Patent Publication Number: US-2022228388-A1

Title: Circular mounting device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/139,953, filed Jan. 21, 2021. This application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to rooftop anchoring devices. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for surface coupling devices incorporating a format to distribute a load across a surface and a number of sealing devices to seal any apertures defined in the surface created by fasteners used to fasten the rooftop anchoring devices to the surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     People working on the tops and sides of buildings, as well as other high structures, risk falling and suffering injury as a result. In modem society, building construction and building maintenance are areas that continue to expose workers to the risk of dangerous falls. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, work related falls are among the most common sources of work related severe injuries and death. (See, e.g., https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/). The Department of Labor&#39;s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that slips, trips and falls resulted in approximately 229,000 injuries per year (2011-2013) resulting in approximately 700 workplace deaths per year. Death from falls is second only to vehicle related deaths and account for roughly 16% of work related deaths. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) I-14 provide standards to reduce the number and severity of workplace falls. Fall protection equipment must, perform under a wide variety of conditions while not hindering the ability of the workers to safely perform their jobs. 
     In addition, workers who are tasked with working on a roof of a building or even suspending from the roof of a building require certified tie-off points to connect their rigging. These points are regulated by OSHA in the 1910.27 standard and other regulations and are required to support a minimum 5,000 lbs. load. These tie-off points, which may be referred to as “anchorage points” in the industry, must be designed, built, and installed under the direction of a qualified person or a professional engineer. These anchorage points are often used interchangeably for suspension rigging and as a connection for fall protection equipment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is set forth below with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. The systems depicted in the accompanying figures are not to scale and components within the figures may be depicted not to scale with each other. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top isometric view of a mounting device, according to an example of the principles described herein. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom isometric view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1 , according to an example of the principles described herein. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1 , according to an example of the principles described herein. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom plan view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1 , according to an example of the principles described herein. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side plan view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1 , according to an example of the principles described herein. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1  along line A depicted in  FIG. 3 , according to an example of the principles described herein. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1  at circle B depicted in  FIG. 6 , according to an example of the principles described herein. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1  at circle C depicted in  FIG. 6 , according to an example of the principles described herein. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Fall protection devices are devices that assist in protecting users from falling off structures such as buildings. These fall protection devices seek to prevent a fall from structures by securing the user to anchors coupled to the structure such as the roof These devices are often required and regulated by OSHA that function under a number of laws and regulations such as Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Further, industries standards may be provided by private, non-profit organizations such as the ANSI. For example, guidance and testing parameters for fall protection and fall arrest devices are provided by the ANSI Z-359 Fall Protection Code. 
     OSHA is concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goals of occupational health and safety programs include fostering a safe and healthy work environment. OSHA may also protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment. Thus, OSHA seeks to protect any individual who may use devices such as a stanchion that provides a secure tie down while accessing a rooftop area, for example. Due to the distances that may separate the roof of a structure from a ground floor or other elevation below the roof, an individual accessing the roof area may be in significant danger as to loss of life or limb if a fall should occur. Thus, a fall protection system that secures an individual while accessing the roof of the structure significantly reduces or eliminates any death or injuries that may otherwise be experienced during such activities. 
     Examples described herein provide a system including a mounting device onto which a user may secure themselves from a fall. The mounting device includes a circular shape or form that provides additional stability across a wide area of a rooftop. Further, the circular-shaped mounting device may be coupled to a surface such as a roof surface in a plurality of points along the surface of the roof resulting in the mounting device being coupled more securely to the roof surface. Still further, the circular-shaped mounting device may be coupled to any portion of a roof structure irrespective of the location of trusses or joists into which the mounting device may be coupled. Thus, the mounting device may be coupled to either underlying anchoring structures such as, for example, the trusses or joists, or may be coupled to the deck of a surface (e.g., the roof surface) without anchoring into the underlying anchoring structures. 
