Patent Publication Number: US-8524029-B2

Title: System for mounting objects to polymeric membranes

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of a U.S. application Ser. No. 13/027,865, filed 15 Feb. 2011, titled “System for Mounting Objects to Polymeric Membranes,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/559,117, filed 14 Sep. 2009, titled “System for Mounting Objects to Polymeric Membranes,” and is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/US10/48734, filed 14 Sep. 2010, titled “System for Mounting Objects to Polymeric Membranes,” which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/559,117, filed 14 Sep. 2009, titled “System for Mounting Objects to Polymeric Membranes,” all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Present Description 
     The present description relates to methods and system for mounting objects to polymeric membranes. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Various applications exist in which a polymeric membrane may be placed over a surface. For example, it may be desirable to provide a polymeric membrane as a roofing material. That is, a polymeric membrane may be applied to an outer surface of a building structure, such as a roof, to protect the structure from the environment. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  show an example systems for attaching a mounting plate to a polymeric membrane; 
         FIG. 1D  shows a cross-sectional view of an example mounting plate; 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of an example mounting system including a mounting plate secured to polymeric membrane with an adhesive; 
         FIG. 2B  shows an exploded view in cross section of an example mounting system with a tape including adhesive on opposing sides thereof; 
         FIG. 2C  shows a cross-sectional view of a further example mounting system. 
         FIG. 3  shows an example mounting assembly that may be coupled to a polymeric membrane; 
         FIG. 4  shows another example mounting assembly that may be coupled to a polymeric membrane; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the mounting assembly shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 6A-F ,  7 A-E, and  8 A-D show various views of example mounting plates; 
         FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional view of a further example mounting system; 
         FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view of an example mounting plate illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows another example mounting system; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of an example mounting plate shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a further example mounting system that includes, among other features, an insulating member; 
         FIG. 14  is an example system for bonding a ridge member to a polymeric membrane; 
         FIG. 15  is an oblique view of a mounting system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is an oblique view of a mounting system of  FIG. 15  shown attached to a support structure; 
         FIG. 17  is a front view of the mounting system of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded front view of the mounting system of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom view of a membrane of the mounting system of  FIG. 15 ; and 
         FIG. 20A-20C  are front views of the mounting system of  FIG. 15  shown as a force is exerted on an object attached to the mounting system. 
     
    
    
     While the mounting system of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure describes methods and systems for mounting or otherwise attaching an object to polymeric membranes. For example, in some instances, the present disclosure describes methods and systems for attaching objects to polymeric membranes utilized for covering all or a portion of a building structure roof. In some instances, the polymeric membranes may include thermoplastic polymeric membranes (“thermoplastic membranes”), while, in other instances, the polymeric membranes may include thermoset polymeric membranes (“thermoset membranes”). Example objects that may be attached include photovoltaic cells, an air handling component (e.g., air conditioning or heating components), telecommunications equipment (e.g., antennas, satellite dishes, etc.), or any other desired object. It should be understood that the materials described herein provide sufficient elasticity for the features described below. 
     Utilizing the described systems and methods for securing one or more photovoltaic cells to the roof of a structure may provide tax benefits. For example, tax benefits may exist for having photovoltaic cells attached to the structure of a roof that are otherwise unavailable for photovoltaic cells that are merely placed on a roof unattached to the roof structure. Thus, in some implementations, the system and methods described herein provide for attaching an object to the roof structure, and, in the case of photovoltaic cells, may enable a user to enjoy the available tax benefits associated therewith. 
     In other implementations, the described methods and systems may be utilized for attaching objects to a polymeric membrane forming part of a structure. Further, while some implementations may be described with respect to thermoplastic membranes, thermoset membranes may also be applicable and vice versa. In general, the described methods and systems may be applicable to applications including roofing, waterproofing, earth lining, pond lining, tent construction, tension fabric applications, air forming technologies, flexible plastic forming (such as with flexible plastic films), rigid plastic forms, as well as any other suitable application. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of an example implementation of a system for mounting an object to a polymeric membrane.  FIG. 1A  shows a polymeric membrane (interchangeably referred to as “membrane”)  10  and a mounting plate  20 . In some instances, the polymeric membrane  10  is a thermoplastic membrane. Example thermoplastic membranes may include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic olefins (TPO), keytone ethylene esters (KEE), nitrile butadiene polymers (NBP), as well as other suitable thermoplastics. In other instances, thermoset membranes may also be used. For example, examples thermoset membranes may include membranes formed from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) as well as any other suitable thermoset membranes, including thermoplastic membranes that may morph into thermoset membranes over time, such as chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE). 
