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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/120,280, that is entitled “CROSS MEMBER MOUNTING ADAPTER,” that was filed on Dec. 5, 2008, and the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to how a cross member may be installed on a building surface. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Metal panels are being increasingly used to define building surfaces such as roofing surfaces and sidewalls. One type of metal panel is a standing seam panel, where the edges of adjacent standing seam panels of the building surface are interconnected in a manner that defines a standing seam. It is often desirable to install various types of attachments or structures on building surfaces defined by metal panels. Examples include snow guards or snow retention devices, signs, lighting systems, ornamental items, and heating, air conditioning, and ventilation equipment. There are several drawbacks to installing attachments on metal panel building surfaces in a manner that punctures the building surface at one or more locations. First, these standing seam metal panel building surfaces are relatively expensive, so it is desirable to avoid puncturing or compromising the metal panels. Second, puncturing a metal panel building surface can lead to leakage and/or corrosion issues. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention is generally directed to a cross member assembly that may be installed on a building surface, such as a roofing surface. Such a building surface may be defined by a plurality of metal panels, Adjacent metal panels may be interconnected to define a standing seam that proceeds along a slope or pitch of the building surface (e.g., each standing seam may run generally from a peak of the roof to an edge of the roof; the length dimension of each standing seam may proceed in a direction of changing elevation). In any case, the cross member assembly utilizes a mounting device (e.g., a clamp) that may be installed on a building surface, along with a separate adapter that may be detachably secured to the mounting device and that accommodates a cross member. 
         [0005]    A first aspect of the present invention is embodied by a cross member assembly that includes a mounting device and an adapter. The mounting device includes an upper surface that projects or faces away from a roofing surface (e.g., “upwardly”) when the mounting device is installed on the roofing surface, and this upper surface includes a flat section. The mounting device also includes first and second mounting device ends that are spaced from each other proceeding along a slope of the roofing surface when the mounting device is installed on such a roofing surface. 
         [0006]    The adapter is detachably mounted to the mounting device in the case of the first aspect—the adapter may be repeatedly installed on and removed from the mounting device as desired. The adapter includes first and second adapter sections. The first adapter section is in the form of a plate that is disposed on the flat section of the upper surface of the mounting device. The second adapter section is interconnected with the first adapter section, is disposed beyond the first mounting device end, and includes a cross member-receiving aperture or pocket that is also disposed beyond the first mounting device end. This cross member-receiving aperture is defined by a closed perimeter. 
         [0007]    Various feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the first aspect of the present invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. The following discussion is applicable to the first aspect, up to the start of the discussion of a second aspect of the present invention. 
         [0008]    The mounting device may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type, may be formed from any appropriate material or combination of materials, may be secured to a roofing surface in any appropriate manner, and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the mounting device includes a mounting body having a slot for receiving at least an end section of a standing seam defined on a roofing surface. This standing seam may be of any appropriate configuration and orientation. However, when the mounting device is installed on a standing seam (whether on a vertically extending end section of a standing seam or on a horizontally extending end section of a standing seam), the upper surface of the mounting device faces or projects away from the roofing surface (upwardly). Again, this upper surface of the mounting device includes at least one flat section. The entirety of the upper surface could of course be flat or planar. 
         [0009]    One or more fasteners may be used to secure the mounting device to a roofing surface. In the case of a roofing surface that is defined by standing seam panels, one or more seam fasteners may extend through a body of the mounting device and into the above-noted slot to directly engage an exterior of a standing seam that is disposed in this slot. Any such seam fastener used to mount the mounting device to a standing seam may be configured so as to not penetrate the standing seam, but instead only to engage an exterior of the standing seam (e.g., a seam fastener having a rounded, convex, or blunt-nosed end). 
         [0010]    The adapter may include at least one registrant that aligns the adapter relative to the mounting device (e.g., one or more structures that provides for or otherwise establishes a positional registration of the adapter to the mounting device). The adapter may include a lip that extends from the first adapter section in a different orientation than the first adapter section (e.g., a lip may be disposed orthogonally or perpendicularly to the first adapter section). The first adapter section may be characterized as being located between this lip and the second adapter section. In any case, this lip may engage the second mounting device end, which is opposite of the first mounting device end beyond which the second adapter section is disposed. This lip may be used to align the adapter relative to the mounting device, such that the adapter may be secured to the mounting device (e.g., to align a mounting hole through the first adapter section with a hole in the mounting device). 
