Patent Publication Number: US-2005115162-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for coupling structures to roofing

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/424,402 filed Apr. 28, 2003 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Coupling Structures to Roofing” and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to coupling structures to roofing.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      It is often desirable to secure a snow guard to a roof to prevent the snow and ice that accumulates on the roof from falling off.  
      Roofs are well known in the art and include, for example, metal roofs, shingle roofs, and membrane roofs. Roofs typically contain an outer layer, such as metal panels, shingles, or a rubber membrane, attached to a substrate layer, such as plywood, oriented strand board, or particle board. The substrate layer may be supported by wooden rafters or steel decking.  
      In a metal roof, the outer layer typically comprises a plurality of abutting metal panels, each running the length of the roof. The panels are laid side by side to cover the width of the roof, and the abutting panels are typically crimped together to form a water-resistant joint. Snow guards are typically attached to a metal roof by placing the snow guard over a portion of the water-resistant joint and securing the snow guard to the joint via set screws or other fastening means.  
      In a shingle roof, the outer layer typically comprises multiple rows of shingles placed in ascending fashion on the substrate layer, optionally with tar paper therebetween. Snow guards are typically attached to a shingle roof by placing the snow guards onto the outer layer of the shingles and driving screws through the snow guard into the substrate layer of the roof.  
      In a membrane roof, the outer layer typically comprises a rubber membrane that covers the substrate layer of the roof. Snow guards are typically attached to a membrane roof by securing a base of the snow guard to the substrate layer via screws, placing the membrane over the substrate layer and base of the snow guard, removing a portion of the membrane so that a portion of the base is exposed therethrough, and then securing an upper portion of the snow guard to the exposed portion of the base.  
      In areas that experience very heavy snow fall and/or ice buildup, an extreme load is often placed on the snow guard from the snow and ice which has accumulated on the roof. The load pressing against the snow guard creates a torque thereon, potentially causing the trailing edge of the snow guard to lift from the roof. When this occurs, the leading edge of the snow guard could cut into the outer layer of the roof, causing the roof to leak. Where the load on the snow guard is excessive, the snow guard could be torn from the roof.  
      An example of the above-mentioned is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,608, filed Feb. 1, 1999, to William F. Alley, in which there is described a snow guard assembly that contains a block having a base and a top, a snow guard attached to the block, and two rods, whereas each rod has a first and a second terminal end and a predetermined length therebetween. The first terminal end of each rod is attached to the base of the block. To secure the block to the roof, two holes are placed through the outer and substrate layers of the roof. The base of the block is placed in juxtaposition with the outer layer of the roof, with the second terminal ends of the two rods located through the holes in the roof. The length of the two rods is sufficient to allow the second terminal ends thereof to extend below the substrate layer of the roof. A first and second securement device is located on the portion of the first and second rods, respectively, protruding from the substrate layer of the roof to secure the second terminal ends of the two rods below the substrate layer of the roof, thereby securing the block to the roof. A mounting bracket is optionally located between the base of the block and the outer layer of the roof, and a lock plate is optionally located between the substrate layer of the roof and the first and second securement devices. The snow guard assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,608 is relatively expensive to manufacture, and is time consuming to install.  
      In addition, tall structures, such as buildings, are often protected from lightning by lightning rods mounted to, and spaced along the roofline. The lightning rods are typically coupled together by a braided cable with one end of the cable being coupled to a copper rod buried in the ground. There is a need for an apparatus and method of coupling the braided cable to a membrane roof that spaces the cable from the roof in order to reduce abrasions that adversely affect the useful life of the roof.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Briefly described, the invention is an apparatus and method for coupling structures to roofing.  
      The present invention can be viewed as providing a roofing assembly. The roofing assembly contains a first membrane having an opening extending from a first surface of the first membrane to a second surface of the first membrane. A second membrane is bonded to the second surface of the first membrane along a perimeter of the first membrane. The roofing assembly also has a structure having a first portion disposed between the first membrane and the second membrane, and a second portion disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first membrane.  
      Other apparatus, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the invention, which however, should not be taken to limit the invention to any specific embodiment, but are for explanation and for better understanding. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. Finally, like reference numerals in the figures designate corresponding parts throughout the several drawings.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional roof.  
