U.S. patent application number 17/473822 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-21 for triangular-shaped mounting device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Rooftop Anchor, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joshua Paul Adam, Rowdy Hans DeJong, Reese James Ferrin, Nathan Colton Sargent, Braxton Tyler Schindler, John David Whittington, Kynan Dee Wynne.
Application Number | 20220228387 17/473822 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220228387 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sargent; Nathan Colton ; et
al. |
July 21, 2022 |
TRIANGULAR-SHAPED MOUNTING DEVICE
Abstract
A triangular-shaped mounting device may include a top plate. The
top plate may include a triangular-shaped center portion, a first
return formed on a first side of the triangular-shaped center
portion, a second return formed on a second side of the
triangular-shaped center portion, and a third return formed on a
third side of the triangular-shaped center portion.
Inventors: |
Sargent; Nathan Colton;
(Heber City, UT) ; DeJong; Rowdy Hans; (Heber
City, UT) ; Schindler; Braxton Tyler; (Heber City,
UT) ; Wynne; Kynan Dee; (Heber City, UT) ;
Whittington; John David; (Heber City, UT) ; Ferrin;
Reese James; (Wanship, UT) ; Adam; Joshua Paul;
(Heber City, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rooftop Anchor, Inc. |
Heber City |
UT |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/473822 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63139953 |
Jan 21, 2021 |
|
|
|
International
Class: |
E04G 21/32 20060101
E04G021/32 |
Claims
1. A mounting device comprising: a top plate including: a
triangular-shaped center portion; a first return formed on a first
side of the triangular-shaped center portion; a second return
formed on a second side of the triangular-shaped center portion;
and a third return formed on a third side of the triangular-shaped
center portion.
2. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising a number of
return voids defined in at least one of the first return, the
second return, and the third return.
3. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising a number of
apertures defined in the triangular-shaped center portion.
4. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising at least one
base plate coupled to at least one vertex of the triangular-shaped
center portion.
5. The mounting device of claim 4, wherein: the at least one base
plate includes three base plates, and a first base plate is coupled
to a first vertex, a second based plate is coupled to a second
vertex, a third based plate is coupled to a third vertex.
6. The mounting device of claim 4, wherein the at least one base
plate includes: a substrate to couple the mounting device to a
structure via a number of structure fasteners; a coupling device
extending at a 90 degree angle relative to a surface of the
substrate; a first seal coupled to a top surface of the substrate,
the first seal including an aperture defined therein through which
the coupling device extends; and a second seal coupled to a bottom
surface of the substrate, wherein the first seal seals the
substrate between the first seal and the second seal, and wherein
the second seal seals the number of structure fasteners and the
surface of the structure.
7. The mounting device of claim 6, wherein: the first seal and the
second seal are made of a polymer, and the first seal and the
second seal are sealed from an environment.
8. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising a fastener
extending through a first aperture defined in the top plate.
9. The mounting device of claim 8, further comprising a tether
coupled to the fastener.
10. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the top plate is concave.
11. An apparatus comprising: a top plate including: a
triangular-shaped center portion; a first return formed on a first
side of the triangular-shaped center portion; a second return
formed on a second side of the triangular-shaped center portion;
and a third return formed on a third side of the triangular-shaped
center portion.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a number of
return voids defined in at least one of the first return, the
second return, and the third return.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a number of
apertures defined in the triangular-shaped center portion.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one base
plate coupled to at least one vertex of the triangular-shaped
center portion.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the at least one base plate
includes three base plates, and a first base plate is coupled to a
first vertex, a second based plate is coupled to a second vertex, a
third based plate is coupled to a third vertex.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one base plate
includes: a substrate to couple the apparatus to a structure via a
number of structure fasteners; a coupling device extending at a 90
degree angle relative to a surface of the substrate; a first seal
coupled to a top surface of the substrate, the first seal including
an aperture defined therein through which the coupling device
extends; and a second seal coupled to a bottom surface of the
substrate, wherein the first seal seals the substrate between the
first seal and the second seal, and wherein the second seal seals
the number of structure fasteners and the surface of the
structure.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the first seal and the
second seal are made of a polymer, and the first seal and the
second seal are sealed from an environment.
18. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a fastener
extending through a first aperture defined in the top plate.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a tether coupled
to the fastener.
