Rib mounting device with pivoting insert

Abstract

A mounting device (100) for installation on a hollow rib of a panel is disclosed. The mounting device (100) includes a mounting body (102), an insert (160), and at least one clamping fastener (180). The mounting body (102) includes an upper section or base (104), along with a first leg (112) and a second leg (122) that each extend downwardly from the base (104) in at least generally diverging relation to one another. The first leg (112) includes a first projection (116) positionable in a recess on one sidewall of a rib, while the insert (160) includes a second projection (164) positionable in a recess on the opposite sidewall of this same rib. The clamping fastener(s) (180) extends through the second leg (122) of the mounting body (102) and forces the insert (160) in the direction of the first leg (112) of the mounting body (102).

Claims

1. A method of installing a mounting device on a rib of a building surface, comprising the steps of: positioning a first projection of a mounting body of a mounting device within a first recess on a first sidewall of a first rib, wherein said mounting body comprises a first leg and a second leg that are spaced from one another in an end view of said mounting body, and wherein said first leg comprises said first projection; positioning a second projection of an insert of said mounting device within a second recess on a second sidewall of said first rib, wherein said insert and said mounting body are separate parts; executing a first moving step comprising moving said mounting body either clockwise or counterclockwise about a first reference axis in said end view of said mounting body, relative to each of said first rib and said insert of said mounting device, and with said first projection of said mounting body remaining within said first recess of said first rib throughout said first moving step, wherein said first reference axis coincides with said first projection of said mounting body and a length dimension of said mounting body; contacting said insert with said mounting body during said first moving step; executing a second moving step comprising moving said insert about said second projection of said insert and relative to said first rib; and directing at least one threaded fastener through said mounting body and into engagement with said insert to force said insert against said second sidewall of said first rib; wherein after said mounting device is in an installed configuration relative to said first rib: 1) said first leg of said mounting body is positioned alongside at least an upper portion said first sidewall of said first rib; 2) said second leg of said mounting body is positioned alongside at least an upper portion of said second sidewall of said first rib; and 3) said insert is located between said second sidewall of said first rib and said second leg of said mounting body.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said positioning a first projection step and said positioning a second projection step are executable in any order.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first projection of said mounting body and said second projection of said insert are oppositely disposed relative to said first rib after said positioning steps.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first moving step comprises pivoting said mounting body about said first reference axis and relative to said first rib.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said second moving step comprises pivoting said insert about said second projection and relative to said first rib.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second moving steps are executed in opposite directions from a common vantage.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said first moving step uses one of said clockwise motion and said counterclockwise motion from said end view, and wherein said second moving step uses another of said clockwise motion and said counterclockwise motion from said end view.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said second moving step is responsive to continued execution of said first moving step and said second leg of said mounting body maintaining contact with said insert.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said second moving step comprises camming said insert relative to said second leg of said mounting body during execution of said first moving step.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said directing step is executed after terminating said first and second moving steps.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said second moving step is responsive to said directing step.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said second moving step is responsive to at least one of said first moving step and said directing step.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said first moving step comprises capturing an upper section of said first rib within said mounting body.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said first moving step comprises capturing said insert between said mounting body and said second sidewall of said first rib.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said first moving step comprises pressing said insert between said second sidewall of said first rib and said mounting body prior to starting said directing step.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: registering a position of said insert relative to said second sidewall of said first rib using each of said first and second moving steps.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising: mounting an attachment to said mounting body after said directing step.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said mounting body further comprises a base, wherein said first leg and said second leg each extend from said base.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said contacting step comprises said second leg of said mounting body contacting said insert.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said contacting step comprises a rounded end portion of said second leg of said mounting body contacting said insert.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said contacting step comprises said rounded end portion of said second leg of said mounting body contacting an inclined surface of said insert.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said inclined surface extends downwardly and away from said second sidewall of said first rib.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said directing step comprises moving said insert away from said second leg of said mounting body such that said insert and said second leg of said mounting body are spaced from one another after termination of said directing step.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein said first moving step comprises progressively changing an orientation of said mounting body relative to said first rib.

25. A mounting device attachable to a rib of a building surface, comprising: a mounting body comprising a base, a first leg that extends from said base, a second leg that extends from said base and that is spaced from said first leg, and a rib receptacle collectively defined by said base, said first leg, and said second leg, wherein a reference plane extends through said rib receptacle in an orientation that includes a height and length dimension of a rib when said mounting device is installed, wherein said first leg extends downwardly from said base and away from said reference plane, wherein said first leg comprises a first projection that extends back in a direction of said reference plane, wherein said second leg comprises a first section that extends downwardly from said base and away from said reference plane, wherein said second leg further comprises a second section that extends downwardly from said first section and that is disposed in a different orientation than said first section, and wherein said first leg, said base, and said second leg are retained in a fixed position relative to one another; at least one clamping fastener that is threadably engaged with and extends through said second section of said second leg of said mounting body; and an insert disposed within said rib receptacle and aligned with said at least one clamping fastener, wherein said insert comprises: a fastener receptacle surface that projects toward said second section of said second leg of said mounting body and that comprises at least one clamping fastener receptacle, wherein each said clamping fastener receptacle is a blind hole; a second projection that extends in a direction of said reference plane and that is oppositely disposed from said fastener receptacle surface; and a rib alignment surface that extends both upwardly and toward said reference plane in proceeding to said second projection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one type of an attachment (in the form of a cross member assembly for snow retention) installed on a building/roofing surface.