     The polymeric membrane  10  may be secured to a structure  40 , such as a roof structure. The polymeric membrane  10  may be secured to the structure  40  in any known or suitable manner. Further, in some instances, the mounting plate  20  may be formed entirely or in part from a metal, such as steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, titanium, or other desired or suitable metal. Additionally, the mounting plate  20  may or may not be weatherized. In other instances, the mounting plate  20  may be formed from other materials, such as glass, plastic, ceramics, composite materials, or any other material. It should be appreciated that some applications may not require polymeric membrane  10 ; as such, mounting plate  20  may be bonded or attached directly to structure  40  without the use of polymeric membrane  10 . 
     As shown, the mounting plate  20  has a protrusion  30  extending therefrom that may be used for securing a structure. The protrusion  30  may allow attachment and detachment of the structure, such as structure  35 , without damage or alteration to the polymeric membrane  10 . For example, in some instances, the protrusion  30  may provide for a threaded connection with structure  35 , although any other suitable connection mechanism may be used. In other implementations, the mounting plate  20  may be integral to a structure. In still other implementations, the mounting plate  20  may omit the protrusion  30 . Alternately, the mounting plate  20  may include a mechanism for attaching or detaching a corresponding structure thereto. For example, the mounting plate  20  may include an interlocking mechanism for accepting one or more structures. Example structures may include one or more photovoltaic cells, air handling equipment (e.g., air conditioning equipment or heating equipment), one or more antennas, mounting structures therefor, a barrier, or any other desired structure. 
     In still other implementations, an example mounting plate  20  may include a threaded portion for mating engaging with a corresponding threaded portion provided on a structure to be attached or otherwise coupled to the mounting plate  20 . For example,  FIG. 1B  shows a mounting plate  20  that includes a welded nut  22  for accepting a protrusion having mating threads. Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 1C , the mounting plate  20  may have a threaded portion  24  formed therein for accepting the protrusion. 
       FIG. 1D  shows a cross-sectional view of another example mounting plate  20  in which the protrusion  30  is a separate piece insertable into an opening  32  formed in the mounting plate  20 . Further, a head  34  of the protrusion  30  may be retained in a pocket  36  formed in the mounting plate  20 . In other instances, the head  34  may not be retained in a pocket formed in the mounting plate  20 . In some implementations, the protrusion  30  may be a carriage bolt insertable into the opening  32 , and the interface between the opening  32  and the protrusion  30  prevents the protrusion  30  from rotating relative to the mounting plate  20 . Further, a mounting plate  20  having an opening  32  of a single size may be operable to accept protrusions  30  having varying shaft lengths, widths, and/or diameters. 
     The mounting plate  20  may be attached to the polymeric membrane  10  in numerous ways.  FIGS. 2A-2C  show several cross sectional views of the mounting plate  20  attached to the polymeric membrane  10 . For example,  FIG. 2A  shows the mounting plate  20  attached to the membrane  10  with a binding agent, such as an adhesive  50 , disposed therebetween. Alternately, the binding agent for securing the mounting plate  20  may be a carrier tape  60  having adhesive  70 ,  80  provided on opposing sides thereof, as shown in  FIG. 2B . In some implementations, the carrier tape  60  may have a removable protective film or backing  65 . In some instances the adhesive  70  and adhesive  80  may be the same adhesive, while, in other instances, the adhesives  70 ,  80  may be different. For example, adhesives  70 ,  80  may be selected based on the material being adhered. For example, for a mounting plate  20  formed from steel, the adhesive  70  may be selected to adhere steel, while, for a membrane  10  formed from PVC, the adhesive  80  may be selected to adhere to PVC. In some instances the carrier tape  60  may be a foam-based tape. Carrier tape  60  may be used to secure the mounting plate  20  to the membrane  10 . One or more tape strips or sheets may be used to secure the mounting plate  20 . Further, the carrier tape  60  may be custom shaped and/or formed to fit to geometry of the mounting plate  20 . For example, the carrier tape  60  may be custom fit to correspond to one or more geometric features of the mounting plate  20 , such as protrusions or other topographical shapes. 