20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the
top plate is concave.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/139,953, filed
Jan. 21, 2021. This application is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to rooftop
anchoring devices. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to
systems and methods for surface coupling devices incorporating a
format to distribute a load across a surface and a number of
sealing devices to seal any apertures defined in the surface
created by fasteners used to fasten the rooftop anchoring devices
to the surface.
BACKGROUND
[0003] People working on the tops and sides of buildings, as well
as other high structures, risk falling and suffering injury as a
result. In modern society, building construction and building
maintenance are areas that continue to expose workers to the risk
of dangerous falls. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, work
related falls are among the most common sources of work related
severe injuries and death. (See, e.g.,
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/). The Department of
Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that slips, trips and
falls resulted in approximately 229,000 injuries per year
(2011-2013) resulting in approximately 700 workplace deaths per
year. Death from falls is second only to vehicle related deaths and
account for roughly 16% of work related deaths. Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) 1-14 provide standards to reduce the number and
severity of workplace falls. Fall protection equipment must,
perform under a wide variety of conditions while not hindering the
ability of the workers to safely perform their jobs.
[0004] In addition, workers who are tasked with working on a roof
of a building or even suspending from the roof of a building
require certified tie-off points to connect their rigging. These
points are regulated by OSHA in the 1910.27 standard and other
regulations and are required to support a minimum 5,000 lbs. load.
These tie-off points, which may be referred to as "anchorage
points" in the industry, must be designed, built, and installed
under the direction of a qualified person or a professional
engineer. These anchorage points are often used interchangeably for
suspension rigging and as a connection for fall protection
equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description is set forth below with reference
to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s)
of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference
number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in
different figures indicates similar or identical items. The systems
depicted in the accompanying figures are not to scale and
components within the figures may be depicted not to scale with
each other.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a top isometric view of a mounting
device, according to an example of the principles described
herein.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom isometric view of the mounting
device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles
described herein.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the mounting device of
FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described
herein.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom plan view of the mounting device
of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described
herein.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a first side view of the top plate of the
mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the
principles described herein.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates a second side view of the top plate of
the mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the
principles described herein.
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates a third side view of the top plate of the
mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the
principles described herein.
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth side view of the top plate of
the mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the
principles described herein.
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates a top isometric view of a base plate of
the mounting device, according to an example of the principles
described herein.
[0015] FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom isometric view of a base plate
of the mounting device, according to an example of the principles
described herein.
DESCRIPTION
[0016] Fall protection devices are devices that assist in
protecting users from falling off structures such as buildings.
These fall protection devices seek to prevent a fall from
structures by securing the user to anchors coupled to the structure
such as the roof. These devices are often required and regulated by
OSHA that function under a number of laws and regulations such as
Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Further, industries
standards may be provided by private, non-profit organizations such
as the ANSI. For example, guidance and testing parameters for fall
protection and fall arrest devices are provided by the ANSI Z-359
Fall Protection Code.
[0017] OSHA is concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of
people engaged in work or employment. The goals of occupational
health and safety programs include fostering a safe and healthy
work environment. OSHA may also protect co-workers, family members,
employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the
workplace environment. Thus, OSHA seeks to protect any individual
who may use devices such as a stanchion that provides a secure tie
down while accessing a rooftop area, for example. Due to the
distances that may separate the roof of a structure from a ground
floor or other elevation below the roof, an individual accessing
the roof area may be in significant danger as to loss of life or
limb if a fall should occur. Thus, a fall protection system that
secures an individual while accessing the roof of the structure
significantly reduces or eliminates any death or injuries that may
otherwise be experienced during such activities.
[0018] Examples described herein provide a system including a
mounting device onto which a user may secure themselves from a
fall. The mounting device includes a triangular shape or form that
provides additional stability across a wide area of a rooftop.
Further, the triangular-shaped mounting device may be coupled to a
surface such as a roof surface in a plurality of points along the
surface of the roof resulting in the mounting device being coupled
more securely to the roof surface. Still further, the
triangular-shaped mounting device may be coupled to any portion of
a roof structure irrespective of the location of trusses or joists
into which the mounting device may be coupled. Thus, the mounting
device may be coupled to either underlying anchoring structures
such as, for example, the trusses or joists, or may be coupled to
the deck of a surface (e.g., the roof surface) without anchoring
into the underlying anchoring structures.
