachment assembly that
structurally penetrates the building.
[0004] A variety of roof mounting structures of satellite dish
antennae has been developed. For example, it is understood that
U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,128 to Gasque, Jr. discloses a roof mount for
securely attaching dish antennae to roofs of houses typically
supported by a plurality of spaced rafters having a two-piece frame
attached to a selected portion of a roof, with one piece on top of
the roof supporting the dish and its adjusting mechanism and the
other piece of the frame underlying the first frame beneath the
roof. A plurality of fasteners penetrates the roof and both frames
and draws the frames toward each other to clamp them about the
selected portion of the roof and provide steady support for the
antenna. It is also understood that U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,433 to
Burns et al. describe an antenna roof mounting structure comprising
a substantially solid planar foundation that may be secured to a
roof substrate, a substantially closed geometric superstructure
affixed to and vertically raised upon the foundation, and a mast
for an antenna affixed to the superstructure.
[0005] However, designs and installations of such roof mounting
structures are quite complex, which is due, in part, to the
requirements that must be met in order to maintain both antenna
stability and the structural integrity of the building. Such
installations may result in water leaks due to drilling through the
roofing material into rafters for mounting the roof mounting
structures. Additionally, the location of a satellite antenna is
generally restricted to those locations immediately adjacent to a
main roof support, or joist, so as to enable engagement of the
attachment assembly therewith.
[0006] Numerous methods and devices have been developed to overcome
these problems by mounting a satellite antenna to a flat roof top
without penetrating same. For example, it is understood that U.S.
Pat. No. 4,922,264 to Fitzgerald discloses antenna mounting
apparatus especially for use in connection with satellite dishes
comprises a base assembly with an antenna extending upwardly
therefrom, multiple ballast means extending radially from the base
assembly, outer end plates disposed respectively adjacent the end
of the ballast means remote from the base assembly, an aperture
formed in each ballast means, and tie rods extending respectively
through the apertures and interconnecting the base assembly and the
associated outer end plate. It is also understood that U.S. Pat.
No. 4,649,675 to Moldovan et al. discloses an apparatus for
mounting an antenna on a flat roof without penetrating the
waterproof membrane of the roof. The apparatus is comprised of a
rigid base having a planar lower surface adapted to overlie the
flat roof, ballast means carried by the base to stabilize the base,
and antenna support means connected to and extending upwardly from
the base.
[0007] In these non-penetrating flat roof mount designs, the
ballasting members are directly exposed to the slow destructive
forces of the elements and are, therefore, susceptible to erosion
and wearing away due to wind, rain, snow, and ice over extended
periods of time. This problem is further exacerbated by the fact
that these designs typically use concrete or cinder blocks as
ballasting members, the blocks being relatively brittle and
sensitive to the erosive effects of the weather. As the blocks
erode, they become less and less effective as ballasting members,
eventually becoming completely ineffective. On the other hand, the
installations of the non-penetrating roof mount structures require
the expenditure of a significant amount of time, effort, and
cost.
[0008] An additional disadvantage for all current roof mount
designs, non-penetrating or not, is that they cannot be easily and
securely engaged with the roof top without increasing the
likelihood of water leaking.
[0009] Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art
to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a mounting
bracket for securing a roof-top structure to the roof top of a
building. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket includes a base
portion having a first end and an opposite, second end defining a
base body having a base width, W.sub.0, therebetween, a first leg
portion extending from the first end of the base portion, a second
leg portion extending from the second end of the base portion, a
first foot portion having a width, W.sub.1, and extending from the
first leg portion to form a first substantially L-shaped portion
with the first leg portion, and a second foot portion having a
width, W.sub.2, and extending from the second leg portion to form a
second substantially L-shaped portion with the second leg portion,
where the first foot portion and the second foot portion are
substantially parallel to each other, the first substantially
L-shaped portion and the second substantially L-shaped portion are
aligned substantially in one direction, and the base portion is
elevated by the first leg portion and the second leg portion with
respect to the first foot portion and the second foot portion.