(2) FIG. 2 is an end view of a building/roofing system that uses one embodiment of a mounting device, having a separate mounting body and insert, to interconnect an attachment to a rib of a building/roofing surface.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting device and associated rib from the building/roofing system of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view of the rib from the building/roofing surface in FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 5 is an enlarged end view of the mounting body and insert used by the mounting device in FIG. 2.

(6) FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of the mounting body used by the mounting device in FIG. 2.

(7) FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the mounting body used by the mounting device in FIG. 2, along with a pair of clamping fasteners and an attachment fastener prior to being engaged with the mounting body.

(8) FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the mounting body used by the mounting device in FIG. 2, illustrating a pair of clamping fasteners and attachment fastener each being threadably engaged with the mounting body.

(9) FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the insert used by the mounting device in FIG. 2.

(10) FIG. 8B is an end view of the insert of FIG. 8A.

(11) FIG. 8C is a side view of the insert of FIG. 8A.

(12) FIG. 9A is an end view of the insert positioned within a variation of the mounting body for the mounting device in FIG. 2, prior to activation of the clamping fastener(s).

(13) FIG. 9B is an end view of the insert positioned within a variation of the mounting body for the mounting device in FIG. 2, after activation of the clamping fastener(s).

(14) FIGS. 10A-F are end views that illustrate a representative sequence for installing the mounting device on the rib for the building/roofing system of FIG. 2.

(15) FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a variation of the mounting body used by the mounting device in FIG. 2, along with a single clamping fastener and an attachment fastener prior to being engaged with the mounting body.

(16) FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the mounting body of FIG. 11A, illustrating the clamping fastener and attachment fastener each being threadably engaged with the mounting body.

(17) FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an insert that may be used with the mounting body of FIGS. 11A and 11B and for the rib profile illustrated in FIG. 4.

(18) FIG. 12B is a side view of the insert of FIG. 12A.

(19) FIG. 13 is an enlarged end view of another rib profile for a panel that may be used by a building/roofing surface.

(20) FIG. 14 is an enlarged end view of another embodiment of a mounting device for installation on the rib profile of FIG. 13, where this mounting device uses the mounting body from FIG. 2 and another embodiment of an insert.

(21) FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the insert used by the mounting device of FIG. 14.

(22) FIG. 15B is an end view of the insert of FIG. 15A.

(23) FIG. 15C is a side view of the insert of FIG. 15A.

(24) FIGS. 16A-D are end views that illustrate a sequence for installing the mounting device of FIG. 14 on the rib profile of FIG. 13.

(25) FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a variation of the insert of FIGS. 15A-15C, but for use with the mounting body of FIGS. 11A and 11B.

(26) FIG. 17B is a side view of the insert of FIG. 17A.

(27) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a variation of a mounting body for the mounting device from the building/roofing system of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(28) FIG. 1 presents one embodiment of what may be referred to as a building or roofing system 10 (hereafter “roofing system 10”). The system 10 includes a cross member assembly 30 that is installed on a building/roofing surface 12 (e.g., to provide a snow retention function). Only a portion of the building surface 12 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The building surface 12 may be of any appropriate type (e.g., a siding or roofing surface of a building) and may be defined in any appropriate manner (e.g., by a plurality of interconnected metal panels). In the illustrated embodiment, the building surface 12 is in the form of a roofing surface 12. In this regard, the roofing surface 12 has a pitch P (a slope or incline, the direction or orientation of which is indicated by the double-headed arrow in FIG. 1). As used herein, the arrow A identifies the direction of increasing slope (e.g., the “uphill” direction, the direction of increasing elevation along the roofing surface 12, or the up-slope direction). Conversely, the arrow B identifies the direction of decreasing slope (e.g., the “downhill” direction, the direction of decreasing elevation along the roofing surface 12, or the down-slope direction).

(29) Generally, the roofing surface 12 may be defined in any appropriate manner and may be of any appropriate configuration. For instance, the roofing surface 12 may include one or more roofing sections, each of which may be of any appropriate pitch/slope and/or shape. The cross member assembly 30 may be installed at any appropriate location on the roofing surface 12 and in any appropriate manner, and furthermore the cross member assembly 30 may be of any appropriate length. Multiple cross member assemblies 30 may be used and disposed in any appropriate arrangement.

(30) The roofing surface 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 is but one representative configuration that may be utilized by the roofing system 10. The roofing surface 12 may be of any pitch, but at least generally slopes downwardly in a direction denoted by arrow B in FIG. 1 from a peak 16 of the roofing surface 12 to an edge 14 of the roofing surface 12. Multiple panels 18 (e.g., metal panels) collectively define the roofing surface 12. The interconnection of each adjacent pair of panels 18 in the illustrated embodiment defines what may be characterized as a “panel joint.” In the illustrated embodiment, the panel joint is in the form of a standing seam 20 (only schematically illustrated in FIG. 1).

(31) The standing seams 20 may at least generally proceed in the direction of or along the slope or pitch P of the roofing surface 12 (e.g., the pitch of the length dimension of the standing seams 20 may match the pitch P of the corresponding portion of the roofing surface 12). Each panel 18 includes at least one base section 22 that is at least generally flat or planar and that is disposed between each adjacent pair of standing seams 20 on the roofing surface 12. Each panel 18 could include one or more crests, minor ribs, intermediate ribs, striations, fluting, or flutes between its corresponding pair of standing seams 20 so as to provide multiple base sections 22 on each panel 18 (not shown).