[0019] In one example, the triangular-shaped mounting device may be
coupled to the roof surface directly. In one example, the
triangular-shaped mounting device may be coupled to the roof
surface indirectly via a number of bases or base plates. The bases
may include sealable or self-sealing membranes that cover fasteners
and holes formed in the surface of the roof. The fasteners used to
directly or indirectly couple the mounting device to the roof
surface may be coupled to any portion of the roof surface
irrespective of whether the fasteners couple to underlying
structures within the roof such as any truss or joist. Thus, in
this manner, the triangular-shaped mounting device may be coupled
at any position along the roof surface while still providing a
necessary load rating that may secure a user to the roof. In one
example, the load rating of the mounting device may be
approximately 5,000 pounds.
[0020] Examples described herein provide a triangular-shaped
mounting device. The triangular-shaped mounting device may include
a top plate. The top plate may include a triangular-shaped center
portion, a first return formed on a first side of the
triangular-shaped center portion, a second return formed on a
second side of the triangular-shaped center portion, and a third
return formed on a third side of the triangular-shaped center
portion.
[0021] The mounting device may further include a number of return
voids defined in at least one of the first return, the second
return, and the third return. The mounting device may further
include a number of apertures (e.g., top plate apertures) defined
in the triangular-shaped center portion.
[0022] The mounting device may further include at least one base
plate coupled to at least one vertex of the triangular-shaped
center portion. The at least one base plate may include three base
plates where a first base plate is coupled to a first vertex, a
second based plate is coupled to a second vertex, a third based
plate is coupled to a third vertex. The at least one base plate
includes a substrate to couple the mounting device to a structure
via a number of structure fasteners, a coupling device extending at
a 90 degree angle relative to a surface of the substrate, a first
seal coupled to a top surface of the substrate, the first seal
including an aperture through which the coupling device extends,
and a second seal coupled to a bottom surface of the substrate. The
first seal seals the substrate between the first seal and the
second seal and the second seal seals the number of structure
fasteners and the surface of the structure. The first seal and the
second seal are made of a polymer, and the first seal and the
second seal are sealed from an environment.
[0023] The mounting device may further include a fastener extending
through a first aperture defined in the top plate. A tether may be
coupled to the fastener. Further, in one example, at least a
portion of the top plate is concave.
[0024] Examples described herein also provide an apparatus may
include a top plate. The top plate may include a triangular-shaped
center portion, a first return formed on a first side of the
triangular-shaped center portion, a second return formed on a
second side of the triangular-shaped center portion, and a third
return formed on a third side of the triangular-shaped center
portion.
[0025] The apparatus may further include a number of return voids
defined in at least one of the first return, the second return, and
the third return. The apparatus may further include a number of
apertures defined in the triangular-shaped center portion.
[0026] The apparatus may further include at least one base plate
coupled to at least one vertex of the triangular-shaped center
portion. The at least one base plate may include three base plates
including a first base plate is coupled to a first vertex, a second
based plate is coupled to a second vertex, a third based plate is
coupled to a third vertex. The at least one base plate may include
a substrate to couple the apparatus to a structure via a number of
structure fasteners, a coupling device extending at a 90 degree
angle relative to a surface of the substrate, a first seal coupled
to a top surface of the substrate, the first seal including an
aperture through which the coupling device extends, and a second
seal coupled to a bottom surface of the substrate. The first seal
seals the substrate between the first seal and the second seal, and
the second seal seals the number of structure fasteners and the
surface of the structure. The first seal and the second seal are
made of a polymer, and the first seal and the second seal are
sealed from an environment.
[0027] The apparatus may further include a fastener extending
through a first aperture defined in the top plate. A tether may be
coupled to the bolt. In one example, at least a portion of the top
plate may be concave.
[0028] In the description herein, for purposes of explanation,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present systems and methods. It will
be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present
apparatus, systems, and methods may be practiced without these
specific details. Reference in the specification to "an example" or
similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with that example is
included as described, but may not be included in other
examples.
EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 8 depict and
describe a mounting device 100. Throughout the description, the
terms "mounting device" and "triangular-shaped mounting device" are
used synonymously to refer to element 100.
[0030] The mounting device 100 includes a top plate 102. The top
plate 102 serves as a rigid body to which a user may be tethered.
