Bracket assembly including a reservoir

• US 6,536,729 B1
• Filed: 05/17/1999
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RMH Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: Robert M.M. Haddock
• Inventors: Haddock, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Anita
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAXTER, GWENDOLYN WRENN
• Application Number:
  US09/313,105
• Time in Patent Office: 1,408 Days
• Field of Search: 248/200, 248/205.3, 248/205.4, 248/220.21, 523/00, 527/306, 527/318, 527/317, 522/35, 522/045.5, 428/331
• US Class Current: 248/300
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/66 Sealings damp-proof courses E04B1/644; fire-proof sealings E04B1/948; additions of anti-leak properties to plaster C04B; bituminous sealing masses C08L95/00; sealings for hydraulic engineering work in general E02B3/16; against ground humidity or ground water E02D31/02; coverings against rain or other precipitations of the atmosphere E04D; composition of material or manufacture of sealing foils, see the relevant classes for these foils
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/389 Brackets
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/00 Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Protection against birds; Roof drainage ; Sky-lights ventilation tiles E04D1/30; ventilation slabs E04D3/40; internal channels E04F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/10 Snow traps ; Removing snow from roofs; Snow melters
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 3/362 by locking the edge of one slab or sheet within the profiled marginal portion of the adjacent slab or sheet, e.g. using separate connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 3/38 Devices for sealing spaces or joints between roof-covering elements E04D3/36 takes precedence; sealing joints not restricted to roof-covering elements E04B1/68

Abstract

A bracket attachable to a surface while maintaining the impermeability of the surface to fluids. The apparatus includes a base having a cavity or channel on a bottom side. Holes through the base for receiving fasteners intersect the cavity or channel. The fasteners provide a strong mechanical bond between the bracket and the surface. Prior to installation on the surface, a sealant is placed in the cavity or channel to seal the holes in the surface that are engaged by the fasteners. The top side of the bracket base has an attachment surface.

Claims

1. A roof assembly that comprises:

a roof;

a bracket, wherein said bracket comprises;

a base comprising first and second opposing sides, wherein said first side comprises first and second protrusions that are disposed in spaced relation and that are disposed on and engage said roof, as well as a first recessed surface that extends between said first and second protrusions and that is disposed in spaced relation to said roof; and

an attachment member that is interconnected with and extends away from said second side of said base;

a first sealant disposed within a first cavity that is defined by said first and second protrusions and said first recessed surface of said bracket, as well as said roof;

a first fastener that extends through said bracket at a location that is between said first and second protrusions, through said first sealant in said first cavity, and into said roof; and

a first member attached to said attachment member.

2. The roof assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said first side further comprises a third protrusion that is spaced from said second protrusion such that said second protrusion is located between said first and third protrusions, wherein said first side further comprises a second recessed surface that extends between said second and third protrusions, wherein said second recessed surface is free of any bracket fastener hole, and wherein said third protrusion also interfaces with roof so as to dispose said second recessed surface in spaced relation to said roof.

3. The roof assembly of claim 1, wherein:

a thickness of said base from said second side to said first side at said first and second protrusions is about ¼

inch, and wherein a thickness of said base from said second side to said first side at a location that is between said first and second protrusions is about ⅛

inch.

4. The roof assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said first side further comprises third and fourth protrusions that are disposed in spaced relation, a second recessed surface that extends between said third and fourth protrusions, wherein said third and fourth protrusions are located on said first side such that said third protrusion is located between said second and fourth protrusions, and wherein said third and fourth protrusions also interface with said roof so as to dispose said second recessed surface in spaced relation to said roof.

5. The roof assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

a second sealant disposed within a second cavity that is defined by said third and fourth protrusions and said second recessed surface of said bracket, as well as said roof, wherein said roof assembly further comprises a second fastener that extends through second fastener hole in said bracket, through said second sealant, and into said roof.

6. The roof assembly of claim 4, wherein:

said attachment member comprises a riser and a shelf, wherein said riser disposes said shelf in spaced relation to said second side of said base, and wherein said riser extends away from said second side of said base at a location that is between said second and third protrusions.