       FIG. 2  is a close-up view of a seam of the roof shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a first embodiment snow guard, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a first embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 5A  is an exploded profile view of the first embodiment snow guard assembly being bonded to a roof, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 5B  is an exploded profile view of a second embodiment snow guard assembly being bonded to a roof, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a roof illustrating an installation of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment cable holder in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 7B  is a partial perspective view of the first embodiment cable holder of  FIG. 7A  showing the halves of the cable holder crimped together in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a perspectives view of a second embodiment cable holder in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  is an exploded profile view of a cable holder assembly being bonded to a roof in accordance with the present invention utilizing the cable holder of  FIG. 7A .  
       FIG. 10  is a front view of a third embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 11  is an exploded profile view of the third embodiment snow guard assembly being bonded to a roof, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 12  is a front view of a fourth embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 13  is a front view of a second embodiment snow guard, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 13A  is an exploded profile view of a fifth embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 13B  is an exploded profile view of a sixth embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 14  is a front view of a third embodiment snow guard, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 15A  is a top view of a fourth embodiment snow guard, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 15B  is a front view of the fourth embodiment snow guard, in-accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 15C  is a side view of the fourth embodiment snow guard, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 16  is a front view of a seventh embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 17  is a front view of an eighth embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 18  is a front view of a ninth embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 19  is a front view of a tenth embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 20  is a side view of the tenth embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 21  is a front view of a first embodiment staging assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 22  is a side view of the first embodiment staging assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 23  is a top view of the first embodiment staging assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 24  is a front view of an eleventh embodiment snow guard assembly, in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 25  is an exploded profile view of the eleventh embodiment snow guard assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for coupling structures to roofing. The invention may be embodied in a multi-layer roofing assembly having a structure with a first portion disposed between the layers and a second portion disposed outside the layers, as is described below.  
      The following provides a description of the present method and apparatus for coupling structures to roofing via two examples. Specifically, the following describes use of the present method and apparatus for attaching snow guards to roofing and cable holders to roofing. It should be noted, however, that the present method and apparatus may be utilized to attach other structures to roofing.  
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show a portion of a roof having a first membrane  102  and a second membrane  104  joined at a seam  108 . Roof decking  112 A,  112 B, and  112 C may be secured to the roof structure  114  using traditional means. The roof structure  114  may be made of wooden rafters or metal decking. The first membrane  102  may be secured to the roof decking  112 A,  112 B, and  112 C using a plurality of fasteners  110 , such as screws, staples or nails, along an edge  116 . A portion of the second membrane  104  is then layered on top of the first membrane  102 , forming an overlap. The overlap may be 2-10″ in width. The first membrane  102  and the second membrane  104  may be bonded together, via use of, for example, an adhesive such as roofing cement, using hot air welding or a butylene pressure sensitive tape or the like. The bonding forms a watertight seal.  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a snow guard  200 . The snow guard  200  may be formed from metallic sheet stock. Preferably, the snow guard material is galvanized steel, copper, or aluminum having a thickness in the range of 0.02″ to 0.08″, more preferably 0.040″ and a width W S  having a range of 1″ to 12″, preferably 2.25″. In accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the snow guard  200  is made from 20 ounce cold rolled copper. The snow guard material may also be coated with a polymeric material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In addition, the snow guard  200  may be formed using conventional metal working tools. Further, the snow guard  200  may be generally square in shape having sides measuring 3″ to 18″, preferably 5.25 41  . Other shapes, including rectangles and diamonds, are contemplated and considered within the invention.  
      The snow guard  200  may have a pocket  202  and at least one tab  204 , although two tabs are preferred. The tabs  204  may extend upward at an angle θ to the horizontal, wherein the angle θ is preferably 15° to 75°, more preferably 30° to 60°, and most preferably 45°. The pocket  202  may be formed in the shape of an inverted, truncated cone. The pocket  202  may extend upward at an angle Φ to the horizontal, wherein the angle Φ may be 45° to 80°, and preferably is 75°.  
      The snow guard  200  may be installed on shingled roofs, for example fiberglass, asphalt, and slate roofs. Upon installation of a first row of shingles, the snow guard  200  may be secured to the roof decking  112  using nails through holes  212 . The holes  212  are covered by a second row of shingles. Snow guards  200  may be added to an existing shingled roof by bending a corner  210  on the tabs  204  forward or backwards. The snow guard  200  with bent corners may then be slid under a shingle and the weight of the shingle and the snow helps retain the snow guard  200  in position.  
