Patent Publication Number: US-2021180342-A1

Title: Lightweight composite roofing support system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Utility patent application Ser. No. 17/101,330 filed on Nov. 23, 2020, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/981,491 filed on May 16, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/506,835 filed on May 16, 2017 and is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Design patent application No. 29/741,731 filed on Jul. 15, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention relates generally to a lightweight roofing support system. More particularly, it relates to a lightweight composite roofing support system that is configured to provide a level, stable, self-supporting platform for roofing workers, roofing tools, roofing materials, or a combination thereof, on a pitched or sloped roof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The removal and/or application of roofing systems and roofing materials on sloped or pitched roofs presents long-standing problems, particularly on relatively steeply pitched roofs, such as those having a pitch above 8/12 (i.e., 8 feet of vertical rise for every 12 feet of horizontal run), problems that are particularly acute on steeply pitched roofs with pitches ranging from 10/12 to 16/12. Steeply pitched roofs are exceedingly difficult for roofing workers to work on, particularly to move, walk, stand, crouch, kneel, sit, or lie on, or otherwise, whether working to to remove an old roof or to construct a new roof, and including to distribute or store roofing tools or equipment or roofing materials for these purposes. 
     Various support systems and structures have been proposed to provide a platform for roofing workers, roofing tools, roofing materials, or a combination thereof, on pitched or sloped roofs. One common support structure comprises a plurality of spaced apart roof jacks that are used to support a jack board between them. The jack board generally provides a substantially horizontal surface on which roofing workers can move horizontally across the roof surface, and on which they may store roofing tools and roofing materials. A problem associated with this system is that the jack stands and jack boards are heavy and require a substantial expenditure of time and effort in order to locate, and in order to reposition as the deconstruction and/or construction of the roof systems proceed. In addition, attachment of the jack stands and the jack boards generally disadvantageously require anchoring to the roof deck by the insertion of nails or screws, or the resulting perforation of the upper portion of the shingles, underlayment material, or wooden roof deck, which are all known leakage paths for water from condensation, rain, and/or ice, for example. 
     Polymer based roof blocks have been proposed but have generally been unsuitable. In some cases, polymer roof blocks have been too rigid, such that the blocks are not non-skid and unstable and thus have a tendency to slide downwardly in the downslope direction over the surface of the pitched roof, particularly if the roof is steeply pitched. 
     Therefore, it would be very desirable provide a lightweight composite roofing support system that avoids the limitations described above, and a provides a level, stable, self-supporting platform for roofing workers, roofing tools, roofing materials, or a combination thereof, on pitched or sloped roofs, and particularly steeply pitched or sloped roofs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a lightweight composite roofing support system is disclosed. The lightweight composite roofing support system comprises a longitudinally-extending core member comprising a longitudinally-extending first roof contact side comprising a longitudinally-extending first edge and an opposed longitudinally-extending second edge, a longitudinally-extending second side comprising a second side working surface having a second width and a second length that is greater than the second width, the second side tapering toward the first edge at a first acute angle (α) from the first roof contact side, and a longitudinally-extending third side comprising a third side working surface having a third width and a third length that is greater than the third width, the third side tapering toward the second edge at a second acute angle (β) from the first contact side that is different than the first acute angle (α), a laterally-extending first end comprising an integral first recess defining a first handle or grip, and an opposed laterally-extending second end comprising an integral second recess defining a second handle or grip, the core member comprising a core material and a wedge-shaped lateral cross-section, the core member configured for disposition of a longitudinally-extending resiliently compressible cover layer comprising a resiliently compressible cover material on the first roof contact side to provide a first roofing support. 
     In another embodiment, a lightweight composite roofing support system is disclosed. The lightweight composite roofing support system comprises a longitudinally-extending core member comprising a longitudinally-extending first roof contact side comprising a longitudinally-extending first edge and an opposed longitudinally-extending second edge, a longitudinally-extending second side comprising a second side working surface having a second width and a second length that is greater than the second width, the second side tapering toward the first edge at a first acute angle (α) from the first roof contact side, and a longitudinally-extending third side comprising a third side working surface having a third width and a third length that is greater than the third width, the third side tapering toward the second edge at a second acute angle (β) from the first contact side that is different than the first acute angle (α), a laterally-extending first end comprising an integral first recess defining a first handle or grip, and an opposed laterally-extending second end comprising an integral second recess defining a second handle or grip, the core member comprising a core material and a wedge-shaped lateral cross-section. The lightweight composite roofing support system also comprises a resiliently compressible cover layer comprising a resiliently compressible cover material, the cover layer disposed on and covering the first roof contact side, the core member and cover layer comprising a first roofing support. 
     In yet another embodiment, a lightweight composite roofing support system connector is disclosed. The lightweight composite roofing support system connector comprises a longitudinally-extending connector comprising a first connector end and an opposed second connector end joined together by a longitudinally-extending intermediate portion, the first connector end configured for selective attachment to or detachment from a first roof support and the second connector end configured for selective attachment to or detachment from a second roof support, wherein upon attachment the connector is configured to connect the first roof support and the second roof support. 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description of embodiments, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a roofing support system and roof support as disclosed herein illustrating an embodiment of a core member as described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a right side view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a roofing support system and roof support as disclosed herein illustrating a core member and attached resiliently compressible cover layer as described herein; 
         FIG. 9A  is a top view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9A  along Section B-B; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a left side view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a right side view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a rear view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a roofing support system and roof support as disclosed herein illustrating a core member and resiliently compressible cover layer comprising a first resiliently compressible cover material and a second resiliently compressible cover material as described herein; 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a left side view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a right side view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a rear view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a roofing support system and roof support as disclosed herein illustrating a core member, selectively attachable/detachable base, and resiliently compressible cover layer attached to the base as described herein; 
         FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of a roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a bottom view of the core member of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a roofing support system and roof support as disclosed herein illustrating a core member, a selectively attachable/detachable hook and loop attachment device comprising a first sheet of hook material or loop material and second sheet of a loop material or a hook material, respectively, and a resiliently compressible cover layer that is selectively attachable and detachable by the attachment device as described herein; 
         FIG. 26  is a bottom view of the core member of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 25  and the first sheet of hook material or loop material attached thereto; 
         FIG. 27  is a left side view of the core member of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a right side view of the core member of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a front view of the core member of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a rear view of the core member of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a top view of the resiliently compressible cover layer of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 25  and the second sheet of hook material or loop material attached thereto; 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a roofing support system and roof support as disclosed herein illustrating a core member with an integral longitudinally-extending shelf and attached resiliently compressible cover layer as described herein; 
         FIG. 33  is a top view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a bottom view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 35  is a left side view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a right side view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 37  is a rear view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 38  is a front view of the roofing support system and roof support of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lightweight roofing support system connector as described herein; 
         FIG. 40  is a top view of the roofing support system connector of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 41  is a bottom view of the roofing support system connector of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a left side view of the roofing support system connector of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 43  is a right side view of the roofing support system connector of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 44  is a front view of the roofing support system connector of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a rear view of the roofing support system connector of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 46  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a roofing support system connector of  FIGS. 39-45  connecting two roof supports to form an extended or extendable roofing support system and roof support as described herein; 
         FIG. 47  is a schematic side view of a roofing support system and roof support as described herein (e.g.,  FIG. 8 ) in use on a first sloped roof with a first roof pitch and the second side and second working surface facing upslope and providing a horizontal or substantially horizontal second working surface and a portable platform for support of a roofing working or roofing load; 
         FIG. 48  is a schematic side view of a roofing support system and roof support as described herein (e.g.,  FIG. 8 ) in use on a second sloped roof with a second roof pitch and the third side and third working surface facing upslope and providing a horizontal or substantially horizontal third working surface and a portable platform for support of a roofing working or roofing load; 
         FIG. 49  is a side view of an embodiment of a roofing support system and roof support as disclosed herein illustrating an embodiment of a core member with an acute rounded triangular cross-section shape on a sloped roof with a roof pitch and the third side and third working surface facing upslope and providing a horizontal or substantially horizontal third working surface and a portable platform for support of a roofing working or roofing load; 
         FIG. 50  is a schematic illustration of a roofing support system and roof support as disclosed herein illustrating that the second side or third side may be oriented on sloped roofs with a plurality of roof pitches to provide a horizontal or substantially horizontal working surface on these sloped roofs; 
         FIG. 51  is a schematic side view of two roofing support systems and roof supports (e.g.,  FIG. 8 ) in use on a sloped roof with a roof pitch disposed proximate and on opposing sides of the roof peak with the third sides and third working surfaces facing upslope and providing a horizontal or substantially horizontal third working surfaces and a peak platform for support of a roofing worker or roofing load at the roof peak; 
         FIG. 52  is a table illustrating representative properties of a core material comprising expanded polypropylene (EPP); 
         FIG. 53  is a table illustrating representative properties of a cover material comprising a flexible polyurethane foam (FPF). 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     This invention comprises a lightweight composite roofing support system comprising a reversible dual or double-wedge that supports, or acts as a support for, a load placed on a sloped or pitched roof. The load may include a roofing worker (person), or workers, or various roofing materials or equipment, or a combination thereof. The lightweight composite roofing support system may be used without the requirement of fasteners to hold it in place. As used herein, roofing workers includes any person performing work on the roof of a house or other building for any purpose, including those that repair, remove, or install roofing materials, as well as painters, carpenters, siding installers, seasonal light installers, satellite installers, HVAC equipment installers, homeowners, and any other person that has occasion to perform work upon a sloped or pitched roof, particularly a steeply sloped or pitched roof, as described herein. As used herein, roofing material may include any material or equipment or tool placed on the roof of a house or other building either temporarily or permanently, including roofing construction or repair materials, such as shingles, metal panels, boards, wooden or composite sheet or board underlayment, rolled roofing products, solar panels, vents, nails, staples, or screws, or materials or equipment that are placed on or in or protrude from a roof, such as various antennas, satellite dishes, chimney materials, skylights, windows, air conditioning components, and the like. The lightweight composite roofing support system represents an improvement over existing roofing support systems, sloped roof article holders and roof leveling platforms. The lightweight composite roofing support system can be used by roofing workers as a stable, non-skid platform to walk, stand, crouch, kneel, sit, or lie on, or stack, place or otherwise stage or store roofing materials or equipment on. The design allows the dual or double wedge to be manufactured at different lengths and for roofing workers as users to move freely along the length of the wedge analogous to the manner in which roofing workers would move along a traditional jack board that is used in combination with a plurality of roof jacks that are anchored to the roof with attachments such as nails or screws. The lightweight composite roofing support system advantageously does not require that it be anchored to the roof deck by the insertion of nails or screws with the resultant perforation of the upper portion of the shingles, underlayment, or wooden roof deck, which are all known leakage paths for water that occurs on the roof as a result of condensation, rain, hail, snow, or ice, for example. In one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system or dual or double-wedge comprises a molded polymer support or core member with a plurality of support sides configured to provide a level working surface for at least two different specific roof slopes or pitches, and a substantially level work surface over a range of similar roof slopes that are greater than and less than the specific roof slopes, that has an attached cover layer or roof contact layer attached to a roof contact side that is configured to contact and provide compliance and adhesion to a steeply sloped roof surface. The core member also has integral handles or grips formed on opposed ends that may be used to easily lift or carry the roofing support system onto the sloped roof (e.g., up a ladder) or while working on the sloped roof. 