(32) The panels 18 may be of any appropriate configuration so to allow them to be interconnected or nested in a manner that defines a standing seam 20, and the standing seams 20 may be disposed in any appropriate orientation relative to the base sections 22 of the panels 18 that define the standing seams 20. Generally, the standing seams 20 may be characterized as at least initially extending orthogonally (e.g., perpendicularly) relative to the base sections 22 of the corresponding panels 18. The illustrated standing seams 20 may be characterized as having a vertical end section, or as being of a vertical standing seam configuration. However, the end sections of the various standing seams 20 could also have portions that are horizontally disposed (e.g., at least generally parallel with the base sections 22 of the corresponding panels 18), or as being of a horizontal standing seam configuration.

(33) The cross member assembly 30 is installed on the roofing surface 12. The cross member assembly 30 generally includes at least one mounting device 34, an adapter 36 for each mounting device 34, and a cross member 32 that extends through at least one adapter 36. That is, each adapter 36 is configured to receive at least a portion of the cross member 32. While the cross member 32 may provide the function of a snow retention device, or a structure that at least attempts to impede or retard the movement of snow and/or ice down the inclined roofing surface 12, the cross member 32 may provide any appropriate function or combination of functions. In any case, the adapter 36 and cross member 32 may be collectively referred to as an “attachment” that is interconnected with the roofing surface 12 by multiple mounting devices 34 in the illustrated embodiment. The mounting devices 34 may be used to install any appropriate type of attachment on the roofing surface 12.

(34) Another embodiment of a building/roofing system is illustrated in FIG. 2 and is identified by reference numeral 50. The building/roofing system 50 includes at least one mounting device 100 and a building/roofing surface 50a. The building/roofing surface 50a may be defined by a plurality of panels 52 that are interconnected in any appropriate manner (e.g., one edge portion of one panel 52 may be “nested” or disposed in overlapping relation with an edge portion of another panel 52), with each panel 52 having at least one hollow rib 54. A hollow rib 54 may be defined by the interconnection of adjacent panels 52 of the panel assembly as well. Typically the building/roofing system 50 will utilize a plurality of mounting devices 100 to mount an attachment 200 of any appropriate type/configuration (e.g., a frame for equipment of any type; a walkway) to the building/roofing surface 50a. The discussion presented above with regard to the building/roofing surface 12 is equally applicable to the building/roofing surface 50a. Generally, the attachment 200 is positioned directly on a mounting body 102 of the mounting device 100, and is secured thereto by one or more attachment fasteners 190 (e.g., a threaded member, such as a bolt having a threaded shaft and head).

(35) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting device 100 and rib 54 from the building/roofing system 50 of FIG. 2. The length dimension of the various ribs 54 of the building/roofing surface 50a (coinciding with the length dimension of the corresponding panels 52) will typically be installed such that the length dimension of the ribs 54 will coincide with or define the pitch P when used as a roofing surface and as discussed above. Again, the arrow A identifies the direction of increasing slope for the roofing surface 50a (e.g., the “uphill” direction, the direction of increasing elevation along the roofing surface 50a, or the up-slope direction), while the arrow B identifies the direction of decreasing slope for the roofing surface 50a (e.g., the “downhill” direction, the direction of decreasing elevation along the roofing surface 50a, or the down-slope direction).

(36) FIG. 4 presents an enlarged end view of a rib 54 from the building/roofing surface 50a shown in FIGS. 2-3. The rib 54 (on which the mounting device 100 is installed) may be formed in the panel 52 in any appropriate manner. As noted, a rib 54 may be defined by interconnected panels 52. In any case, the panel 52 may be of any appropriate configuration and may be formed from any appropriate material or combination of materials (e.g., metal; metal alloy). Each panel 52 may include one or more ribs 54 and one or more base sections 78. The entirety of each base section 78 may be flat or planar. However, one or more small structures may be formed/shaped into one of more base sections 78 of a given panel 52, for instance one or more crests, minor ribs, intermediate ribs, pencil ribs, striations, fluting, flutes, or the like.

(37) The rib 54 includes a first sidewall 56, a second sidewall 66, and an upper end or crown 74 that collectively define a hollow interior 76 for the rib 54. The hollow interior 76 may be in the form of a continuous open space. In one embodiment, the adjacentmost portions of the first sidewall 56 and second sidewall 66 (measured on the interior 76 of the hollow rib 54) are separated by an open space of at least about ½ inch. Generally, the first sidewall 56 and the second sidewall 66 are spaced from each other, and at least generally converge toward one another progressing from the adjacent base section 78 of the panel 52 to the upper end 74 of the rib 54 (the first and second sidewalls 56, 66 diverge relative to one another proceeding away from the upper end 74). The first sidewall 56 and the second sidewall 66 may be the mirror image of one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper end 74 of the rib 54 is a flat surface that is parallel to the pitch P of the roofing surface 50a or to a plane that defines the inclination of the roofing surface 50a.

(38) The first sidewall 56 of the rib 54 may be characterized as including a projection 58. A recess 60 (e.g., a curved or arcuate surface that extends along the length of the rib 54) is disposed directly below the projection 58. Similarly, the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 may be characterized as including a projection 68. A recess 70 (e.g., a curved or arcuate surface that extends along the length of the rib 54) is disposed directly below the projection 68. In one embodiment, the distance between the recesses 60, 70 is at least about ½ inch (measured within the interior 76). In any case, a transition section 72 of the second sidewall 66 extends from the recess 70 at least toward the corresponding base section 78 of the panel 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition section 72 is a flat surface that extends all the way from the recess 70 to the corresponding base section 78.