     In one example, the circular-shaped mounting device may include sealable or self-sealing membranes that cover fasteners and holes formed in the surface of the roof. The fasteners used to couple the mounting device to the roof surface may be coupled to any portion of the roof surface irrespective of whether the fasteners couple to underlying structures within the roof such as any truss or joist. Thus, in this manner, the circular-shaped mounting device may be coupled at any position along the roof surface while still providing a necessary load rating that may secure a user to the roof. In one example, the load rating of the mounting device may be approximately 5,000 pounds. 
     Examples described herein provide a mounting device. The mounting device may include a top plate including a cone-shaped center portion, a flange coupled to the cone-shaped center portion, a number of apertures defined in the flange, and a number of fasteners engaged with the apertures to couple the top plate to a surface of a structure. The flange seals a bottom side of the top plate to the surface of the structure. The flange includes a seal coupled to the bottom of the flange. The cone-shaped center portion has a convex paraboloid shape. The flange includes at least one surface that is parallel to a surface of the structure, and a transition between the cone-shaped center portion and the flange forms an angle. The top plate has a diameter sufficient to displace a load greater than 50 pounds over the surface of the structure. 
     The mounting device further includes a bolt extending through a first aperture defined in the top plate. The mounting device further includes a tether coupled to the bolt. The cone-shaped center portion has a convex paraboloid shape, and the bolt is located at a vertex of the convex paraboloid shape. The fasteners are sealed from an environment. 
     Examples described herein also provide an apparatus including a top plate. The top plate includes a cone-shaped center portion, a flange coupled to the cone-shaped center portion, a number of apertures defined in the flange, and a number of fasteners engaged with the apertures to couple the top plate to a surface of a structure. 
     The flange seals a bottom side of the top plate to the surface of the structure. The flange includes a seal coupled to a bottom of the flange. The cone-shaped center portion has a convex paraboloid shape. The flange includes at least one surface that is parallel to the surface of the structure, and a transition between the cone-shaped center portion and the flange forms an angle. The top plate has a diameter sufficient to displace a load greater than  50  pounds over the surface of the structure. 
     The apparatus further includes a bolt extending through a first aperture defined in the top plate. The apparatus further includes a tether coupled to the bolt. The cone-shaped center portion has a convex paraboloid shape, and the bolt is located at a vertex of the convex paraboloid shape. The fasteners are sealed from an environment. 
     In the description herein, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present apparatus, systems, and methods may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to “an example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that example is included as described, but may not be included in other examples. 
     Example Embodiments 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIGS. 1 through 8  depict and describe a mounting device  100  and portions thereof. Throughout the description, the terms “mounting device” and “circular-shaped mounting device” are used synonymously to refer to element  100 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a top isometric view of a mounting device  100 , according to an example of the principles described herein.  FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom isometric view of the mounting device  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an example of the principles described herein.  FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of the mounting device  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an example of the principles described herein.  FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom plan view of the mounting device  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an example of the principles described herein.  FIG. 5  illustrates a side plan view of the mounting device  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an example of the principles described herein.  FIG. 6  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the mounting device  100  of  FIG. 1  along line A depicted in  FIG. 3 , according to an example of the principles described herein. 
     The mounting device  100  includes a top plate  102 . The top plate  102  serves as a rigid body to which a user may be tethered. An annular flange  104  or rim may be coupled to or monolithically formed with the top plate  102 . In one example, the top plate  102  may be shaped like a cone with the surface of the top plate  102  being at an angle with respect to an annular flange  104  and a surface to which the mounting device  100  is coupled. In other words, the annular flange  104  may be formed to be parallel with respect to the surface to which the mounting device  100  is coupled, and the top plate  102  may be formed at an angle relative thereto. The conical shape of the top plate  102  creates a convex shape within the mounting device  100 . Stated another way, the conical shape of the top plate  102  creates convex paraboloid shape when viewed from an underside of the top plate  102 . This convex shape allows for precipitation (e.g., rain, snow, etc.) to shed off of the mounting device  100  and away from the mounting device  100 . 
     A number of flange apertures  106  may be defined in the annular flange  104 . Although sixteen flange apertures  106  are depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , any number of flange apertures  106  may be defined in the annular flange  104 . A number of flange fasteners (e.g.,  602 ,  FIG. 6 ) may be used inserted through the flange apertures  106  and coupled to the structure in order to couple the mounting device  100  to the structure. More details regarding the flange apertures  106  and the fasteners are described herein. 