     Multiple options for adhesives  50 ,  70 , and  80  are available and selecting an appropriate adhesive is often dependent upon the desired engineered failure during testing. In some instances, it may be desirable for the adhesion provided by the selected adhesive to give way at a chosen weight threshold preventing damage to other components within the assembly. In other instances, it may be desirable for the adhesive bond to be so strong that components would not separate without damage to one surface or another. In addition, the selected adhesive may be applied to a carrier tape, the carrier tape and selected adhesive also being capable of being engineered with a chosen weight threshold and thickness. Adhesives  50 ,  60 , and  70  include cross linking as well as non-cross linked butyl adhesives. A non-exclusive list of adhesives  50 ,  70 , and  80 , as well as carrier tapes  60 , that may be used are: 3M VHB 4941 F, 3M VHB 4941, 3M VHB 4932, 3M VHB 4952, 3M VHB 5925, 3M VHB 5952, 3M VHB 5962, 3M weather strip tapes, 3M Polyurethane 560, 3M Hybrid Sealant 760, 3M DP 190, 3M DP 125, and 3M 1099 Scotch Weld Adhesive, all of which are produced by 3M of 3M Center, St. Paul, Minn. 55144. Additionally, Ashland Aroset 1930 produced by Ashland Inc of Covington, Ky. 41012 is another example of a suitable adhesive. Further, SikaLastomer-68 produced by Sika Corporation of Madison Heights, Mich. 48071, is example of a suitable carrier tape. The following companies make similar or competing adhesive to those named above: Carlisle Syntec of Carlisle, Pa., Carlisle Hardcast Incorporated of Wylie, Tex., and Firestone Building Products of Indianapolis, Ind. It should be appreciated that the adhesives and carrier tapes identified above may be identified as adhesives alone, or as carrier tape alone, or any combination of carrier tape and adhesive. 
       FIG. 2C  shows another example implementation in which the binding agent may be a coating of thermoplastic material  90  applied to one or more surfaces of the mounting plate  20  placed into contact with the polymeric membrane  10 . For example, the polymeric membrane  10  may be a thermoplastic membrane. The mounting plate  20  may be located at a desired location on the polymeric membrane  10 , and the coating  90  may be heated to form a bond between the mounting plate  20  and the polymeric membrane  10 . In some instances, the coating  90  may be heated by heating the mounting plate  20 , such as with a thermoinduction welder or hot iron. In other instances, energy may be applied more directly to the coating  90 , such as with sonic welding. For example, the mounting plate  20  may be affixed using the coating  90  such as by dielectrical or sonic or vibration welding, solvent bonding, heat bonding (such as using induction heating, infra red heating, hot air heating, or hot iron heating), any combination of the above, or in any other suitable manner. 
     It should be appreciated that thermoplastic coating  90 , as well as the thermoplastic coatings described in the other embodiments herein, may be represented in a variety of forms. Such forms include, but are not limited to: solids, liquids, or any mixtures of material phases suitable for the implementations disclosed herein. 
     A further example mounting system is shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  shows a mounting plate  20  secured to a polymeric membrane  10  (e.g., a thermoplastic membrane) with a binding agent  100 . According to various implementations, the binding agent  100  may be, for example, a coating of thermoplastic material applied to a contact surface of the mounting plate  20 . With the thermoplastic coating, the mounting plate  20  may be located at a desired location on the polymeric membrane  10  and heated to bind the mounting plate  20  to the polymeric membrane  10 . Alternatively, any adhesive or carrier tape, such as the adhesives and carrier tapes described above, may be used to secure the mounting plate  20  to the membrane  10 . The combination of the mounting plate  20  and the polymeric membrane  10  may be considered a mounting assembly  110 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 3 , the mounting assembly  110  may be attached to a polymeric membrane  120 . In the present example, the polymeric membrane  120  may be a thermoplastic membrane. However, in other instances, the polymeric membrane  120  may be a thermoset membrane. The mounting assembly  110  may be attached to the polymeric membrane  120  in numerous ways. For example, the polymeric membrane  10  of the mounting assembly  110  may be coupled to the polymeric membrane  120  using one or more of the methods described above in regards to the bonding of mounting plate  20  to polymeric membrane  10 . In other instances, a bonding agent  130 , such as a carrier tape and/or adhesive (such as the carrier tape and adhesive, described respectively above) may be used. It should be appreciated that bonding agent  130  may be another bonding medium, including various bonding materials or various bonding members. Similar to above, the carrier tape may be applied in pieces, such as one or more strips or sheets. Further, as also described above, the carrier tape may be formed to correspond to geometry of the mounting assembly  110 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate an alternate implementation for securing the mounting assembly  110  to the polymeric membrane  120 . As shown, a central portion  140  of the mounting assembly  110  may be secured to the polymeric membrane  120  with an adhesive material  145 , such as one or more pieces of carrier tape or adhesive, such as the carrier tape and adhesive described above. Another attachment method or material may be used around a perimeter portion  150 . For example, a coating of thermoplastic material  155  at one or more locations along the perimeter portion  150  may be used to secure the perimeter portion  150  to the polymeric membrane  120 . The coating of thermoplastic material  155  may be bonded using one or more of the methods described above. Alternately, one or more of an adhesive or carrier tape may be used on the perimeter portion  150 . For example, the bonding material used on the perimeter portion  150  may act to further secure the mounting assembly  110  or as a waterproofing material. 
