Vented roofing anchor plate

Abstract

A roofing anchor plate secures a waterproof membrane to a surface of a roof structure. The roofing anchor plate includes a circumferential channel and radial channels. Air trapped between the anchor plate and a sealing tape is directed along the channels to vent holes positioned at inner ends of the radial channels. The trapped air passes through the vent holes into a cavity formed under the anchor plate between the plate and the waterproof membrane. The elimination of trapped air improves the strength and effectiveness of the seal.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A roofing anchor plate for securing a membrane to a roof structure, the anchor plate comprising: 
 a central area;    a taper extending from the central area toward a periphery of the anchor plate;    a substantially planar edge;    a radial channel extending from the central area to the planar edge; and    a vent hole extending though the anchor plate and positioned at an end of the radial channel adjacent the central area for directing trapped air from one surface of the anchor plate to another surface of the anchor plate.    
     
     
         2 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  further comprising additional radial channels and additional vent holes wherein the number of vent holes is equal to the number of radial channels such that each radial channel has one vent hole positioned at an end of the radial channel adjacent the central area.  
     
     
         3 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  wherein the vent holes are positioned at an angle relative to a radial extent of the channel.  
     
     
         4 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  wherein a bottom surface of the channel is disposed in a same plane as the planar edge.  
     
     
         5 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  wherein the anchor plate has a substantially circular periphery.  
     
     
         6 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  wherein a cavity is formed between the another surface of the plate and a membrane covering a roof when the anchor plate is secured to the roof through the membrane.  
     
     
         7 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  wherein the taper terminates in a radius defining a circumferential channel with the planar edge.  
     
     
         8 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  wherein the anchor plate is metal.  
     
     
         9 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  wherein the anchor plate is plastic.  
     
     
         10 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  wherein the plate has a diameter of about 2.25″ (5.72 cm) and a maximum height of about 0.12″ (0.30 cm) to 0.15″ (0.38 cm).  
     
     
         11 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 10  wherein the planar edge is disposed outwardly of and surrounds the circumferential channel.  
     
     
         12 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 11  wherein the planar edge is circumferentially continuous.  
     
     
         13 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  wherein the central area has an aperture extending therethrough for receiving an associated fastener to secure the anchor plate to a roof.  
     
     
         14 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 1  wherein the central area is surrounded by a sloping surface that merges into the taper, the sloping surface and taper defining an included angle of less than 180 degrees.  
     
     
         15 . A roofing anchor plate according to claim I further comprising a raised protrusion at an opening of the channel at the planar edge.  
     
     
         16 . A roofing anchor plate for securing a membrane to a roof surface, the anchor plate comprising: 
 a central area;    a taper extending from the central area toward a periphery of the anchor plate;    a substantially planar edge;    plural radial channels extending from the central area to the planar edge;    plural raised protrusions at openings of the channels adjacent the planar edge; and    plural vent holes extending though the anchor plate and positioned at an end of the radial channels adjacent the central area for directing trapped air from one surface of the anchor plate to another surface of the anchor plate.    
     
     
         17 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 16  wherein the vent holes are positioned at an angle at the end of the radial channels.  
     
     
         18 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 16  wherein bottom surfaces of the channels are disposed in a same plane as the planar edge.  
     
     
         19 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 16  wherein a cavity is formed between the another surface of the plate and a membrane covering a roof when the anchor plate is secured to the roof over the membrane.  
     
     
         20 . A roofing anchor plate according to  claim 16  wherein the planar edge is circumferentially continuous.