       FIG. 4  shows a snow guard assembly  500  having a first membrane  302 , a second membrane  400  and a snow guard  200 . The first membrane  302  may be a single or multi-layer roofing membrane, preferably having a thickness of 0.048″ to 0.180,″ and may be available from a membrane manufacturer, for example, The Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., Samafil, Inc., or Johns-Manville Corporation. The first membrane  302  may be any roof sheathing material, including but not limited to EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or a TPO (thermoplastic olefin rubber). The first membrane  302  may have an opening  304  extending from a first surface  320  (see  FIG. 5A ) of the first membrane  302  to a second surface  322  (see  FIG. 5A ) of the first membrane  302  to allow the snow guard  200  to be inserted. The snow guard  200  may be inserted with the tabs  204  in contact with each other and then may be spread apart after insertion. An outline of the tabs  204  is shown with hidden lines in  FIG. 4 .  
      After the snow guard  200  has been inserted through the opening  304  in the first membrane  302 , the first membrane  302  may then be bonded to a second membrane  400  using hot air welding or a butylene pressure sensitive tape, or the like, to form a watertight seal. The second membrane  400  may be the same or different material as the first membrane  302 , preferably the same. The first membrane  302  fits within the perimeter of the second membrane  400 . The first membrane  302  may be bonded to the second membrane  400  within 0.5″ to 1″ of the perimeter of the first membrane  302 . When particular membrane materials are used, for example PVC, the entire contact area  322  of the first membrane  302  may be bonded to the second membrane  400 .  
       FIG. 5A  is an exploded profile view of a first embodiment snow guard assembly  500  being bonded to a roof membrane  600 . The pocket  202  is disposed adjacent a first surface  320  of the first membrane  302  and the tabs  204  are disposed adjacent the second surface  322  of the first membrane  302 . An installer may drive a mechanical fastener  602 , preferably a roofing screw and plate, through the roof sheathing  600  and into the roof decking  112 A,  112 B, and  112 C in the desired location. The installer may then bond the second membrane  400  to the roof sheathing  600  along the perimeter of the second membrane  400 , preferably within 0.5° to 1″ of the perimeter. The installer may use hot air welding or a butylene pressure sensitive tape, or the like, to form a watertight seal. The mechanical fastener  602  may provide a local attachment point for the roof sheathing  600  to the roof decking  112 A,  112 B, and  112 C.  
       FIG. 5B  is an exploded profile view of a second embodiment snow guard assembly  500 ′ being bonded to a roof membrane  600 . The snow guard assembly  500 ═ may include a membrane  302  having an opening  304  extending from a first surface  320  of the first membrane  302  to a second surface  322  of the first membrane  302 , and a snow guard  200  having a pocket  202  coupled to at least one tab  204 . The pocket  202  is disposed adjacent the first surface  320  of the membrane  302  and the tab  204  is disposed adjacent the second surface  322  of the membrane  302 . In this embodiment, the snow guard assembly  500 ′ may be bonded directly to the roof membrane  600  without the need of a second, intermediate membrane.  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a roof  700  illustrating an installation of the snow guard assembly  500 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the snow guard assemblies  500  may be secured in a predetermined and structured pattern. As an example, the assemblies  500  may be spaced on a square grid separated by a height H (1-6′) and a width W (1-6′), or a diamond pattern having a height H′ (2-12′) and a width W′ (2-12′). The pattern may extend a distance up the roof  700 . Alternatively, the assemblies  500  may be located in a single row along a bottom edge of the roof and spaced 1-6′ apart. The spacing of the snow guard assemblies  500  can be varied without departing from the present invention.  
      When snow falls it lands on the roof  700  and fills the pocket  202 . The snow in the pocket  202  and around the pocket  202  forms a unitary structure, where the pocket  202  helps maintain the snow in one piece until it melts.  
      In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, a snow guard assembly may have a snow guard  200  formed from a polymeric material and may be bonded to the first membrane  302  using ultrasonic welding.  
      In the unfortunate event that an excessive snowfall tears a snow guard  200  from the snow guard assembly  500 , an installer may simply place a larger snow guard assembly over the prior snow guard assembly and bonded it to the roof membrane.  