     It is noted that, in some instances, a coating of thermoplastic material may be used to bond one thermoplastic membrane to another same or similar thermoplastic membrane. In other instances, the thermoplastic material may be omitted. For example, some thermoplastic membranes may be joined using one or more of the welding techniques above without the aid of a bonding material. On the other hand, a coating of thermoplastic membrane may not be capable of bonding a thermoplastic membrane or thermoset membrane to another thermoset membrane. In such instances, an adhesive, such as an adhesive or carrier tape may be used to bond such dissimilar materials to each other. 
     In some instances, the polymeric membrane  120  may be the same or a similar thermoplastic as a thermoplastic forming the thermoplastic membrane  10 , such as one or more of the thermoplastics described above. However, the thermoplastics forming the respective thermoplastic membrane  10  and the thermoplastic membrane  120  may be different while still bondable with or without the use of a thermoplastic material. In some instances, the thermoplastic membrane  120  may form an outer surface of a roof structure. However, the description is not so limited, and the present description may be applicable to a thermoplastic membrane in any desired application. 
     The mounting plate  20  may be of any desired shape. For example, the mounting plate may be circular, rectangular, square, elongated, or be of any other size or shape. Example mounting plates are illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8 .  FIGS. 6A-6E  show various views of a circular mounting plate  20  having a plurality of concentric ridges  21  formed therein as well as a central cavity  22  that may be used to capture a head of a protrusion, as discussed in a similar manner above. As also described above, the central cavity  22  may accept a protrusion of different sizes. The protrusion may extend through opening  23 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A-E , the example mounting plate  20  also includes cavities  22  to accept the heads of protrusions. The protrusions may extend through openings  23  formed in a wall of the cavities  22 .  FIGS. 8A-D  are various views of another example mounting plate  20 . The mounting plate  20  may include various ridges  24  formed therein along with a cavity  22  and opening  23 . Again, the cavity  22  may be used to capture an end portion of a protrusion extending through the opening  23 . The mounting plate  20  may also include openings  25  formed around a periphery thereof. 
     Further, for the example mounting plate  20  shown in  FIG. 6A-8D  along with others within the scope of the disclosure, the cavities  22 , openings  23 , and/or the combination thereof may be operable to prevent rotation of the protrusion relative to the mounting plate  20  while also accepting protrusions of different sizes. Additionally, the respective sizes of the ridges  24 , openings  23 , cavities  22 , as well as other aspects of the mounting plates  20  may be altered to any desired size. 
     Another example mounting system is shown in  FIG. 9  in which a mounting plate  20  is disposed between a first polymeric membrane  500  and a second polymeric membrane  510 . Fasteners  520  extend through the mounting plate  20 , the second polymeric membrane  510 , and into a substructure  530 . The first polymeric membrane  510  overlays a first surface  540  of the mounting plate  20  and includes an opening  550  through which the protrusion  30  extends. A bonding material  560  may be used to adhere the first polymeric membrane  500  to the mounting plate  20 . 
     In some instances, the bonding material  560  may be a coating of a thermoplastic material applied to a portion of the first surface  540  between the protrusion  30  and openings  570  formed in the mounting plate  20  through with the fasteners  520  extend. Still further, in some instances, the bonding material  560  may be applied and the first polymeric membrane  500  coupled therewith to the mounting plate  20  during one or more manufacturing processes. That is, bonding the first polymeric membrane  500  to the mounting plate  20  with the bonding material  560  may be performed remote from a job site, such as at a manufacturing facility. In other instances, the first polymeric membrane  500  may be bonded to the mounting plate  20  with the bonding material  560  at a jobsite. The bonding material  560  may be a coating of thermoplastic material and used to bond the two components in one or more of the methods described above. In addition to adhering the first polymeric membrane  500  to the mounting plate  20 , the bonding material  560  may also form a seal preventing or substantially preventing fluids from penetrating through the opening  550  formed through the openings  570  and into the substructure  530 . 