In one example, the mounting device 100 further includes at least
one base plate 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 (collectively referred to as
"base plate(s) 120"). The triangular-shaped mounting device 100
includes three vertices 114-1, 114-2, 114-3 (collectively referred
to as "vertex 114" or "vertices 114") and the base plates 102 may
be coupled to a respective one of the vertices 114. In one example,
the triangular-shaped mounting device 100 may have an approximately
equilateral triangular shape. The triangular shape of the mounting
device 100 allows for forces applied to one vertex, for example, to
be distributed down each side and allow for compression and tension
to occur. In this manner, the triangular shape of the mounting
device 100 provides a rigid structure to which significant forces
may be applied without flexing or bending. Further, because each of
the vertices of the triangular-shaped mounting device 100 are
spread across a relatively large surface of the structure to which
the mounting device 100 is coupled, a load applied to the mounting
device is spread across the surface of the structure and provides
stability to the mounting device 100.
[0031] The ends of the vertices 114 may include an open portion. By
providing the open portion at the vertices 114, a user such as an
installer of the mounting device 100 may access portions of the
mounting device 100 where the top plate 102 connects to the base
plates 120. As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 8, three base plates are
coupled to the mounting device 100 including a first base plate
120-1 coupled to a first vertex 114, a second based plate 120-2
coupled to a second vertex 114-2, and a third based plate 120-3
coupled to a third vertex 114-3.
[0032] In one example, the top plate 102 may be coupled to a roof
surface or other surface directly. In one example, the top plate
102 may be coupled to the roof surface indirectly via a number of
the base plates 120. The base plates 120 may include a number of
seals to seal portions of the base plates 120 from the environment
in which the mounting device 100 is deployed. The environment may
include any type of weather including precipitation, wind,
contaminating dirt, solar heat, etc.
[0033] An anchor 124 may be coupled to the top plate 102 at, for
example, a center portion 104 of the top plate 102 such as in a
direct center of the center portion 104. A top plate aperture 202
may be defined in the top plate 102 to allow for a tether fastener
126 to extend through the top plate 102 and a mounting portion of
the anchor 124 to secure the anchor 124 to the top plate 102. The
anchor 124 may be any device capable of providing an anchor to
which ropes, cables and other fall protection equipment may be
coupled. In one example, the anchor 124 may include a MEGA swivel
anchor developed and distributed by ClimbTech. However, any device
including a loop capable of providing an anchor to which ropes,
cables and other fall protection equipment may be coupled may be
utilized. The tether fastener 126 may include, for example, a rivet
as depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4. However, in one example, the
tether fastener 126 may include bolts and/or nuts, washers, screws,
nails, rivets, lynch pins, cotter pins, locking pins, clevis pins,
other fasteners, and combinations thereof. Further, in one example,
the tether fastener 126 may be coupled to the top plate 102 via,
for example, welding, gluing, and other methods of coupling.
[0034] The top plate 102 may be made of any rigid material that may
withstand loads placed thereon if and when an individual tethered
to the mounting device 100 falls from the structure or otherwise
places a load on the mounting device 100. In one example, the top
plate 102 may be made of a metal, metal alloys, a coated metal,
coated metal alloys, composite materials, and other rigid,
load-bearing materials.
[0035] In FIG. 1, the top plate 102 is depicted as being coupled to
the base plates 120. FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom isometric view of
the triangular-shaped mounting device 100 of FIG. 1, according to
an example of the principles described herein. Further, FIG. 3
illustrates a top plan view of the mounting device 100 of FIG. 1,
according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 4
illustrates a bottom plan view of the mounting device 100 of FIG.
1, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG.
5 illustrates a first side view of the top plate 102 of the
mounting device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an example of the
principles described herein. FIG. 6 illustrates a second side view
of the top plate 102 of the mounting device 100 of FIG. 1,
according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 7
illustrates a third side view of the top plate 102 of the mounting
device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles
described herein. FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth side view of the top
plate 102 of the mounting device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an
example of the principles described herein.
[0036] The top plate 102 may include a number of top plate
apertures 106 defined therein. The top plate apertures 106 may
serve a number of purposes including, for example, reducing an
amount of material used to manufacture the mounting device 100.
Further, the top plate apertures 106 may serve to allow for
precipitation to drain from the surface of the center portion 104
of the top plate 102. In one example, the center portion 104 of the
top plate 102 may be slightly concave around each of the top plate
apertures 106 to allow for the precipitation to drain from the
surface of the center portion 104 of the top plate 102. The top
plate apertures 106 may have any shape, and, on one example, may
include a triangular shape as depicted in the figures.