     In one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system or dual wedge comprises a molded plastic support or core member with a plurality of support sides and a selectively attachable/detachable cover layer or roof contact layer and integral handles or grips formed on opposed ends. 
     In one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system or wedge comprises a molded plastic support or core member with a plurality of support sides and a selectively attachable/detachable base and cover layer or roof contact layer and integral handles or grips formed on opposed ends. 
     The cross-sectional shape of the molded plastic support or core member may be configured with a triangular (e.g., scalene triangular), truncated triangular, scalene trapezoid, or irregular quadrilateral shape, for example, to provide a level working surface to move, walk, stand, crouch, kneel, sit, or lie on, or stack, place or otherwise store roofing materials or equipment on for two different specific roof slopes (e.g. 10/12 and 12/12), and a substantially level work surface over a range of roof slopes that are slightly less than or greater than the specific roof slopes, by merely rotating the base or roof contact surface of the wedge 180 degrees. The cover layer or roof contact layer includes a cover or roof contact material, such as various open-cell or closed-cell foams, including polyurethane foam, and natural or synthetic sponge rubber, and the like that advantageously provide a non-skid attachment or adhesion to most roof surfaces, particularly asphalt or fiberglass shingle roof surfaces, and including common roofing underlayment materials (e.g. asphalt felt, rubberized felt, and polymer or synthetic underlayment) or roof deck materials (e.g. dimensional lumber, plywood, and oriented strand board (OSB)). The cover or roof contact material may be configured to provide a coefficient of sliding friction, particularly when loaded, that in some embodiments prevents sliding movement down the roof, and other embodiments substantially prevents or resists sliding movement down the roof. Cost and weight are kept at a minimum while maintaining robustness by eliminating moving parts and the need for fasteners, such as nails and screws, found in related art devices. 
     In one embodiment, a triangular, truncated triangular, scalene trapezoidal, or irregular quadrilateral cross-sectional shape may be configured to provide dual or double-wedge lateral cross-sectional shape and a level working surface for two different roof slopes by merely rotating the wedge 180 degrees. In one embodiment, the level working surfaces of the support sides comprise a non-slip material, or include a surface roughness, texture, or pattern of protruding traction elements (e.g. raised rectangular, chevron, or wavy bars, or circular buttons) that provide a non-slip surface. The lightweight composite roofing support system or dual or double-wedge may include integral handles or grips, including integrally molded handles or grips, for easy transportation, including lifting or carrying the system onto a roof, and repositioning of the system or wedge on the roof while working. 
     As used herein, longitudinal or along the length refers to a direction that extends along an article centerline or axis, and may also be used in reference to a direction that is generally parallel to a roof peak. The term lateral or along the width or left-right refers to a direction that is orthogonal, or substantially orthogonal, to the longitudinal direction. The terms up or upward or down or downward refer to the top or bottom of the article, or to a direction substantially toward the top or bottom of the article, respectively, and may also be used in context in reference to a direction that is generally upward toward a roof peak or downward toward the ground. The terms in or inward refer to a direction toward the center of the article, and out or outward refers to the opposite direction away from the center or central portion of the article. The term upslope or up-roof refers to a direction or placement toward or closer to the peak or apex of a sloped roof and, conversely, the term downslope or down-roof refers to a direction or placement away from or farther from the peak or apex of a sloped roof and closer to the ground. 
     Referring to the figures, and particularly  FIGS. 1-14 and 47-51 , for example, a lightweight composite roofing support system  10  is disclosed. The lightweight composite roofing support system  10  is a roofing support or platform that supports a roofing load  2 . The roofing load may be any static or dynamic roofing load  2  placed on a sloped or pitched roof  36 , including a load from the weight of a roofing worker  6  or workers, or a roofing material  8 , such as shingles  99  (e.g. asphalt or fiberglass shingles), rolled roofing material (e.g. tar paper, adhesive polymer snow and ice shield), structural members (e.g. dimensional lumber), underlayment (e.g. sheets of oriented strand board (OSB) and/or plywood), wood or clay or ceramic roofing tiles, metal roofing panels, solar shingles (e.g. solar panels applied directly to the roof and also serving as the roof covering) or solar roof panels (e.g. solar panels disposed onto or above the roofing material) and/or fasteners, or loads associated with any other construction materials (e.g. paint containers, siding, all manner of construction tools and/or equipment, and the like) placed thereon. In certain embodiments, the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  may also be referred to as a roof step or roof platform because it provides a platform for a worker, or workers, to move, walk, stand, crouch, kneel, sit, or lie on, or otherwise use as a level work surface while working on a sloped or pitched roof  36 . The lightweight composite roofing support system  10  may be used without the requirement of fasteners to hold it in place. In these embodiments, the weight of a roofing load  2  placed on the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  together with the coefficient of friction of the contact surface of the support system in contact on the surface of the sloped or pitched roof  36  provides sufficient adhesion to secure the system to the roof. In one embodiment, the system  10  comprises a composite because it comprises a longitudinally-extending core member  12  made from a core material  14  and a longitudinally-extending cover layer  16  made from a cover material  18 . Referring to the figures, and particularly  FIGS. 8-14 , in one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  described herein comprising longitudinally-extending core member  12  and longitudinally-extending cover layer  16  comprises a length of 24 inches and weighs 60-100 oz., more particularly 70-90 oz., and more particularly 75-85 oz. In another embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  described herein comprising longitudinally-extending core member  12  and a longitudinally-extending cover layer  16  comprises a length of 32 inches and weighs 80-134 oz., more particularly 93-120 oz., and more particularly 100-113 oz. 
     As illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 1-14 and 47-51 , in one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  includes a longitudinally-extending core member  12  comprising a dual or double-wedge lateral cross-section  22  shape, more particularly a reversible, dual or double-wedge cross-section  22  shape having different acute wedge angles (α, β) that comprises two opposed wedges  11 ,  13  in an opposed dual or double-wedge lateral cross-section  22  shape configuration having different acute wedge angles with the thin edges of the opposed wedges  11 ,  13  facing outwardly. The dual or double-wedge lateral cross-section  22  shape may be understood from the end views as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9B . The thin edges of the wedges  11 ,  13  need not taper to a sharp edge or line as in a traditional wedge, but rather may taper to blunted or rounded edges or shoulders, such as longitudinally-extending first edge  24  and a longitudinally-extending second edge  26  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 , for example. The blunted or rounded edges or shoulders are advantageous because they are damage-resistant and less susceptible to damage during use by chipping or breaking off while being used by roofing workers  6  on a sloped roof  36  in the manner described herein or when being transported or stored off-roof together with other roofing equipment and/or materials as is typical in the roofing industry. 
     In one embodiment, the longitudinally-extending core member  12  comprises a longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  or roof facing side  28 . The first roof contact side  28  or roof facing side of the core member is the side of the core member that is oriented to directly or indirectly contact or face the sloped or pitched roof  36  or whatever other surface the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  is to be placed on. While the core member  12  itself is not generally placed in direct contact with the roof surface or other contact surface, although in some configurations it could be, the term first roof contact side  28  or roof facing side refers to the orientation of this side toward or closest to the sloped or pitched roof  36 , or whatever other surface the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  is to be placed on. The first roof contact side  28  is configured to receive the cover layer  16  made from a cover material  18  that also faces and is in direct contact with the sloped or pitched roof  36 . The roof contact side  28  is generally rectangular or rounded rectangular and comprises a longitudinally-extending first edge  24  and an opposed longitudinally-extending second edge  26  and has a first width (w 1 ) and a first length (l 1 ) that is greater than the first width. In one embodiment, the first roof contact side  28  has a generally flat planar shape. In one embodiment, the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side includes a first slot opening  40  comprising a first slot or pocket  41  that is defined by the first inner slot wall  42  and a first recess lip  43  that protrudes inwardly toward the longitudinally axis  9  and extends around the periphery of the first recess  45  that is formed in the first end  46  of the longitudinally-extending core member  12 . The first recess lip  43  may be spaced apart from the first inner slot wall  42  by any suitable spacing (d 1 ), which in one embodiment is 0.5-2.0 inches, more particularly 0.75-1.25 inches. The first recess lip  43  protrudes inwardly from the first slot base  47 , and may protrude inwardly any suitable height (h 1 ), which in one embodiment is 0.3-1.0 inches, and more particularly 0.4-0.75 inches, and have any suitable thickness (t 1 ) measured from the first end  46  and the first outer slot wall  49 , which in one embodiment is 0.3-1.0 inches, and more particularly 0.4-0.75 inches. The first slot base  47  also extends around the periphery of the first recess  45 . The first slot or pocket  41  and first recess lip  43  define a first handle or grip  48  that may be gripped by a hand of a roofing worker  6 , for example, for carrying or movement of the roof support  32 . In one embodiment, the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side includes an opposed second slot opening  50  proximate the opposed second end  56  that may comprise a mirror image of the first slot opening  40 . The opposed second slot opening  50  comprising a second slot or pocket  51  that is defined by the second inner slot wall  52  and a second recess lip  53  that protrudes inwardly toward the longitudinally axis  9  and extends around the periphery of the second grip recess  55  that is formed in the second end  56  of the longitudinally-extending core member  12 . The second recess lip  53  and second outer slot wall  59  may be spaced apart from the second inner slot wall  52  by any suitable spacing (d 2 ), which in one embodiment is 0.5-2.0 inches, more particularly 0.75-1.25 inches. The second recess lip  53  protrudes inwardly from the second slot base  57 , and may protrude inwardly any suitable height (h 2 ), which in one embodiment is 0.3-1.0 inches, and more particularly 0.4-0.75 inches, and have any suitable thickness (t 2 ) measured from the second end  56  and the second outer slot wall  59 , which in one embodiment is 0.3-1.0 inches, and more particularly 0.4-0.75 inches. The second slot base  57  also extends around the periphery of the second handle or grip recess  55 . The second slot or pocket  51  and second recess lip  53  define a second handle or grip  58  that may be gripped by the hand of a roofing worker  6 , for example, for carrying or movement of the roof support  32 . 