     A bonding material  580  may also be applied to the first surface  540  of the mounting plate  20 . In some instances, the bonding material  580  may also be used to secure the first polymeric membrane  500  to the mounting plate  20 , such as after the fasteners  520  have been used to secure the mounting plate  20  to the substructure  530 . Utilizing the bonding material  580  after fasteners  520  have been applied avoids the need to puncture the first polymeric membrane  500  for the fastener  570 . Thus, in some instances, the bonding material  560  may be used to secure only a portion of the first polymeric membrane  500  to the mounting plate  20  while still allowing passage of the fasteners  520  through the openings  570  without the need to puncture the first polymeric membrane  500 . The bonding material  580  may be utilized thereafter to secure the first polymeric membrane  500  to the mounting plate  20  thereby also providing a seal. The first polymeric membrane  500  may also be secured to the second polymeric membrane  510  with a bonding material  590 . Also, a coating or bonding material may be omitted where the polymeric membranes are capable of being joined without such materials. For example, the membranes may be thermoplastic membranes capable of being joined using one or more of the bonding techniques described above. In such instances, the bonding material  590  may be omitted. 
     A bonding material  600  may also be used to secure the mounting plate  20  to the second polymeric membrane  510 . The bonding materials  560 ,  580 ,  590 , and  600  cooperate to form a seal around the mounting plate  20  to aid in preventing or substantially reducing penetration of fluids and/or debris into the substructure  530 . One or more of the bonding materials  560 ,  580 ,  590 , and  600  may be a coating of a thermoplastic material and used to form a bond using one or more of the techniques described above. In some instances, the bonding materials  560 ,  580 , and  590  may be the same material, such as a coating of thermoplastic material  610 , and may be applied to the mounting plate  20 , as shown in the example of  FIG. 10 . Alternately, one or more of the bonding materials  560 ,  580 ,  590 , and  600  may be a carrier tape or adhesive as also described above. In still other implementations, one or more of the bonding materials  560 ,  580 ,  590 , and/or  600  may be omitted. For example, in some implementations, the polymeric membranes  500 ,  510  may be secured directly to each other using one or more of the joining techniques described above without the use of a bonding material. Still further, the mounting plate  20  may also be formed from a material that is joinable to one or more of the polymeric membrane  500  and/or polymeric membrane  510  without the use of a bonding agent using one or more of the techniques described above. In such instances, one or more of the bonding materials  560 ,  580 , and/or  600  may be omitted. 
     The mounting plate  20  is shown with a protrusion  30  includes, although the protrusion  30  may be omitted. Alternately, the mounting plate  20  may be fixedly attached to another object. Still further, the mounting plate  20  may have a mechanism for selectively attaching and detaching another object. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show another example system  700  in which one or more mounting plates  710  are secured to a structure  720 . For example, the structure  720  may be a roof structure, although structure  720  is not so limited but may encompass other structures, such as one or more of the structures identified above or other suitable structure. In some instances, the mounting plates  710  may be coupled to the structure  720  with fasteners, although the mounting plates  710  may be attached in other ways. A polymeric membrane  725  is applied over the mounting plates  710 , such as by unrolling a roll of the polymeric membrane  725 . An example mounting plate  710  is shown in  FIG. 12 . The mounting plate  710  may include a protrusion  730 . Further, in some implementations, the protrusion  730  may include a piercing portion  740  adapted to puncture the polymeric membrane  725 . Also, a portion of the protrusion  730  may include a fastening portion  735  that may be used to attach a structure to the mounting plate. For example, in some instances, the fastening portion  735  may be a threaded portion. However other fastening mechanisms may also be used. 