[0011] In one embodiment, each of the base portion, the first leg
portion, the second leg portion, the first foot portion and the
second foot portion is substantially flat. Furthermore, each of the
base portion, the first foot portion and the second foot portion is
substantially rectangular. The width W.sub.1 of the first foot
portion and the width W.sub.2 of the second foot portion are
different or substantially same. The width W.sub.0 of the base
portion is narrower than each of the width W.sub.1 of the first
foot portion and the width W.sub.2 of the second foot portion. In
one embodiment, the first leg portion has a width WL.sub.1 that is
gradually changed from the width W.sub.0 of the base portion to the
width W.sub.1 of the first foot portion. The second leg portion has
a width WL.sub.2 that is gradually changed from the width W.sub.0
of the base portion to the width W.sub.2 of the second foot
portion.
[0012] In one embodiment, the first leg portion has a height,
H.sub.1, defined between the base portion and the first foot
portion, and the second leg portion has a height, H.sub.2, defined
between the base portion and the second foot portion such that
H.sub.2.gtoreq.H.sub.1. In one embodiment, the base portion has an
angle, .alpha., relative to the first foot portion and the second
foot portion, wherein 0<.alpha.<.pi./2. In another
embodiment, the base portion is substantially parallel to the first
foot portion and the second foot portion.
[0013] The mounting bracket may further comprise means for securing
the mounting bracket to the roof top of a building and a roof-top
structure to the mounting bracket, respectively. In one embodiment,
the securing means includes a plurality of screws. In one
embodiment, the base portion has a plurality of spaced holes formed
in the base body, each of the spaced holes capable of receiving a
corresponding screw to secure the roof-top structure to the
mounting bracket. Each of the first foot portion and second foot
portion has a plurality of spaced holes formed therein, each of the
spaced holes capable of receiving a corresponding screw to secure
the mounting bracket to the roof-top of a building.
[0014] The mounting bracket is formed of a one piece rigid
material. In one embodiment, the one piece rigid material comprises
metal, fiber glass or plastic.
[0015] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a one
piece mounting bracket for securing a roof-top structure to the
roof top of a building. The one piece mounting bracket in one
embodiment comprises a first substantially L-shaped portion for
engaging the roof top of a building, a second substantially
L-shaped portion for engaging the roof top of a building, and a
substantially flat base portion integrally connecting the first
substantially L-shaped portion and the second substantially
L-shaped portion such that the first substantially L-shaped portion
and the second substantially L-shaped portion are aligned
substantially in one direction. The substantially flat base portion
is adapted for receiving a roof-top structure thereon.
[0016] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a
method for securing a roof-top structure to the roof top of a
building. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of
providing a mounting bracket comprising a base portion having a
first end and an opposite, second end and a plurality of spaced
holes formed therein, a first leg portion extending from the first
end of the base portion, a second leg portion extending from the
second end of the base portion, a first foot portion having a
plurality of spaced holes formed therein and extending from the
first leg portion to form a first substantially L-shaped portion
with the first leg portion, and a second foot portion having a
plurality of spaced holes formed therein and extending from the
second leg portion to form a second substantially L-shaped portion
with the second leg portion. The first foot portion and the second
foot portion are substantially parallel to each other, the first
substantially L-shaped portion and the second substantially
L-shaped portion are aligned substantially in one direction, and
the base portion is elevated by the first leg portion and the
second leg portion with respect to the first foot portion and the
second foot portion.
[0017] Furthermore, the method includes the steps of positioning
the mounting bracket onto a location of the roof top of the
building, securing the mounting bracket to the location of the roof
top by screwing a set of screws through the pluralities of spaced
holes of the first and second foot portions into the roof
structural material of the building therein, respectively, and
securing the roof-top structure to the mounting bracket by screwing
a set of screws through the plurality of spaced holes of the base
portion.