     The longitudinally-extending core member  12  also comprises a longitudinally-extending second side  30  comprising a second side working surface  31  having a second width (w 2 ) and a second length (l 2 ) that is greater than the second width, and tapering toward the longitudinally-extending first edge  24  at a first predetermined acute angle (α) from the first roof contact side  28 . The longitudinally-extending first side  28  and the longitudinally-extending second side  30  taper toward one another at the longitudinally-extending first edge  24 . The longitudinally-extending second side  30  may also be referred to as the second load-bearing side  30  and is configured to receive and support the roofing load  2  depending on the orientation of the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  on the roof  36  and which of the longitudinally-extending second side  30  or longitudinally-extending third side  34  is oriented upslope as shown in  FIGS. 47 and 48 . The longitudinally-extending second side  30  comprising a second side working surface  31  is a generally flat, planar, continuous surface, that is configured for use as described herein by a roofing worker, and in a preferred embodiment will not include any raised or recesses features or other surface discontinuities, other than non-skid or traction elements described herein, that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the roofing arts as a potential safety hazard, such as a potential stumbling or tripping hazard to a roofing worker. 
     The longitudinally-extending core member  12  also comprises a longitudinally-extending third side  34  comprising a third side working surface  33  having a third width (w 3 ) and a third length (l 3 ) that is greater than the third width, and tapering toward the longitudinally-extending second edge  26  at a second predetermined acute angle (β) from the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 . The longitudinally-extending third side  34  may also be referred to as the third load-bearing side  34  and is also configured to alternately receive and support the roofing load  2  depending on the orientation of the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  on the roof  36  and which of the longitudinally-extending second side  30  or longitudinally-extending third side  34  is oriented upslope as shown in  FIGS. 47 and 48 . The longitudinally-extending third side  34  comprising a second side working surface  33  is a generally flat, planar, continuous surface, that is configured for use as described herein by a roofing worker, and in a preferred embodiment will not include any raised or recesses features or other surface discontinuities, other than non-skid or traction elements described herein, that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the roofing arts as a potential safety hazard, such as a potential stumbling or tripping hazard to a roofing worker. 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 47 , in a first configuration or orientation where the longitudinally-extending first edge  24  is defined by the intersection of the longitudinally-extending first side  28  and longitudinally-extending second side  30  and the predetermined first acute angle (α) between these sides is configured for placement facing up-roof closest to the peak  39  or apex of the sloped roof  36  with the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  facing and cover layer  16  in pressing contact against the sloped roof  36  and the longitudinally-extending first edge  24  substantially parallel or parallel to the peak. In this configuration, the predetermined first acute angle (α) may be selected to be the same as a common first roof angle or pitch  38  (e.g., a 10/12 pitch) of the sloped roof  36 , which in the case of a 10/12 pitch (39.81°) roof  36  means that the predetermined first angle (α) is also 39.81°, so that the second side  30  extends in the direction of the first peak  39  as a substantially horizontal or horizontal first platform, which advantageously provides a very useful substantially level or level longitudinally-extending second side working surface  31  on the sloped roof  36  for use as described herein. As used herein, substantially parallel includes minor misorientations of the longitudinally-extending first edge  24  with the line defined by the first peak  39  such that they are non-parallel, and the longitudinally-extending second side  30  is not level, but rather substantially level although it may be slightly inclining or declining as compared to the first peak  39  of the first sloped roof  36 . One of ordinary skill in the roofing arts will understand that substantially parallel orientations still provide a very advantageous and useful longitudinally-extending second side working surface  31  of longitudinally-extending second side  30  as compared to the alternative of using the steeply first pitched roof  36  as the working surface. One of ordinary skill in the roofing arts will also understand that the orientation with the longitudinally-extending first edge  24  at the intersection of longitudinally-extending first side  28  and longitudinally-extending second side  30  and defining predetermined first acute angle (α) is placed facing up-roof closest to the peak  39 , and substantially parallel or parallel to the peak, that the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  also provides a very advantageous and useful longitudinally-extending second side working surface  31  (i.e. second side  30 ) for first sloped or pitched roofs  36  with a range of similar roof pitches that are greater than and less than the predetermined first acute angle (α) and the first predetermined roof angle or pitch  38  (e.g. a 10/12 pitch) as illustrated schematically in  FIG. 50 . In one embodiment, where the predetermined first acute angle (α) is 39.81° corresponding to a 10/12 first predetermined roof angle or pitch  38 , the range of similar roof pitches may comprise a range of 14/12 to 7/12 (excluding 10/12), or more particularly 12/12 to 8/12 (excluding 10/12), even though the longitudinally-extending second side working surface  31  of second side  30  is only substantially horizontal, not completely horizontal, or level on these roofs. This is because the slight inward or outward slope of the second side working surface  31  of longitudinally-extending second side  30  over this range of similar roof pitches is still very advantageous and much preferred compared to working without the lightweight composite roof support system  10  and using the actual roof surfaces of these steeply pitched roofs  36  as the working surface to support roofing loads  2 , particularly in the case of roofing workers  6  trying to move, walk, stand, crouch, kneel, sit, or lie on, or to stack, place or otherwise stage or store roofing materials  8  or equipment on, the sloped roof  36  as shown in  FIG. 50 . In one embodiment, the second side working surface  31  comprises a second side non-skid surface  61  over all, or a portion or portions, of the second side working surface  31 . In one embodiment, the second side non-skid surface  61  comprises a second side surface texture or surface roughness, or a predetermined second side pattern, such as an embossed pattern. The second side non-skid surface  61  may be formed by adding a non-skid material after molding, or integrating a non-skid material or materials to the second side working surface  31  during molding, to provide a second side surface texture or pattern, or may be integrally formed in the core material of the second side working surface  31  by molding the same into the surface as an embossed pattern, for example. In one embodiment, the second side working surface  31  comprises a second side non-skid surface  61  comprising a plurality of integrally formed second side protrusions  60  projecting upwardly from the second side working surface  31  as second side traction elements  62 . The protrusions may have any suitable shape or profile as viewed from above, including various circular, rectangular, chevron, herringbone, or whorl shapes. In one embodiment, the second side protrusions  60  have a protruding rectangular shape and are disposed in an array or pattern comprising a plurality of spaced apart columns and rows and comprise a plurality of second side traction bars or elements  62 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 47 and 48 , in one embodiment the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  is also reversible and configured for an alternate use in a second configuration or orientation on another sloped roof or sloped roofs  36 ′ having a second predetermined roof pitch  38 ′, or range of pitches, that is different from the first predetermined roof pitch  38  or range of pitches. Alternately, in this embodiment, as will easily be understood by one of ordinary skill both from  FIGS. 1-14 and 47-50 , the second configuration or orientation ( FIG. 48 ) of lightweight composite roofing support system  10  may be reversed, rotated or otherwise changed by 180° from the first orientation ( FIG. 47 ) so that predetermined second acute angle (β) is placed facing up-roof closest to the second peak  39 ′ or apex of another or second steeply pitched roof  36 ′ or roofs having a second predetermined roof pitch  38 ′, or range of pitches, that is different than the first predetermined roof pitch  38 . In the second configuration or orientation, the longitudinally-extending second edge  26  is defined by the intersection of the longitudinally-extending third side  34  and the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  and the predetermined second acute angle (β) between these sides is configured for placement facing up-roof closest to the second peak  39 ′ or apex of the second sloped roof  36 ′ with the longitudinally-extending first side  28  facing and cover layer  16  in pressing contact against the sloped roof  16  and the longitudinally-extending second edge  26  substantially parallel or parallel to the peak. In this configuration, the predetermined second acute angle (β) may be selected to be the same as a second predetermined roof angle or pitch  38 ′ (e.g., a 12/12 pitch) of the sloped roof  36 , which in the case of a 12/12 pitch (45°) roof  36  means that the predetermined second acute angle (β) is also 45°, so that the longitudinally-extending third side  34  extends in the direction of the second peak  39 ′ as a substantially horizontal or horizontal second platform, which advantageously provides a very useful substantially level or level longitudinally-extending third side working surface  33  on the second sloped roof  36 ′ for use as described herein. As used herein, substantially parallel includes minor misorientations of the longitudinally-extending second edge  26  with the line defined by the second peak  39 ′ such that they are non-parallel, and third side  34  is not level, but rather substantially level although it may be slightly inclining or declining as compared to the second peak  39 ′ of the second steeply sloped roof  36 ′. One of ordinary skill in the roofing arts will understand that substantially parallel orientations still provide a very advantageous and useful longitudinally-extending third side working surface  33  of longitudinally-extending third side  34  as compared to the alternative of using the second steeply pitched roof  36 ′ as the working surface. One of ordinary skill in the roofing arts will also understand that the orientation with the longitudinally-extending second edge  26  at the intersection of longitudinally-extending third side  34  and longitudinally-extending first side  28  and defining predetermined second acute angle (β) is placed facing up-roof closest to the peak  39 , and substantially parallel or parallel to the peak, that the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  also provides a very advantageous and useful longitudinally-extending third side working surface  33  (i.e. third side  34 ) for second sloped or pitched roofs  36 ′ with a range of similar roof pitches that are greater than and less than the predetermined second acute angle (β) and the second predetermined roof angle or pitch  38 ′ (e.g. a 12/12 pitch). In one embodiment, where the predetermined second acute angle (β) is 45° corresponding to a 12/12 second predetermined roof angle or pitch  38 ′, the range of similar roof pitches may comprise a range of 16/12 to 9/12 (excluding 12/12), or more particularly 14/12 to 10/12 (excluding 12/12), even though the longitudinally-extending third side working surface  33  of longitudinally-extending third side  34  is only substantially horizontal, not completely horizontal, or level on these roofs. This is because the slight inward or outward slope of the third side working surface  33  of the longitudinally-extending third side  34  for these roof pitches is still very advantageous and much preferred compared to working without the roof support system and using the roof surfaces of these steeply pitched roofs  36 ′ as the working surface to support roofing loads  2 , particularly in the case of roofing workers  6  trying to move, walk, stand, crouch, kneel, or sit on the roof as shown in  FIG. 50 . In one embodiment, the third side working surface  33  comprises a third side non-skid surface  63  over all, or a portion or portions, of the third side working surface  33 . In one embodiment, the third side non-skid surface  63  comprises a third side surface texture or surface roughness, or a predetermined third side pattern, such as an embossed pattern, which may the same or different than the second side non-skid surface  61 . The third side non-skid surface  63  may be formed by adding a non-skid material after molding, or integrating a non-skid material or materials to the third side working surface  33  during molding, to provide a third side surface texture or pattern, or may be integrally formed in the core material  14  of the third side working surface  33  by molding the same into the surface as an embossed pattern. In one embodiment, the third side working surface  33  comprises a third side non-skid surface  63  comprising a plurality of integrally formed third side protrusions  65  projecting upwardly from the third side working surface  33  as third side traction elements  66 . The protrusions may have any suitable shape or profile as viewed from above, including various circular, rectangular, chevron, herringbone, or whorl shapes. In one embodiment, the third side protrusions  65  have a protruding rectangular shape and are disposed in an array or pattern comprising a plurality of spaced apart columns and rows and comprise a plurality of third side traction bars or elements  66 . 
