Abstract:
A solar panel mounting assembly for mounting a solar panel to a roof surface includes a bracket having a slot with a generally t-shaped cross section that extends along at least a portion of a length of the bracket, a first fastener having a head end positioned in the slot and a shaft. The first fastener slides along the slot in a direction substantially parallel to the roof surface. The assembly further includes a membrane positioned between the roof surface and the bracket. The bracket is connected to the roof surface by at least one of a group consisting of the membrane and a second fastener, and the generally t-shaped cross section includes a first wide portion sized to receive the head end of the fastener and a second narrow portion sized to receive the shaft of the fastener.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/272,005 filed Oct. 12, 2011 which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/452,983, filed Mar. 15, 2011, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/485,693, filed May 13, 2011, the entire contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to roof mounting structures and methods of installing and using the same. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one embodiment, the invention provides a roof attachment assembly for mounting to a roof substrate. The roof attachment assembly comprises a plate having a substantially frustoconical protrusion defining an aperture extending therethrough, the plate defining a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing the roof substrate and the second surface spaced from the roof substrate. The roof attachment assembly also comprises a membrane positioned adjacent one of the first surface and the second surface of the plate, and a bracket positioned proximate the second surface of the plate, the bracket operable to support one or more roof mounted fixtures. The roof attachment assembly further comprises a fastener extending through the bracket, the membrane and the plate, the fastener operable to couple the bracket, the membrane and the plate together, wherein the roof substrate is contiguous adjacent to an end of the fastener. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a roof attachment assembly for mounting a structure to a membrane roof. The roof attachment assembly comprises a pair of opposed compression plates, a first one of the pair of compression plates defining a recess, a second one of the pair of compression plates having an outwardly extending frustoconical protrusion matingly engageable in the recess defined in the first one of the pair of compression plates. The roof attachment assembly also comprises a skirt compressed between the pair of opposed compression plates and substantially shrouding one of the first and second pair of compression plates, and a standoff positioned proximate the pair of opposed compression plates, the standoff operable to support the structure and to space the structure away from the membrane roof. The roof attachment assembly further comprises a fastener extending through the standoff, the skirt and the pair of compression plates, the fastener securing the standoff to the pair of compression plates and compressing the skirt between the pair of opposed compression plates to seal the attachment assembly, and a bond formed between the skirt and a roof membrane secured to the membrane roof. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a roof attachment assembly for mounting a structure to a membrane roof. The roof attachment assembly comprises a clamp having pair of opposing clamp halves, a first one of the clamp halves defining a recess, a second one of the clamp halves having an outwardly extending frustoconical protrusion matingly engageable in the recess defined in the first one of the clamp halves. The roof attachment assembly also comprises a skirt compressed between the pair of opposed clamp halves, and a standoff positioned proximate the pair of opposed clamp halves, the standoff operable to support the structure and to space the structure away from the membrane roof. The roof attachment assembly further comprises a fastener extending through the standoff, the skirt and the pair of clamp halves, the fastener securing the standoff to the pair of clamp halves and compressing the skirt between the pair of opposed clamp halves to seal the attachment assembly, and an elastic pad positioned between the pair of clamp halves and the membrane roof. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a roof attachment assembly for mounting a structure to a roof having a roof membrane. The roof attachment assembly comprises a bracket secured to the roof and operable to support the structure and space the structure away from the roof, and a seal positioned between the bracket and the roof to prevent leakage around the bracket through the roof. The seal includes a clamp having a pair of opposed compression plates and a fastener extending through the bracket and the compression plates, the fastener having a blunt end supported away from the roof membrane. The seal further includes a skirt compressed between the pair of opposed compression plates and substantially shrouding one of the first and second pair of compression plates, a bond formed between the skirt and the roof membrane to substantially enclose one of the first or second pair of compression plates, and an elastic pad positioned between the clamp and the membrane roof to shield the roof membrane from contact with the clamp. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a roof attachment assembly to be mounted on a roof substrate. The roof attachment assembly comprises a base member positioned adjacent to the roof substrate, the base member having a substantially frustoconical protrusion extending away from the roof substrate and defining an aperture, the base member defining a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing the roof substrate and the second surface spaced from the roof substrate. The roof attachment assembly also comprises a first membrane positioned adjacent the second surface of the base member, the membrane defining a second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture, a second membrane positioned adjacent the first membrane, the second membrane defining a third aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture and the second aperture, and a fastener extending through the base member and the first membrane. The fastener is operable to engage a supporting element extending through the third aperture. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a roof attachment assembly to be mounted on a roof substrate. The roof attachment assembly comprises a first membrane supportable on the roof substrate, and a base member that defines a first surface positioned substantially adjacent the first membrane and a second surface spaced from the roof substrate and the first membrane. The base member defines a surface area and includes a frustoconical protrusion extending away from the roof substrate along an axis, the first surface forms a frustoconical recess and the second surface forms the frustoconical protrusion. The base member defines a first aperture extending along the axis from the first surface to the second surface, the first aperture substantially centrally positioned in the frustoconical protrusion. The roof attachment assembly also comprises a second membrane coupled to the first membrane and coupled to the base member, and a fastener oriented along the axis, the fastener extending through the first aperture and the second aperture to couple the base member to the second membrane. The second membrane is positioned substantially adjacent the base member second surface, and the second membrane defines a surface area, wherein the second membrane surface area is greater than the surface area of the base member. The second membrane is deformable to substantially conform to the frustoconical protrusion of the base member. The second membrane defines a second aperture extending therethrough, the second aperture being substantially aligned with the first aperture, such that the second aperture extends along the axis. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a roof attachment assembly to be mounted on a roof substrate. The roof attachment assembly comprises a base member supportable on the roof substrate. The base member defines a first surface positioned substantially adjacent the roof substrate, a second surface spaced from the roof substrate, and a surface area. The base member includes a frustoconical protrusion extending away from the roof substrate along an axis, where the first surface forms a frustoconical recess and the second surface forms the frustoconical protrusion. The base member defines a first aperture extending along the axis from the first surface to the second surface, the first aperture substantially centrally positioned in the frustoconical protrusion. The roof attachment assembly also comprises a membrane positioned substantially adjacent the base member second surface. The membrane defines a surface area, wherein the membrane surface area is greater than the surface area of the base member. The membrane is deformable to substantially conform to the frustoconical protrusion of the base member, the membrane defining a second aperture extending therethrough, the second aperture being substantially aligned with the first aperture, such that the second aperture extends along the axis. The roof attachment assembly also comprises a fastener oriented along the axis, the fastener extending through the first aperture and the second aperture to couple the base member to the membrane. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a roof attachment assembly to be mounted on a roof substrate. The roof attachment assembly comprises a first membrane supportable on the roof substrate, and a base member that defines a first surface positioned substantially adjacent the first membrane and a second surface spaced from the roof substrate and the first membrane. The base member defining a surface area and including a frustoconical protrusion extending away from the roof substrate along an axis, the first surface forms a frustoconical recess and the second surface forms the frustoconical protrusion. The base member defines a first aperture extending along the axis from the first surface to the second surface, the first aperture substantially centrally positioned in the frustoconical protrusion. The roof attachment assembly also comprises a second membrane coupled to the first membrane and coupled to the base member. The second membrane is positioned substantially adjacent the base member second surface. The second membrane defining a surface area, wherein the second membrane surface area is greater than the surface area of the base member. The second membrane being deformable to substantially conform to the frustoconical protrusion of the base member, the second membrane defining a second aperture extending therethrough, the second aperture being substantially aligned with the first aperture, such that the second aperture extends along the axis. The roof attachment assembly further comprises a bracket coupled to the second membrane, the bracket defining a first surface spaced from the second membrane and a second surface positioned substantially adjacent the second membrane. The bracket defines an aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface. The bracket is operable to support a roof-mounted assembly, the bracket aperture being substantially aligned with the first aperture and the second aperture, such that the bracket aperture extends along the axis. The roof attachment assembly further comprises a fastener oriented along the axis, the fastener extending through the first aperture, the second aperture and the bracket aperture to couple the base member to the second membrane and to the bracket. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a roof attachment assembly to be mounted on a membrane roof. The roof attachment assembly comprises a plate defining an aperture, a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing the membrane roof and the second surface spaced from the membrane roof. The roof attachment assembly also comprises a first membrane positioned adjacent to the first surface of the first plate, a second membrane positioned adjacent to the second surface of the plate and substantially shrouding the plate, a bracket positioned proximate to the second membrane, the bracket defining a recess aligned with an aperture of the plate, the bracket operable to support one or more roof mounted fixtures. The roof attachment assembly further comprises a fastener that substantially mates with the recess of the bracket. 
         [0012]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a roofing system with a roof attachment assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the roof attachment assembly according of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the roofing system and the roof attachment assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of the roofing system and the roof attachment assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a roof attachment assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate compression plates usable with the roofing system and the roof attachment assembly of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a roofing system with a roof attachment assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the roofing system with the roof attachment assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the roofing system and the roof attachment assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a roofing system with a roof attachment assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an assembled view of the roofing system with the roof attachment assembly of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the roofing system and the roof attachment assembly of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0025]      FIGS. 12-14  illustrate various brackets usable with the roofing system and the roof attachment assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates an extension usable with the roofing system and the roof attachment assembly. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 16-18  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a roofing system and a roof attachment assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a roofing system and a roof attachment assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  illustrates a plate usable with the roofing system and the roof attachment assembly of  FIGS. 16-20 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  illustrates a spacer usable with the roofing system and the roof attachment assembly of  FIGS. 16-20 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    Before any independent embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
         [0032]    Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0033]    Also, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like “central,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” etc.) are only used to simplify description of embodiments of the present invention and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation. In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a roofing system  10  including a metal roof deck  12 , a roof substrate  14  (e.g., insulation, tarpaper, plywood or other decking material, and the like) supported on the roof deck  12 , a membrane  16  extending across and supported on the substrate  14  (i.e., placed immediately adjacent an upper surface of the substrate  14  or supported on one or more intermediate layers of roofing or sealing material, which in turn are placed on the substrate  14 ). The roofing system  10  can be utilized on any of a variety of roof types, such as slate roofs, membrane roofs, aluminum roofs, standing seam roofs, tile roofs, shingle roofs, and the like. 
         [0035]    The roofing system  10  is operable to support any of a variety of roof-mounted fixtures, such as, for example, snow fences, solar panels, conduit for solar panels, cables for lighting rods, an antenna, signs, billboards, or any of a number of other roof-mountable assemblies. Depending on one or more of the geographic location, anticipated quantity and type of precipitation, and anticipated roof and wind loading, the roofing system  10  can include any of a variety of flashing, seal and bracket arrangements, as will be discussed below. 
         [0036]    A roof attachment assembly  18  can be coupled to the roofing system  10  with few or no fasteners extending through the membrane  16 . One such roof attachment assembly  18  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and includes a first membrane pad  20 , a plate  22  having a substantially frustoconical protrusion  24 , a second membrane pad  26 , a compression plate  28 , a washer  30 , a nut  32  and a bolt  34 . The bolt  34  extends through the first membrane pad  20 , the frustoconical protrusion  24  of the plate  22 , the second membrane pad  26 , the compression plate  28 , the washer  30  and the nut  32 . In other embodiments, the washer  30  and the nut  32  can be omitted and the bolt  34  can be connected to a bracket  43  that is operable to act as a standoff and to support one or more roof mounted fixtures. For example, the body of the bolt  34  can substantially mate with a recess defined by the bracket to secure the bracket to the roof attachment assembly  18 . 