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a cable holder  700  that maybe coupled to roofing via use of the present method and apparatus, as described below. In accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the cable holder  700 , the cable holder  700  may be made of metallic or polymeric material. In addition, the cable holder  700  may be made of identical cable holder halves  704 A and  704 B that cooperate to hold a cable  702 , typically a braided copper cable, a spaced distance above a membrane roof  600  (See  FIG. 9 ). The cable holder halves  704 A and  704 B may have a foot portion  720 , a spacer portion  722 , a cable holding portion  724 , and a coupling portion  726 . The cable  702  may be held in a cable opening  706  formed when the halves  704 A and  704 B are coupled together. The coupling portion  726  may have openings  708  and  710  to allow the halves  704 A and  704 B to be coupled together using screws, bolts, rivets, eyelets, or other mechanical fasteners. The holes  708  and  710  may have the same or different cross sectional areas. As shown in  FIG. 7B , the halves  704 A and  704 B may be coupled together by a mechanical crimp.  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment cable holder  800 . The cable holder  800  may be used to hold a cable a spaced distance above a membrane roof  600  (See  FIG.9 ) and the cable holder  800  may be made of metallic or polymeric material. The cable holder  800  may be made of identical halves  804 A and  804 B that cooperate to hold a cable  702 . The cable holder halves  804 A and  804 B may have a foot portion  820 , a spacer portion  822 , a cable holding portion  824 , and a coupling portion  826 . The cable  702  may be held in a cable opening  806  formed when the halves  804 A and  804 B are coupled together. The coupling portion  826  may have tabs  830  to allow the halves  804 A and  804 B to be coupled together by bending the tabs  830  over.  
       FIG. 9  is an exploded profile view of a cable holder assembly  900 , which is bonded to a roof membrane  600 . The cable holder assembly  900  may have a first membrane  302 , a second membrane  400 , and a cable holder  700 . The membranes  302  and  400  may be single or multi-layer roofing membranes having characteristics and dimensions similar to that shown in  FIG. 5 . The first membrane  302  may have an opening  304  formed therein to allow the cable holder  700  to be inserted therein.  
      After the cable holder  700  has been inserted through the opening  304  in the first membrane  302 , the first membrane  302  may then be bonded to the second membrane  400  using hot air welding or a butylene pressure sensitive tape, or the like, to form a watertight seal. The first membrane  302  may be bonded to the second membrane  400  within 0.5° to 1″ of the perimeter of the first membrane  302 . When particular membrane materials are used, for example PVC, the entire contact area of the first membrane  302  may be bonded to the second membrane  400 . The second membrane  400  may be the same or different material as the first membrane, preferably the same. The first membrane  302  fits within the perimeter of the second membrane  400 .  
      The installer may bond the cable holder assembly  900  to the roof membrane  600  along the perimeter of the second membrane  400 , preferably within 0.5″ to 1″ of the perimeter. The installer may use hot air welding or a butylene pressure sensitive tape or the like to form a watertight seal. As shown, the cable holder assembly  900  is electrically isolated from the decking.  
       FIG. 10  is a front view and  FIG. 11  is an exploded profile view of a third embodiment snow guard assembly  1000 , in accordance with the present invention. The snow guard assembly  1000  has a first membrane  1002 , a second membrane  1004 , a reinforcement member  1008 , and a snow guard  1006 . The snow guard  1006  may be made in accordance with the snow guard  200  shown in  FIG. 3 . The first membrane  1002  may be any roof sheathing material, including but not limited to EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or a TPO (thermoplastic olefin rubber). The first membrane  1002  may be a single or multi-layer roofing membrane, preferably having a thickness of 0.048″ to 0.180,″ and may be available from a membrane manufacturer, for example, The Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., Sarnafil, Inc., or Johns-Manville Corporation. The first membrane  1002  may have an opening  1010  extending from a first surface  1002 A to a second surface  1002 B to allow the snow guard  1006  to be inserted. The reinforcement member  1008  may be made of sheet metal, for example, copper, aluminum or steel. The reinforcement member  1008  may provide localized stress relief. The reinforcement member  1008  may also have an opening  1012  alignable with the opening  1010  in first membrane  1002 . Tabs  1014  of the snow guard  1006  may be inserted through the openings  1010  and  1012  in first membrane  1002  and reinforcement member  1008  respectively as described with reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . An outline of the tabs  1014  is shown with hidden lines in  FIG. 11 .  