     In one embodiment, even though the second side working surface  31  may incorporate first non-skid surface  61  that may include traction elements  62  and third side working surfaces  33  may incorporate second non-skid surface  63  that may include traction elements  66 , these working surfaces are generally planar and only include features that enhance the working surface for use by a roofing worker  6  (e.g., enhance traction or provide a non-skid surface), including the ability to move, walk, stand, crouch, kneel, sit, or lie on the surface safely, and will not include raised elements or features that protrude above the non-skid surface  63  or traction elements  66 , such as raised trays or raised edges, or alternately recessed features, such as recessed trays or recessed features, that would make these surfaces non-planar and that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand to represent potential tripping or loss-of-balance hazards or otherwise comprise a safety hazard, since it is understood that the steeply sloped roofs  36  where lightweight composite roofing support system  10  are particularly advantageous require the avoidance and/or elimination of all such hazards. 
     In one embodiment the longitudinally-extending core member  12  comprises a dual or double-wedge lateral cross-section  22  shape that is substantially uniform or the same along the longitudinal axis  9 , and in other embodiments that is substantially uniform or the same along the longitudinal axis except in the regions proximate the opposed first end  46  and second end  56 , which include first slot opening  40  and first handle or grip recess  45  and second slot opening  50  and second handle or grip recess  55 , respectively (e.g.,  FIGS. 1-14 ). In one embodiment, the dual or double-wedge lateral cross-section  22  comprises a scalene triangular cross-section shape that is substantially uniform or uniform along the longitudinal axis  9 , and in other embodiments is a scalene triangle that is substantially uniform or uniform along the longitudinal axis except in the regions proximate the opposed ends, such as second end  56  (e.g.  FIG. 49 ), which, for example, includes second slot opening  50  and second handle or grip recess  55 , and has identical end features to those shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . The longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  is the hypotenuse of the scalene triangular cross-section shape and the shorter sides of the scalene triangle comprise the of the longitudinally-extending second side  30  and longitudinally-extending third side  34  as shown in  FIG. 49 . 
     In another embodiment, the lateral cross-section  22  comprises an irregular convex quadrilateral shape and/or trapezium shape (where none of the sides are of equal length) and/or a truncated scalene triangle (that is truncated proximate what would otherwise be the obtuse angle of the scalene triangle) that is substantially uniform or the same size along the longitudinal axis, and in other embodiments is substantially uniform or the same along the longitudinal axis except in the regions proximate the opposed first end  46  and second end  56 , which include first slot opening  40  and first handle or grip recess  45  and second slot opening  50  and second handle or grip recess  55 , respectively (e.g.,  FIGS. 1-14 ). The longest side of the irregular convex quadrilateral and/or trapezium and/or truncated scalene triangle comprises the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 , and the sides adjacent to the longitudinally-extending first side  28  comprise the longitudinally-extending second side  30 , and longitudinally-extending third side  34 . The irregular convex quadrilateral and/or trapezium and/or truncated scalene triangle also comprises a fourth side  35  as shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . In this embodiment, where the lateral cross-section  22  comprises an irregular convex quadrilateral and/or trapezium and/or truncated scalene triangle the longitudinally-extending fourth side  35  is not parallel to the longitudinally-extending first side  28 . The longitudinally-extending fourth side  35  is generally not a working surface because of the rather extreme slope (e.g.,  FIGS. 47, 48 ), but rather a transition surface that extends between the second side  30  and the third side  34 . However, in one embodiment, the fourth side  35  may optionally include a plurality of optional recesses or pockets  60  (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) formed therein that may be used to temporarily hold and/or store any predetermined item, including various construction or roofing materials or equipment described herein, such as replacement nails for a nailing gun, for example. In one embodiment illustrated schematically in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the dual or double-wedge lateral cross-section  22  shape may comprise a scalene trapezoidal shape and the longitudinally-extending fourth side  35 ′ is parallel to the longitudinally-extending first side  28 . While useful, a scalene trapezoidal lateral cross-section  22  generally reduces the width (w 2  or w 3 ) of the second side  30  or third side  34  and the respective size of the second side working surface  31  or third side working surface  33  as may be understood in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The longitudinally-extending core member  12  may have any suitable configuration and any suitable size. In one embodiment, the longitudinally-extending core member  12  has an integral one-piece configuration, which may be produced by molding or forming the core material  14  into the shape of the core member as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-14 , for example. While the size of the core member  12  may be characterized with regard to any of the sides thereof, in one embodiment, it is characterized by the size of the longitudinally-extending first contact side  28 . The longitudinally-extending first contact side  28  may comprise any suitable length (l 1 ) and width (w 1 ). In one embodiment, the size may comprise a length (l 1 ) that ranges from 20 to 144 inches, more particularly 24 to 72 inches, even more particularly 24 to 48 inches, and yet more particularly 24-36 inches. In one embodiment, the size may comprise a width (w 1 ) that ranges from 18 to 48 inches, more particularly 20 to 40 inches, even more particularly 20 to 30 inches, and yet more particularly 22-28 inches. In one embodiment, the length (l 1 ) is greater than the width (w 1 ). In one embodiment, the second side length (l 2 ) and third side length (l 3 ) are the same as the first roof contact side length (l 1 ), the second side width (w 2 ) and third side width (w 3 ) will scale geometrically with the first roof contact side width (w 1 ) and the selection of acute angles (α) and (β) together with the position, including width (w 4 ) and angulation from horizontal of longitudinally extending fourth  35 . In one embodiment, the length (l 1 ) ranges from 24-48 inches, the width (w 1 ) ranges from 17-36 inches, the second side length (l 2 ) and third side length (l 3 ) are the same as the first roof contact side length (l 1 ), the second side width (w 2 ) ranges from 8-18 inches, α=39.81° (e.g., an 10/12 pitch), the third side width (w 3 ) ranges from 8-18 inches, and β=45° (e.g., a 12/12 pitch). 
     The longitudinally-extending core member may be formed from any suitable core material  14 , including various metals, engineering thermoplastic or thermoset polymers, or composites thereof. In one embodiment, the core material  14  comprises a rigid or substantially rigid engineering thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. In one embodiment, the core material  14  comprises a rigid or substantially rigid engineering thermoplastic or thermoset polymer comprising polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or a combination thereof, and more particularly an expanded foam comprising polystyrene (EPS), polyethylene (EPE), polypropylene (EPP), polyurethane (EPU), or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EEVA), or a combination thereof, which, as used herein, includes chemical or physical combinations thereof, including copolymers thereof. In one embodiment, the core material  14  comprises a rigid or substantially rigid expanded foam of EPP having the properties set forth in  FIG. 52 , or another expanded polymer foam having properties within the ranges set forth in  FIG. 52 , more particularly a density, compressive strength, compression set, tensile strength, and flexural strength within the ranges set forth in  FIG. 52 . In one embodiment, the expanded foam comprises EPP or EEVA comprising a density of 1.25-12 lb./ft 3 , and more particularly 2-8 lb./ft 3 , and more particularly 3-7 lb./ft 3 , and yet more particularly 3-6 lb./ft 3 . The core member  12  may be molded as an integral or one-piece component to include all of the elements described herein by any suitable molding or forming method, including various conventional molding methods employed to mold rigid or substantially rigid engineering thermoplastic or thermoset polymers, particularly rigid or substantially rigid expanded engineering thermoplastic or thermoset polymer foams, including injection molding. In one embodiment, as used herein, a rigid or substantially rigid core material  14  may be defined by the material properties, particularly a compressive strength, compression set, tensile strength and flexural strength within the ranges set forth in  FIG. 52 . In another embodiment, as used herein, a rigid or substantially rigid core material may be defined as substantially non-compressible (i.e. experiences only a minor amount of elastic deformation) under a predetermined roofing load  2  (l), including less than 10% elastic deformation under the predetermined roofing load (l), more particularly less than 5% deformation, and even more particularly less than 1% deformation, and includes ranges of 0.1-10% deformation, more particularly 0.1-5% deformation, and even more particularly 0.1-3% deformation. In one embodiment, the predetermined roofing load  2  may include the weight of at least one person, which in one embodiment ranges from 100 to 350 lbs., or the weight of at least one bundle of shingles, which in one embodiment ranges from 40-80 lbs., or the weight of at least one roll of underlayment, which in one embodiment ranges from 16-100 lbs., or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the predetermined roofing load  2  may include a plurality of the above items. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 49  in one embodiment, the roofing support system  10  and first roofing support  32  comprises a longitudinally-extending third side  34 , and the dual or double-wedge shape lateral cross-section comprises a triangular lateral cross-section, including a generally or substantially scalene triangular lateral cross-section, with the longitudinally-extending third side  34  opposite the first predetermined angle (α) formed by the convergence, including the intersection, of the longitudinally-extending third side  34  and the longitudinally-extending second side  30 . As used herein, generally or substantially with reference to the cross-sectional shape includes embodiments where the converging sides do not actually intersect to form a vertex, but rather shapes that include one or more blunted edge or radii (e.g., r 1 , r 2 , r 3  in  FIG. 49 ) in place of the vertices (e.g., a blunted or rounded triangular shape), but where one of ordinary skill would readily recognize a generally or substantially triangular lateral cross-sectional shape or form. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-14 and 47-51 , particularly  FIGS. 8-14 , in one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  comprises a longitudinally-extending core member  12  comprising a core material  14  as described herein and a longitudinally-extending resiliently compressible cover layer  16  comprising a resiliently compressible cover material  18  that is disposed on and covering the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 . In one embodiment, the longitudinally-extending core member  12  and the longitudinally-extending resiliently compressible cover layer  16  comprise lightweight composite roofing support system  10  and first roofing support  32 . As used herein, the term “covering” in the context of the longitudinally-extending cover layer  16  covering the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  comprises covering all or any portion of the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side. The term “covering” includes in certain embodiments covering at least a portion of the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 , and in certain other embodiments includes covering all or substantially all of longitudinally-extending first side  28 , and in certain other embodiments may extend outwardly beyond the edges of the longitudinally-extending first side  28 , such as, for example, extending slightly outwardly of the longitudinally-extending first side  28 , including in the corners as shown in  FIG. 9A , for example. 