(39) Additional views of the mounting device 100 are presented in FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, and 7B. The mounting device 100 may be installed on the rib 54, as well as on other hollow rib profiles. The mounting device 100 generally includes a mounting body 102 and a separate insert 160. The mounting body 102 may be formed from any appropriate material or combination of materials (e.g., a metal; a metal alloy), and may be formed in any appropriate manner (e.g., extrusion). In one embodiment, the mounting body 102 is of a one-piece or integral construction (e.g., lacking any joint or joints between adjacent components or portions of the mounting body 102).

(40) The mounting body 102 for the mounting device 100 includes a base 104, a first leg 112, and a second leg 122 that collectively define a rib receptacle 150. The base 104, first leg 112, and second leg 122 are retained in a fixed position relative to one another. A reference plane 152 extends through this rib receptacle 150, and is oriented to contain both the height dimension and the length dimension of the rib 54 when the mounting device 100 is installed on the rib 54 (e.g., the reference plane 152 may be characterized as extending along the pitch P of the roofing surface 50a and perpendicularly to a reference plane that contains the base section(s) 78 of the panels 52 (or oriented perpendicularly to the pitch P)). A reference plane 154 may be positioned above the mounting device 100 and is perpendicular to the reference plane 152.

(41) The base 104 of the mounting body 102 may be characterized as being disposed in overlying relation to the upper end 74 of the rib 54 when the mounting device 100 is installed on the rib 54. As shown in FIG. 2, the base 104 may actually be spaced from the upper end 74 of the rib 54 in the installed configuration. In any case, the base 104 may be characterized as having an upper section 106 and an oppositely disposed lower section 108. A threaded hole 110 is accessible via the upper section 106 of the base 104 (e.g., the threaded hole 110 may extend to the upper section 106, although a countersink could extend from the upper section 106 to the threaded hole 110). In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded hole 110 extends completely through the base 104 (i.e., the threaded hole 110 may extend from the upper section 106 to the lower section 108 of the base 104). More than one threaded hole 110 could be provided for the base 104. Generally, the threaded hole 110 is used to secure the attachment 200 to the mounting device 100 (e.g., FIG. 2; more specifically to clamp the attachment 200 against the upper section 106 of the base 104 using one or more threaded attachment fasteners 190). In the illustrated embodiment, the length dimension of each threaded hole 110 is contained within or is parallel to the reference plane 152.

(42) The first leg 112 of the mounting body 102 may be characterized as extending from one side of the base 104, while the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 may be characterized as extending from an opposite side of the base 104. In any case, the first leg 112 is disposed alongside at least an upper portion of the first sidewall 56 of the rib 54 when the mounting device 100 is installed on the rib 54. An included angle between the first leg 122 and the lower section 108 of the base 104 (measured within the rib receptacle 150) may be greater than 90° or in the form of an obtuse angle.

(43) The first leg 112 of the mounting body 102 includes a free end 114 having a projection 116 (e.g., the first leg 112 may be characterized as a cantilever—being supported on only one end thereof (at the base 104)). The projection 116 may be defined by an arcuate or curved surface, and defines a pocket 118 on the inside surface of the first leg 112. A pad 120 having a higher coefficient of friction than the mounting body 102 may be positioned along the pocket 118, and may extend along the inside surface of the first leg 112 in the direction of the base 104 (e.g., FIGS. 9A and 9B).

(44) The projection 116 for the first leg 112 may be characterized as extending at least generally in the direction in which the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 is spaced from the first leg 112 of the mounting body 102 (or toward the reference plane 152), as extending at least generally in the direction in which the base 104 is spaced from the free end 114 of the first leg 112 (or toward the reference plane 154), or both. The projection 116 may be characterized as “pointing” both at least generally upwardly (or toward the reference plane 154) and toward the noted reference plane 152 when the mounting device 100 in installed on a rib 54 of the building/roofing surface 50a. In any case, the projection 116 is disposed within the recess 60 on the first sidewall 56 of the rib 54 (and directly below the projection 58 on the first sidewall 56 of the rib 54) when the mounting device 100 in installed on the rib 54 of the building/roofing surface 50a. Contact between the first leg 112 of the mounting body 102 and the rib 54 of the building/roofing surface 50a may be limited to the projection 116/pocket 118 and the recess 60/projection 58 (e.g., the remainder of the first leg 112 the mounting body 102 may be maintained in spaced relation to the rib 54).

(45) The second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 is disposed alongside at least an upper portion of the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 when the mounting device 100 is installed on the rib 54. A first section 124 of the second leg 122 extends from the base 104 in one orientation, while a second section 126 of the second leg 122 extends from the first section 124 in a different orientation. An included angle between the first section 124 of the second leg 122 and the lower section 108 of the base 104 (measured within the rib receptacle 150) may be greater than 90° or in the form of an obtuse angle. The second section 126 of the second leg 122 may be characterized as being disposed at least generally parallel with the reference plane 152.