      After the snow guard  1006  has been inserted through the openings  1010  and  1012 , the first membrane  1002  may be bonded to the second membrane  1004  using hot air welding or a butylene pressure sensitive tape, or the like, to form a watertight seal. The second membrane  1004  may be the same or different material as the first membrane  1002 , preferably the same. The first membrane  1002  fits within the perimeter of the second membrane  1004 . The first membrane  1002  may be bonded to the second membrane  1004  within 0.5″ to 1″ of the perimeter of the first membrane  1002 . When particular membrane materials are used, for example PVC, the entire contact area of the first membrane  1002  may be bonded to the second membrane  1004 . The snow guard assembly  1000  may in turn be bonded to a membrane roofing surface  700 .  
      Alternatively, a cable holder, for example the ones shown in  FIGS. 7A-9  may be substituted for the snow guard  1006  without departing from the present invention.  
       FIG. 12  is a front view of a fourth embodiment snow guard assembly  1100 , in accordance with the present invention. This snow guard assembly  1100  may have applications on metal roofs. The snow guard assembly  1100  has a first member  1102 , a second member  1104 , and a snow guard  1106 . The snow guard  1106  may be made in accordance with the snow guard  200  shown in  FIG. 3 . The first member  1102 , the second member  1104  and the snow guard  1106  may be assembled as shown in  FIG. 5A .  
      The first member  1102  and the second member  1104  may be made of sheet metal material, for example copper or aluminum, preferably having a thickness of 0.048″ to 0.180.″ The first member  1102  may have an opening  1110  extending therethrough to allow the snow guard  1106  to be inserted. Tabs  1114  of the snow guard  1106  may be inserted through the opening  1110  in first member as described with reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . An outline of the tabs  1114  is shown with hidden lines in  FIG. 12 . The second member  1104  may have a plurality of openings  1108  spaced along the perimeter for securing the snow guard assembly  1110  to a metal roof surface.  
      After the snow guard  1106  has been inserted through the opening  1110 , the first member  1102  may then be coupled to the second member  1104  by soldering, brazing, welding, or other process. The second member  1104  may be the same or different material as the first member  1102 , preferably the same. The first member  1102  fits within the perimeter of the second member  1104 . The first member  1102  may be bonded to the second member  1104  within 0.5″ to 1″ of the perimeter of the first member  1102  or the entire contact area of the first member  1102  may be bonded to the second member  1   104 .The openings  1108  may enable an installer to mechanically couple the snow guard assembly  1100  to a roof, for example with rivets or screws. The installer may additionally solder, braze, weld, or otherwise couple the snow guard assembly  1100  to a roof.  
      Alternatively, a cable holder, for example the ones shown in  FIGS. 7A-9  may be substituted for the snow guard  1106  without departing from the present invention.  
       FIG. 13  is a front view of a second embodiment snow guard  1200  and  FIG. 14  is a front view of a third embodiment snow guard  1300 , both in accordance with the present invention. The snow guards  1200  and  1300  may be formed from metallic sheet stock. Preferably, the snow guard material is galvanized steel, copper, or aluminum having a thickness in the range of 0.02″ to 0.08″, more preferably 0.040″. The snow guards  1200  and  1300  may be made from 20-ounce cold rolled copper. The snow guard material may also be coated with a polymeric material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In addition, the snow guards  1200  and  1300  may be formed using conventional metal working tools. The snow guards  1200  and  1300  may have a pocket  1202  and  1302  respectively and at least one tab  1204  and  1304  respectively, although two tabs are preferred.  
       FIG. 13A  is an exploded profile view of a fifth embodiment snow guard assembly  1400 . The snow guard assembly has a snow guard  1200 , a first membrane  1402  and a second membrane  1404 . The membranes  1402  and  1404  may be a single or multi-layer roofing membrane, preferably having a thickness of 0.048″ to 0.180,″ and may be available from a membrane manufacturer, for example, The Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., Sarnafil, Inc., or Johns-Manville Corporation. The membranes  1402  and  1404  may be any roof sheathing material, including but not limited to EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or a TPO (thermoplastic olefin rubber). The snow guard assembly  1400  may be coupled to the roofing membrane  600  in the vicinity of a roofing fastener  602 . The tabs  1204  of the snow guard  1200  may be inserted through openings  1406  and  1408  in the first membrane  1402 . The first membrane  1402  may be bonded to a second membrane  1404  using hot air welding or a butylene pressure sensitive tape, or the like, to form a watertight seal.  