     The longitudinally-extending resiliently compressible cover layer  16  may comprise any suitable resiliently compressible cover material  18 . In one embodiment, the resiliently compressible cover material comprises a resiliently compressible elastomer, including thermoset and thermoplastic elastomers. In one embodiment, the resiliently compressible cover material comprises a resiliently or reversibly compressible polymer, including a resiliently compressible polymer foam, and including a resiliently or reversibly compressible elastomeric foam. The resiliently or reversibly compressible elastomeric foam may include resiliently or reversibly compressible thermoset and/or thermoplastic elastomeric foams, and may include both open-cell and closed-cell foams. In one embodiment, the cover material  18  comprises a resiliently or reversibly compressible polymer, such as a resiliently or reversibly compressible elastomeric foam, and comprises polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), polyisocyanurate (PIR), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (EVA), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), or a natural or synthetic rubber, silicone, or a combination thereof which, as used herein, includes chemical or physical combinations thereof, including copolymers thereof. In one embodiment, the polyurethane (PU) foams may include both open-cell and closed-cell polyether polyurethane and polyester polyurethane foams. In one embodiment, the cover material  18  comprises a resiliently or reversibly compressible open-cell polyether polyurethane foam. In one embodiment, the cover material  18  comprises a viscoelastic, low-resilience, foam or memory foam, particularly various polyurethane (PU) memory foams. In one embodiment, the resiliently compressible cover material comprises a resiliently or reversibly compressible foam comprising a flexible foam, particularly a flexible polyurethane foam (FPF). In one embodiment, the cover material  18  comprises a resiliently or reversibly compressible flexible open-cell polyether polyurethane foam (FPF) having properties within the ranges specified in  FIG. 53 , or other resiliently or reversibly compressible open-cell foam having properties within the ranges specified in  FIG. 53 . 
     In one embodiment, the resiliently compressible cover material  18  may be selected as a function of the material comprising the surface of the sloped roof  36 . In one embodiment, in the case of sloped roofs comprising asphalt and plastic rolled roofing materials, asphalt or fiberglass shingles, wood (e.g., cedar shakes), which generally have high surface roughness and high abrasiveness, the cover material  18  may comprise a resiliently compressible polymer foam, such as a flexible open-cell polyether polyurethane foam (FPF) as described herein. In another embodiment, in the case of sloped roofs comprising ceramic shingles or tiles, metal sheets, glass sheets, and polymer sheets, which generally have low surface roughness and low abrasiveness, the cover material  18  may comprise a resiliently compressible polymer or polymer foam, such as natural or synthetic rubber and rubber foams, as well as silicone and silicone foams. In another embodiment, in the case of sloped roofs comprising shingles, tiles, sheets, or panels comprising ceramic, metal, glass, and polymer, which generally have low surface roughness and low abrasiveness, the cover material  18  may comprise a resiliently compressible polymer or polymer foam, such as natural or synthetic rubber and rubber foams, as well as silicone and silicone foams. In another embodiment, in the case of sloped roofs comprising shingles, tiles, sheets, or panels comprising ceramic, metal, glass, and polymer, which generally have low surface roughness and low abrasiveness, but which have been formed to include a shape or texture of another material (e.g., glass solar tiles or shingles formed to resemble scalloped ceramic tiles or natural slate tiles, or cedar shakes), the cover material  18  may comprise a resiliently compressible composite such as an upper layer of a resiliently compressible polymer foam as described herein, such as a polyurethane foam, which may be relatively thicker, attached to a lower layer (i.e. roof contact layer) of a resiliently compressible polymer or polymer foam, such as natural or synthetic rubber and rubber foams, as well as silicone and silicone foams, which may be relatively thinner. The composite provides an upper foam to enable conformity to the shape and larger texture features of the roof material (e.g., the shape of a curved or scalloped tile or flat with texture variation like a slate tile) and a lower layer of resiliently compressible polymer or polymer foam, such as natural or synthetic rubber and rubber foams, as well as silicone and silicone foams to ensure adhesion to the surface (e.g., glass). 
     The resiliently compressible cover layer  16  may comprise any suitable shape and size, including in the embodiment of  FIGS. 8-14 , substantially the same or the same shape and size (e.g., area) as the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 , and in other embodiments (not shown) a different size and shape as described herein. In one embodiment, the resiliently compressible cover layer  16  comprises a rectangular shape, which includes various rounded rectangular shapes, and comprises the same length and width, including the same ranges of length and width, disclosed herein for the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 . In one embodiment, the resiliently compressible cover layer  16  covers the first slot opening  40  and the second slot opening  50  in the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 . The cover layer  16  may have any suitable thickness. In one embodiment, the resiliently compressible cover layer  16  has a thickness in the range of 0.020 to 2.5 inches, more particularly 0.5 to 1.5 inches, more particularly 0.5 to 1.0 inches. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-14 , the longitudinally-extending core member  12  extends in the direction of axis  9 , and the longitudinally-extending cover layer  16  is configured to be attached to and cover the core member. The longitudinally-extending resiliently compressible cover layer  16  may be attached to longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  by any suitable attachment  69  or attachment mechanism, including in one embodiment an adhesive  70  disposed between them to form an adhesive joint  71  as the attachment  69 . Any suitable adhesive  70  may be used as the adhesive to form the adhesive joint  71 , including those that are configured to provide a physical bond, or a chemical bond, or both, between the longitudinally-extending cover layer  16  and longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  layer. In one embodiment, the adhesive  70  comprises a hot-melt adhesive, particularly a formulated hotmelt adhesive that is designed for adhesion to hard-to-adhere substrates that has a medium set speed, high heat resistance, and excellent low temperature bond performance, such as ADH, Hot Melt Adhesive M535-100N.1 sold by Sonoco®. The adhesive  70  may be applied in any suitable conventional manner and method to the upper surface of the longitudinally-extending cover layer  16  and/or to the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  layer, including in one embodiment as a layer that covers the entirety of one or both of these surfaces, and including in another embodiment as a pattern of adhesive applied to one or both of these surfaces as described herein. The longitudinally-extending resiliently compressible cover layer  16  and resiliently compressible cover material  18  may also be molded directly onto the longitudinally-extending core member  12  and core material  14 , or vice versa, such as by co-molding where both elements are formed in a single mold, or by insert molding where one of the elements is formed separately and inserted into a mold for molding of the other element onto it, and the attachment comprises an integrally molded joint  71  comprising a physical and/or chemical bond formed at the interface between them, analogous to an integral adhesive joint. The attachment, such as an adhesive joint  71  or chemical bond as an attachment will have an adhesive shear strength that is greater than the shear forces at the interface between the longitudinally-extending cover layer  16  and the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  upon application of a roofing load  2  as described herein. 
     In one embodiment, the longitudinally-extending core member  12  may be configured to receive a plurality of different longitudinally-extending cover layers  16  and cover layer materials  18 . In one embodiment, the longitudinally-extending cover layers  16  and cover materials  18  may be configured to provide adhesion for use of the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  on a plurality of different slope or pitched roof  36  types, including different roof decks comprising different deck materials, such as wood (e.g. OSB, plywood, or cedar shakes), various asphalt and plastic rolled roofing materials, asphalt or fiberglass shingles, plastic/composite/ceramic shingles or tiles, metal sheets, glass sheets, polymer sheets and other conventional roofing materials, as well as the glass surface of various solar shingles and panels. 
     As shown in  FIG. 51 , in one embodiment the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  further includes a two roofing supports  32  that are substantially identical and may include the features in the embodiments described above. The roofing supports  32  may be positioned on opposite sides of the peak  39  of a sloped roof as mirror images of one another with the longitudinally-extending second edges  26  of the wedges facing one another with their respective longitudinally-extending first roof contact sides  28 , longitudinally-extending second sides  30 , and longitudinally-extending third sides  34  all facing in the same directions. When placed in the positions shown proximate the peak  39  of a sloped roof  36 , the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  comprising a plurality of opposed roofing supports  32  may be very advantageously used to provide a peak platform  68  that may be used by roofing workers  6 , or to store the roofing materials  8 , as described herein, such as a plurality of bundles  99  of shingles, proximate the roof peak  39 . A peak platform  68  is very desirable and advantageous location for storage of roofing materials  8  as they can be easily distributed downslope to roofing workers  6  that are progressively applying these materials upslope generally from the eaves to the peak  39  of a sloped roof  36 . A peak platform  68  is also very desirable as it provides a stable platform at the roof peak  39  for vendors of roofing materials  8  to use automated equipment to lift the materials to and unload the materials on the roof peak, without the need to manually unload the materials and make makeshift platforms at the roof peak generally using the construction materials themselves and make makeshifts or temporary platforms (e.g., using bundles of shingles), so that the roofing materials are available for distribution downslope during the construction of the sloped roof. 