         [0011]    The adapter may be secured to the mounting device in any appropriate manner. For instance, one or more threaded fasteners may extend through the first adapter section of the adapter and into the mounting device (e.g., such that there is a threaded engagement between each such threaded fastener and a body of the mounting device). The above-noted lip may be used to keep the adapter from rotating relative to the mounting device as any such threaded fastener is rotated into threaded engagement with the mounting device. Each such threaded fastener could extend through a corresponding non-threaded hole in the first adapter section (whether of a single layer or multi-layer construction). A threaded hole may be included on the upper surface of the mounting device for receiving a corresponding threaded fastener. One or more self-tapping fasteners, self-drilling fasteners, or the like could also be used to secure the adapter to the mounting device, thereby alleviating the need for incorporating pre-existing threaded holes in the mounting device to accommodate securing the adapter to the mounting device. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the first adapter section is in the form of a single-layer structure. No interface would be encountered proceeding through the entire thickness of the first adapter section in this particular instance. In another embodiment, the first adapter section includes a top flange and a separate bottom flange (i.e., to provide a multi-layer structure) that collectively define a flat plate when mated (e.g., the first adapter section may be characterized as a multi-layered structure in this particular instance). The second adapter section may connect with and act as a living hinge between the top and bottom flanges of the first adapter section to allow the adapter to move between an open or loading position/configuration and a closed or retention position/configuration. Specifically, the top and bottom flanges of the first adapter section may be moved apart to provide access to the cross member-receiving aperture of the second adapter section in the open position, and they may be moved together (e.g., disposed in interfacing relation) such that the second adapter section then provides the closed perimeter for the cross member-receiving aperture. In each of the noted embodiments for the first adapter section, the adapter could be an integrally-formed structure (e.g., of one-piece construction, with no joint of any kind between the first and second adapter sections). 
         [0013]    The entirety of the first adapter section is in the form of a plate in the case of the first aspect. As such, the first adapter section includes two parallel, planar surfaces (its upper and lower surfaces) that are to separated by a distance that defines a thickness of the first adapter section. In one embodiment, the second adapter section is disposed “downhill” of the first adapter section when the cross member assembly is installed on a roofing surface, such that the first adapter section is placed in tension by snow and/or ice progressing down the roofing surface and engaging the cross member. Having the first adapter section in tension versus compression reduces the potential that the first adapter section will structurally fail in some respect (e.g., buckle). 
         [0014]    The first adapter section may parallel a slope of a roofing surface when the cross member assembly is installed on such a roofing surface. The first adapter section could also be characterized as a strap. In any case, the second adapter section may adjoin the first adapter section. That is, in this instance there would not be an intermediate structure between the first and second adapter sections. The first adapter section could thereby extend beyond the first mounting device end to dispose the second adapter section beyond the first mounting device end. 
         [0015]    The second adapter section may be characterized as being in the form of loop through which a cross member may extend (and which may define the noted closed perimeter for the cross member-receiving aperture). In one embodiment, the length dimension of such a cross member is orthogonal to a direction that the first and second mounting device ends of the mounting device are spaced from each other. The second adapter section may also be characterized as a bulbous structure that is disposed on an end of the first adapter section. 
         [0016]    The second adapter section is disposed beyond the first mounting device end of the mounting device in the case of the first aspect. Stated another way, the second adapter section may be characterized as not being disposed in overlying relation to the mounting device when the cross member assembly is installed on a roofing surface. The second adapter section may be spaced from the first mounting device end of the mounting device (e.g., the first adapter section may extend beyond the first mounting device end, as noted). Any appropriate spacing between the second adapter section of the adapter and the first mounting device end of the mounting device may be utilized, for instance this spacing may be within a range of 1″-2″ in one embodiment (inclusive). There could be at least one benefit to having an even larger spacing between the second adapter mounting section and the first mounting device end. However, the second adapter section could actually contact the first mounting device end (although it still would be disposed beyond the first mounting device end). 
         [0017]    The mounting device may be installed such that the first mounting device end is in a direction of decreasing elevation compared to the second mounting device end, such that the second adapter section is disposed in a direction of decreasing elevation compared to the first mounting device end, or both, all when the mounting device is installed on a roofing surface. Stated another way, the first mounting device end may be located “downhill” of the second mounting device end, the second adapter section may be located “downhill” of the first mounting device end, or both, all when the mounting device is installed on a roofing surface. 
         [0018]    The second adapter section may form a cross member-receiving aperture of any appropriate size, shape, and/or configuration to accommodate receipt of a cross member. For example, the second adapter section may form an aperture having a round, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, or any other standard or custom shape. In addition and regardless of whether the second adapter section resides in a direction of increasing or decreasing elevation from the first adapter section and the mounting device, the second adapter section may engage (e.g., rest upon) a standing seam to which the mounting device is attached. 
