Rooftop support system
View Patent ↗A rooftop support system including at least one support block. The support block includes a base configured to rest on the rooftop, and the base has a first base section and a second base section separated by a U-shaped recess that defines a first gripping feature. The support block includes first and second sidewalls unitary with the base and extending along a length of the support block, and the first and second sidewalls each define a second gripping feature. The support block also includes third and fourth sidewalls unitary with the base and extending along a width of the support block, and the third and fourth sidewalls each define a third gripping feature. An upper surface of the support block defines an elongate channel, and a pair of apertures are formed in the elongate channel with a coupling feature embedded therein.
1. A method of supporting a structure on a rooftop, comprising:
providing at least one support block to the rooftop; and
coupling the structure to the support block,
wherein the support block includes:
a base configured to rest on the rooftop, the base having a length and a width, and the base having a first base section and a second base section that each define a bottom surface of the support block and are separated in a length direction by an inverted U-shaped recess that is configured as a first gripping feature and extends across the entire width of the base;
first and second sidewalls unitary with the base and extending along the length of the support block, the first and second sidewalls each defining a second gripping feature;
third and fourth sidewalls unitary with the base and extending along the width of the support block, the third and fourth sidewalls each defining a third gripping feature;
an upper surface defining an elongate channel formed therein;
a pair of apertures formed in the elongate channel; and
a coupling feature embedded in each of the apertures,
wherein each of the first base section, second base section, and the inverted U-shaped recess include a cavity formed therein, a depth of each cavity being selected to adjust a mass of the support block, and
wherein the apertures do not communicate with the cavities.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second gripping feature is a triangular-shaped recess formed in each of the first and second sidewalls.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the third gripping feature is defined by a scallop-shaped recess formed in each of the third and fourth sidewalls.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling feature is a threaded surface provided by a T-nut embedded in the apertures.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support block is formed of a water-resistant material.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the upper surface includes a pair of braces that extend along a length of the elongate channel.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the braces define an arcuate surface that is colored to increase visibility of the support block.
8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the braces define a fourth gripping feature.
9. A method of supporting a structure on a rooftop, comprising:
providing at least one support block to the rooftop; and
coupling the structure to the support block,
wherein the support block includes:
a base configured to rest on the rooftop, the base having a first base section and a second base section separated by an inverted U-shaped recess that is configured as a first gripping feature;
first and second sidewalls unitary with the base and extending along a length of the support block, the first and second sidewalls each defining a second gripping feature;
third and fourth sidewalls unitary with the base and extending along a width of the support block;
a pair of scallop-shaped recesses that are formed in the third sidewall and the first base section and the fourth side wall and the second base section, respectively, the scallop-shaped recesses defining a third gripping feature;
an upper surface defining an elongate channel formed therein;
a pair of apertures formed in the elongate channel; and
a coupling feature embedded in each of the apertures,
wherein each of the first base section, second base section, and the inverted U-shaped recess include a cavity formed therein, a depth of each cavity being selected to adjust a mass of the support block, and
wherein the apertures do not communicate with the cavities.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the second gripping feature is a triangular-shaped recess formed in each of the first and second sidewalls.
11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the coupling feature is a threaded surface provided by a T-nut embedded in the apertures.
12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the support block is formed of a water-resistant material.
13. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the upper surface includes a pair of braces that extend along a length of the elongate channel.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the braces define an arcuate surface that is colored to increase visibility of the support block.
15. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the braces define a fourth gripping feature.
16. A method of supporting a structure on a rooftop, comprising:
providing at least one support block to the rooftop; and
coupling the structure to the support block,
wherein the support block includes:
a base configured to rest on the rooftop, the base having a first base section and a second base section separated by an inverted U-shaped recess that is configured as a first gripping feature;
first and second sidewalls unitary with the base and extending along a length of the support block, the first and second sidewalls each defining a second gripping feature;
third and fourth sidewalls unitary with the base and extending along a width of the support block, the third and fourth sidewalls each defining a third gripping feature;
an upper surface defining an elongate channel formed therein, the upper surface including a pair of braces that extend along the length of the support block to define the elongate channel; wherein each brace extends laterally outward from the first and second sidewalls, respectively, to define a fourth gripping feature;
a pair of apertures formed in the elongate channel; and
a coupling feature embedded in each of the apertures.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the coupling feature is a threaded surface provided by a T-nut embedded in the apertures.
18. The method according to claim 16 wherein each of the first base section, second base section, and the inverted U-shaped recess include a cavity formed therein, a depth of each cavity being selected to adjust a mass of the support block.
19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the apertures do not communicate with the cavities.
20. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the support block is formed of a water-resistant material.