         [0037]    Although the illustrated roof attachment assembly  18  is substantially circular, other shapes are possible. For example, the roof attachment assembly  18  can be square, ovular, round, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal or other regular or non-regular shape. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the plate  22  can include one or more stiffening ribs or flanges to increase rigidity. The plate  22  has a top surface  22 A facing the second membrane pad  26  and a bottom surface  22 B facing the first membrane pad  20 . In other words, the bottom surface  22 B of the plate faces the roof substrate and the top surface  22 A is spaced from the roof substrate. In some embodiments, the top surface  22 A and/or the bottom surface  22 B is coated with a material similar to the roof material, such as a membranous material. Embodiments in which both the top surface  22 A and the bottom surface  22 B are coated can omit one or more of the first membrane pad  20  and the second membrane pad  26 . 
         [0039]    The illustrated plate  22  is substantially circular, but the plate can be other regular or non-regular shapes. The illustrated plate  22  is metallic, but is other embodiments the plate is polymeric. 
         [0040]    The plate  22  extends substantially along a plane. The frustoconical protrusion  24  of the plate  22  extends away from the roof substrate  14  and defines an aperture  25  extending along an axis  27 . The aperture  25  is circular, but in other embodiments, can have other regular or irregular shapes. The illustrated aperture  25  is substantially centered on the upwardly extending protrusion  24 , but other, non-centered embodiments are possible. The frustoconical protrusion  24  has a diameter in the plane, and the aperture  25  has diameter in a second plane that is substantially parallel to but spaced from the plane. The diameter of the aperture  25  is less than the diameter of the protrusion  24 , to form a truncated cone or frustoconical shape. In other embodiments, the protrusion  24  can have other shapes and configurations, corresponding to the shape of an underside of an associated bracket  43  (shown in  FIG. 1A ). 
         [0041]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the protrusion  24  defines a concave interior side  37  and an exterior side  38 . As used herein, frustoconical includes cones with rounded, flat, non-flat or nearly flat upper portions and truncated cones with rounded, flat, non-flat or nearly flat upper portions. The illustrated upwardly extending protrusion  24  is circular, but in other embodiments, can be square, D-shaped, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, ovular, or other regular or irregular shapes. Similarly, in some embodiments, the concave interior side  37  of the protrusion  24  may have a number of different shapes and configurations, including but not limited to configurations in which the arch provided by the interior side  37  does not include a uniform radius. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the plate  22  and the bolt  34  are connected to inhibit rotation of the bolt with respect to the plate  22 . The plate  22  and the bolt  34  can be connected by spot welding, heat welding, forging, indenting the threads with pins or other projections, double-sided tape or other adhesive, or other permanent or semi-permanent connection. The connected plate  22  and bolt  34  can be sold as a single component. In other embodiments, the plate  22  and the bolt  34  can be sold as separate components. 
         [0043]    The first membrane  20  and the second membrane  26  have substantially circular shapes, but other shapes of these membranes are possible. In one embodiment, the first membrane  20 , the second membrane  26 , and the roof membrane  16  are constructed from the same material (e.g., polymeric material). In other embodiments, these membranes can be constructed from different materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the second membrane  26  is larger than the diameter of the first membrane  20 , but in other embodiments the membranes  20  and  26  can have different diameters. The second membrane  26  extends outwardly beyond the outer perimeter of the plates  22  and  28 . The second membrane  26  is secured to the plate  22  and forms a skirt at least partially enclosing the plate  22 . The first membrane  20  is positioned adjacent to the bottom surface  22 B of the plate  22 , and the second membrane  26  is positioned adjacent to the top surface  22 A of the plate  22 . The first membrane  20  and the second membrane  26  include corresponding apertures  29 A and  29 B. The apertures  29 A and  29 B of the membranes  20  and  26  are substantially aligned with the aperture  25  of the plate  22 , such that the apertures  29 A and  29 B extend along the axis  27 . 
         [0044]    The compression plate  28  can include a substantially frustoconical recess  36  that matingly receives the frustoconical protrusion  24  at least partially therein. The second membrane  26  is compressed between the compression plate  28  and the plate  22  at an approximate center or aperture  29 A. Thus, the compression plate  28  and the plate  22  act like a clamp on the second membrane  26 . The clamp created by the compression plate  28  and the plate  22  deforms the second membrane  26  to define a circuitous path between the plates  22  and  28 . 
         [0045]    The bolt  34  applies an adjustable compression force to the second membrane  26  between the compression plate  28  and the plate  22 . The outwardly extending base of the bolt  34  is countered to matingly engage a recess defined in concave interior side  37  of the frustoconical protrusion  24 . The base of the bolt  34  is positioned adjacent to the roof membrane  16  and the body of the bolt  34  is received within the frustoconical recess  36  of the plate  28 . The compression plate  28  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . is circular, but a square compression plate  29  having a frustoconical recess  36  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Any suitable size and shape compression plate can be utilized. In some embodiments, the compression plate  28 ,  29  can be omitted. 