     In one embodiment, the pressing engagement of the longitudinally-extending first side  28  and the attached longitudinally-extending cover layer  16  is sufficient to secure or attach the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  to the sloped roof  36  and prevent the system and a roofing load  2  (once applied) from sliding down the sloped roof  36  without the use of fasteners. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-21 , in one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  comprises a longitudinally-extending core member  12  as described herein and resiliently compressible cover layer  16  comprises a plurality of resiliently compressible cover layers  16  of resiliently compressible cover materials  18 , which may be the same cover material  18  differing in some aspect, such as a material property or characteristic (e.g., thickness, density, or the like), or different cover materials  18 . While described with reference to  FIGS. 15-21 , this embodiment of cover layers  16  and cover materials  18  may be used in any of the embodiments of lightweight composite roofing support system  10  described herein in  FIGS. 1-53 . A plurality of resiliently compressible cover layers  16  and resiliently compressible cover materials  18  may be employed, for example, to provide variable or different material properties at different locations on longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 . For example, during construction, the surface of sloped roofs  16  may be very abrasive, from the innermost portion comprising a plywood and/or OSB roof deck to the outermost portion comprising asphalt or fiberglass shingles, and it may be desirable to employ a different resiliently compressible cover material  18  in the higher wear areas of the cover layer  16 , such as the areas proximate the laterally-extending first end  46  and/or opposed second end  56 , or along all or a portion of the longitudinally-extending first edge  24  and/or the longitudinally-extending second edge  26 , since the edges associated with these locations may experience more abrasion and wear as the roof supports  32  are moved (e.g. lifted up and down, dragged, tossed, thrown, slid, scraped, etc.) because they frequently are the last point of prior contact and the first point of new contact or impact during a move. Any of the resiliently compressible cover materials  18  described herein may be used to provide a plurality of resiliently compressible cover layers  16  of resiliently compressible cover materials  18 . Thus, for example, in one embodiment, it is desirable to place one resiliently compressible cover layer  16  of resiliently compressible cover material  18  with higher wear resistance in the locations that are subject to higher wear (e.g., high wear areas), and another resiliently compressible cover layer  16  of resiliently compressible cover material  18  at other locations that are subject to lower wear (e.g., low wear areas). In one embodiment, for example, the cover layer  16  comprises a plurality of resiliently compressible cover layers  16  comprising a first resiliently compressible cover layer  16 ′ comprising a first resiliently compressible cover material disposed in a central portion of the first roof contact side and second resiliently compressible cover layers  16 ″ comprising second resiliently compressible cover materials  18 ″ disposed proximate the first end  46  and the opposed second end  56  that are different from the first resiliently compressible cover material  18 ′. The difference in the first and second cover layers  16 ′,  16 ″ and first and second cover materials  18 ′,  18 ″ may be any measurable difference in the cover materials, including the density, the thickness, the wear resistance, the coefficient of sliding friction on the roof deck material, the cell type (e.g., closed-cell, and open-cell), the cell size or porosity, a physical property (e.g., elastic modulus, tensile strength, compressive strength, compression set, indentation force deflection (IFD), flex fatigue, tear resistance, or the like). In one embodiment, the first resiliently compressible cover layer  16 ′ comprising the first resiliently compressible cover material  18 ′ has a first thickness and comprises polyurethane (PU) and the second resiliently compressible cover layers  16 ″ and second resiliently compressible cover materials  18 ″ have a second thickness (t 2 ) that is less than or equal to the first thickness and comprises polyurethane (PU), poly(ethylene-vinyl) acetate (EVA), natural rubber, or synthetic rubber, or a combination thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22-24 , in one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  comprises a longitudinally-extending core member  12  as described herein, wherein the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  further comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart first side recesses  72  ( FIG. 24 ). The plurality of longitudinally spaced apart first side recesses  72  may include any suitable number of first side recesses, which in one embodiment comprises a range of 2-10, more particularly 2-8, and even more particularly 3-6. The first side recesses  72  may have any suitable shape or size, including various geometric shapes, including circular, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, and other polygonal shapes. In one embodiment, the first side recesses comprise three longitudinally spaced apart rectangular shape recesses with the longer sides of the rectangles oriented laterally across the width of the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 . The first side recesses  72  may have any suitable recess depth including a range of 0.25 to 1.5 inches, more particularly 0.5 to 1.25 inches, and even more particularly 0.5-1.0 inches. The first side recesses  72  may have any suitable recess sidewall  73  shape, including vertical recess sidewall, as well as inwardly (e.g., toward the center of the recess) and outwardly tapering recess sidewalls, as well as curved or angled sidewalls, including concave or convex curved or angled sidewalls that are configured to provide a snap lock engagement as described herein, or any combination of these sidewall shapes. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 22-24 , in addition to longitudinally-extending core member  12 , the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  further comprises a flexible, longitudinally-extending integral or one-piece base  74  and cover layer  14  configured to be disposed on a bottom surface  95  of the base. The base  74  is configured to be disposed between the core member  12  and the cover layer  14  and is selectively attachable to and detachable from the core member on the first roof contact side  28 . The base  74  comprises a generally planar longitudinally-extending base member  75 , a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart base protrusions  76  having protrusion sidewalls  77  extending upwardly from an upper surface  78  of the base member and corresponding for purposes of close fit, interference fit, or snap-fit engagement in number, shape, size, and protrusion sidewall  77  shape with the first side recesses  72  and recess sidewall  73  shape. The base  74  and base member  75  also comprises a longitudinally-extending first tapered retainer lip  79  attached at a first base member edge  80  and configured to extend inwardly and upwardly along the longitudinally-extending first base edge  24  and a portion of second side  30 , a second tapered retainer lip  81  attached at a second base member edge  82  and configured to extend inwardly and upwardly along the longitudinally-extending second base edge  26  and a portion of third side  34 , an upwardly-extending first recess insert  83  attached at a first base member end  84  and configured to be disposed along the first end  46  of core member  12  within first recess  45  adjacent to first inner slot wall  42  by insertion through first slot opening  40 , and an upwardly-extending second recess insert  85  attached at a second base member end  86  and configured to be disposed along the second end  56  of core member  12  within second recess  55  adjacent to second inner slot wall  52  by insertion through second slot opening  50 . The flexible, longitudinally-extending base  74  may be formed from any suitable lightweight flexible material, including various metals (e.g., aluminum, or magnesium alloys, or combinations thereof), or engineering thermoplastic or thermoset polymers, or a combination thereof. Engineering thermoplastic or thermoset polymers may comprise polystyrene (PS), polyester (PEST), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or a combination thereof, and more particularly an expanded foam comprising polystyrene (EPS), polyethylene (EPE), polypropylene (EPP), polyurethane (EPU), or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EEVA), or a combination thereof, which, as used herein, includes chemical or physical combinations thereof, including copolymers thereof. Base  74 , and particularly base member  75 , may have any suitable size and shape, but will generally have the same general shape and size (e.g., length and width) as the first roof contact side  28  because it is designed and selected to be applied to and to be selectively attachable to and detachable from, and cover, the first roof contact side  28 . Thus, the ranges of sizes and shapes described herein for first roof contact side  28  are also generally applicable to the base  74  and base member  75 . Base member  75  may have any suitable thickness, which in order to retain flexibility as described herein, will depend on the material selected, particularly the mechanical properties including the elastic modulus, to be configured, both laterally and longitudinally, to be flexed or elastically bent or deformed outwardly by a human user of average strength to allow the first tapered retainer lip  79  to be inserted over and engage the longitudinally-extending first base edge  24  and a portion of the second side  30 , the longitudinally-extending second tapered retainer lip  81  to be inserted over and engage the longitudinally-extending second base edge  26  and a portion of the longitudinally-extending third side  34 , the upwardly-extending first recess insert  83  to be disposed along the first end  46  and engage the first recess  45  and first inner slot wall  42  through first slot opening  40 , and the upwardly-extending second recess insert  85  to be disposed along the opposed second end  56  and engage the second recess  55  and second inner slot wall  52  through second slot opening  50 , while at the same time the spaced apart base protrusions  76  and protrusion sidewalls  77  engage the respective corresponding first side recesses  72  and first recess sidewalls  73 , which in one embodiment may comprise a press fit engagement, a slight interference fit engagement, or a snap-lock or snap-fit engagement with the first roof contact side  28  and the upper surface  78  of base member  75  in substantially or near touching contact or touching contact. In one embodiment, the base thickness (t B ), may comprise 0.010 to 1.0 inches, more particularly 0.1 to 0.75 inches, and more particularly 0.25 to 0.50 inches. Base member  75  will generally have a flat planar lower surface  81  that is configured for disposition of the resiliently compressible cover layer  16  thereon. In one embodiment, core member  12  does not include first side recesses  72  and base member  75  does not include protrusions  76 , but all other feature of the core member  12  of  FIGS. 1-7  and base  74  remain the same. 
     The first tapered retainer lip  79  may be configured to taper at any suitable angle, including in one embodiment first acute angle (α), and extend inwardly and upwardly along the longitudinally-extending first edge  24  and a portion of second side  30  to any suitable extent or distance, which in one embodiment may include 0.25 to 1.5 inches, more particularly 0.5 to 1.0 inches. The uppermost edge of first tapered retainer lip  79  may also be tapered down to the second side  30  to provide close continuity with the first side working surface  31 . The second tapered retainer lip  81  may be configured to taper at any suitable angle, including in one embodiment second acute angle (β), and extend inwardly and upwardly along the longitudinally-extending second base edge  26  and a portion of third side  34  to any suitable extent or distance, which in one embodiment may include 0.25 to 1.5 inches, more particularly 0.5 to 1.0 inches. The uppermost edge of second tapered retainer lip  81  may also be tapered down to the third side  34  to provide close continuity with the second side working surface  34 . 
     The upwardly-extending first recess insert  83  to be disposed along the first end  46  and engage the first recess  45  and first inner wall  42  through first slot opening  40  may comprise any suitable shape configured for disposition and engagement as described. In one embodiment, the first recess insert  83  has the same shape as the opening shape of first recess  45 , namely, an irregular hexagon shape comprising a lateral edge  87  having a second side end  88  and an opposed third side end  89 , a second side vertical edge  90  extending from the second side end  88  upwardly toward second side  30 , a third side vertical edge  91  extending from the third side end  89  upwardly toward third side  34 , a tapered second side edge  92  configured to extend upwardly parallel to second side  30 , a tapered third side edge  93  configured to extend upwardly parallel to third side  34 , a tapered fourth side edge  94  configured to extend parallel to fourth side  35  between second side edge  92  and third side edge  93 . 
     The upwardly-extending second recess insert  85  to be disposed along the second end  56  and engage the second recess  55  and second inner slot wall  52  through first slot opening  50  may comprise any suitable shape configured for disposition and engagement as described. In one embodiment, the second recess insert  85  has the same shape as the opening shape of second recess  55 , namely, an irregular hexagon shape and comprises a mirror image of first recess insert  83 , and may be described as having the same elements. 