[0018] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment
taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although
variations and modifications therein may be affected without
departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments
of the invention and, together with the written description, serve
to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to
the same or like elements of an embodiment, and wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a mounting bracket for
roof-top structures according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the mounting bracket shown in
FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the mounting bracket shown in
FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the mounting bracket shown in
FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows an exploding view of an assembly of the
mounting bracket of FIG. 1 and a satellite dish antenna according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an assembly of the
mounting bracket of FIG. 1 and a satellite dish antenna, mounted
onto the roof top of a building according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention is more particularly described in the
following examples that are intended as illustrative only since
numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Various embodiments of the invention are
now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers
indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the
description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "a", "an", and "the" includes plural reference unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the
description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
[0027] The description will be made as to the embodiments of the
present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of
FIGS. 1-6. In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as
embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one
aspect, relates to a mounting bracket for securing a roof-top
structure such as a satellite dish or antenna to the roof top of a
building. The roof-top structure can be a satellite dish, an
antenna, a solar panel, a sign, or the like.
[0028] Referring in general to FIGS. 1-6, a mounting bracket 100
according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a
base portion 110 having a first end 112 and an opposite, second end
114 defining a base body 116 having a base width, W.sub.0,
therebetween. The mounting bracket 100 further includes a first leg
portion 120 extending from the first end 112 of the base portion
110, and a second leg portion 130 extending from the second end 114
of the base portion 110. The mounting bracket 100 also includes a
first foot portion 140 extending from the first leg portion 120 to
form a first substantially L-shaped portion, viewed
cross-sectionally from the side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the
first leg portion 120, and a second foot portion 150 extending from
the second leg portion 130 to form a second substantially L-shaped
portion, viewed cross-sectionally from the side as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, with the second leg portion 130. The first foot portion 140
and the second foot portion 150 are formed substantially in the
same plane or in two spaced parallel planes. As shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, the base portion 110 is elevated by the first leg portion
120 and the second leg portion 130 with respect to the first foot
portion 140 and the second foot portion 150, and the first
substantially L-shaped portion and the second substantially
L-shaped portion are aligned substantially in the same direction.
As can be seen in FIG. 6, such an alignment of the first
substantially L-shaped portion and the second substantially
L-shaped portion allows the first foot portion 140 and the second
foot portion 150 of the mounting bracket 100 to be positioned,
respectively, between shingles of the roof top of a building and
secured therein to reduce the likelihood of water leaking, thereby
avoiding damages to the roof top of the building therein.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, each of the base portion 110, the
first leg portion 120, the second leg portion 130, the first foot
portion 140 and the second foot portion 150 is substantially flat.
Furthermore, the base portion 110, the first foot portion 140 and
the second foot portion 150 are substantially formed in a
rectangular. The first foot portion 140 has a width W.sub.1 and a
length L.sub.1. The second foot portion 150 has a width W.sub.2 and
a length L.sub.2. In the exemplary embodiment, the width W.sub.1 of
the first foot portion 140 and the width W.sub.2 of the second foot
portion 150 are substantially same. The width W.sub.1 of the first
foot portion 140 and the width W.sub.2 of the second foot portion
150 may be different. The width W.sub.0 of the base portion 110 is
narrower than each of the width W.sub.1 of the first foot portion
140 and the width W.sub.2 of the second foot portion 150.
Additionally, the first leg portion 120 has a width WL.sub.1 that
is gradually changed from the width W0 of the base portion 110 to
the width W.sub.1 of the first foot portion 140. The second leg
portion 130 has a width WL.sub.2 that is gradually changed from the
width W.sub.0 of the base portion 110 to the width W.sub.2 of the
second foot portion 140. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the length
L.sub.1 of the first foot portion 140 is shorter than the length
L.sub.2 of the second foot portion 150. In other embodiments, the
length L.sub.1 of the first foot portion 140 may be longer than or
substantially same as the length L.sub.2 of the second foot portion
150. Additionally, the first leg portion 120 and the second leg
portion 130 define a distance L.sub.0 therebetween. The distance
L.sub.0 is greater than, or substantially equal to, the length
L.sub.2 of the second foot portion 150.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first leg portion 120 has a
height, H.sub.1, defined between the base portion 110 and the first
foot portion 140, and the second leg portion 120 has a height,
H.sub.2, defined between the base portion 110 and the second foot
portion 150. The height H.sub.1 of the first leg portion 120 is
shorter than or equal to the height H.sub.2 of the second leg
portion 130. In this embodiment, the base portion 110 has an angle,
.alpha., relative to the first foot portion 140 and the second foot
portion 150, where 0<.alpha.<.pi./2, as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2. In another embodiment (not shown), the base portion 110 may be
substantially parallel to the first foot portion 140 and the second
foot portion 150.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting bracket 100 may further
comprise means for securing the mounting bracket 100 to the roof
top of a building and a roof-top structure 10 to the mounting
bracket 100, respectively. The securing means includes a plurality
of screws 15 and 17. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the base
portion 110 has a plurality of spaced holes 118 formed in the base
body 116, and each of the spaced holes 118 is adapted for receiving
a corresponding screw 15 to secure the roof-top structure to the
mounting bracket. The first foot portion 140 has a plurality of
spaced holes 148 formed therein and the second foot portion 150 has
a plurality of spaced holes 158 formed therein, and each of the
spaced holes 148 and 158 is adapted for receiving a corresponding
screw 17 to secure the mounting bracket 100 to the roof-top of a
building.