         [0046]    The frustoconical protrusion  24  of the plate  22  can substantially match a head shape of the bolt  34 . In some embodiments, the plate  22  and the bolt  34  are formed as a single unitary piece. In some embodiments, the first membrane pad  20  is connected to the bolt  34  (for example by heat welding). In such embodiments, the first membrane pad  20  is connected to the bolt  34  either prior to or while connecting the roof attachment assembly  18  to the roofing system  10 . The illustrated plate  22  is substantially circular, but other can be other regular or non-regular shapes. 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, other washers and nuts, or other fastening apparatuses and methods are utilized in place of washer  30  and nut  32 . In some embodiments, projections or fasteners, other than bolt  34  are utilized. These projections and fasteners may or may not be threaded. The nut  32  can be omitted in embodiments that utilize a bracket having a threaded aperture. In such embodiments, pins or other protrusions can be used to fix the bracket to the fastener or projection. Further, in the embodiments that use a bracket to support a structure on the roof, the roof attachment assembly  18  can act as a seal positioned between the bracket and the roof to prevent leakage around the bracket through the roof. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, in place of the washer  30  and the nut  32 , the roof attachment assembly  18  includes a single piece bracket  43 . In other embodiments, the bracket  43  replaces the plate  22  and the bolt  34 . In some embodiments, the bracket  43  includes at least one horizontal component  43 A and an upwardly-facing projection  43 B, such as any of the brackets illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 . Further, any of the brackets illustrated in published application US 2010/0307074, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference, can be utilized with the present invention. In embodiments that utilize the brackets from US 2010/0307074, the fastener can be inverted, such that the fastener does not penetrate the roof, but rather extends upward through the bracket. In embodiments that utilize the brackets from  FIGS. 12-14  or from US 2010/0307074, the brackets are coupled to the roof by any non-penetrating fastening method, such as welding, adhering, gluing, bonding, and the like. The brackets can include one or more stiffening ribs or flanges to increase rigidity. Further, the brackets can each include a coating on either or both of a top surface and a bottom surface of the bracket. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments (see  FIG. 1A ), the bracket  43  is configured to be coupled to the compression plate  28  or to the second membrane  26  and is operable to support one or more roof mounted fixtures. The bracket  43  illustrated in  FIG. 1A . is substantially rectangular, but a square, a circle, or other shaped and sized bracket can be utilized. The bracket  43  includes a first recess  44 , a second recess  45  and an aperture  46  extending between the first recess  44  and the second recess  45 . The illustrated first recess  44  of the bracket  43  is substantially frustoconical and, when the assembly omits the second plate  28 , the recess  44  condmatingly receives the frustoconical protrusion  24  at least partially therein. The frustoconical protrusion  24  can substantially match the shape of the first recess  44 . In one embodiment, the bolt  34  can extend into the first recess  44  and engage the bracket  43 . In other embodiments, the second recess  45  of the bracket  43  is sized to engage the head of a second bolt  34 A to inhibit rotation of the second bolt  34 A within the second recess  45 . 
         [0050]    The bracket aperture  46  is substantially circular, but other shapes, such as ovular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, and the like are possible. In one embodiment, the bracket aperture  46  is sized to receive the bolt  34  or any fastener, protrusion, or the like therethrough. The circular shape of the aperture  46  permits flexibility and slight relative movement between the bracket  43  and the bolt  34 , fastener, projection or the like, when installed. The bracket aperture  46  is substantially aligned with the plate aperture  25  and the apertures  29 A and  29 B of the membranes  20  and  26 , such that the bracket apertures  32  also extends along the axis  27 . 
         [0051]    At least one extension, such as the extension  42  shown in  FIG. 15 , can be utilized in combination with any of the embodiments described herein. The extension  42  is substantially rectangular, but in other embodiments, the extension  42  can have different shapes. The extension  42  includes a top recess  42 A and a bottom recess  42 B. In some embodiments, the bottom recess  42 B is constructed to accept the frustoconical protrusion  24 . The extensions  42  can be threaded onto the bolt  34  (e.g., through the bottom recess  42 B) or connected to another fastener in placed of the nut  32 . The extension  42  provides adjustability and flexibility to various design and roof arrangements. Other suitable height-adjustment arrangements, such as the bracket illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , or any of the height-adjustable brackets in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/727,726, filed Oct. 28, 2010, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference, can be utilized in combination with the present invention. 
         [0052]    The roof attachment assembly  18  can be coupled to the roofing system  10  with any suitable non-penetrating fastening method, such as welding, adhering, gluing, bonding, and the like. The roof attachment assembly  18  can be coupled directly to the roof membrane  16  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) or can be coupled to a target patch T positioned on the roof membrane  16  of the roof substrate  14  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the roof attachment assembly  18  can be coupled to the roofing system above the target patch T (also known as a membrane or a flashing) and a plate P that is secured by a roof-penetrating fastener F. 
         [0053]    The plate P is substantially circular, but the plate P can be other regular or non-regular shapes. The plate P defines a counterbore or recess  40  that is configured to accept the fastener F. Further, the plate P defines a top surface  41  spaced from the roof membrane  16  and the roof substrate  14 . One of the sides of the target patch T is adjacent to the top surface  41  of the plate P, and the other side of the target patch T is adjacent to the first membrane  20 . The illustrated embodiment includes a RhinoBond® plate P and fastener F, but other plates, fasteners and other roof mounting structures can be utilized. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the diameter of the target patch T is substantially larger than the diameter of the plate P. However, in other embodiments, the target patch T and the plate P can have different diameters. The fastener F can be a bolt, a screw, or any other suitable fastener that allows that plate P to be securely coupled to the roof substrate  14 . The target patch T seals any penetrations caused by the fastener F. 
         [0054]    The roof attachment assembly  18  is operable to support any of a variety of roof-mounted fixtures, such as snow guards, snow fences, solar panels, conduit for solar panels, cables for lighting rods, an antenna, signs, billboards, or any other assembly mountable to a roof. Some roof-mounted fixtures are described in detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,326, filed Jun. 16, 1995, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,701, filed Dec. 6, 2000, the contents of both of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments of the roof attachment assembly  18  that omit the first membrane pad  20 , the second membrane pad  26  is welded, glued or otherwise adhered to the membrane  16  only around a perimeter of the first membrane pad  20 . Thus, a secured bond is formed between the second membrane pad  26  and the roof membrane  16 . In some embodiments, this bond non-removably secures the roof attachment assembly  18  to the roof. It is to be understood that non-removable attachment requires damage to the roof membrane  16  in order to remove the roof attachment assembly  18  from the roof  10 . In other embodiments that omit the first membrane pad  20 , the plate  22  is coated on the top surface  22 A and/or the bottom surface  22 B with a membranous material, an adhesive. In some embodiments, an adhesive, such as double-sided tape or a double-sided RhinoBond® plate is connected to the bottom surface  22 B, to adhere the plate  22  directly to the membrane  16 . 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the first membrane pad  20  is coupled to the roof membrane  16  by any suitable non-penetrating method, and then in a subsequent step, the plate  22  or one of the brackets is coupled to the first membrane pad  20 . In other embodiments, the plate  22  or one of the brackets is coupled to the first membrane pad  20  to form a single unit, and the single unit is coupled to the roof membrane  16  by any suitable non-penetrating method. In these embodiments, the second membrane pad  26  can be omitted. 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, the plate  22  or one of the brackets is coupled to the roof membrane  16  by any suitable non-penetrating method, and then the second membrane pad  26  is coupled to the plate  22  or one of the brackets. In other embodiments, the plate  22  or one of the brackets is coupled to the second membrane pad  26  to form a single unit, and the single unit is coupled to the roof membrane  16  by any suitable non-penetrating method. In these embodiments, the first membrane pad  20  can be omitted. 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, the first membrane pad  20  is coupled to the roof membrane  16  by any suitable non-penetrating method, then the plate  22  or one of the brackets is coupled to the first membrane pad  20 , and then the second membrane pad  26  is coupled to the plate  22  or one of the brackets, is coupled to the first membrane pad  20 , and is coupled to the roof membrane  16 . In other embodiments, the plate  22  or one of the brackets is coupled to the first membrane pad  20  and the second membrane pad  26  to form a single unit, and the single unit is coupled to the roof membrane  16  by any suitable non-penetrating method. 