       FIG. 13B  is an exploded profile view of a sixth embodiment snow guard assembly  1500  being bonded to a roof membrane  600  in the vicinity of a roofing fastener  602 . The snow guard assembly  1500  may include a membrane  1402  having openings  1406  and  1408  extending from a first surface  1420  of the first membrane  1402  to a second surface  1422  of the first membrane  1402 , and a snow guard  1200  coupled to at least one tab  1424 . In this embodiment, the snow guard assembly  1500  may be bonded directly to the roof membrane  600  without the need of a second, intermediate membrane.  
       FIG. 15A  is a top view,  FIG. 15B  is a front view, and  FIG. 15C  is a side view of a fourth embodiment snow guard  1500 , in accordance with the present invention. The snow guard  1500  may be made of sheet metal material, for example copper or aluminum, preferably having a thickness of 0.048″ to 0.180.″ The snow guard material may also be coated with a polymeric material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In addition, the snow guard  1500  may be formed using conventional metal working tools. The snow guard  1500  has an L-shaped profile as shown in  FIG. 15C . The top part of the snow guard  1500  forms a shelf  1502 . The shelf  1502  acts to hold the snow in place on the roof. The bottom part of the snow guard  1500  forms a tab  1504 . The tab  1504  of the snow guard  1500  may be installed in a similar fashion as described with reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment the shelf  1502  and tab  1504  are perpendicular to one another. However, the angle (shown as θ) can be any acute angle that allows the shelf to collect snow on the roof. The angle θ can be attuned based on the positioning of the snow guard  1500  on the roof, the slope of the roof, and climate of the roof. The tab  1504  is inserted through an opening  1606  in the first membrane  1602  (See  FIG. 16 ). An outline of the tabs  1504  are shown with hidden lines in  FIG. 16 .  
       FIG. 16  is a front view of a seventh embodiment snow guard assembly  1600 , in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 16  shows a snow guard assembly  1600  having a first membrane  1602 , a second membrane  1604  and two snow guards  1500 . The first membrane  1602  may be a single or multi-layer roofing membrane, preferably having a thickness of 0.048″ to 0.180,″ and may be available from a membrane manufacturer, for example, The Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., Sarnafil, Inc., or Johns-Manville Corporation. The first membrane  1602  may be any roof sheathing material, including but not limited to EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or a TPO (thermoplastic olefin rubber). The first membrane  1602  may have two openings  1606  extending from a first surface  320  (see also  FIG. 5A ) of the first membrane  1602  to a second surface  322  (see also  FIG. 5A ) of the first membrane  1604  to allow the two snow guards  1500  to be inserted. The two openings  1606  are positioned on the snow guard assembly  1600  at an angle Ω from a roofline  1608 . In a preferred embodiment Ω is equal to forty-five degrees; however, it is possible for Ω to have any acute angle with the roofline  1608 . The width (shown as W) between snow guards  1500  is narrow enough to allow the snow to collect within a pocket  1610  formed by the two snow guards  1500 . In this embodiment the width is about one inch, however the width can be adjusted based on climate, slope of the roof, and size of the snow guard  1500 .  
       FIG. 17  is a front view of an eighth embodiment snow guard assembly  1700 , in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 17  shows a snow guard assembly  1700  having a first membrane  1702 , a second membrane  1704  and snow guard  1500 . The first membrane  1702  and second membrane are constructed in a similar manner as discussed in previous embodied snow guard assemblies. The opening  1706  extending from a first surface  320  (see also  FIG. 5A ) of the first membrane  1702  to a second surface  322  (see also  FIG. 5A ) of the first membrane  1702  allows the snow guard  1500  to be inserted. The opening  1706  is positioned on the snow guard assembly  1700  parallel with a roofline  1708 . The top part of the snow guard  1500  forms a shelf  1502 . The shelf acts to hold the snow in place on the roof. The tab  1504  of the snow guard  1500  may be inserted through the opening  1706  in first membrane  1702  a previously discussed. An outline of the tabs  1504  is shown with hidden lines in  FIG. 17 .  