         [0019]    A second aspect of the present invention is embodied by a roofing system having a roofing surface, a mounting device, a cross member, and an adapter. The roofing surface includes a plurality of flat base sections. The mounting device is installed on the roofing surface, and includes first and second mounting device ends that are spaced from each other proceeding along the direction in which the roofing surface slopes (e.g., one of the mounting device ends is disposed “uphill” or in a direction of increasing elevation compared to the other mounting device end). The adapter is detachably mounted to the mounting device, and includes first and second adapter sections. The first adapter section is in the form of a plate and is disposed in parallel relation to at least the adjacent-most flat base section(s) of the roofing surface. The second adapter section is interconnected with the first adapter section, is disposed beyond the first mounting device end, and includes a cross member-receiving aperture or pocket that is also disposed beyond the first mounting device end. This cross member-receiving aperture is defined by a closed perimeter. 
         [0020]    Various feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the second aspect of the present invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. The following discussion is applicable to the second aspect, up to the start of the discussion of a third aspect of the present invention. 
         [0021]    Any appropriate way of having the adapter interface with the mounting device may be used. For instance, the first adapter section could be disposed in interfacing relation with a flat section of the mounting device, although such may not be required in all instances. The various features discussed above in relation to the first aspect may be used by this second aspect, individually or in any combination. 
         [0022]    A third aspect of the present invention is embodied by a cross member assembly that includes a mounting device and an adapter. The mounting device includes an uppermost surface that projects or faces away from a roofing surface (e.g., upwardly) when the mounting device is installed on the roofing surface. The mounting device also includes first and second mounting device ends that are spaced from each other proceeding along a slope of the roofing surface when the mounting device is installed on such a roofing surface. The adapter is detachably mounted to the mounting device, extends beyond the first mounting device end, and includes a cross member-receiving aperture or pocket that is also disposed beyond the first mounting device end. This cross member-receiving aperture is defined by a closed perimeter, and at least part of this cross member-receiving aperture is disposed closer to the roofing surface than the uppermost surface of the mounting device when the cross member assembly is installed on the roofing surface. The various features discussed above in relation to the first aspect may be used by this third aspect, individually or in any combination. 
         [0023]    A fourth aspect of the present invention is embodied by a roofing system having a roofing surface, a mounting device, a cross member, and an adapter. The roofing surface includes a plurality of standing seams. The mounting device is installed on one of these standing seams. The adapter is detachably mounted to the mounting device (e.g., via a first adapter section of the type discussed above in relation to the first aspect), but the adapter also extends beyond the mounting device. Part of the adapter that is disposed beyond the mounting device (e.g., the second adapter section discussed above in relation to the first aspect) engages or “rests upon” the standing seam on which the mounting device is installed, and furthermore includes a receiver in which the cross member is disposed. In one embodiment, the receiver is in the form of a cross member-receiving aperture defined by a closed perimeter. Other receiver configurations may be appropriate for purposes of this fourth aspect. For instance, the receiver could be U-shaped, C-shaped, or the like. However, any such receiver configuration should provide stability for the cross member when exposed to snow and/or ice sliding down the roofing surface—the cross member should not be able to become dislodged from the receiver due to sliding snow and/or ice engaging the cross member. The various features discussed above in relation to the first aspect may be used by this fourth aspect, individually or in any combination. 
         [0024]    A number of feature refinements and additional features are separately applicable to each of above-noted first through the fourth aspects of the present invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination in relation to each of the above-noted first through the fourth aspects. Any feature of any other various aspects of the present invention that is intended to be limited to a “singular” context or the like will be clearly set forth herein by terms such as “only,” “single,” “limited to,” or the like. Merely introducing a feature in accordance with commonly accepted antecedent basis practice does not limit the corresponding feature to the singular (e.g., indicating that the cross member assembly includes a “mounting device” alone does not mean that the cross member assembly utilizes only a single mounting device). Moreover, any failure to use phrases such as “at least one” also does not limit the corresponding feature to the singular (e.g., indicating that an cross member assembly includes “a mounting device” alone does not mean that the cross member assembly includes only a single mounting device). Finally, use of the phrase “at least generally” or the like in relation to a particular feature encompasses the corresponding characteristic and insubstantial variations thereof (e.g., indicating that a surface is at least generally flat encompasses the noted surface being flat). 
         [0025]    Multiple mounting devices may be utilized in relation to each of the above-noted aspects. Multiple mounting devices may be disposed in any appropriate arrangement on a roofing surface. Each of the multiple mounting devices may be installed on a roofing surface at a common elevation, or at a common location proceeding along the slope of the roofing surface. Any appropriate cross member may be utilized, and the cross member may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type. The cross member may be configured to as to interface with one or more adapters (e.g., a second adapter section thereof), but so as to not interface with or contact any mounting device. Contact with the cross member may be limited to the second adapter section of one or more adapters. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the cross member provides a snow-retention function. Consider the case where the cross member extends between the cross member-receiving aperture of multiple adapters, where each adapter is mounted to a separate mounting device, and where each mounting device is installed on a sloped roofing surface. When snow and/or ice moving down the sloped roofing surface engages the cross member, each adapter may be mounted to its corresponding mounting device so as to place its first adapter section primarily in tension (e.g., the largest load exerted on the first adapter section may be a tensile force). 