         [0059]    One suitable non-penetrating fastening method includes providing an adhesive on any of the roof membrane  16 , the first membrane  20 , the plate  22  and the second membrane  26 . In some embodiments, one or more of the membranes  16 ,  20 ,  26  comprises a meltable material that can be construed as an adhesive. In other embodiments, a separate adhesive is applied to the top  22 A and/or the bottom  22 B of the plate  22 . The roof attachment assembly  18  is positioned on the roof membrane  16 , and is then heated by a heat source, such as by an induction coil. The adhesive at least partially melts in response to the heat source. Once solidified, the adhesive can couple the roof attachment assembly  18  to the roof membrane  16 . In some embodiments, one or more weights are positioned on the roof attachment assembly  18  during or subsequent to heating, to deform the molten adhesive, and thereby encourage adhesion of the roof attachment assembly  18  to the roof membrane  16 . Other suitable methods are possible, such as welding, gluing, adhering, bonding and the like, and the present method is given by way of example only. 
         [0060]    In some embodiments, the first membrane  20  is adhered to the roof membrane  16  to couple the roof attachment assembly  18  to the roofing system  10 . In other embodiments, the second membrane  26  is adhered to the roof membrane  16  to couple the roof attachment assembly  18  to the roofing system  10 . In some embodiments, the plate  22  is adhered to the roof membrane  16  to couple the roof attachment assembly  18  to the roofing system  10 . In other embodiments, the second membrane  26  is adhered to the plate  22 , and the plate  22  is adhered to the roof membrane  16  to couple the roof attachment assembly  18  to the roofing system  10 . In some embodiments, the second membrane  26  is adhered to the plate  22 , the plate  22  is adhered to the first membrane  20  and the first membrane  20  is adhered to the roof membrane  16  to couple the roof attachment assembly  18  to the roofing system  10 . In other embodiments, two or more of the first membrane  20 , the plate  22  and the second membrane  26  are adhered to the roof membrane  16  to couple the roof attachment assembly  18  to the roofing system  10 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 6-8  illustrate another construction of a roof attachment assembly  50 . The roof attachment assembly  50  can be coupled to a roofing system  10 , which is similar to the previously described roofing system  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 . Specifically, the roof attachment assembly  50  can be attached to a roof substrate  14  having a roof membrane  16 . The roof attachment assembly  50  includes a first membrane pad  52  supported on the roof substrate  14 , a plate or a base member  54  having a substantially frustoconical protrusion  56 , a second membrane pad  58 , a bracket  60 , and a fastener  62  (e.g., a bolt). The fastener  62  extends through the plate  54 , the second membrane  58 , and the bracket  60  to couple the plate  54 , the second membrane  58  and the bracket  60 . In other embodiments, the fastener  62  can also extend through the roof substrate  14 . 
         [0062]    In the illustrated embodiment, the first membrane  52  is supported on the roof substrate  14 . In one embodiment, the first membrane  52  defines a perimeter that is larger than the perimeter defined by the plate  54  and the second membrane  58 . The first membrane  52  and the roof substrate  14  can be connected by spot welding, heat welding, forging, indenting the threads with pins or other projections, double-sided tape or other adhesive, by fasteners, or other permanent or semi-permanent connection. In one embodiment, the length of the first membrane is approximately sixteen inches, but the length can be larger or smaller. 
         [0063]    The illustrated plate  54  of the roof attachment assembly  50  is substantially circular, but the plate can be other regular or non-regular shapes. The  54  is metallic, but is other embodiments the plate is polymeric. The plate  54  defines a first surface  54 A positioned substantially adjacent the first membrane  52 , and a second surface  54 B spaced from the roof substrate and the first membrane. The frustoconical protrusion  56  of the plate  54  extends away from the roof substrate  14  along an axis  64 . Further, the first surface  54 A of the plate  54  forms a frustoconical recess  65  and the second surface  54 B forms the frustoconical protrusion  56 . The frustoconical protrusion  56  of the plate  54  defines an aperture  66  extending along the axis  64  from the first surface  54 A to the second surface  54 B. The first aperture  66  is substantially centrally positioned in the frustoconical protrusion  56 . 
         [0064]    In one embodiment, the plate  54  includes a plurality of openings  67  extending from the first surface  54 A through the second surface  54 B. The openings  67  are configured to accept fasteners  68  (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.) that couple the plate  54  to the first membrane  52  and to the roof substrate  14  of the roofing system  10 . In other embodiments, the plate  54  does not use fasteners  68 , but is coupled to the roof substrate  14  via other suitable non-penetrating methods or mechanisms (e.g., via adhesive, heat welding, forging, etc.). 
         [0065]    The second membrane  58  is positioned substantially adjacent the second surface  54 B of the plate  54  and is coupled to the first membrane  52 . The second membrane  58  defines a surface area or a perimeter that is greater than the surface area of the plate  54 . The second membrane  58  is deformable to substantially conform to the frustoconical protrusion  56  of the plate  54  when the second membrane  58  attaches to the plate  54 . Further, the second membrane  58  defines an aperture  70  extending through the second membrane  58 , where the aperture  70  is substantially aligned with the aperture  66  of the plate  54 , such that the aperture  70  extends along the axis  64 . 