     In an attached position and condition the base  74  comprising base member  75  is disposed against the first roof contact side  28 , the first tapered retainer lip  79  is disposed over and retains the first edge  24 , the second tapered retainer lip  81  is disposed over and retains the second edge  26 , the first recess insert  83  is disposed in the first recess  45 , the second recess insert  85  is disposed in the second recess  55 , and the plurality of spaced apart base protrusions  76  are disposed in and engage the spaced apart first side recesses  72 , and the cover layer  16  is attached to the bottom surface  95  of the base. The first side recesses  72 /base protrusions  76  and recess inserts  83 ,  85  serve to index the core member  12  and base  74  during attachment of the base to the core member. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 22-24 , the cover layer(s)  16  and cover material(s)  18  may comprise those described in any of the embodiments of lightweight composite roofing support system  10  described herein. The cover layer(s)  16  may be disposed on the base  74  in any suitable matter using any suitable attachment, including using any cover layer attachment described in any of the embodiments of lightweight composite roofing support system  10  described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 25-31 , in one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  comprises a longitudinally-extending core member  12  as described herein, wherein the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  further comprises a first side recess  72  ( FIG. 26 ). In one embodiment, the first side recess  72  comprises a single recess  72 , but in other embodiments may comprise a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart first side recesses  72  (e.g.,  FIG. 24  with 3 recesses) in any suitable number as described herein. The first side recesses  72  may have any suitable shape or size, including various geometric shapes, including circular, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, and other polygonal shapes. In one embodiment ( FIG. 26 ), the first side recess  72  comprises an I-shaped recess. In these embodiments, the first side recesses  72  may have any suitable recess depth including a range of 0.01 to 0.5 inches, more particularly 0.025 to 0.375 inches, and even more particularly 0.05 to 0.25 inches. The first side recesses  72  may have any suitable recess sidewall  73  shape, including vertical recess sidewall, as well as inwardly (e.g., toward the center of the recess) and outwardly tapering recess sidewalls, as well as curved sidewalls, including concave or convex curved sidewalls, or any combination of these sidewall shapes. In this embodiment, the first side recess  72  lowers the attachment interface below the plane of longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  such that the shear forces applied to the attachment during use of lightweight composite roofing support system  10  advantageously do not occur in the plane of the first roof contact side. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 25-31 , in addition to longitudinally-extending core member  12 , the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  further comprises a hook and loop attachment device  100  disposed between the core member and the cover layer  16 . The attachment device  100  comprising a first sheet  101  of a loop material  102  comprising a plurality of hooks or a hook material  103  comprising a plurality of loops that is disposed in and attached to the first side recess  72  and a second sheet  104 , respectively, of hook material  103  comprising a plurality of loops or loop material  102  comprising a plurality of hooks that is attached to the cover layer  16 , wherein in an attached position and condition the first sheet  101  and the second sheet  104  are in pressed interlocking engagement with the respective plurality of hooks lockingly engaging the plurality of loops, and wherein the cover layer  16  is selectively attachable to and detachable from the core member  12  using the attachment device  100 . The first sheet  101  and second sheet  104  may have any suitable size and shape, including the same size and shape as the shape of the first side recess  72 , which in one embodiment may be I-shaped. The attachment device  100  may be described as a hook and loop attachment device  100  and also as a selectively attachable and detachable attachment device  100  that provides a selectively attachable and detachable attachment of the cover layer  16  to the core member  12 . The use of selectively attachable and detachable attachment device  100  allows for the easy removal and replacement of a worn cover layer  16  with a new replacement cover layer by peeling the first sheet  101  and second sheet apart  103  as the cover layer becomes worn during use on a sloped roof  36  or roofs. This also enables the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  to include kitting of a plurality of replacement cover layers  16  as described below that include the second sheet  108  attached thereto with a core member  12  that has the first sheet attached thereto to extend the service life of the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  by selectively removing cover layers  16  as they become worn in use and replacing the worn cover layers with new cover layers  16  from the kit. Alternately, it allows the kitting of a plurality of cover layers  16  as described below that include the second sheet  108  attached thereto as a replacement pack of cover layers  16  to also extend the service life of the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  indefinitely by buying additional kits of the cover layers  16  and replacing the cover layers as they become worn during use. 
     The first sheet  102  comprises the loop material  102  comprising the plurality of hooks or the hook material  103  comprising the plurality of loops and is disposed within and attached to the first side recess  72 . The first sheet  101  has an adhesive side  105  that is configured to receive an adhesive  106 , which may be applied directly to the adhesive side  105  or to the recess surface  107  of the first side recess  72 . The adhesive  106  attaches the first sheet  101  to the recess surface  107  within the first side recess  72 . The first sheet  101  has an opposed side  108  that comprises the loop material  102  comprising the plurality of hooks or the hook material  103  comprising the plurality of loops. Any adhesive  106  suitable to permanently adhere the first sheet  101  to the recess surface  107  may be used, including the adhesives  70  described herein. 
     The second sheet  104  comprising, respectively with regard to the selection first sheet  101  and whether it includes a hook material or loop material to be the opposite or mating material, the hook material  103  comprising a plurality of loops or the loop material  102  comprising the plurality of loops is disposed on and attached to the cover layer  16 . The second sheet  103  has an adhesive side  109  that is configured to receive an adhesive  110 , which may be applied directly to the adhesive side  109  or to the attachment surface  111  of the cover layer  16  in the shape of the second sheet. The adhesive  110  attaches the second sheet  103  to the attachment surface  111  of the cover layer  16 , generally by pressing the second sheet  103  against the cover layer  16 . The second sheet  103  has an opposed side  112  that comprises, respectively, the hook material  103  comprising the plurality of loops or the loop material  102  comprising the plurality of hooks. Any adhesive  110  suitable to permanently adhere the second sheet  103  to the attachment surface  111  may be used, including the adhesive  106  or adhesive  70  described herein. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 25-31 , the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28  comprises a peripherally-extending rim  112  that encloses and defines a sidewall  113  of the first side recess  72 . The peripherally-extending rim may have any suitable rim thickness (t R ). The thickness will be selected to maximize the area of the first side recess while also reducing the potential for chipping or breakout of the rim  112  and sidewall  113  during use of the lightweight composite roofing support system  10 . In one embodiment, rim thickness (t R ) comprises a range of 0.25 to 1.0 inches, more particularly 0.25 to 0.75 inches, and even more particularly 0.375 to 0.5 inches. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 32-38 , in one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  comprises a longitudinally-extending core member  12  as described herein, which further comprises an integral longitudinally-extending shelf  114  that also extends outwardly and laterally away from at least one of the second side  30  or the third side  34  and comprises a lower surface  115  that is coplanar with and by virtue of being integral with forms a part of the first roof contact side  28  and that, respectively, subsumes at least one of the second edge  24  or third edge  26 . The longitudinally-extending core member  12  comprising the integral longitudinally-extending shelf  114  may be formed from the same core materials  14  described herein and may have the same sizes and same lateral cross-section  22  shapes of the core members described herein apart from the integration of the lateral cross-section  122  shape of the shelf  114 . The lateral cross-section shape  122  of the shelf  114  may be understood from the left and right end views ( FIGS. 35 and 36 ) to be substantially rectangular in embodiments without the integral upwardly-protruding longitudinally-extending rim  117  (as demarcated by the vertical phantom lines), and generally L-shaped with the integral upwardly-protruding longitudinally-extending rim  117 . The longitudinally-extending core member  12  comprising the integral longitudinally-extending shelf  114  may have the same ranges of lengths described herein. The integral longitudinally-extending shelf  114  may have any suitable width (w S ), which in one embodiment ranges from 6 to 20 inches, more particularly 8 to 18 inches, and more particularly 10 to 18 inches, and yet more particularly (12 to 16 inches). The integral longitudinally-extending shelf  114  may have any suitable shelf thickness (t S ), which in one embodiment ranges from 0.5 to 2.0 inches, more particularly 0.75 to 1.75 inches, and more particularly 0.75 to 1.50 inches. It is desirable to make the shelf  114  as thin and strong as possible while maintaining flexural and tensile strength sufficient to support the desired shelf loads  98  and avoid failure of the shelf in bending due to application of these loads. In this regard, in one embodiment, the longitudinally-extending core member  12  comprising the integral longitudinally-extending shelf  114  may be molded with a variable density which is a lower density in the upper portions (d U ) of core member away from the shelf and higher density (d L ) in the integral longitudinally-extending shelf  114  and portions of the longitudinally-extending core member  12  proximate the shelf as illustrated schematically in  FIGS. 35 and 36  as demarcated by optional interface  116 . Variable density of the core material  14  within the core member  12  may be employed in any of the embodiments of core member  12  described herein, and the density may be infinitely variable or discretely variable throughout all or any portion of the core member  16  cross-section  22 , and be lower in the upper portions and higher in the lower portions, or vice versa, and may also be varied longitudinally, laterally, or both, within core member  12 . The shelf  114  is configured to hold roofing material  8  as described herein, including various tools and equipment, particularly roofing tools and equipment, and particularly a bundle or bundles of shingles  99  for use by a roofing working  6  that is disposed on and using the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  that includes the integral shelf  114 . The integral shelf  114  may be very advantageously used to provide a portable platform that may be used to store the roofing materials  8  as described herein, such as a bundle or bundles of shingles  99 , in a plurality of locations on the sloped roof  36  as the roofing materials are being installed and may be easily moved upslope or downslope or side-to-side from the eaves to the peak  39  of a sloped roof  36  to facilitate installation. This is a very desirable and advantageous location for storage of roofing materials  8  as they can also be easily distributed upslope or downslope or side-to-side to roofing workers  6  that are also installing materials on the sloped roof  36 . In one embodiment, the integral longitudinally-extending shelf  114  further comprises an integral upwardly-protruding longitudinally-extending rim  117  on a distal edge or end  118  of the shelf to assist in retaining items that are placed on the shelf. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 32-38 , the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  comprises a longitudinally-extending core member  12  as described herein and the longitudinally-extending cover layer  16  comprising cover material  18  will be sized to also cover all or substantially all of the first roof contact surface, including the portion associated with the lower surface  115  of the shelf  114 . Representative ranges of the width (w 1 ′) of the first roof contact side  28  comprising the shelf  114  and associated cover layer  16  may be obtained by adding their representative ranges as described herein without the shelf (w 1 ) to the representative ranges of the width (w S ) of the shelf described herein, for example, (18 to 48 inches)+(6 to 20) inches=w 1 ′=(24 to 68 inches), more particularly (20 to 40) inches+(8 to 18) inches=w 1 ′=(28 to 58 inches), even more particularly (20 to 30 inches)+(10 to 18 inches)=w 1 ′=(30 to 48 inches), and yet more particularly (22 to 28 inches)+(12 to 16 inches)=w 1 ′=(32 to 44 inches). 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 32-38 , the cover layer  16  and cover material  18  may comprise those described in any of the embodiments of lightweight composite roofing support system  10  described herein. The cover layer  16  may be disposed on the first roof contact side in any suitable manner using any suitable attachment, including using any cover layer attachment and associated features in the first roof contact side  28  required for implementation of any of the embodiments of the lightweight composite roofing support systems  10  described herein, including the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-31 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-46 , and particularly  FIGS. 1-14 and 39-46 , the lightweight composite roofing support system  10  and roof support  32  may comprise a lightweight composite roofing support system connector  120 . The lightweight composite roofing support system connector  120  is configured to connect the first end  46  of one roofing support  32  to the second end of another roofing support  32 . Using a plurality of roofing connectors  120  and roofing supports  32 , the length of lightweight composite roofing support system  10  may be extended to any desired length, including a length that extends entirely from side-to-side across the length of any sloped roof. Thus, the connectors  120  and roof supports  32  can provide an extended roof platform  123  that extends entirely from side-to-side across any sloped roof  36 , allowing roofing workers to freely move, walk, stand, crouch, kneel, sit, or lie on, or otherwise use the extended roof platform and to distribute or store roofing tools or roofing materials across all or any portion of the length of any sloped roof, as well as to store or stage roofing materials across all or any portion of the length of any sloped roof. The extended roof platform  123  also allows very advantageous and easier distribution of roofing materials  8  from a central peak platform  68  across the sloped roof  36  near the roof peak  39  where they can be distributed downslope to areas where the materials are being applied to the roof deck. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-14  and  FIGS. 39-46 , the longitudinally-extending connector  120  comprises a laterally-extending first connector end  124  and an opposed laterally-extending second connector end  126  joined together by a longitudinally-extending intermediate portion  128 . The first connector end  124  is configured for selective engagement/disengagement or insertion/removal within the second slot  51 ′ of the second core member  12 ′ and second roof support  32 ′ and the second connector end  126  is configured for selective engagement/disengagement or insertion/removal within the first slot  41  of the first core member  12  and first roof support  32 , wherein upon engagement, the connector  120  is configured to connect the first roof support  32  and the second roof support  32 ′.  FIG. 46  illustrates the first core member  12  and the second core member  12 ′ with their compressible cover layers  16 ,  16 ′ removed for purpose of illustrating the connection or joint formed by the connector  120 . In normal use, the portions of the compressible cover layers  16 ,  16 ′ that extend over first slot opening  40  and second slot opening  50 ′ would be longitudinally and/or laterally manually compressed to reveal the first slot opening  40  and second slot opening  50 ′ and enable insertion of the connector  120  with the second connector end  126  inserted into the first slot  41  and the first connector end  124  inserted into the second slot  51 ′. Upon insertion of the connector  120 , the portions of the compressible cover layers  16 ,  16 ′ that would extend over first slot opening  40  and second slot opening  50 ′ would be released and spring back over and cover the first slot opening  40  and second slot opening  50 ′. The portions of the compressible cover layers  16 ,  16 ′ that extend over first slot opening  40  and second slot opening  50 ′ act as a retainer and prevent the connector from coming back out of the first slot  41  through the first slot opening  40  and/or the second slot  51 ′ through second slot opening  50 ′ during use. 