[0037] The top plate 102 may further include a number of end
returns 108-1, 108-2, 108-3 (collectively referred to as "end
return(s) 108"). In one example, the end returns 108 may be
monolithically formed with the center portion 104 of the top plate
102 and formed at the 90.degree. angle with respect to the center
portion 104 of the top plate 102 through bending. In another
example, the end returns 108 may be welded to or otherwise coupled
to the center portion 104 of the top plate 102. The end returns 108
strengthen the mounting device 100, eliminate the cutting hazard of
the raw edge, enhance the appearance of the mounting device 100 and
further assist to allow for precipitation to drain from the surface
of the center portion 104 of the top plate 102. In one example, the
end returns 108 may be dimensioned to fit between the vertices 114.
In one example, the end returns 108 may be dimensioned to allow for
the open portion of the vertices 114 to be defined in the top plate
102. Stated another way, the first end return 108-1 may extend from
the top plate 102 between the first vertex 114-1 and the second
vertex 114-2, the second end return 108-2 may extend from the top
plate 102 between the second vertex 114-2 and the third vertex
114-3, and the third end return 108-3 may extend from the top plate
102 between the third vertex 114-3 and the first vertex 114-1.
[0038] In one example, a number of return voids 110-1, 110-2, 110-3
(collectively referred to as "return void(s) 110"). The return
voids 110 may be defined in a portion of the top plate 102 where
the center portion 104 and the end returns 108 meet. For example,
as depicted in FIGS. 1 through 8, the return voids 110 may be
defined at approximately a horizontal center of the a respective
end return 108 and at the bottom of the end return 108 such that
the return voids 110 are also defined in an edge of the center
portion 104 of the top plate 102. In this manner, the return voids
110, like the top plate apertures 106, may serve to allow for
precipitation to drain from the surface of the center portion 104
of the top plate 102.
[0039] In one example, the top plate 102 including the center
portion 104, and/or the end returns 108 may be coated to reduce or
eliminate corrosion. In one example, the top plate 102 including
the center portion 104 and/or the end returns 108 may be coated
with neoprene (e.g., polychloroprene).
[0040] The anchor 124, and/or the base plates 120 may be coupled to
the top plate 102 via any means including, for example, through the
use of a number of fastening devices or systems, welding, gluing,
other fastening means, and combinations thereof. In the examples of
FIGS. 1 through 8, a number of base apertures 112-1, 112-2, 112-3
(collectively referred to as "base aperture(s) 112") may be defined
within, for example, the vertices 114 of the top plate 102. A
number of fasteners 118-1, 118-2, 118-3 (collectively referred to
as "base fastener(s) 118") may be coupled to and mechanically
engaged with a corresponding coupling device 116-1, 116-2, 116-3
(collectively referred to as "coupling device(s) 116") inserted
through the base apertures 112 to couple the top plate 102 to the
base plates 120. As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 8, the fasteners
used to couple the top plate 102 to the base plates 120 may
include, for example, bolts and/or nuts, washers, and combinations
thereof. In one example, the fasteners may include screws, nails,
rivets, lynch pins, cotter pins, locking pins, clevis pins, other
fasteners, and combinations thereof. Although the coupling devices
116 of the base plates 120 depicted in FIGS. 1 through 8 are
threaded bolts, the coupling devices 116 may include any coupling
device that mechanically corresponds to the base fasteners 118.
[0041] FIGS. 1 through 8 depict the top plate 102 interfacing with
the base plates 120 which will now be described in connection with
FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 illustrates a top isometric view of a base
plate 120 of the mounting device 100, according to an example of
the principles described herein. FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom
isometric view of a base plate 120 of the mounting device 100,
according to an example of the principles described herein.
Although in one example the mounting device 100 may be implemented
without the inclusion of the base plate(s) 120, in one example, a
number of base plates 120 may be included in order to ensure that
the mounting device 100 and any fasteners used to couple the
mounting device 100 to a surface of a structure do not come into
contact with water such as through precipitation and become subject
to oxidation, corrosion, etc.
[0042] The at least one base plate 120 includes a substrate 906 to
couple the mounting device 100 to a structure via a number of
structure fasteners (not shown). A coupling device 116 extends at a
90 degree angle relative to a surface of the substrate 906, a
housing 904 acting as a first seal may be coupled to a top surface
of the substrate. The housing 904 includes an aperture through
which the coupling device 116 extends. The base plate 120 may also
include a cap 902 acting as a second seal may be coupled to a
bottom surface of the substrate. The housing 904 seals the seals
the number of structure fasteners and the surface of the structure
906 and the cap 902 seals the coupling device 116.