         [0066]    In one embodiment, the bracket  60  of the roof attachment assembly  50  is coupled to the second membrane  58  via the fastener  62 . The bracket  60  is operable to support at least one roof-mounted assembly. The bracket  60  defines a first surface  60 A spaced from the second membrane  58  and a second surface  60 B positioned substantially adjacent the second membrane  58 . The bracket  60  further defines an aperture  72  extending from the first surface  60 A to the second surface  60 B. The frustoconical protrusion  56  extends at least partially into the bracket aperture  72 . Because the second membrane  58  is deformed by the frustoconical protrusion  56 , the second membrane  58  also extends into the bracket aperture  72 . The bracket aperture  72  is substantially aligned with the aperture  66  of the plate  54  and the aperture  70  of the second membrane  58  such the bracket aperture  72  extends along the axis  64 . 
         [0067]    The fastener  62  of the roof attachment assembly  50  is oriented along the axis  64  and extends through the aperture  66  of the plate  54 , the aperture  70  of the second membrane  58 , and the bracket aperture  72  to couple the plate  54  to the second membrane  58  and to the bracket  60 . In one embodiment, the diameter defined by the plate  54  is greater than the diameter defined by the aperture  66  of the plate  54  and the diameter defined by the aperture  70  of the second membrane  58 . 
         [0068]    In some embodiments, the roof attachment assembly  50  is constructed without the bracket  60  or the first membrane  52  (see  FIG. 6 ). In these embodiments, the plate  54  is directly positioned on the roof substrate  14  or the roof membrane  16  of the roofing system  10 . The plate  54  can be heat welded, or otherwise coupled, to the second membrane  58 . Further, the plate  54  can be attached to the roof substrate  14  via the fasteners  68  or by any other reasonable means. The fastener  62  extends through the aperture  66  of the plate  54  and the aperture  70  of the second membrane  58  to couple the plate to the second membrane  58 . 
         [0069]    In other embodiments, the fastener  62  of the roof attachment assembly  50  is configured to accept a compression fitting  69  (see  FIG. 8 ). The fastener  62  further defines an attachment point  76  exposed for mechanical fastening. 
         [0070]      FIGS. 9-11  illustrate another construction of a roof attachment assembly  80 . The roof attachment assembly  80  can be attached to a roofing system  10 , which is similar to the previously described roofing system  10 . The roof attachment assembly  80  includes a first membrane pad  82  supported on the roof substrate  14  or the roof membrane  16 , a plate  84  defining a center aperture  85 , a second membrane pad  86 , a bracket  88 , and a fastener  90  (e.g., a bolt). The fastener  90  extends upwardly through a recess of the bracket  88  and is operable to support one or more roof mounted fixtures. 
         [0071]    The roof attachment assembly  80  can be coupled to the roofing system  10  with any suitable non-penetrating fastening method, such as welding, adhering, gluing, bonding, and the like. The roof attachment assembly  80  can be coupled directly to the roof membrane  16  or can be coupled to a plate  92  positioned on the roof membrane  16  of the roof substrate  14 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 , the plate  92  is secured by a roof-penetrating fastener F. The roof attachment assembly  80  is operable to support any of a variety of roof-mounted fixtures, such as snow guards, snow fences, solar panels, conduit for solar panels, cables for lighting rods, an antenna, signs, billboards, or any other assembly mountable to a roof. 
         [0072]    The plate  84  has a top surface  84 A facing the second membrane pad  86  and a bottom surface  84 B facing the first membrane pad  82  and the membrane roof. In some embodiments, the top surface  84 A and/or the bottom surface  84 B is coated with a material similar to the roof material, such as a membranous material. Embodiments in which both the top surface  84 A and the bottom surface  84 B are coated can omit one or more of the first membrane pad  82  and the second membrane pad  86 . In other embodiments, a fastener (not shown) can extend through the aperture  85  of the plate  84  to couple the plate  84  and the first membrane  82  to the roof. In these embodiments, the roof attachment assembly  80  may omit the second membrane  86  and/or the bracket  88 . The fastener extending through the plate  84  and the first membrane  82  can be configured to attach to a bracket that supports a roof mounting fixture. Further, in these embodiments, the plate  84  and the first membrane  82  can be single monolithic component. 
         [0073]    The illustrated plate  84  is substantially circular, but the plate can be other regular or non-regular shapes. The illustrated plate  84  is metallic, but is other embodiments the plate is polymeric. The aperture  85  defined by the plate  84  is circular, but in other embodiments, can have other regular or irregular shapes. The illustrated aperture  85  is positioned substantially centered on the plate  84 , but other, non-centered embodiments are possible. 
         [0074]    The first membrane  82  and the second membrane  86  have substantially circular shapes, but other shapes of these membranes are possible. In one embodiment, the first membrane  82  and the second membrane  86  are constructed from the same material (e.g., polymeric material). In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the second membrane  86  is smaller than the diameter of the first membrane  82 , but in other embodiments the membranes  82  and  86  can have different diameters. The second membrane  86  extends outwardly beyond the outer perimeter of the plate  84  and shrouds the plate  84 . The second membrane  86  is configured to substantially conform to the shape of the plate  84 , when the plate  84  is compressed between the first membrane  82  and the second membrane  86 . 
         [0075]    The first membrane  82  is positioned adjacent to the bottom surface  84 B of the plate  84 , and the second membrane  86  is positioned adjacent to the top surface  84 A of the plate  84 . In some embodiments, the first membrane  82  and the second membrane  86  include corresponding apertures  82 A (not shown) and  86 B. The apertures  82 A and  86 B of the membranes  82  and  86  are substantially aligned with the aperture  85  of the plate  84 . In other embodiments, the first membrane does not include an aperture. 