(46) The second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 is actually spaced from the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 when the mounting device 100 is fully installed on the rib 54—no portion of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 contacts the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 at this time. Instead, the insert 160 is used to contact the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54. The second leg 122 the mounting body 102 includes a number of features to accommodate the insert 160. One is that the inside or interior surface of the second leg 122 (that projects toward/interfaces with the rib receptacle 150) may be characterized as including an insert receptacle 128. An upper surface 130 and a side surface 132 collectively define this insert receptacle 128. Generally, the insert 160 may be positioned against the side surface 132 of the second leg 122 that collectively defines the insert receptacle 128 with the upper surface 130 (the insert 160 could also be positioned against the upper surface 130 (FIG. 9A), but is spaced therefrom in the FIG. 5 configuration), and a lip 179 of the insert 160 may be positioned within a recess 138 formed on a free end 134 of the second leg 122, all when the mounting body 102 and insert 160 have been positioned on the rib 54, but prior to activation of the clamping fasteners 180 (e.g., the FIG. 5 configuration). The installation of the mounting device 100 on the rib 54 will be discussed in more detail below in relation to FIGS. 10A-10F.

(47) The second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 may be characterized as a cantilever in that it is supported on only one end thereof—at its intersection with the base 104 (i.e., the second leg 122 includes the noted free end 134, which is spaced from the base 104). A rounded portion 136 is included on the free end 134 of the second leg 122. This rounded portion 136 defines at least part of the boundary for the recess 138 (which may receive the lip 179 of the insert 160). Moreover, this rounded portion 136 may be used to reposition the insert 160 during installation of the mounting device 100 on the rib 54 (again, as will be discussed below in relation to FIGS. 10A-10F).

(48) A pair of threaded holes 140 extend completely through the second section 126 of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102. The length dimension of each threaded hole 140 is identified by reference numeral 142, and is oriented orthogonally to the reference plane 152 in the illustrated embodiment. Each threaded hole 140 for the second leg 122 receives a single clamping fastener 180. Any appropriate number of threaded holes 140 may be incorporated by the second section 126 of the second leg 122 (including more than two threaded holes 140). Generally, one or more clamping fasteners 180 are directed through the second section 126 of the second leg 122, engage the insert 160, and move the insert 160 away from the second leg 122 when installing the mounting device 100 on a rib 54. As the insert 160 is engaged with the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54, this motion of the insert 160 may compress the rib 54 to a degree (in a lateral dimension coinciding with the dimension in which the first sidewall 56 of the rib 54 is spaced from its corresponding second sidewall 66).

(49) Additional views for the insert 160 of the mounting device 100 are presented in FIGS. 8A-8C (the insert 160 also being shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5). The insert 160 includes a second projection 164 that extends along the entire length of the insert 160 (this length dimension being the left-to-right direction in FIG. 8C). The projection 164 may be defined by an arcuate or curved surface, and defines a pocket 166 on the inside surface of the insert 160. A pad 167 having a higher coefficient of friction than the insert 160 may be positioned along the pocket 166 (e.g., FIGS. 9A and 9B).

(50) The projection 164 for the insert 160 may be characterized as extending at least generally in the direction in which the first leg 112 of the mounting body 102 is spaced from the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 (or toward the reference plane 152), as extending at least generally in the direction in which the base 104 is spaced from the free end 134 of the second leg 122 (or toward the reference plane 154), or both. The projection 164 may be characterized as “pointing” both at least generally upwardly (or toward the reference plane 154) and toward the reference plane 152 when the mounting device 100 in installed on a rib 54 of the building/roofing surface 50a. In any case, the projection 164 is disposed within the recess 70 on the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 (and directly below the projection 68 on the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54) when the mounting device 100 in installed on the rib 54 of the building/roofing surface 50a. Contact between the insert 160 and the rib 54 of the building/roofing surface 50a (when the mounting device 100 is completely installed on the rib 54) may be limited to the projection 164/pocket 166 and the recess 70/projection 68 (e.g., the remainder of the insert 160 may be maintained in spaced relation to the rib 54).

(51) The insert 160 includes a number of additional features that facilitate installation of the mounting device 100 (again, discussed below in relation to FIGS. 10A-10F). The insert 160 includes a first or alignment surface 162 (which may extend along the entire length of the insert 160). Prior to rotating or pivoting the mounting body 102 onto the rib 54 (to capture the insert 160 within the rib receptacle 150 of the mounting body 102), the alignment surface 162 of the insert 160 may be positioned against the transition section 72 on the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 (adjacent to the recess 70).

(52) The noted pocket 166 is located between the second projection 164 of the insert 160 and a third projection 168. This pocket 166 may be characterized as a concave surface on the exterior of the insert 160, and nonetheless provides an interface for the projection 68 on the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 (e.g., at least part of this projection 68 on the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 may be captured within this pocket 166). Both the pocket 166 and the third projection 168 may extend along the entire length of the insert 160.

(53) A fastener receptacle surface 172 is on the perimeter or exterior of the insert 160, and is disposed at least generally opposite of the second projection 164. A plurality of clamping fastener receptacles 174 are formed on the fastener receptacle surface 172 (two in the illustrated embodiment) and extend into the interior of the insert 160. There should be one clamping fastener receptacle 174 for each clamping fastener 180 to be used by the mounting device 100. A tapered surface 170 extends from the fastener receptacle surface 172 to the third projection 168. The tapered surface 170 and the alignment surface 162 are disposed in the same general orientation (e.g., having a common sign for their respective slopes, although the magnitude of their respective slopes may differ), but are not parallel to each other in the illustrated embodiment. The tapered surface 170 also may have a slight curvature (e.g., convexly-shaped).