[0043] The substrate 906 may be positioned below or under a number
of layers of material such as, for example, a cap 902 and a housing
904. The substrate 906 may include a number of substrate fastener
apertures 1002 defined therein. Any number of substrate fastener
apertures 1002 may be defined in the substrate 906, a few of which
are identified in FIG. 10. Further, the substrate fastener
apertures 1002 may be defined anywhere on the substrate 906. In one
example, the substrate fastener apertures 1002 may be located at
any number of points along the substrate 906 irrespective of where
a substructure under the surface of the structure such as a truss,
joist, or similar substructure element is located. In one example,
the structure fasteners (not shown) may be passed through the
substrate fastener apertures 1002 and into the surface of the
structure. The structure fasteners may include screws, lag bolts,
nails, or other types of fasteners.
[0044] As mentioned above, the substrate 906 may include a coupling
device 116 such as a threaded bolt extending at a 90.degree. angle
relative to a surface of the substrate 906 as depicted in, for
example, FIGS. 1 through 10. The coupling device 116 may enter the
base apertures 112 defined in the vertices 114 of the top plate
102. The coupling device 116, may include, for example, bolts
and/or nuts, screws, nails, rivets, lynch pins, cotter pins,
locking pins, clevis pins, other fasteners, and combinations
thereof to secure the top plate 102 to the base plates 120 via the
coupling device 116.
[0045] A housing 904 may be coupled to a top surface of the
substrate 906. The housing 904 may include an aperture through
which the coupling device 116 extends. The bottom of the housing
904 may be coupled to the top of the substrate 906 using, for
example, an adhesive, a sealant, a waterproof sealant, or similar
bonding agent to bond the bottom of the housing 904 to the top of
the substrate 906. A cap 902 may be coupled to a top surface of the
housing 904 using, for example, the adhesive, sealant, waterproof
sealant, or similar bonding agent in a similar manner. Thus, the
substrate 906 may be sealed by the housing 904 and/or the cap 902.
The outer perimeter of the housing 904 that extends beyond the
width of the substrate 906 may be sealed to the surface of the
structure to which the base plate 120 is coupled. The cap 902 may
seal the substrate 906 and/or the housing 904. Further, the cap 902
may seal the coupling device 116 to ensure that precipitation does
not permeate around the coupling device 116 to the substrate 906.
However, before sealing the substrate 906 below the housing 904 and
the cap 902, the structure fasteners may be passed through the
substrate fastener apertures 1002 and into the surface of the
structure.
[0046] The housing 904 may then be sealed to the surface of the
structure using the adhesive, sealant, waterproof sealant, or
similar bonding agent and the cap 902 may be sealed to the top
surface of the housing 904. In this manner, the cap 902 and housing
904 seal the number of structure fasteners and the surface of the
structure. This prevents water from precipitation from entering
below the base plate 120 and corroding the structure fasteners or
entering holes formed through the impingement of the structure
fasteners into the surface of the structure. In one example, the
housing 904 and the cap 902 may be made of a polymer such as a
plastic material or a rubber material. Further, the housing 904 and
the cap 902 may be sealed from the environment through the use of a
material that is waterproof and impervious to water. In one
example, a number of drainage channels 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4,
122-5, 122-6 (collectively referred to as "drainage channel(s)
122") may be defined in the cap 902. The drainage channels 122 may
allow for precipitation to drain from the top of the cap 902 down
the side and edge of the housing 904, and away from the base plate
120 and the mounting device 100.
CONCLUSION
[0047] The examples described herein provide a device, system, and
method for securing an individual to a roof surface. The mounting
device may be coupled to a roof surface anywhere with or without
being coupled to understructures such as trusses, joists, etc.
while still allowing for a secure device capable of being loaded at
a standardized load such as, for example, 5,000 pounds.
[0048] While the present systems and methods are described with
respect to the specific examples, it is to be understood that the
scope of the present systems and methods are not limited to these
specific examples. Since other modifications and changes varied to
fit particular operating requirements and environments will be
apparent to those skilled in the art, the present systems and
methods are not considered limited to the example chosen for
purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications
which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope
of the present systems and methods.
[0049] Although the application describes examples having specific
structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be
understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the
specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features
and acts are merely illustrative some examples that fall within the
scope of the claims of the application.
* * * * *
References