Roof mounting bracket

#Roof mounting systems are used to attach various structures to roofs, such as snow barricades, solar panels, lightening protection, mechanical equipment and other accessories such as signage and poles. Roof mounting systems are known for attaching to various types of roofs and roofing materials, including seamed or metal roofs, wood roofs and membranous roofs. Due to the weight of, or weight that must be supported by, such structures, and to the need for the structures to remain stable in weather conditions, the secure attachment of the structures to the roofs is critical. In the case of seamed roofs, where roof mounting systems are attached to panel seams of the roof, the brackets or clamps are secured to the panel seams and serve as the support for the attached structures. Existing brackets comprise two-piece brackets that must be secured to each other around the panel seams, requiring additional parts during installation. Other existing bracket systems comprise a single piece, but to secure the bracket to the panel seam the user must create a dimple in the panel seam metal using a screw; these brackets requiring a large amount of torque to be applied by the installing user.

#The present invention solves the existing limitations. The present invention relates to a roof mounting bracket for mounting roof systems and accessories to panel seam roofs. In particular, the present invention provides a roof mounting bracket for use with panel seam roofs, wherein the bracket creates a deformation or distortion in the panel seam using opposing set points to secure the bracket to the panel seam.

#A roof mounting bracket is disclosed which creates a deformation in a roof panel seam using opposing set points. In a preferred embodiment, a generally U-shaped bracket includes two or more projections, such as threaded fasteners or screws, in a first arm of the bracket and one or more opposing projections, such as threaded fasteners or screws, in the second arm. The void or channel in the bracket is placed over the panel seam, with the first arm on a first side of the seam and the second arm on the opposite side of the seam. First screws inserted into the fasteners in first arm pass through the first arm and the first screw heads contact the first side of the seam, slightly engaging the seam and creating first deformations in the seam as the set screws are tightened. Second screws inserted into the fasteners in the second arm pass through the second arm and the second screw heads contact the second side of the seam in the spaces between the first deformations on the opposite side of the seam, engaging the seam and creating second deformations in the seam as the second screws are tightened. The opposing contact points create a “wave”-like deformation in the seam, securing the bracket to the seam. The opposing set points of the present invention allow secure attachment of the bracket to the seam without having to “dimple” or dent the panel seam using a single set screw, requiring less force by the user. Many other clamps that utilize multiple set screws are secured by using high torques on the screws to create a compression or friction-type attachment. These high torques can have the tendency to damage and mar the paint finish or even pierce the panel. The existing invention deforms the panel metal material by using a single set screw to push the metal in between two other set screws and/or set positioning points, creating a wave which will keep the clamp from sliding while achieving the same or greater security with less torque than existing clamps.

#FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a roof mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention, showing two roof mounting brackets installed on two panels of a roof and a snow guard coupled to the brackets;

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 1 showing a roof mounting bracket installed on a roof panel;

#FIG. 3 is a front detail view along line A-A of FIG. 1 showing a roof mounting bracket installed on a roof panel;

#The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more embodiments of the present invention in accordance with its principles. This description is not provided to limit the invention to the embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the invention in order to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the embodiments described herein, but also other embodiments that may come to mind in accordance with these principles. The scope of the present invention is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

#FIGS. 1-8 show a preferred embodiment of a roof mounting bracket 10. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a roof mounting bracket 10 mounted on a metal panel roof. In this embodiment, bracket 10 can be installed on roofs having varying panel and seam configurations, but is generally installed onto the seam 44 of a roof panel 40 and secured to seam 44 by creating deformations 30a and 30b, 32 in the seam 44 using opposing screws 16a and 16b, 24. In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 2-4, the bracket 10 is a generally U-shaped bracket having a first arm 12 and a second arm 20 with a void between the first arm 12 and the second arm 20. First arm 12 comprises two threaded fasteners 14a, 14b and second arm 20 comprises one threaded fastener 22. The threaded fastener 22 of the second arm 20 is positioned opposite the space between the opposing threaded fasteners 14a, 14b of the first arm 12.

#In a preferred embodiment, the bracket 10 is manufactured by aluminum extruding. Secondary operations are required to cut, drill, tap, machine and stamp a logo with various tools such as a CNC machine. Each part will then be put through a process called tumbling to create a smooth finish.