(54) Each clamping fastener receptacle 174 may be characterized as a “blind hole”—no clamping fastener receptacle 174 extends completely through the insert 160. In this regard, each clamping fastener receptacle 174 includes a closed end or base 176 (located within the interior of the insert 160) and an annular sidewall 178 that extends from this base 176 to the fastener receptacle surface 172 of the insert 160. The centerline of each clamping fastener receptacle 174 (e.g., coinciding with the above-noted length dimension 142 for the threaded holes 140 through the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102) may be at least generally aligned with the second projection 164 of the insert 160 (FIG. 8B). In any case, the end of a given clamping fastener 180 will be directed into a corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174, and will engage its base 176 to move the insert 160 at least generally away from the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 to clamp the mounting device 100 onto the rib 54. Each clamping fastener receptacle 174 is un-threaded—there is no threadable connection between a giving clamping fastener 180 and its corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174.

(55) FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate two representative positions for the insert 160 relative to the mounting body 102. FIG. 9A illustrates a representative position of the insert 160 within the insert receptacle 128 of the mounting body 102, along with the disposal of a clamping fastener 180 within a corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174 of the insert 160. Note that the tapered surface 170 of the insert 160 may be positioned against the upper surface 130 on the interior of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102, although the tapered surface 170 of the insert 160 could be oriented so as to be spaced from the interior of the second leg 122 at this time (e.g., FIG. 5). Having a gap between the tapered surface 170 of the insert 160 and the interior of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 may be advantageous in relation to assembly of the mounting device 100 on a rib 54 (e.g., to accommodate movement of the insert 160 into a position for being secured to the rib 54). In any case, also note that the lip 179 of the insert 160 may also be positioned within the recess 138 on the free end 134 of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102. Each clamping fastener 180 may be threadably engaged with the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 (e.g., threaded into a threaded hole 140 of the second leg 122) and may extend into a corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174 on the insert 160. FIG. 9B illustrates the position of the insert 160 relative to the mounting body 102 when the clamping fasteners 180 are in the fully engaged position (e.g., with the head of the clamping fasteners 180 being positioned against the exterior of the second leg 122). Note that the insert 160 is now spaced from the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102.

(56) FIGS. 10A-F present a representative sequence for installing the mounting device 100 on a rib 54 for the building/roofing system 50 of FIG. 2. The second projection 164 of the insert 160 may be positioned within the recess 70 on the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54, the projection 68 on the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 may be positioned within the pocket 166 of the insert 160, and the alignment surface 162 of the insert 160 may be positioned against the transition section 72 of the second sidewall 66 for the rib 54 (FIG. 10A). Moreover, the first projection 116 (on the free end 114 of the first leg 112) of the mounting body 102 may be positioned within the recess 60 on the first sidewall 56 of the rib 54 (e.g., such that part of the first leg 112 of the mounting body 102 is positioned against the first sidewall 56 of the rib 54), the base 104 of the mounting body 102 may be positioned above and in spaced relation to at least part of the upper end 74 of the rib 54, the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 may be positioned alongside and spaced from the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54, and the rounded portion 136 on the free end 134 of the second leg 122 may be positioned proximate to or in contact with the insert 160 (FIG. 10A). The initial positioning of each of the mounting body 102 and insert 160 relative to the rib 54, shown in FIG. 10A, may be executed in any order.

(57) The mounting body 102 may be rotated or pivoted in a first or clockwise direction (in the end views of FIGS. 10A-10F), from the position illustrated in FIG. 10A to the position illustrated in FIG. 10B. That is, the mounting body 102 may be rotated or pivoted at least generally about its first projection 116, which is again positioned within the recess 60 on the first sidewall 56 of the rib 54. At least at some point in time during this motion of the mounting body 102, part of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 (e.g., rounded portion 136 and/or side surface 132) should contact the insert 160 (e.g., tapered surface 170, the boundary between the tapered surface 170 and the fastener receptacle surface 172, and/or the fastener receptacle surface 172). Continued motion of the mounting body 102 in the noted manner should cause a portion of the side surface 132 of the mounting body 102 to contact a portion of the fastener receptacle surface 172 of the insert 160 (FIG. 10B). During this engagement of the interior of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 against the insert 160, the insert 160 should be forced against the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54. As shown in FIG. 10B, the alignment surface 162 of the insert 160 may still be positioned against the transition section 72 on the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 at this time.

(58) With the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 being engaged with the insert 160, and by continuing to rotate or pivot the mounting body 102 relative to the rib 54 in the first or clockwise direction (in the end views of FIGS. 10A-10F; e.g., at least generally about the first projection 116 on the first leg 112 of the mounting body 102, which is positioned within the recess 60 on the first sidewall 56 of the rib 54), the mounting body 102 may exert an increasing force on the insert 160 to direct the insert 160 against the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 (FIG. 10C). Moreover, the insert 160 may rotate or pivot at least generally about its second projection 164 (positioned within the recess 70 on the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54) in a second or counterclockwise direction in proceeding from to the FIG. 10B position to the FIG. 10C (e.g., via being contacted by the moving mounting body 102—not shown in FIG. 10C).

(59) The mounting body 102 may be characterized as being “snapped over” the insert 160 going from the FIG. 10B position to the FIG. 10C position. In the FIG. 10C position, the insert 160 may be compressed against the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 by the mounting body 102, and the insert 160 may be retained against the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 solely by the mounting body 102 being in the FIG. 10C position. Although the insert 160 could be fully seated within the insert receptacle 128 on the inside of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 in the FIG. 10C position (e.g., so that the fastener receptacle surface 172 of the insert 160 is seated against the side surface 132 on the interior of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102, and so that the lip 179 of the insert 160 is fully seated within the recess 138 on the free end 134 of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102), such may not be the case in all instances. For instance and as shown in FIG. 10C, there may be at least a slight space between at least part of the fastener receptacle surface 172 of the insert 160 and the side surface 132 on the interior of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102, the lip 179 of the insert 160 may not be completely disposed within the recess 138 on the free end 134 of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102, or both.