         [0027]    The second adapter section of each adapter may include a cross member-receiving aperture for receiving a cross member as discussed above. Other configurations for the cross member-receiving aperture required by the first, second, and third aspects (defined above as having a closed perimeter) may be appropriate in at least certain cases, and which do not require a closed perimeter. However, any such modification of the cross member-receiving aperture should still provide stability for the cross member when exposed to snow and/or ice sliding down the roofing surface—the cross member should not be able to become dislodged from such a cross member-receiving aperture due to sliding snow and/or ice engaging the cross member. In one embodiment, part of the second adapter section is positioned “downhill” of the entire cross member and this part engages the cross member to directly oppose forces exerted on the cross member by snow and/or ice attempting to proceed down a roofing surface (downhill being in the direction of decreasing elevation when the cross member assembly is installed on a roofing surface). In one embodiment, part of the second adapter section is disposed “downhill” of the most downhill portion of the cross member to directly oppose forces exerted on the cross member by snow and/or ice attempting to proceed down a roofing surface (downhill being in the direction of decreasing elevation when the cross member assembly is installed on a roofing surface). In one embodiment, a first part of the second adapter section that defines the cross-member receiving aperture opposes movement of the cross member away from the roofing surface (e.g., is positioned “above” the cross member), a second part of the second adapter section that defines the cross-member receiving aperture opposes movement of the cross member towards the roofing surface (e.g., is positioned “below” the cross member), and a third part of the second adapter section that defines the cross-member receiving aperture is positioned “downhill” of the cross member so as to oppose movement of the cross member down the pitch of the roofing surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cross member assembly installed on a roofing surface. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged, perspective view of part of the cross member assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 2B  is another enlarged, perspective view of part of the cross member assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, perspective view of one of the mounting devices from the cross member assembly of  FIG. 1 , along a representative configuration for a standing seam from the roofing surface on which the mounting device may be installed. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the adapter used by the cross member assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the cross member assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an adapter that may be used by the cross member assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]      FIG. 1  presents one embodiment of what may be referred to as a roofing system  10 . The roofing system  10  includes a cross member assembly  30  that is installed on a roofing surface  12  (e.g., to provide a snow retention function). Generally, the roofing surface  12  may be defined in any appropriate manner and may be of any appropriate configuration. For instance, the roofing surface  12  may include one or more roofing sections, each of which may be of any appropriate pitch/slope and/or shape. The cross member assembly  30  may be installed at any appropriate location on the roofing surface  12  and in any appropriate manner, and furthermore the cross member assembly  30  may be of any appropriate length. Multiple cross member assemblies  30  may be used and disposed in any appropriate arrangement. 
         [0036]    The roofing surface  12  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is but one representative configuration that may be utilized by the roofing system  10 . The roofing surface  12  may be of any pitch, but at least generally slopes downwardly in a direction denoted by arrow A in  FIG. 1  from a peak  16  of the roofing surface  12  to an edge  14  of the roofing surface  12 . Multiple panels  18  (e.g., metal panels) collectively define the roofing to surface  12 . The interconnection of each adjacent pair of panels  18  in the illustrated embodiment defines a standing seam  20  (only schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0037]    The standing seams  20  may at least generally proceed in the direction of or along the slope or pitch of the roofing surface  12  (e.g., the pitch of the length dimension of the standing seams  20  may match the pitch of the corresponding portion of the roofing surface  12 ). Each panel  18  includes at least one base section  22  that is at least generally flat or planar and that is disposed between each adjacent pair of standing seams  20  on the roofing surface  12 . Each panel  18  could include one or more crests, minor ribs, intermediate ribs, parcel ribs, striations, fluting, or flutes between its corresponding pair of standing seams  20  so as to provide multiple base sections  22  on each panel  18  (not shown). 
         [0038]    The panels  18  may be of any appropriate configuration so to allow them to be interconnected or nested in a manner that defines a standing seam  20 , and the standing seams  20  may be disposed in any appropriate orientation relative to the base sections  22  of the panels  18  that define the standing seam  20 . Generally, the standing seams  20  may be characterized as at least initially extending orthogonally (e.g., perpendicularly) relative to the base sections  22  of the corresponding panels  18 . The illustrated standing seams  20  may be characterized as having a vertical end section, or as being of a vertical standing seam configuration. However, the end sections of the various standing seams  20  could also have portions that are horizontally disposed (e.g., at least generally parallel with the base sections  22  of the corresponding panels  18 ), or as being of a horizontal standing seam configuration. 