       FIG. 18  is a front view of a ninth embodiment snow guard assembly  1800 , in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 18  shows a snow guard assembly  1800  having a first membrane  1802 , a second membrane  1804  and a vertex shaped snow guard  1810 . The first membrane  1802  and second membrane  1804  are constructed in a similar manner as discussed in previously embodied snow guard assemblies. However, in this embodiment the first membrane  1802  has V-shaped or vertex shaped opening  1806  extending from a first surface  320  (see also  FIG. 5A ) of the first membrane  1802  to a second surface  322  (see also  FIG. 5A ) of the first membrane  1802  to allow the vertex shaped snow guard  1810  to be inserted therein. The opening  1806  is positioned on the snow guard assembly  1800  so that an intersection  1808  of the vertex shaped opening  1806  is pointing in a downward direction parallel with the slope of the roof  1818 . The vertex shaped snow guard  1810  is similar to the snow guard  1500  discussed in  FIGS. 15A, 15B , and  15 C; the disparity being that the triangular portion in the middle of the tab  1504  is removed. This allows the shelf  1814  to be folded at the intersection  1808  to form the vertex shaped snow guard  1810 . Tabs  1812  of the vertex shaped snow guard  1810  are then positioned within opening  1806 . An outline of the tabs  1812  are shown with hidden lines. The vertex shaped snow guard  1810  allows snow to collect within the pocket  1816 . The angle formed by the shelf, i.e. the fold at the intersection  1808  in this embodiment is depicted at ninety degrees. However, a variety of angles can be used depending on specific details of the snow guard assembly  1800  installation, i.e., climate and slope of the roof. An opening (not shown) can also be provided at intersection  1808  to allow melting snow to drain from pocket  1816 .  
       FIG. 19  is a front view and  FIG. 20  is a profile view of a tenth embodiment snow guard assembly  1900 , in accordance with the present invention. The snow guard assembly  1900  has a first membrane  1902 , a second membrane  1904 , a reinforcement member  1908 , and a snow guard  1906 . The snow guard  1906  may be formed from metallic sheet stock. Preferably, the snow guard material is galvanized steel, copper, or aluminum having a thickness in the range of 0.02″ to 0.08″, more preferably 0.040″. The snow guard  1906  may be made from 20-ounce cold rolled copper. The snow guard material may also be coated with a polymeric material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In addition, the snow guard  1906  may be formed using conventional metal working tools. The snow guard  1906  has a pocket  1910 . The snow guard  1906  is fastened to tab  1912 . The snow guard  1906  can be fastened to tab  1912  in a variety of manners, for example but not limited to, mechanical fasteners, welds, or adhesives.  
      In this embodiment the tab  1912  is fastened to the first membrane  1902 . The tab  1912  may be fastened to the first membrane  1902  in a variety of manners, for example but not limited to, mechanical fasteners, welds, or adhesives. The first membrane  1902  may be bonded to the second membrane  1904  using hot air welding or a butylene pressure sensitive tape, or the like, to form a watertight seal. The second membrane  1904  may be the same or different material as the first membrane  1902 . The first membrane  1902  fits within the perimeter of the second membrane  1904 . The first membrane  1902  may be bonded to the second membrane  1904  within 0.5″ to 1″ of the perimeter of the first membrane  1902 . When particular membrane materials are used, for example PVC, the entire contact area of the first membrane  1902  may be bonded to the second membrane  1904 . The snow guard assembly  1900  may in turn be bonded to the membrane roofing surface  600  as discussed in previous embodiments. The reinforcement member  1908  can be housed within the first membrane  1902 . The reinforcement member  1908  may be made of sheet metal, for example, copper, aluminum or steel. The reinforcement member  1908  may provide localized stress relief. The reinforcement member  1908  may also be fastened to the tab  1912  to provide additional support for the snow guard  1910 .  