     The laterally-extending first connector end  124  and an opposed laterally-extending second connector end  126  may have any suitable lateral cross-section shapes or sizes. In one embodiment, the first end lateral cross-section  130  shape of the first connector end  124  comprises an irregular hexagon and the shape of the second slot  51 ′ also comprises a mating irregular hexagon cross-section shape, and second end lateral cross-section  132  shape of the second connector end  126  comprises an irregular hexagon that is a mirror image of the first connector end  124  and the shape of the first slot  40  also comprises a mating irregular hexagon cross-section shape that is a mirror image of the second slot  51 ′. The size, particularly the first end width (w E1 ), of the first connector end  124  should be the same as, or slightly greater than, the width (d 2 ) of the second slot  51 ′ to provide, respectively, touching contact or an interference fit between them in order to promote retention of the first connector end  124  within the second slot  51 ′. The size, particularly the second end width (w E2 ), of the second connector end  126  should be the same as, or slightly greater than, the width (d 1 ) of the first slot  40  to provide, respectively, touching contact or an interference fit between them in order to promote retention of the second connector end  126  within the first slot  40 . In one embodiment, the first connector end  124  has the same first end lateral cross-section  130  shape as the opening shape of first recess  45 , namely, an irregular hexagon cross-section shape comprising a lateral edge  134  having a second side edge end  135  and an opposed third side edge end  136 , a second side vertical edge  137  extending from the second side edge end  135  upwardly toward second side  30 , a third side vertical edge  138  extending from the third side edge end  136  upwardly toward third side  34 , a tapered second side edge  139  configured to extend upwardly parallel to second side  30 , a tapered third side edge  140  configured to extend upwardly parallel to the third side  34 , a tapered fourth side edge  141  configured to extend parallel to fourth side  35  between second side edge  139  and third side edge  140 . 
     The second connector end  126  may comprise any suitable second end lateral cross-section  132  shape configured for disposition and engagement as described. In one embodiment, the second connector end  126  has the same second end lateral cross-section  132  shape as the opening of the second recess  55 , namely, an irregular hexagon shape and comprises a mirror image of the first end lateral cross-section  130  shape of the first connector end  124 , and may be described as having the same elements as the first connector end  124 . 
     The first connector end  124  also comprises a first base  142 . In one embodiment, the first base  142  comprises a flat planar base and is configured in the inserted or installed condition and position to be coplanar with the first roof contact side  28 ′. The second connector end  126  also comprises a second base  143 . In one embodiment, the second base  143  comprises a flat planar base and is configured in the engaged, inserted or installed condition and position to be coplanar with the first roof contact side  28 . 
     The lightweight composite roofing support system connector  120  also comprises the longitudinally-extending intermediate portion  128 . The intermediate portion  128  may have any suitable intermediate portion cross-section shape, which in one embodiment is the same as first end lateral cross-section  130  shape and second end lateral cross-section  132  shape with a reduced size as shown in  FIGS. 39-46 . 
     The lightweight composite roofing support system connector  120  is formed from and comprises connector material  144 . Connector material  144  may comprise any of the core materials  14  described herein, and may be selected to be the same material as core material  14  or different than core material  14 . Since the cross-section area or size of the intermediate portion  128  is less than the lateral cross-section  22  of the core members  12 ,  12 ′, in one embodiment the connector  120  will comprise connector material  144  that has one or more of a higher density, compressive strength, compression set, tensile strength, or flexural strength as the core material  14  to ensure consistent strength of the extended platform  123  along its length, and more particularly that the strength is at least as high in the connector  120  at the interface between roof supports  32  and  32 ′ at first end and second end  51 ′ as it is in the intermediate portions of the supports. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-14, and 46 , in one embodiment, the lightweight composite roofing support system connector  120  is configured for use with a first roof support  32  and the second roof support  32 ′ (the first and second roof supports  32 ,  32 ′ being identical or having the same essential feature and differing, if at all, only in length (e.g., (l 1 , l 1 ′) with the (′) used only to differentiate between them), each comprising: a longitudinally-extending core member  12 ,  12 ′ comprising a longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 ,  28 ′ comprising a longitudinally-extending first edge  24 ,  24 ′ and an opposed longitudinally-extending second edge  26 ,  26 ′, a longitudinally-extending second side  30 ,  30 ′ comprising a second side working surface  31 ,  31 ′ having a second width (w 2  w 2 ′) and a second length (l 2 ,l 2 ′) that is greater than the second width, the second side  30 ,  30 ′ tapering toward the first edge  24 ,  24 ′ at a first predetermined acute angle (α) from the first roof contact side  28 ,  28 ′, and a longitudinally-extending third side  34 ,  34 ′ comprising a third side working surface  33 ,  33 ′ having a third width and a third length that is greater than the third width, the third side  34 ,  34 ′ tapering toward the second edge  26 ,  26 ′ at a second predetermined acute angle (β, β′) from the first contact side  28 ,  28 ′ that is different than the first predetermined acute angle (α, a′), a laterally-extending first end  46 ,  46 ′ comprising an integral first recess  45 ,  45 ′ defining a first handle or grip  48 ,  48 ′, and an opposed laterally-extending second end  56 ,  56 ′ comprising an integral second recess  55 ,  55 ′ defining a second handle or grip  58 ,  58 ′, the core member  12 ,  12 ′ comprising a core material  14 ,  14 ′ and a wedge-shaped lateral cross-section  22 ,  22 ′ shape. The first roof support  32  and the second roof support  32 ′ also each comprise a cover layer  16 ,  16 ′ comprising a compressible cover material  18 ,  18 ′, the cover layer  16 ,  16 ′ disposed on and covering the first roof contact side  28 ,  28 ′, wherein the first recess  45 ,  45 ′ defines a first slot  41 ,  41 ′ that opens into the longitudinally-extending first roof contact side  28 ,  28 ′ proximate the first end  46 ,  46 ′ and the second recess  55 ,  55 ′ defines a second slot  51 ,  51 ′ that opens into the first roof contact side  28 ,  28 ′ proximate the second end  56 ,  56 ′, the first connector end  124  is configured for mating engagement within the second slot  51 ′ of the second roof support  12 ′, the second connector end  126  configured for mating engagement within the first slot  41 , respectively, of the first roof support  32 .  FIG. 46  illustrates an installed or inserted position and condition of the connector  120  within the first roof support  32  and the second roof support  32 ′. In one embodiment, the first connector end  124  comprises an irregular hexagonal first end lateral cross-section  130  shape and second connector end  126  comprises an irregular hexagonal second end lateral cross-section  132  shape, and the first slot  41  comprises an irregular hexagonal lateral first slot cross-section  130  shape illustrated by the shape of recess  45  opening and the second slot  51 ′ comprises an irregular hexagonal lateral second slot cross-section shape illustrated by the shape of recess  55 ′ opening. In one embodiment, irregular hexagonal first end lateral cross-section  130  shape and irregular hexagonal second end lateral cross-section  132  shape are mirror images of one another. 
     In other embodiments, the connector  120  may have another first end lateral cross-section  130  shape and another second end lateral cross-section  132  shape. For example, referring to the embodiment of a core member  12  comprising a triangular lateral cross-section  22 , more particularly a rounded or blunted scalene triangular lateral cross-section, as described herein and illustrated in  FIG. 49 , a suitable connector  120  would have the irregular pentagon cross-section shape of the periphery of the handle or grip  58 , and could be described using the same elements as set for herein for connector  120 , except that there would be no tapered fourth side edge  141  configured to extend parallel to fourth side  35  between second side edge  139  and third side edge  140 , rather second side edge  139  and third side edge  139  would taper to and intersect one another. This lightweight composite roofing support system connector  120  also comprises the longitudinally-extending intermediate portion  128 . The intermediate portion  128  may have any suitable intermediate portion cross-section shape, which in one embodiment is the same as first end lateral cross-section  130  shape and second end lateral cross-section  132  shape, namely, an irregular pentagon with a size or cross-sectional area smaller than the first end lateral cross-section  130  and the second end lateral cross-section  132 . 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items, and may include a plurality of the referenced items. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity). Furthermore, unless otherwise limited all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive and combinable (e.g., ranges of “up to about 25 weight percent (wt. %), more particularly about 5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % and even more particularly about 10 wt. % to about 15 wt. %” are inclusive of the endpoints and all intermediate values of the ranges, e.g., “about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. %, about 5 wt. % to about 15 wt. %”, etc.). The use of “about” in conjunction with a listing of items is applied to all of the listed items, and in conjunction with a range to both endpoints of the range. Finally, unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The suffix “(s)” as used herein is intended to include both the singular and the plural of the term that it modifies, thereby including one or more of that term (e.g., the metal(s) includes one or more metals). Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “an embodiment”, and so forth, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/or characteristic) described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment described herein, and may or may not be present in other embodiments. 
     It is to be understood that the use of “comprising” in conjunction with the components or elements described herein specifically discloses and includes the embodiments that “consist essentially of” the named components (i.e., contain the named components and no other components that significantly adversely affect the basic and novel features disclosed), and embodiments that “consist of” the named components (i.e., contain only the named components). 
     While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.