         [0039]    The cross member assembly  30  is installed on the roofing surface  12 . Generally, the cross member assembly  30  may be used to interconnect a cross member  32  with the roofing surface  12 . While the cross member  32  may provide the function of a snow retention device, or a structure that at least attempts to impede or retard the movement of snow and/or ice down the inclined roofing surface  12 , the cross member  32  may provide any appropriate function or combination of functions. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  present different perspective views of part of the cross member assembly  30  shown in  FIG. 1 . The arrow A in  FIG. 2A  illustrates what may be the “downhill” direction when the cross member assembly  30  is installed on the roofing surface  12 . The cross member assembly  30  generally includes at least one mounting device  34 , an adapter  36  for each mounting device  34 , and the above-noted cross member  32  that extends through at least one adapter  36 . That is, each adapter  36  is configured to receive at least a portion of the cross member  32 , as will be discussed below. 
         [0041]    Although a single mounting device  34  and adapter  36  could be used to interconnect a cross member  32  with the roofing surface  12 , multiple mounting devices  34  (again, each having a corresponding adapter  36 ) would typically be used in conjunction with a given cross member  32 . However, any appropriate number of mounting devices  34  may be utilized by a particular cross member assembly  30 . A mounting device  34  may be installed on each standing seam  20  over which its cross member  32  is disposed, although such may not be required in all instances (e.g., the cross member  32  could extend over a standing seam  20  without being interconnected therewith via a mounting device  34  and corresponding adapter  36 ). 
         [0042]    Each mounting device  34  of the cross member assembly  30  is installed on a standing seam  20  in the illustrated embodiment.  FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a representative configuration for a standing seam  20  that may be used by the roofing surface  12  of  FIG. 1 . There it can be seen that a pair of panels  18  are interconnected so as to collectively define a standing seam  20 . Generally, a longitudinal edge section  19   a  of one panel  18  (e.g., the right edge section of the left panel  18  in the view shown in  FIG. 3 ) is “nested” with the opposing longitudinal edge section  19   b  of an adjacent panel  18  (e.g., the left edge section of the right panel  18  in the view shown in  FIG. 3 ) to collectively define the standing seam  20 . This is commonly referred to as a “double folded seam” configuration. Other configurations for the “nested” longitudinal edges of the panels  18  may be utilized to provide a different configuration that still defines a standing seam  20 . 
         [0043]    Details of the mounting device  36  are shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , as well as in  FIG. 3 , The mounting device  34  includes an upper surface  37  and an oppositely disposed bottom surface  38 , a pair of oppositely disposed side surfaces  40 , and a pair of oppositely disposed ends or end surfaces  44 . The upper surface  37  of the mounting device  34  is that surface which faces or projects away from the roofing surface  12  (e.g., upwardly) when the mounting device  34  is installed on the roofing surface  12  in the illustrated embodiment. The entirety of the upper surface  34  may be flat or planar, or it may include at least one flat or planar section for providing a desirable interface with a corresponding adapter  36  (e.g., the intersection between the upper surface  34  and each side surface  40  could be rounded). The upper surface  37  also includes at least one threaded mounting hole  46  configured to receive a threaded fastener  72  to secure or mount the adapter  36  to the mounting device  34 . Such a threaded mounting hole  46  may be eliminated if the threaded fastener  72  is of a self-tapping or self-drilling type. Multiple threaded fasteners  72  could be used to secure the adapter  36  to the mounting device  34  as well. Generally, at least one threaded fastener  72  may be threadably engaged with the mounting device  34  to detachably mount the adapter  36  to the mounting device  34  (“detachable” meaning that an adapter  36  may be repeatedly installed on and removed from a mounting device  34 ). 
         [0044]    The bottom surface  38  of the mounting device  34  includes a slot  48  that extends between the two ends  44  of the mounting device  34 . The slot  48  on the bottom surface  38  of the mounting device  34  includes an upper wall  50  and a pair of sidewalls  52  that are spaced apart to receive at least an end section  54  of a standing seam  20 . One or more seam fasteners  56  may be directed through a seam-mounting hole  58  in at least one of the side surfaces  40  of the mounting device  34  and into the slot  48  to engage the standing seam  20  and secure it against the opposing slot sidewall  52  or an opposing seam fastener  56  (e.g., at least one seam fastener  56  could be directed into the slot  48  from each of the two side surfaces  40  of the mounting device  34 ). The end of each seam fastener  56  used to secure the mounting device  34  to a standing seam  20  may be contoured so as to not penetrate the corresponding standing seam  20  (e.g., a fastener  56  having a rounded, convex, or blunt-nosed end). That is, each seam fastener  56  may only engage an exterior surface of the corresponding standing seam  20 . In any case, a cavity  59  of any appropriate type, size, and/or configuration may be formed on the opposing slot sidewall  52  to allow an aligned seam fastener  56  to deflect a corresponding portion of the standing seam  20  into this cavity  59  to enhance the “locking” of the mounting device  34  onto a standing seam  20 . 