7. The roof assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said attachment member comprises a riser and a shelf, wherein said riser disposes said shelf in spaced relation to said second side of said base.

8. The roof assembly of claim 7, wherein:

said base comprises first and second edges that are disposed in spaced relation, wherein said first protrusion is disposed along said first edge, wherein said riser extends away from said second side of said base at a location along said second edge.

9. The roof assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said first sealant fills said first cavity that is defined by said first and second protrusions and said first recessed surface of said bracket, as well as said roof.

10. The roof assembly of claim 9, wherein:

said first sealant is a non-curing sealant.

11. The roof assembly of claim 9, wherein:

said first sealant is selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylenes, polyisoprenes, and copolymers thereof.

12. The roof assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said first sealant is a butyl tape sealant.

13. The roof assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said base and said attachment member are an extrusion.

14. A bracket that is attachable to a first surface and that comprises:

a base comprising first and second opposing sides, wherein said first side comprises first and second protrusions that are disposed in spaced relation, a first recessed surface that extends between said first and second protrusions, and at least one first fastener hole that extends entirely through said base from said second side to said first side at a location that is between said first and second protrusions and thereby through said first recessed surface, wherein said first and second protrusions are adapted to interface with said first surface when said bracket is attached to said first surface so as to dispose said first recessed surface in spaced relation to said first surface; and

an attachment member that is interconnected with and extends away from said second side of said base, wherein a first member can be attached to said attachment member when said bracket is attached to said first surface so as to interconnect said first member with said first surface, wherein said first side further comprises a third protrusion that is spaced from said second protrusion such that said second protrusion is located between said first and third protrusions, wherein said first side further comprises a second recessed surface that extends between said second and third protrusions, wherein said second recessed surface is free of any bracket fastener hole, and wherein said third protrusion also interfaces with said first surface when said bracket is attached to said first surface so as to dispose said second recessed surface in spaced relation to said first surface.

15. A bracket that is attachable to a first surface and that comprises:

a base comprising first and second opposing sides, wherein said first side comprises first and second protrusions that are disposed in spaced relation, a first recessed surface that extends between said first and second protrusions, and at least one first fastener hole that extends entirely through said base from said second side to said first side at a location that is between said first and second protrusions and thereby through said first recessed surface, wherein said first and second protrusions are adapted to interface with said first surface when said bracket is attached to said first surface so as to dispose said first recessed surface in spaced relation to said first surface; and

an attachment member that is interconnected with and extends away from said second side of said base, wherein a first member can be attached to said attachment member when said bracket is attached to said first surface so as to interconnect said first member with said first surface, wherein said first side further comprises third and fourth protrusions that are disposed in spaced relation, a second recessed surface that extends between said third and fourth protrusions, and at least one second fastener hole that extends entirely through said base from said second side to said first side at a location that is between said third and fourth protrusions and thereby through said second recessed surface, wherein said third and fourth protrusions are located on said first side such that said third protrusion is located between said second and fourth protrusions, and wherein said third and fourth protrusions also interface with said first surface when said bracket is attached to said first surface so as to dispose said second recessed surface in spaced relation to said first surface.

16. The bracket of claim 15, further comprising:

a first sealant disposed within a space that is defined by said first and second protrusions and said first recessed surface, and a second sealant disposed within a space that is defined by said third and fourth protrusions and said second recessed surface.

17. The bracket of claim 15, wherein:

said attachment member comprises a riser and a shelf, wherein said riser disposes said shelf in spaced relation to said second side of said base, and wherein said riser extends away from said second side of said base at a location that is between said second and third protrusions.

18. A bracket assembly that comprises:

a base comprising first and second opposing sides, wherein said first side comprises first and second protrusions that are disposed in spaced relation, as well as a first recessed surface that extends between said first and second protrusions;

an attachment member that is interconnected with and extends away from said second side of said base, wherein a first member can be attached to said attachment member; and

a first sealant disposed within a cavity that is defined by said first and second protrusions and said first recessed surface of said bracket; and

a removable material covering an exposed surface of said first sealant, wherein said removable material may be removed prior to attaching said bracket assembly to a first surface, and wherein said first sealant bulges beyond a reference plane that contains end portions of said first and second protrusions.