Patent Abstract:
A rooftop support block is provided having tapered outside surfaces that terminate at a top surface. The top surface will carry another item that will be secured to the support block. The bottom of the block has a larger surface than the top to provide stability. The block further contains a hole that will allow a bolt or other fastener to secure the item to the support block.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This present disclosure relates to devices used to support pipes or other apparatus on a flat or gradually sloping rooftop. Many buildings, especially in urban areas, are constructed with a flat or shallow pitch roof. Frequently, HVAC or other utility structures are placed on the roof for convenience, ease of service, or other practical reasons. These structures frequently need air, water, cooling, Freon, or gas lines. These lines cannot be placed directly on the roof; they must be supported by a rooftop support base or other device that raises the line off of the roof surface and supports it sufficiently. Other rooftop support bases attempt to solve this problem, but they fall short for several reasons. Wood blocks are used, but these are subject to destruction by insects or decay from moisture. Other devices can be heavy or difficult to use when attaching lines to them. An improved rooftop support block is needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure describes a resilient rooftop support block with a wide bottom and a relatively narrow top that can carry pipes and other devices commonly found on a rooftop. The bottom has cavities that reduce weight and others that can secure a fastener and prevent it from rotating without the user having to hold it. The block also has a center section that is relatively thick and can allow a self-tapping fastener to be driven in for securing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    A preferred embodiment of this invention has been chosen wherein: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of the device; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric view of the device; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the device; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a side section view of the device; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is section view  7  in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a section view  8  in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a top isometric view of the device being used with a pipe attachment bracket; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a top isometric view of the device being used with a channel. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]    A rooftop block  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  is formed from a single piece of dimensionally stable material. It has a lower surface  12  that is flat and is made to rest on a roof or other mostly horizontal surface. It is contemplated that the lower surface  12  has a texture or pattern to improve gripping or traction when resting on a sloped or irregular roof. The block  10  relies on gravity and the weight of any devices attached to it to stay in position. A flat top surface  14  is parallel to the lower surface  12  to define an overall height  16 . The flat surface  14  is mostly rectangular as shown but other shapes are possible. 
         [0015]    Turning now to the lower surface  12 , a fastener cavity  18  has sidewall surfaces  22 ,  24  that intersect the lower surface  12  at an opening  20 . The sidewall surfaces  22 ,  24  are tapered such that the surfaces are farther apart nearest the opening  20 . The sidewall surfaces  22 ,  24  extend toward the top surface  14  and terminate into a fastener surface  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 8 , the fastener surface  26  is near a midpoint between the lower surface  12  and top surface  14 . The fastener cavities  18  are shown near the ends but they can be located at any point along the length of the block  10 . 
         [0016]    An aperture  28  is between the top surface  14  and the fastener surface  26 . The aperture  28  is sized to accept a fastener shown in  FIG. 8 , such as threaded rod, a bolt  34 , lag screw, or other fastening device. The fastener cavity  18  further includes a fastener recess  32  that can receive and retain the head  38  of a bolt  34  or a nut  40 . The fastener cavity  18  has a second fastener surface  42  where the head  38  or nut  40  can compress against when the fastener is tightened. The second fastener surface  42  prevents the fastener from pulling through the aperture  28 . As shown, the fastener recess  32  is a hex shape. The fastener recess  32 , aperture  28 , or both can be sized to be an interference fit to portions of the fastener. The interference fit allows the user to drive in part of the fastener from the fastener cavity  18  and place the block  10  on the roof without the fastener falling back out. The fastener recess  32  prevents the fastener from rotating while the other part of the fastener is tightened. The fastener recess  32  can be sized to accept commonly used fasteners. 
         [0017]    The top surface  14  can receive a variety of external components as is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . These external components can include strut channel  50 , split rings  52 , rollers, bridges, or other components that similarly function. The external components are used to attach HVAC, plumbing, or other utility lines to a device raising the line off the roof. 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , opposite ends of the block  10  are stabilizing portions  60  where the bottom surface is larger. This provides additional stability and reduces the chances of the block  10  to rock or slide on the rooftop. Located between the stabilizing portions  60  is a center section  62 . The center section  62  is narrower to allow the block  10  to be lighter and more transportable. 
         [0019]    Located in the center section  62  are two notches  64 , visible in  FIG. 2 . Because rainwater or other runoff can become trapped against the center section  62 , the notches  64  provide a path for the runoff to pass underneath the block without becoming trapped and stagnant. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the notches  64  are in-line with the fastener cavities  18  but they can be located anywhere on the bottom surface  12  where water can become trapped. 
         [0020]    As shown in FIGS,  1 ,  3 , and  7 , the outside surfaces between the lower surface  12  and the top surface  14  are tapered. The end surfaces  70  intersect the lower surface  12  and the top surface  14  on the terminal ends. Side surfaces  72  on the stabilizing portions intersect the end surfaces  70  and are also tapered toward the top surface  14 . The center section  62  also has tapered outside surfaces  74  that intersect the top surface  14 . 
         [0021]    Further located in the center section  62  are some coring cavities  76  that extend upwardly toward the top surface  14  with openings through the bottom surface  12 . The coring cavities  76  serve to provide a more uniform wall thickness in the center section  62  and reduce weight and material consumption of the block  10 . This improved consistent wall thickness is visible in section view  FIG. 7 . A consistent wall thickness also improves dimensional stability. Located between coring cavities  76  and apertures  28  is a thick section  68 . It is contemplated that a self-tapping threaded fastener can be driven into the thick section  68  to secure another object, bracket, or apparatus. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the split ring  52  is attached to the block using self-tapping screws. 
         [0022]    It is understood that while certain aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been shown and described, the disclosed subject matter is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects. No specific limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Modifications may be made to the disclosed subject matter as set forth in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4