         [0045]    In the illustrated embodiment, the end section  54  of each standing seam  20  may be characterized as being vertically disposed. Again and as noted above, the end section  54  could also be at least generally horizontally disposed. In this case, each mounting device  34  would be installed on such a horizontal standing seam such that one of its side surfaces  40  faced or projected away from the roofing surface (e.g., upwardly) in the installed position on the roofing surface (e.g., in accordance with the “dual orientation” mounting device configurations addressed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,772, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein). Stated another way, the slot  48  of the mounting device  34  would be at least generally horizontally disposed in this case (in the horizontal standing seam configuration), versus vertically disposed as in  FIG. 3 . In such a horizontal standing seam configuration, at least part of the upwardly facing or projecting side surface  40  of the mounting device  34  should include at least one flat or planar section (or entirely flat or planar) for interfacing with the corresponding adapter  36 . 
         [0046]    Other mounting device configurations may be appropriate for installation on a standing seam  20  for use in place of the mounting device  34  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . For example, various mounting device configurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,228.248; 5,483,772; 5,941,931; 5,694,721; 5,715,640; 5,983,588; 6,164,033; 6,718,718; 7,100,338; and 7,013,612, and these devices may be utilized by the mounting assembly  30 . The cross member assembly  30  is also not limited for use with a standing seam roofing surface. Therefore, other mounting device configurations may be utilized by the cross member assembly  30 , and adapted (if necessary) for the intended roofing surface. 
         [0047]    Details regarding the adapter  36  used by the cross member assembly  30  of  FIG. 1  are presented in  FIGS. 2A-2B , along with  FIG. 4 . The adapter  36  includes a first adapter section  60  and a second adapter section  62 . The first adapter section  60  is in the form of a flat plate (e.g., defined by a pair of planar surfaces that are parallel and spaced by a distance that defines a thickness of the first adapter section  60 ) that parallels the flat base sections  22  of at least the corresponding panels  18  (those panels  18  that define the standing seam  20  to which the adapter  36  is interconnected via a mounting device  34 ) when the adapter  36  is attached to the mounting device  34 . Stated another way, the first adapter section  60  may be disposed parallel with the pitch of the roofing surface  12 . The first adapter section  60  may be characterized as being of a single layer or in the form of a single-layered construction—no interface is encountered proceeding through the thickness of the first adapter section  60  (in contrast to the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , discussed below). 
         [0048]    The first adapter section  60  may be characterized as having a mounting device end  66  and an oppositely disposed aperture end  68 . A lip  70  extends from the mounting device end  66  of the first adapter section  60  (e.g., such that the lip  70  and first adapter section  60  are disposed in different orientations, such as orthogonal to each other). The first adapter section  60  may be characterized as being located somewhere between the lip  70  and the second adapter section  62 . 
         [0049]    In order to detachably mount the adapter  36  to the mounting device  34 , the first adapter section  60  may include a non-threaded adapter mounting hole  64  that is located between the mounting device end  66  and the aperture end  68  such that a threaded fastener  72  ( FIGS. 2A-2B  and  5 ) may extend through the adapter mounting hole  64  and into the mounting device  34 , where the threaded fastener  72  is threadably engaged with the mounting device  34 . Once again, it should be understood that the threaded fastener  72  ( FIGS. 2A-2B  and  5 ) could be in the form of a self-tapping fastener or a self-drilling fastener. 
         [0050]    The second adapter section  62  of the adapter  36  includes a cross member-receiving aperture or pocket  74  of any appropriate size, shape, and/or configuration to accommodate the cross member  32 . For example, the second adapter section  62  may form an aperture having a round, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, or any other standard or custom shape. 
         [0051]    The adapter  36  of  FIG. 4  is shown installed on a mounting device in each of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B, and  FIG. 5 . Referring now to these figures, the first adapter section  60  is positioned on at least one flat or planar upwardly facing or projecting surface of the mounting device  34  when installed on the roofing surface  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first adapter section  60  is positioned on the upper surface  37  of the mounting device  34 . In the installed position, the first adapter section  60  is parallel with the flat base sections  22  of the panels  18  that define the standing seam  20  with which the adapter  36  is interconnected, is parallel with the pitch of the roofing surface  12 , or both. 