       FIG. 21  is a front view of a first embodiment staging assembly  2100 , in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 22  is a side view of the first embodiment of the staging assembly  2100  and  FIG. 23  is a top view of the first embodiment staging assembly  2100 . The staging assembly  2100  comprises a stage  2102  and two stage couplers  2104 . The stage couplers  2104  are fastened to the stage  2102 . Each stage coupler  2104  has an insert  2106 . The inserts  2106  of the stage couplers  2104  are each inserted into the pockets  200  of two snow guard assemblies  500 . Gravity retains the inserts  2106  within the pockets  200  of the snow guard assemblies  500 . The weight from the stage  2102  is dispersed from the stage to the inserts  2106  and onto the snow guards  200 . The snow guard  200  transfers the forces through the assembly and roofing membranes  2202  onto the roof  2204 . The staging assembly  2100  can be used to provide a temporary step for use by roofing installers or maintenance professionals. The staging assembly  2100  can also be used as a temporary shelf to store supplies and equipment during installation or maintenance. Once the installation or maintenance is completed the inserts  2106  of the stage couplers  2104  can be removed from the snow guard  200  by pulling the stage couplers  2104  out of the snow guard  200 .  
      In the specific embodiments shown in  FIGS. 21, 22 , and  23  the stage  2102  is a rod with a cap  2302  on the ends. The stage  2102  is fastened to the staging couplers  2104 . Each staging coupler  2104  has a bracket  2206  that wraps around the stage  2102  and is fastened to an insert  2106 . The inserts  2106  are shaped to the profile of the pocket of the snow guard  200 . The inserts  2106  can be made of a variety of materials, for example but not limited to, metal or polymer. The inserts  2106  can also be formed from a sheet of material or from a material mold. The bracket  2206  is fastened to the insert by a mechanical faster  2208 . A mechanical fastener  2304  may also be used to prevent the stage  2102  from rotating within the bracket  2206 . In the specific embodiment a rod is used as a stage  2102 , however, the stage may be a board or cable. Additionally, the stage  2102  can be directly fastened to the inserts without the use of brackets  2206 .  
       FIG. 24  is a front view and  FIG. 25  is an exploded profile view of an eleventh embodiment snow guard assembly  2400 , in accordance with the present invention. The snow guard assembly  2400  has a first membrane  2402 , a second membrane  2404 , a reinforcement member  2408 , a snow guard coupler  2405 , and a snow guard  2506 . The first membrane  2402  may have an opening  2410  extending from a first surface  2402 A to a second surface  2402 B to allow the snow guard coupler  2405  to be inserted. The reinforcement member  2408  may be made of variety of materials, for example, plastic, metal, or composites. The reinforcement member  2408  may provide localized stress relief. The snow guard coupler  2405  and reinforcement member  2408  may be molded as a single unit using the same material. The first membrane  2402  and second membrane  2404  are similar to and have been describe in greater detail in previous embodiments.  
       FIG. 25  is an exploded profile view of an eleventh embodiment snow guard assembly  2400  showing the snow guard connector  2514  detached from the snow guard coupler  2405 . The snow guard coupler  2405  has a slot  2412  for coupling a snow guard connector  2514 . The snow guard  2506  and snow guard connector  2514  may be molded as one piece using metal, plastic, composites, or similar material. The snow guard connector  2514  slides into the slot  2412 . A back portion  2416  of the snow guard coupler  2405  prevents the snow guard connector  2514  from sliding out of the slot  2412 . The snow guard coupler  2405  also has two lips  2518  that hold the snow guard connector  2514  in place. The snow guard  2506  may have a cone shape or similar structure for retaining snow and ice. The weight of the snow and ice is transferred through the snow guard connector  2514  and snow guard coupler  2405  to the reinforcement member  2408 . An opening  2507  is provided within the snow guard  2506  to allow for drainage of melted snow and ice. As with previously described snow guard assemblies embodiments, the reinforcement membrane  2408  and the snow guard  2506  can be molded as a single piece without the need of coupling the two components. In with the eleventh embodiment the snow guard assembly  2400  and the snow guard  2506  may be molded as a single piece without the need of the snow guard coupler  2405  and snow guard connector  2514 . In this example the snow guard  2506  would not be detachable from the reinforcement member  2408 .  
      It should be understood that, while the present invention has been described in detail herein, the invention can be embodied otherwise without departing from the principles thereof, and such other embodiments are meant to come within the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. For example, the first and second membranes may be bonded together using an adhesive such as roofing cement or the like.