     One or more of the mounting plates  710  may be secured to the structure  720 , such as in an array or any other configuration. The mounting plates  710  may be secured with fasteners and/or with one or more of the techniques described herein (e.g., using a coating of thermoplastic material, carrier tape, adhesive, etc.). With the mounting plates  710  secured to the structure  720 , the polymeric membrane  725  may be overlaid. The mounting plate  725  may be made to extend through the polymeric membrane  725  such as by puncturing the polymeric membrane  725  with the piercing portion  740 . In other implementations, the polymeric membrane  725  may have preformed openings to allow the protrusions  730  to extend therethrough. The polymeric membrane  725  may be secured to the mounting plate  710  using one or more of the techniques described above. For example, the mounting plate  710  may be coupled to the polymeric membrane  725  with a bonding material  727 . The bonding material  727  may be one or more of the materials discussed above and the coupling may be formed using one or more of the methods described above. 
       FIG. 13  shows another example system  900  including a mounting plate  910  coupled to a substructure  920 . Among other uses, the system  900  may be applicable to roofing applications. The mounting plate  910  is shown as being attached with fasteners  930 . However, other techniques may be used to secure the mounting plate  910  to the substructure  920 . The mounting plate  910  may include a protrusion  940  and a piercing portion  950 . Further, in some implementations, the protrusion  940  may include a fastening portion  955 . Additionally, while the protrusion  940  is shown as an integral portion of the mounting plate  910 , the protrusion  940  may be attached to the mounting plate  910  using a fastening mechanism. For example, in some implementations, the protrusion  940  may be attached to the mounting plate  910  via a threaded connection. An insulating member  960  may be disposed above the substructure  920 . An attachment member  970  may be secured to the protrusion  940 , such as by engaging the fastening portion  950 . In some implementations, the fastening portion  950  and attachment member  970  may have a threaded engagement, although other attachment interfaces may be used. A polymeric membrane  965  overlays the insulating member  960  and may be bonded to the attachment member  970  with a bonding material  980 . In some implementations, the bonding material  980  may be a coating of thermoplastic material applied to attachment member  970 . In other implementations, a carrier tape and/or an adhesive may be used to couple polymeric membrane  965  to the attachment member  970 . 
     In addition, the described methods and systems can also reduce damage to a polymeric membrane. For example, when objects are unattached but are in contact, debris may become lodged between the object and the polymeric membrane, and, because of the relative movement between the two, the debris may act as an abrasive on the polymeric membrane. Over time, holes, rips, or other damage may occur to the polymeric membrane exposing the underlying structure to the environment, such as moisture, wind, etc. This exposure can cause damage to the structure. However, the present disclosure describes methods and systems that avoid these drawbacks. 
     Additionally, some of the methods and systems described herein also provide for securing one or more objects to a polymeric membrane without piercing the polymeric membrane. Consequently, objects remain attached to the polymeric membrane without providing a pathway for moisture or other objects, e.g., insects, debris, etc., to pass through the membrane. Again, this can have particular value in waterproofing covering applications where an unperforated covering is greatly desired. 
     Another example system  1000  is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The system  1000  includes a polymeric membrane  1010 , a ridge member  1020 , and a bonding member  1030 . In some implementations, the polymeric membrane  1010  may form a portion of a roof structure, such as an exterior membrane. The ridge member  1020  may be coupled to the polymeric membrane  1010  by the bonding member  1030 . In some instances, the bonding member  1030  may be a double sided carrier tape similar to the carrier tape described above. In some implementations, the adhesive on the sides of the carrier tape may be selected to provide a bond according to the material forming the polymeric membrane  1010  and/or the ridge member  1020 . In other implementations, the bonding member  1030  may be an adhesive selected to adhere polymeric membrane  1010  to the ridge member  1020 . In some instances, the adhesive may be an adhesive similar to the adhesive described above. 