         [0052]    The lip  70  of the adapter  36  facilitates alignment of the adapter  36  on the mounting device  34  for securing the two together. In the illustrated embodiment, when the lip  70  engages one of the mounting device ends  44 , the adapter mounting hole  64  (of the adapter  36 ) is aligned with the threaded mounting hole  46  (of the mounting device  34 ) such that the threaded fastener  72  may be used to fix the adapter  36  to the mounting device  34 . Moreover, the lip  70  also positions the second adapter section  62  a desired distance from the oppositely disposed mounting device end  40 . The lip  70  may also keep the adapter  36  from rotating relative to the mounting device  34  as a threaded fastener  72  is used to secure the adapter  36  to the mounting device  34 . 
         [0053]    The second adapter section  62  is disposed beyond a mounting device end  44  of the mounting device  34  (the end  44  opposite that engaged by the lip  70  of the adapter  36 ), and as shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  5 . In the illustrated embodiment, this is provided by the first adapter section  60  extending beyond one of the mounting device ends  44 . Other ways of disposing the second adapter section  62  beyond a mounting device end  44  could be utilized. In the illustrated embodiment, the second adapter section  62  is actually spaced from the adjacent-most mounting device end  44 . This spacing or degree of separation between the adjacent-most mounting device end  44  and the second adapter section  62  (measured parallel with the pitch of the roofing surface  12 ) may be of any appropriate distance (e.g., a few inches, possibly more). Moreover, the second adapter section  62  could actually engage the adjacent-most mounting device end  44  (not shown). 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  illustrates another feature of the cross member assembly  30 . The second adapter section  62  is not only disposed beyond the adjacent-most mounting device end  44  of the mounting device  34 , but it may be disposed on (i.e., contacts or engages) the same standing seam  20  that the mounting device  34  is installed upon. As such, the standing seam  20  may support the second adapter section  62  (and thereby the cross member  32  disposed therein) to at least some degree. The second adapter section  62  again includes the cross member-receiving aperture  74 . Since the second adapter section  62  is disposed beyond an adjacent-most end  44  of the mounting device  34 , so too is the cross member-receiving aperture  74 . Increasing the spacing between the second adapter section  62  and the adjacent-most mounting device end  44  could actually enhance the retention of the cross member assembly  30  on the roofing surface  12  by increasing the moment arm (the distance between the mounting device  36  (a first contact with the roofing surface  12 ) and the second adapter section  62  (a spaced, second contact with the roofing surface  12 )). This moment arm opposes forces exerted on the cross member assembly  30  by snow and/or ice proceeding down the slope of the roofing surface  12  that attempt to “pry” the cross member assembly  30  off of the roofing surface  12 . 
         [0055]    Part of the cross member-receiving aperture  74  (the lower portion thereof in the installed configuration) is also spaced closer to a first reference plane that includes the flat base sections  22  of the two panels  18  that define the seam  20  to which the adapter  36  is interconnected, compared to the flat section of the mounting device  34  that interfaces with the first adapter section  60  (the upper surface  37  in the illustrated embodiment). Part of the cross member-receiving aperture  74  is disposed above a second reference plane that contains the flat or planar portion of the surface on which the first adapter section  60  is disposed (the upper part of the cross member-receiving aperture  74  in the installed configuration), while part of the cross member-receiving aperture  74  is disposed below this second reference plane (the lower part of the cross member-receiving aperture  74  in the installed configuration). 
         [0056]    The cross member-receiving aperture  74  is defined by a closed perimeter in the illustrated embodiment. That is, the second adapter section  62  extends about the entire perimeter of the cross member  32  (e.g., the second adapter section  62  is an annular structure or “encircles” the cross member  32 , although neither of these characterizations limits the second adapter section  62  to having a circular cross member-receiving aperture  74 ). The second adapter section  62  may be characterized as a “loop”, or as a structure that limits or restrains movement in any direction that is away from the long axis of the cross member  32 . 
         [0057]    It may be possible for the cross member-receiving aperture  74  to not have a closed perimeter. However, if the cross member-receiving aperture  74  were reconfigured to include an opening for inserting the cross member  32  into the second adapter section  62 , the boundary of the cross member-receiving aperture  74  should still provide stability for the cross member  32  when exposed to snow and/or ice sliding down the roofing surface  12 —the cross member  32  should not be able to become dislodged from such a cross member-receiving aperture  74  due to sliding snow and/or ice engaging the cross member  32 . In one embodiment for providing at least part of this functionality, part of the second adapter section  62  may be positioned “downhill” of the entire cross member  32  and this part may engage the cross member  32  to directly oppose forces exerted on the cross member  32  by snow and/or ice attempting to proceed down the roofing surface  12  (downhill being in the direction of decreasing elevation when the cross member assembly  30  is installed on the roofing surface  12 ). In one embodiment for providing at least part of the above-noted functionality, part of the second adapter section  62  may be disposed “downhill” of the most downhill portion of the cross member  32  to directly oppose forces exerted on the cross member  32  by snow and/or ice attempting to proceed down the roofing surface  12  (downhill being in the direction of decreasing elevation when the cross member assembly  30  is installed on a roofing surface). In one embodiment for providing at least part of the above-noted functionality, a first part of the second adapter section  62  that defines the cross-member receiving aperture  74  opposes movement of the cross member  32  away from the roofing surface  32  (e.g., is positioned “above” the cross member  32 ), a second part of the second adapter section  62  that defines the cross-member receiving aperture  74  opposes movement of the cross member  32  towards the roofing surface  12  (e.g., is positioned “below” the cross member  32 ), and a third part of the second adapter section  62  that defines the cross-member receiving aperture  74  is positioned “downhill” of the cross member  32  so as to oppose movement of the cross member  32  down the pitch of the roofing surface  12 . 
