Attachment plate

Abstract

An attachment plate for securing a roof membrane to a roof deck includes a generally planar contact surface and at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for securing the plate to the deck with the membrane therebetween. An integrally formed, rolled collar surrounds the aperture to enhance the strength of the plate in the area adjacent the fastener. One or more stress relievers may also be formed at selected locations on the plate to provide sites for controlled deformation of the plate in the event extreme forces are exerted on the plate and the membrane, such as by heavy wind loads.

1 . A plate for attaching a roof membrane to a roof deck, the plate comprising: a generally planar contact surface including at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for securing the plate to a roof deck with the membrane between the deck and the contact surface of the plate and an integrally formed, rolled collar surrounding the aperture to enhance the strength of the plate in the area adjacent the fastener. 
     
     
         2 . The attachment plate of  claim 1  wherein the rolled collar includes a generally vertical inner wall and a generally horizontal upper surface, and wherein the inner wall has a height at least twice the thickness of the plate. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment plate of  claim 1  wherein the rolled collar includes a generally vertical inner wall and a generally horizontal upper surface, and wherein the inner wall has a height greater than twice the thickness of the plate. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment plate of  claim 1  further including at least one stress reliever positioned at a selected location on the plate for providing a controlled deformation of the plate when it is subjected to extreme forces by the upwardly lifted membrane under severe wind conditions. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment plate of  claim 4  wherein at least one stress reliever is formed as a lanced segment in the surface of the plate. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment plate of  claim 4  wherein at least one stress reliever is formed as a punched-through segment in the surface of the plate. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment plate of  claim 1  wherein the plate includes one aperture located at the plate, and further including at least one reinforcing rib, each comprising a raised portion of the plate to further strengthen the plate. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment plate of  claim 7  wherein the first and second reinforcing ribs are each continuous and extend circumferentially around the plate between the center aperture and the perimeter of the plate. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment plate of  claim 1  further including a flange extending around the perimeter of the plate, and wherein the inboard portion of the flange provides a portion of the generally planar contact surface of the plate. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment plate of  claim 9  wherein the flange is angled slightly upwardly as the flange extends outwardly from the center of the plate. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment plate of  claim 9  wherein the flange includes a scalloped edge. 
     
     
         12 . A plate for attaching a roof membrane to a roof deck, the plate comprising: a generally planar contact surface including at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for securing the plate to a roof deck with the membrane between the deck and the contact surface of the plate and at least one stress reliever positioned at a selected location on the plate for providing a controlled deformation of the plate when it is subjected to extreme forces by the upwardly lifted membrane under severe wind conditions. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment plate of  claim 12  wherein at least one stress reliever is formed as a lanced segment in the surface of the plate. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment plate of  claim 12  wherein at least one stress reliever is formed as a punched-through segment in the surface of the plate. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment plate of  claim 12  wherein at least one stress reliever is formed in a shape such that, upon deformation of the outer portion of the plate under stress, the adjacent, undeformed portion of the plate forms a gripping surface which may engage the roof membrane as it is pulled upward by wind forces and help restrain the membrane from further displacement and stretching in the vicinity of the central portion of the attachment plate. 
     
     
         16 . The attachment plate of  claim 15  wherein at least one stress reliever is formed such that the gripping surface is scalloped, thereby providing a larger gripping surface at the undeformed portion of the stress reliever in the event the attachment plate is deformed by an extreme load and the gripping surface contacts the membrane. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment plate of  claim 12  wherein each stress reliever is formed in a shape including a generally arcuate surface extending at the radially outward edge of the stress reliever, and first and second generally linear side surfaces extending generally in the radial direction, wherein the arcuate surface is scalloped, and wherein each stress reliever is formed to project downward from the plate towards the membrane when the plate is secured to the roof deck. 
     
     
         18 . The attachment plate of  claim 17  wherein the radially outward edge of each stress reliever projects downward into contact with the membrane when the plate is secured to the roof deck. 
     
     
         19 . The attachment plate of  claim 12  further including an integrally formed, rolled collar surrounding the aperture to enhance the strength of the plate in the area adjacent the fastener. 
     
     
         20 . A plate for attaching a roof membrane to a roof deck, the plate comprising:
 a generally planar contact surface including at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for securing the plate to a roof deck with the membrane between the deck and the contact surface of the plate;   an integrally formed, rolled collar surrounding the aperture to enhance the strength of the plate in the area adjacent the fastener;   at least one stress reliever positioned at a selected location on the plate for providing a controlled deformation of the plate when it is subjected to extreme forces by the upwardly lifted membrane under severe wind conditions; and   a flange extending around the perimeter of the plate, the inboard portion of the flange providing a portion of the generally planar contact surface, wherein the flange is angled slightly upwardly as the flange extends radially outward from the center of the plate, and wherein the flange includes a scalloped edge including a plurality of curved projections.