[0032] The mounting bracket 100 is formed of a one piece rigid
material capable of providing the support for a roof-top structure
and the stability of the roof-top structure thereof. The one piece
rigid material includes metal, fiber glass, plastic or the like.
This one piece structure is a unique feature of the present
invention and allows the mounting bracket 100 to be easily made and
have stronger strength to support a roof-top structure.
[0033] One aspect of the present invention also provides a one
piece mounting bracket for securing a roof-top structure to the
roof top of a building. The one piece mounting bracket in one
embodiment includes a first substantially L-shaped portion, a
second substantially L-shaped portion, and a substantially flat
base portion integrally connecting the first substantially L-shaped
portion and the second substantially L-shaped portion such that the
first substantially L-shaped portion and the second substantially
L-shaped portion are aligned substantially in one direction. The
first substantially L-shaped portion and the second substantially
L-shaped portion are adapted for mounting the one piece mounting
bracket onto the roof top of a building, and the substantially flat
base portion is adapted for supporting for a roof-top
structure.
[0034] The invented mounting bracket can easily be installed on the
roof top of a building for securing a roof-top structure mounted
thereon. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the exemplary roof-top
structure is a satellite dish 10 having a base plate 12. The
installation process includes the following steps: at first, a
mounting bracket 100 is provided. The mounting bracket 100 is then
positioned onto a location 24 of the roof top 20 of a building to
which the mounting bracket 100 is to be secured. Usually, the
location 24 of the roof top 20 of the building includes at least
one stud under the roof capable of providing the support for the
mounting bracket 100 and the roof-top structure 10 mounted thereon.
By screwing a set of screws 17 through the pluralities of spaced
holes 148 and 158 of the first and second foot portions 140 and 150
into the roof structural material of the building therein,
respectively, the mounting bracket 100 is secured to the location
24 of the roof top 20. The satellite dish 10 is then secured to the
mounting bracket 100 by positioning the base plate 12 of the
satellite dish 10 onto the base portion 110 of the mounting bracket
110 and screwing a set of screws 15 through the plurality of spaced
holes 118 of the base portion 110 and the base plate 12. For
residential or other buildings having shingles on the roof-top, the
first and second foot portions 140 and 150 are received underneath
neighboring shingles 21 and 23, respectively. Shingles 21 and 23
can be temporarily removed or pulled up during the installation.
After the installation of the mounting bracket 100, shingles 21 and
23 can be installed on or put back to the cover first foot portion
140 and the second foot portion 150 of the mounting bracket 100,
respectively, to prevent water from leaking therein.
[0035] In other embodiments, a roof-top structure 10 may be mounted
to the mounting bracket 100 prior to the step of securing the
mounting bracket 100 to the roof top 20 of a building.
[0036] Additionally, the invented mounting bracket can easily be
installed on a pre-finished roof top of a building by positioning
the first foot portion and the second foot portion of the mounting
bracket between shingles installed on the roof top of the building
and securing the mounting bracket therein.
[0037] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of
the invention has been presented only for the purposes of
illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching.
[0038] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
explain the principles of the invention and their practical
application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize
the invention and various embodiments and with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in
the art to which the present invention pertains without departing
from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present
invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the
foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described
therein.
* * * * *