         [0076]    The bracket  88  is configured to be coupled to the second membrane  86  and is operable to support one or more roof mounted fixtures. The bracket  88  illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 . is substantially circular, but a square, a rectangular, or other shaped and sized bracket can be utilized. The bracket defines a first recess  91  positioned on the upper portion of the bracket  88 , and a second recess or an aperture  94  positioned near the second membrane  86 . The bracket aperture  94  is substantially circular, but other shapes, such as ovular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, and the like are possible. In one embodiment, the assembly  80  can include a fastener (not shown) extending through the apertures  82 A,  85 , and  86 B and engaging the second recess  94  of the bracket  88 . The circular shape of the aperture  94  permits flexibility and slight relative movement between the bracket  88  and the fastener, projection or the like, when installed. In the illustrated embodiment, the first recess  91  of the bracket  88  is sized to engage the head of the fastener  90  to inhibit rotation of the fastener  90  within the first recess  91 . 
         [0077]    The roof attachment assembly  80  can include other types of plates that differ from the plate  84 . Further, the roof attachment assembly  80  can include any of the previously described brackets. 
         [0078]    A possible non-penetrating fastening method for attaching the roof attachment assembly  80  includes providing an adhesive on any of the roof membrane  16 , the plate  84 , the first membrane  82  and the second membrane  86 . In some embodiments, one or more of the roof membrane  16 , the plate  84 , the first membrane  82  and the second membrane  86  comprises a meltable material that can be construed as an adhesive. In other embodiments, a separate adhesive is applied to the top and/or the bottom  84 A/ 84 B of the plate  84 . The roof attachment assembly  80  is positioned on the roof membrane  16 , and is then heated by a heat source, such as by an induction coil. The adhesive at least partially melts in response to the heat source. Once solidified, the adhesive can couple the roof attachment assembly  80  to the roof membrane  16 . Other suitable attachment methods are possible, such as welding, gluing, adhering, bonding and the like, and the present method is given by way of example only. 
         [0079]    In some embodiments, the first membrane  82  is adhered to the roof membrane  16  to couple the roof attachment assembly  80  to the roof  10 . In other embodiments, the first membrane  82  and the second membrane  86  are adhered to the plate  84  and these elements are adhered to the plate  92  and to the roof membrane  16  to couple the roof attachment assembly  80  to the roof  10 . In other embodiments, the bracket  88  is adhered to the second membrane  86 , the first membrane  82  is adhered to the plate  84 , and the first membrane  82  is adhered to the plate  92  and to the roof membrane  16  to couple the roof attachment assembly  80  to the roof  10 . In yet other embodiments, both the plate  92  and the first membrane  82  are adhered to the roof membrane  16  to couple the roof attachment assembly  80  to the roof  10 . In the last embodiment, the plate  92  may not include fasteners. 
         [0080]      FIGS. 16-22  illustrate another construction of a roofing system  110  including a metal roof deck  112 , a roof substrate  114  (e.g., insulation, tarpaper, plywood or other decking material, and the like) supported on the roof deck  112 , a membrane  116  extending across the substrate  114  (i.e., placed immediately adjacent an upper surface of the substrate  114  or supported on one or more intermediate layers of roofing or sealing material, which in turn are placed on the substrate  114 ). The roofing system  110  can be utilized on any of a variety of roof types, such as slate roofs, membrane roofs, aluminum roofs, standing seam roofs, tile roofs, shingle roofs, and the like. The roofing system  110  possesses all characteristics of the previously described roofing systems  10 . 
         [0081]    The roofing system  110  is operable to support any of a variety of roof-mounted fixtures, such as, for example, snow fences, solar panels, conduit for solar panels, cables for lighting rods, an antenna, signs, billboards, or any of a number of other roof-mountable assemblies. Depending on one or more of the geographic location, anticipated quantity and type of precipitation, and anticipated roof and wind loading, the roofing system  110  can include any of a variety of flashing, seal and plate arrangements, as will be discussed below. 
         [0082]    A roof attachment assembly  118  can be coupled to the roofing system  110  with few or no fasteners extending through the membrane  116 . One such roof attachment assembly  118  is illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 . The illustrated roof attachment assembly  118  includes a plate (also called a base member)  120  having an upwardly extending fastener  122 , a membrane pad  124 , a compression washer  126  having a substantially frustoconical aperture or a pocket  128 , a spacer  130 , a flashing  132  and a hose clamp  134 . 
         [0083]    The roof attachment assembly  118  can be coupled to the roofing system  110  with any suitable non-penetrating fastening method, such as welding, adhering, gluing, bonding, and the like. The roof attachment assembly  118  is operable to support any of a variety of roof-mounted fixtures, such as described above for the roof attachment assembly  18 . Although the illustrated roof attachment assembly  118  is substantially square, other shapes are possible. For example, the roof attachment assembly  118  can be round, ovular, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal or other regular or non-regular shape. 
         [0084]      FIGS. 16-18  illustrate an embodiment of the roof attachment assembly  118  in which the plate  120  is connected to the roofing system  110  by a non-penetrating fastening method. Alternatively,  FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate an embodiment of the roof attachment assembly  118  in which the plate  120  is connected to the roofing system  110  by fasteners  135  that penetrate the roofing system  110 . The membrane  124  acts as a target patch over the fasteners  135 . The roof attachment assembly  118  is considered to not penetrate the roofing system  110 , because the membrane pad  124  (or target patch) is connected to the roofing system  110  by welding, adhesive or by some other non-penetrating manor to suitably inhibit or prevent any leakage through the penetrations caused by the fasteners  135 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 21  illustrates the plate  120  and the fastener  122  in a greater detail. The plate  120  of the roof attachment assembly  118  can include a substantially frustoconical protrusion  136  defining an aperture  137 . In some embodiments, the plate  120  can include one or more stiffening ribs or flanges to increase rigidity. Other type of plates can be utilized in place of plate  120  and the roof attachment assembly  118  can include more than one plate  120 . The plate  120  has a top surface  120 A facing the membrane pad  124  and a bottom surface  120 B facing the roof membrane  116 . In some embodiments, the top surface  120 A and/or the bottom surface  120 B is coated with a material similar to the roof material, such as a membranous material. Embodiments in which both the top surface  120 A and the bottom surface  120 B are coated can omit the membrane pad  124 . In one embodiment, the plate  120  is coupled to the roof by any non-penetrating fastening method, such as welding, adhering, gluing, bonding, and the like. In other embodiments, the plate  120  can be coupled to the roof by using fasteners  135 . 