(60) One or more clamping fasteners 180 may be threaded into the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 (e.g., rotated relative to the second leg 122) and as shown in FIG. 10D (e.g., by threading a clamping fastener 180 into a corresponding hole 140 through the second leg 122). It should be appreciated that it may be necessary to adjust the position of the insert 160 along the length of the rib 54 to align each clamping fastener receptacle 174 on the insert 160 with its corresponding clamping fastener 180. In any case, each clamping fastener 180 may continue to be rotated relative to the second leg 122 to direct each clamping fastener 180 into its corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174 on the insert 160 (FIG. 10E). This introduction of one or more clamping fasteners 180 into their corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174 may cause the insert 160 to rotate or pivot at least generally about its second projection 164 (positioned within the recess 70 on the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54), in a second or counterclockwise direction (compare FIG. 10E, where the alignment surface 162 of the insert 160 has moved away from, and is now spaced from the second sidewall 66 of the rib 64, to FIG. 10D). Therefore, the described pivoting or rotation of the insert 160, relative to the rib 54 and about the second projection 164 of the insert 160, may be due to contact between the second leg 112 and the insert 160 during movement of the mounting body 102 relative to the rib 54 in the above-noted manner, may be due to directing one or more clamping fasteners 180 into a corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174 of the insert 160, or both.

(61) Each clamping fastener 180 may be rotated relative to the second leg 122 so as to engage the base 176 of its corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174 on the insert 160. Continued rotation of each clamping fastener 180 in this manner will then move the insert 160 away from the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 (FIG. 10F), which in turn compresses the rib 54 between the first leg 112 of the mounting body 102 (e.g., its first projection 116 engaging the first sidewall 56 of the rib 54 within the recess 60, and its pocket 118 engaging the projection 58 on this first sidewall 56) and the insert 160 (e.g., its second projection 164 engaging the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54 within the recess 70, and its pocket 166 engaging the projection 68 on this second sidewall 66). Compression of the rib 54 by the mounting device 100 may reduce the spacing between the first sidewall 56 of the rib 54 and the second sidewall 66 of the rib 54. However and in one embodiment, the rib 54 is not collapsed by having a mounting device 100 installed thereon in the manner described herein.

(62) In the installation sequence presented up in FIGS. 10A-10F, the mounting body 102 and the insert 160 may move in at least generally opposite directions in going from the FIG. 10A position to the FIG. 10E position. From a common end view, the mounting body 102 moves about one axis in one direction (clockwise at least generally about the first projection 116 of the mounting body 102 positioned within the recess 60 of the rib 54 in the common end view shown in FIGS. 10A-10F), while the insert 160 may move about a different, parallel axis in the opposite direction (counterclockwise at least generally about the second projection 164 of the insert 160 positioned within the recess 70 of the rib 54 in the common end view shown in FIGS. 10A-10F).

(63) A variation of the mounting body for the above-described mounting device 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B and is identified by reference numeral 102′. There are two primary differences between the mounting body 102′ (FIGS. 11A and 11B) and the mounting body 102 (FIGS. 2-10F). One is that the mounting body 102′ (FIGS. 11A and 11B) is shorter than the mounting body 102 (FIGS. 2-10F). Another is that the mounting body 102′ (FIGS. 11A and 11B) uses a single clamping fastener 180 to secure the mounting body 102′ relative to the rib 54 (versus the multiple clamping fasteners 180 used by the mounting body 102 (FIGS. 2-10F)).

(64) An insert, for use with the mounting body 102′ of FIGS. 11A and 11B and the rib 54 of FIG. 4 (and various other rib profiles), is illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B and is identified by reference numeral 160a. There are two primary differences between the insert 160a (FIGS. 12A and 12B) and the insert 160 (FIGS. 2-10F). One is that the insert 160a (FIGS. 12A and 12B) is shorter than the insert 160 (FIGS. 2-10F). Another is that the insert 160a (FIGS. 12A and 12B) incorporates a single clamping fastener receptacle 174 (to receive an end portion of a corresponding clamping fastener 180, to in turn secure the mounting body 102′ and insert 160a relative to the rib 54), whereas the insert 160 (FIGS. 2-10F) incorporates multiple clamping fastener receptacles 174 that are spaced along the length of the insert 160.

(65) There are various hollow rib profiles for metal panels. As noted, the mounting device 100 may be installed on a variety of hollow rib profiles and including the rib 54 of FIG. 5. Another representative rib profile is illustrated in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 presents an enlarged end view of a rib 54′ incorporated by a panel 52′ that may be used by a building/roofing surface 50b. The rib 54′ may be formed in the panel 52′ in any appropriate manner. The panel 52′ may be of any appropriate configuration and may be formed from any appropriate material or combination of materials (e.g., metal; metal alloy). Each panel 52′ may include one or more ribs 54′ and one or more base sections 78. Moreover and as noted above, adjacent panels 52′ may be interconnected to define a rib 54′ as well. The entirety of each base section 78 may be flat or planar. However, one or more small structures may be formed/shaped into one of more base sections 78 of a given panel 52′, for instance one or more crests, minor ribs, intermediate ribs, pencil ribs, striations, fluting, flutes, or the like.

