Supports – Brackets
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-05
2001-08-07
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3634)
Supports
Brackets
C248S536000, C248S048100, C052S296000, C052S749100, C052S749100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270043
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a device for mounting a structure to the roof of a building, and in particular to a device for the remote mounting of a mast, ladder or similar structure to a building such as those used to house railroad switching equipment located alongside railroad tracks.
It is a common practice in the railroad industry to attach ladders, signal lights or other structures to a mast that is mounted to the roof of a building located near railroad tracks. Buildings of this type are generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,141. In mounting methods known to those skilled in the art, the support structure is mounted directly to the roof of a building. This causes certain problems such as water leakage through the roof and destabilization of the structure as the bolts become worn or as the integrity of the bolt holes deteriorate due to forces acting on the mast, such as wind and rain.
The mounting device of the present invention addresses these and other limitations of the prior art by mounting the mast support to an intermediate support structure rather than directly to the roof of the building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved device for mounting a mast support or similar structure to the roof a building. The invention overcomes the problem set forth above by mounting the mast support to the roof of the building via an intermediate housing or standoff This eliminates the need to bolt or otherwise secure the mast support directly to the housing. The upper surface of the standoff includes a conical extension that serves to guide the mast structure into proper alignment with the device.
The mounting device generally comprises a unitary structure having a bottom plate which is removably attachable to the roof of the building, a top plate to which the mast support is removably attachable, a lower housing extension which is received within an aperture in the roof of the building, and a frustoconical extension of the housing receivable in a recess in the mast. The conical extension guides the mast support structure into proper positioning with the device. A mounting plate is welded to the bottom edge of the mast structure and is removably attachable to the top plate of the device by a series of threaded bolts. The top plate of the device further includes a series of drainage channels or grooves which guide rain and other moisture away the mast support structure thereby reducing deterioration of the device.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting device that allows a mast or support structure to be remotely secured to the roof of a building.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting device that is formed of a single cast piece that is removably attachable to the roof of a building to which a mast support can be removably attached.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that includes a frustoconical section that guides the mast during installation to the device.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a mounting device that prevents the accumulation of moisture on the support structure.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practicing the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2496938 (1950-02-01), Friedman
patent: 4989826 (1991-02-01), Johnston, Jr.
patent: 5011106 (1991-04-01), Cody
patent: 5517204 (1996-05-01), Murakoshi et al.
patent: 5617680 (1997-04-01), Beatty
patent: 5647567 (1997-07-01), Pugh, Jr. et al.
patent: 5873201 (1999-02-01), Fey
Braun Leslie A.
PTMW Incorporated
Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP
Wujciak A. Joseph
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