     The top plate  102  may include a frustrum surface  108 . The frustrum surface  108  may be coupled to or monolithically formed with the top plate  102 . In this manner, the frustrum surface  108  creates a conical frustrum shape of the top plate  102 . A frustrum aperture  110  may be defined in the frustrum surface  108 . The frustrum aperture  110  allows for an anchor  112  to be coupled to an apex of the top plate  102  at the frustrum surface  108 . The anchor  112  may be coupled to the frustrum surface  108  via an anchor fastener  114  extending through the anchor  112  and the frustrum aperture  110 . More details regarding the frustrum surface,  108 , the frustrum aperture  110 , the anchor  112 , and the anchor fastener are described herein. 
     The anchor  112  may be coupled to the top plate  102  at, for example, a center portion of the top plate  102  such as in a direct center of the top plate  102  where the frustrum surface  108  is located. However, in one example, the shape of the top plate  102  may be such that the frustrum surface  108  and anchor  112  are located at a position within the top plate  102  off center. In this example, the top plate  102  may be of the shape of a non-right conical shape. The anchor  112  may be any device capable of providing an anchor to which ropes, cables and other fall protection equipment may be coupled. In one example, the anchor  112  may include a MEGA swivel anchor developed and distributed by ClimbTech. However, any device including a loop capable of providing an anchor to which ropes, cables and other fall protection equipment may be coupled may be utilized. The anchor fastener  114  may include, for example, a bolt, a nut, a washer, and/or a lock washer. However, any type of fastener may be used as the anchor fastener  114  including, for example, screws, nails, rivets, lynch pins, cotter pins, locking pins, clevis pins, other fasteners, and combinations thereof. Further, in one example, the anchor fastener  114  may be coupled to the top plate  102  via, for example, welding, gluing, and other methods of coupling. 
     Turning now, specifically, to  FIG. 6 , a number of flange fasteners  602  are depicted as being engaged with the flange apertures  106  defined in the annular flange  104 . Further, as can bee seen by the cross-sectional view of the top plate  102  in  FIG. 6 , the frustrum surface  108  and the annular flange  104  are oriented in a parallel manner with respect to one another such that both the frustrum surface  108  and the annular flange  104  are oriented horizontally. Further, the top plate  102  positioned between the frustrum surface  108  and the annular flange  104  is angled with respect to the frustrum surface  108  and the annular flange  104 . Thus, a transition created between the top plate  102  and the annular flange  104  forms an angle. In one example, the distance D between the frustrum surface  108  and the annular flange  104  may be between 2 and 10 inches, and, in one example, between 5 and 6 inches such that the slope of the top plate  102  allows for precipitation to shed off of the mounting device  100 . In one example, the slope of the top plate  102  may be between 5 degrees (°) and 45°. In one example, the top plate  102  may have a diameter sufficient to displace a load greater than 50 pounds over the surface of the structure. 
     Also depicted in the cross-sectional view of the mounting device  100 , the anchor fastener  114  extending through the anchor  112  and the frustrum aperture  110 . Further, in relation to both  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6 , a lip  202  may be coupled to or monolithically formed with the annular flange  104 . The lip  202  may serve to seal the mounting device  100  to the structure to which the mounting device  100  is coupled. In one example, the lip  202  may be made of a deformable material that deforms with the surface of the structure to assist in sealing portions of the mounting device  100  from the environment in which the mounting device  100  is deployed including the annular flange  104 , the negative space below the top plate  102 , the flange fasteners  602  and any holes within the structure created by coupling the flange fasteners  602  to the structure. The environment may include any type of weather including precipitation, wind, contaminating dirt, solar heat, etc. In one example, the lip  202  may serve as a damn against which a sealing material such as, for example, a rubber gasket, a sealant, an adhesive, a waterproof sealant, or similar bonding agent, pitch, tar, or other sealing material a may be deposited. In this manner, the mounting device  100  may be sealed from the environment once installed and any holes formed by the flange fasteners  602  impinging on the surface of the structure may not allow fluids from precipitation, for example, to enter the structure. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the mounting device  100  of  FIG. 1  at circle B depicted in  FIG. 6 , according to an example of the principles described herein. As described herein, a number of flange fasteners  602  may be caused to engaged with respective flange apertures  106  defined in the annular flange  104  in order to secure the mounting device  100  to a structure. The flange fasteners  602  may seat in a fastener recess  704  defined in the flange apertures  106 . For example, a head  706  of the flange fasteners  602  may interface with the fastener recess  704  in order to force the lip  202  towards the surface of the structure as the flange fasteners  602  are driven into the structure. 
