A mounting adapter for attaching an object to a generally flat surface comprising: a generally planar anchor plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a plurality of first apertures extending therethrough the upper and lower surfaces, each first aperture being configured to receive a first elongated fastener having a length sufficient to extend therethrough the anchor plate and securely fasten to a support structure positioned beneath the generally flat surface, and a plurality of second apertures extending at least through the upper surface; at least a said first elongated fastener; a generally planar cover plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of said cover plate being positioned over the upper surface of said anchor plate and having a plurality of third apertures extending therethrough the upper and lower surfaces of the cover plate, said plurality of third apertures corresponding to and being positioned in alignment with said plurality of second apertures; a second fastener configured to extend through one said third aperture and securely engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of second apertures of said anchor plate for securely mounting said cover plate over said anchor plate; wherein said cover plate further includes one or more fourth apertures formed in at least said upper surface of the cover plate, each fourth aperture being configured to receive a corresponding third fastener for securing the object to the mounting adapter; characterized in that the lower surface of the cover plate and the upper surface of the anchor plate are configured to capture a head portion of the first elongated fastener positioned therebetween to facilitate direct transfer of load forces from the object to the support structure positioned beneath the generally flat surface through each first elongated fastener. a generally planar anchor plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a plurality of first apertures extending therethrough the upper and lower surfaces, each first aperture being configured to receive a first elongated fastener having a length sufficient to extend therethrough the anchor plate and securely fasten to a support structure positioned beneath the generally flat surface, and a plurality of second apertures extending at least through the upper surface; at least a said first elongated fastener; a generally planar cover plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of said cover plate being positioned over the upper surface of said anchor plate and having a plurality of third apertures extending therethrough the upper and lower surfaces of the cover plate, said plurality of third apertures corresponding to and being positioned in alignment with said plurality of second apertures; a second fastener configured to extend through one said third aperture and securely engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of second apertures of said anchor plate for securely mounting said cover plate over said anchor plate; wherein said cover plate further includes one or more fourth apertures formed in at least said upper surface of the cover plate, each fourth aperture being configured to receive a corresponding third fastener for securing the object to the mounting adapter; characterized in that the lower surface of the cover plate and the upper surface of the anchor plate are configured to capture a head portion of the first elongated fastener positioned therebetween to facilitate direct transfer of load forces from the object to the support structure positioned beneath the generally flat surface through each first elongated fastener.