     The bonding member  1030  may occupy a channel  1040  formed in a base  1050  of the ridge member  1020 . Lips  1055  may also be formed in the ridge member  1020  to aid in preventing intrusion of fluids and other materials into the channel  1040 . A benefit of the bonding member  1030  is that while coupling the ridge member  1020  to the polymeric membrane  1010 , the bonding member  1030  may have a bonding strength less than the yield strength of the polymeric membrane  1010  and/or the ridge member  1020 . Consequently, the bonding member  1030  will yield, separating the ridge member  1020  from the polymeric membrane  1010  when a shearing load on the ridge member  1020  exceeds the strength of the bonding member  1030 . Consequently, the bonding member  1030  will yield without damaging either the ridge member  1020  or the polymeric membrane  1010 . For example, in an application in which the polymeric membrane  1010  and ridge member  1020  form an exterior portion of a roof structure, a shearing force on the ridge member  1020 , for example, caused by a sheet of ice formed on the roof structure, would not tear the polymeric membrane  1010  as the ice sheet moves down a slope of the roof. Rather, the shearing force would merely sever the ridge member  1020  from the polymeric membrane  1010 . In other implementations, the bonding member  1030  may have a yield strength equal to or greater than one or more of the ridge member  1020  and/or the polymeric membrane  1010 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 16  in the drawings,  FIG. 15  shows an oblique view of a mounting system  1501  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, while  FIG. 16  shows an oblique view of mounting system  1501  attached to a support structure  1601 . It should be appreciated that mounting system  1501  is substantially similar in form and function to the mounting systems described above. Like the mounting systems disclosed herein, mounting system  1501  utilizes one or more membranes to securely attach an object to the support structure, which includes, but should not be limited to a polymeric membrane and/or a rooftop. Mounting system  1501  comprises one or more membranes that elastically extend as a force is exerted on the object attached thereto. Further description and illustration of the elastic membrane is provided with reference to  FIGS. 17-20C . 
     Mounting system  1501  comprises one or more of a first membrane  1503 , a second membrane  1505 , and an object  1507 . First membrane  1503  is preferable composed of a polymeric material and is adapted to securely bond with at least a portion of second membrane  1505 . It should be understood that first membrane  1503  is an optional membrane. For example, second membrane  1505  could attach directly to the support structure. However, as in most applications, the first membrane is adapted to attach directly to the support structure and the second membrane is adapted to bond to a top surface of the first membrane. 
     In the preferred embodiment, second membrane  1505  thermally fuses to first membrane  1503 ; however, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments could incorporate different methods for bonding second membrane  1505  to first membrane  1503 , as disclosed herein and as conventional known in the art. Object  1507  is preferable a mounting plate substantially similar in form and function to the mounting plates disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that object  1507  should not be limited to a mounting plate, but could include other devices in lieu of a mounting plate. For example, in some embodiments, object  1507  could be an attachment device, i.e., a quick-release device, for securing a structure to mounting system  1501 . Mounting system  1501  is further provided with an optional protrusion  1509  adapted to attach to object  1507 . Protrusion  1509  is substantially similar in form and function to the protrusions disclosed herein, wherein the protrusion is utilized for securing a riser (not shown) to mounting system  1501 . 
     It should be understood that mounting system  1501  could include the additional features of the mounting systems disclosed above. For example, mounting system  1501  could include a third polymeric material, a riser, a bonding medium, and/or other features described herein. Furthermore, the first and second membranes of mounting system  1501  could be composed of the same elastic materials described herein in addition to other suitable materials for providing elasticity to second membrane  1505  and/or any other desired membrane. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 17 and 18  in the drawings, front views of mounting system  1501  are shown.  FIG. 17  shows an assembled mounting system  1501 , while  FIG. 18  shows and exploded view of mounting system  1501 . Object  1507  includes a bottom surface  1801  which bonds to an upper surface  1803  of second membrane  1505 . Second membrane includes a lower surface  1805  which bonds to a top surface  1807  of first membrane  1503 . First membrane  1503  includes a bottom surface  1809  which attaches to a top surface  1811  of support structure  1601 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19  in the drawings, a bottom view of second membrane  1505  is shown. Lower surface  1805  preferably comprises two surface areas, a first surface area  1901  being adapted to extend peripherally around a perimeter of lower surface  1805 , and a second remaining surface area  1903 , which is preferably enclosed within surface area  1901 . In the preferred embodiment, area  1901  is bonded to top surface  1807  of first membrane  1503 , while area  1903  remains separable from top surface  1807  of first membrane  1503 . This feature allows second membrane  1505  to elastically extend in a direction away from first membrane  1503  as a force is exerted on object  1507 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 20A-20C  in the drawings, front views of mounting system  1501  are shown.  FIGS. 20A-20C  depicts second membrane  1505  elastically extending away from support structure  1601 . Specifically, as a force F is exerted on object  1507 , second membrane  1505  elastically extends in the direction of the force, and then returns to its original position after the force dissipates.  FIG. 20A  shows mounting system  1501  prior to force exerted against object  1507 .  FIG. 20B  shows second membrane  1505  elastically extending in direction D 1  as a force F is exerted on object  1507 .  FIG. 20C  shows second membrane  1505  moving in the direction D 2 , thus returning back to its original position after force F 1  is applied. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present invention is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.