     The mounting device  100  may further include a number of fastener caps  702 . The fastener caps  702  may be made of a deformable material such that the fastener caps  702  may form an engineering fit with the fastener recess  704 . In one example, the fastener caps  702  may engage with respective fastener recesses  704  via an engineering fit such as, for example, a clearance fit (e.g., one of a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, and a location fit), a transition fit (e.g., one of a similar fit, and a fixed fit), and an interference fit (e.g., one of a press fit, a driving fit, and a forced fit). The engineering fit may define a clearance between two mating parts (e.g., the fastener caps  702  with respect to the fastener recesses  704 ), and the size of this clearance determines whether the parts can, at one end of the spectrum, move or rotate independently from each other or, at the other end, are temporarily or permanently joined together. In this manner, the fastener caps  702  may hermetically seal the head  706  of the flange fasteners  602  as well as the fastener recesses  704 , the flange apertures  106 , the flange fasteners  602 , and any holes formed by the flange fasteners  602  impinging on the surface of the structure such that fluids from precipitation, for example, may not impinge these elements and structures. In one example, the fastener caps  702  may be made of a polymer such as a plastic material or a rubber material. 
     Although 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1  at circle C depicted in  FIG. 6 , according to an example of the principles described herein. As mentioned above, the anchor  112  may be coupled to the frustrum surface  108  of the mounting device  100 . The frustrum surface  108  includes the frustrum aperture  110  defined therein. In  FIG. 8 , the anchor fastener  114  is depicted as including a bolt  802  (e.g., a threaded bolt) that is extended through an anchor aperture  810  defined in the anchor  112  and is further extended through the frustrum aperture  110  defined in the frustrum surface  108 . The anchor fastener  114  also includes a washer  808 , a spring or locking washer  806 , and a nut  804  that mechanically engages with the bolt  802 . In this manner, the anchor  112  may be secured to the mounting device  100 . 
     In one example, waterproofing devices and/or substances may be placed between the frustrum surface  108  of the mounting device  100  and the washer  808 . In one example, a number of gaskets may be included between a top side of the frustrum surface  108  and a bottom surface of the anchor  112  and/or a bottom side of the frustrum surface  108  and the washer  808 . In one example, the waterproofing devices and/or substances may include a sealant, an adhesive, a waterproof sealant, or similar bonding agent, pitch, tar, or other sealing material. 
     In one example, the top plate, the annular flange  104 , the frustrum surface  108 , the lip  202 , and any portions thereof may be made of metal, metal alloys, or other rigid materials. Further, the top plate, the annular flange  104 , the frustrum surface  108 , the lip  202 , and any portions thereof may be surface treated to reduce or eliminate any oxidation or other forms of corrosion to occur on the mounting device  100 . The surface treatment may include, for example, galvanization, powder coating, painting, other types of surface treatments, and combinations thereof. 
     CONCLUSION 
     The examples described herein provide a device, system, and method for securing an individual to a roof surface. The mounting device may be coupled to a roof surface anywhere with or without being coupled to understructures such as joists, etc. while still allowing for a secure device capable of being loaded at a standardized load such as, for example, 5,000 pounds. 
     While the present systems and methods are described with respect to the specific examples, it is to be understood that the scope of the present systems and methods are not limited to these specific examples. Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present systems and methods are not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of the present systems and methods. 
     Although the application describes examples having specific structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are merely illustrative some examples that fall within the scope of the claims of the application.