         [0086]    The plate  120  includes a plurality of openings  147  extending from the top surface  120 A through the bottom surface  120 B. The openings  147  are configured to accept the fasteners  135  (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.) that couple the plate  120  to the roof substrate  114  of the roofing system  110 . In other embodiments, the plate  120  does not use fasteners  135 , but is coupled to the roof substrate  116  via other suitable non-penetrating methods or mechanisms (e.g., via adhesive, heat welding, forging, etc.). 
         [0087]    As shown in  FIGS. 16-20 , the fastener  122  extends through the frustoconical protrusion  136  and the aperture  137  of the plate  120 . The frustoconical protrusion  136  extends at least partially into the frustoconical aperture  128  of the washer  126 . The washer  126  can be circular, square, ovular, pentagonal or any other suitable size and shape. In some embodiments, the washer  126  can be omitted. In the illustrated embodiment, the plate  120  and the upwardly extending fastener  122  are formed as a single unitary piece. In some embodiments, the plate  120  and the upwardly extending fastener  122  are formed as separate pieces and joined during installation. 
         [0088]    As discussed above, any of the plates discussed herein and described above can be utilized in place of the plate  120 . The plates are coupled to the roof by any non-penetrating fastening method, such as welding, adhering, gluing, bonding, and the like. Further, the plates can each include a coating on either or both of a top surface and a bottom surface of the plate. 
         [0089]    In some embodiments, the plate  120  is coupled to the roof membrane  116  by any suitable non-penetrating method, and then the membrane pad  124  is coupled to the plate  120 . In other embodiments, the plate  120  is coupled to the membrane pad  124  to form a single unit, and the single unit is coupled to the roof membrane  116  by any suitable non-penetrating method. 
         [0090]    The membrane  124  has a substantially rectangular form, but other shapes of the membrane  124  are also possible. The membrane  124  is positioned adjacent to the top surface  120 A of the plate  120 , and defines an aperture  125  that substantially aligns with the aperture  137  of the plate  120  and the frustoconical aperture  128  of the washer  126 . The membrane  124  defines a top surface  124 A and a bottom surface  124 B. In other embodiments, the membrane  124  may be constructed without the aperture  125 . 
         [0091]    The flashing  132  is positioned adjacent to the top surface  124 A of the membrane  124 . The illustrated flashing  132  comprises metal, but in other embodiments, other material(s) can also be used to construct the flashing  132 . The flashing  132  can include a coating on top surface  132 A and/or a bottom surface  132 B. In embodiments that include a coating on the bottom surface  132 B, the coating can be adhered or otherwise coupled to the membrane  116 , and the membrane  124  can be omitted. In embodiments that omit the membrane pad  124 , the flashing  132  is directly connected to the membrane  116 . In some such embodiments, the flashing  132  can include an adhesive, such as double-sided tape, on the bottom surface  132 B. 
         [0092]    The flashing  132  defines a projection area  133  that is configured to accept at least a portion of the frustoconical protrusion  136  and the washer  126 . The flashing  132  further defines a flashing aperture  138  that substantially aligns with the aperture  125  of the membrane  124 , the aperture  137  of the plate  120 , and the frustoconical aperture  128  of the washer  126 . The flashing aperture  138  has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of apertures  125 ,  137 , and  125 , such that it allows the spacer  130  to pass through the aperture  138 . 
         [0093]    In the illustrated embodiment, the perimeters of the membrane  124  and the pipe flashing  132  are substantially equal, and both perimeters are larger than the perimeter of the plate  120 . In other embodiment, these elements of the roof attachment assembly  118  can have different perimeters. The fastener  122  extends through the aperture  137  of the frustoconical protrusion  136 , the frustoconical aperture  128  of the washer  126 , and engages the spacer  130 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , the spacer  130  includes a top aperture  130 A and a bottom aperture  130 B that are configured to accept a fastener (e.g., fastener  122 ). The spacer  130  extends through the aperture  138  of the flashing  132 . In other embodiments, other fastening apparatuses and methods, or combinations of fastening apparatuses are utilized in place of washer  126 , spacer  130 , flashing  132  and hose clamp  134 . 
         [0094]    One suitable non-penetrating fastening method includes providing an adhesive on any of the roof membrane  116 , the plate  120 , the membrane  124  and the flashing  132 . In some embodiments, one or more of the roof membrane  116 , the plate  120 , the membrane  124  and the flashing  132  comprises a meltable material that can be construed as an adhesive. In other embodiments, a separate adhesive is applied to the top  120 A and/or the bottom  120 B of the plate  120 . The roof attachment assembly  118  is positioned on the roof membrane  116 , and is then heated by a heat source, such as by an induction coil. The adhesive at least partially melts in response to the heat source. Once solidified, the adhesive can couple the roof attachment assembly  118  to the roof membrane  116 . Other suitable attachment methods are possible, such as welding, gluing, adhering, bonding and the like, and the present method is given by way of example only. 
         [0095]    In some embodiments, the membrane  124  is adhered to the roof membrane  116  to couple the roof attachment assembly  118  to the roof  110 . In other embodiments, the plate  120  is adhered to the roof membrane  116  to couple the roof attachment assembly  118  to the roof  110 . In some embodiments, the membrane  124  is adhered to the plate  120  and the plate  120  is adhered to the roof membrane  116  to couple the roof attachment assembly  118  to the roof  110 . In other embodiments, the membrane  124  is adhered to the plate  120 , and the membrane  124  is adhered to the roof membrane  116  to couple the roof attachment assembly  118  to the roof  110 . In yet other embodiments, both the plate  120  and the membrane  124  are adhered to the roof membrane  116  to couple the roof attachment assembly  118  to the roof  110 .