         [0058]    The second adapter section  62  may also include an cross member mounting hole  76  for selectively fixing the cross member  32  relative to the second adapter section  62  via a fastener  78 , such as a set screw ( FIGS. 2A-B ). Thus, the cross member  32  may extend through the cross member-receiving aperture  74  of the second adapter section  62 , and may be at least somewhat locked thereto via the fastener  78 . 
         [0059]    Another embodiment of an adapter is shown in  FIG. 6 , is identified by reference numeral  36 ′, and may be used by the cross member assembly  30  in place of the above-discussed adapter  36 . Common parts of the two adapters are identified by the same reference numeral. Those corresponding parts in the  FIG. 6  embodiment that differ from the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5  are identified by a “single prime” designation. Generally, the first adapter section  60  in the case of the adapter  36  of  FIGS. 1-5  may be characterized as a single-layer or a single-piece structure, while the first adapter section  60 ′ of the adapter  36 ′ of  FIG. 6  is collectively defined by two layers or sections that may be disposed in interfacing relation. 
         [0060]    The adapter  36 ′ of  FIG. 6  includes modified first and second adapter sections  60 ′,  62 ′ that differ in certain respects from the first and second adaptor sections  60 ,  62  discussed above with respect to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . Specifically, the first adapter section  60 ′ includes a top flange  80  and a separate bottom flange  82 . These top and bottom flanges  80 ,  82  collectively define a flat plate (the first adapter section  60 ′) having a mounting device end  88  and an aperture end  90 . While  FIG. 6  shows the lip  70  extending (e.g., orthogonally) from the mounting device end  88  of the top flange  80 , the lip  70  could extend from a mounting device end  88  of the bottom flange  82  (not shown). 
         [0061]    The top and bottom flanges  80 ,  82  are connected via the second adapter section  62 ′, which may act as a living hinge between the top and bottom flanges  80 ,  82  to allow the top and bottom flanges  80 ,  82  to be moved between open and closed positions. That is, the top and bottom flanges  80 ,  82  may be moved apart to provide access to the cross member-receiving aperture  74 , and when the second adapter section  62 ′ is disposed about the cross member  32 , the top and bottom flanges  80 ,  82  may be moved back together (i.e., disposed in interfacing relation) such that the second adapter section  62 ′ provides a closed perimeter to restrain the cross member  32  within the cross member-receiving aperture  74 . The second adapter section  62 ′ may be formed of any appropriate material or have any appropriate thickness and/or configuration so as to provide second adapter section  62 ′ with sufficient flexibility to hinge the top and bottom flanges  80 ,  82  between open and closed positions. 
         [0062]    To attach the adapter  36 ′ to the mounting device  34 , the top flange  80  may include a non-threaded first adapter mounting hole  84 , and the bottom flange  82  may include a non-threaded second adapter mounting hole  86 . When the top and bottom flanges  80 ,  82  are mated, the first and second adapter mounting holes  84 ,  86  align such that a fastener  72  ( FIGS. 2A-2B  and  5 ) may extend through the first and second adapter mounting holes  84 ,  86  and into the mounting device  34  in the manner noted above. 
         [0063]    Each of the adapters  62 ,  62 ′ addressed herein may be formed from any appropriate material or combination of materials. Moreover, each of the adapters  62 ,  62 ′ may be an integrally formed structure—of one-piece construction such that there is no joint of any kind between adjacent portions. 
         [0064]    The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

Summary:
Systems are presented for the installation of a cross member ( 32 ) on a roofing surface ( 12 ). In this regard, the systems generally provide for a low-profile cross member assembly ( 30 ) for securement to a standing seam ( 20 ) on a roofing surface ( 12 ). The cross member assembly ( 30 ) includes a mounting device ( 34 ) that is attachable to a standing seam ( 20 ) of a roofing surface ( 12 ) and a detachably mounted adapter ( 36 ) having a flat first adapter section ( 60 ) that may parallel the roofing surface ( 12 ). A second adapter section ( 62 ) forms a cross member-receiving aperture ( 74 ) with a closed perimeter to accommodate the cross member ( 32 ).