(66) The rib 54′ includes a first sidewall 56′, a second sidewall 66′, and an upper end or crown 74′ that collectively define a hollow interior 76′ for the rib 54′. The hollow interior 76′ may be in the form of a continuous open space. In one embodiment, the adjacentmost portions of the first sidewall 56′ and second sidewall 66′ (measured on the interior of the hollow rib 54′) are separated by an open space of at least about ½ inch. Generally, the first sidewall 56′ and the second sidewall 66′ are spaced from each other, and at least generally converge toward one another progressing from the adjacent base section 78 of the panel 52′ to the upper end 74′ of the rib 54′ (the first and second sidewalls 56′, 66′ diverge relative to one another proceeding away from the upper end 74′). The first sidewall 56′ and the second sidewall 66′ may be the mirror image of one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper end 74′ of the rib 54′ is a flat surface that is parallel to the pitch of the roofing surface 50b or to a plane that defines the inclination of the roofing surface 50b.

(67) The first sidewall 56′ of the rib 54′ may be characterized as including a projection 58′. A recess 60′ (e.g., a curved or arcuate surface that extends along the length of the rib 54′) is disposed directly below the projection 58′. Similarly, the second sidewall 66′ of the rib 54′ may be characterized as including a projection 68′. A recess 70′ (e.g., a curved or arcuate surface that extends along the length of the rib 54′) is disposed directly below the projection 68′. In one embodiment, the distance between the recesses 60′, 70′ is at least about ½ inch (measured within the interior 76′). In any case, a transition section 72′ of the second sidewall 66′ extends from the recess 70′ at least toward the corresponding base section 78 of the panel 52′. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition section 72′ is a flat surface that extends all the way from the recess 70′ to the corresponding base section 78.

(68) The above-described mounting body 102 (FIGS. 2-10F) may also be used in conjunction with the rib 54′ shown in FIG. 13. However, it may be desirable to use a different insert. FIG. 14 and FIGS. 15A-15C illustrates an insert 160′ that is appropriate for use with the mounting body 102 for attachment to the rib 54′ (and various other rib profiles). Corresponding portions of the insert 160 (FIGS. 2-10F) and the insert 160′ (FIG. 14 and FIGS. 15A-15C) are identified by the same reference numeral. Those portions of the insert 160′ that differ from the corresponding portion of the insert 160 are further identified by a “single prime” designation. The alignment surface 162′, second projection 164′, pocket 166′, third projection 168′, and tapered surface 170′ are all at least generally in accordance with the discussion of the corresponding portions of the insert 160, but may be of a different orientation, may be of a different size, or the like. For instance, the alignment surface 162′ of the insert 160′ may be oriented at a steeper slope than the alignment surface 162 of the insert 160. The tapered surface 170′ of the insert 160′ may be flat, whereas the tapered surface 170 of the insert 160 has a slight curvature as noted above (e.g., slightly convex). Finally, the spacing between the second projection 164′ and the fastener receptacle surface 172 of the insert 160′ is greater than the spacing between the second projection 164 and the fastener receptacle surface 172 of the insert 160 (measured along the length dimension 142 of the threaded holes 140, and along which the clamping fastener(s) 180 move).

(69) FIGS. 16A-16D present a representative sequence for installing a mounting device 100′ (the mounting body 102 and insert 160′) on a rib 54′ of the building/roofing surface 50b. It should be noted that the pad 120 may be used by the first leg 112 of the mounting body 102, and that the pad 167 may be used in the pocket 166′ of the insert 160′ (not shown). The second projection 164′ of the insert 160′ may be positioned within the recess 70′ on the second sidewall 66′ of the rib 54′, the projection 68′ on the second sidewall 66′ of the rib 54′ may be positioned within the pocket 166′ of the insert 160′, and the alignment surface 162′ of the insert 160′ may be positioned against the transition section 72′ of the second sidewall 66′ for the rib 54′ (FIG. 16A). Moreover, the first projection 116 (on the free end 114 of the first leg 112) of the mounting body 102 may be positioned within the recess 60′ on the first sidewall 56′ of the rib 54′ (e.g., such that part of the first leg 112 of the mounting body 102 is positioned against the first sidewall 56′ of the rib 54′), the base 104 of the mounting body 102 may be positioned above and in spaced relation to at least part of the upper end 74′ of the rib 54′, the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 may be positioned alongside and spaced from the second sidewall 66′ of the rib 54′, and the rounded portion 136 and the free end 134 of the second leg 122 may be positioned proximate to or in contact with the insert 160′ (FIG. 16A). The initial positioning of each of the mounting body 102 and insert 160′ (relative to the rib 54′), shown in FIG. 16A, may be executed in any order.

(70) The mounting body 102 may be rotated or pivoted in a first or clockwise direction (in the end views of FIGS. 16A-16D), from the position illustrated in FIG. 16A to the position illustrated in FIG. 16B, and then to the position illustrated in FIG. 16C. That is, the mounting body 102 may be rotated or pivoted at least generally about its first projection 116, which is again positioned within the recess 60′ on the first sidewall 56′ of the rib 54′. At least at some point in time during this motion of the mounting body 102, the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 (e.g., rounded portion 136 and/or side surface 132) should contact the insert 160′ (e.g., tapered surface 170′, the boundary between the tapered surface 170′ and the fastener receptacle surface 172, and/or the fastener receptacle surface 172). Continued motion of the mounting body 102 in the noted manner should cause a portion of the side surface 132 of the mounting body 102 to contact a portion of the fastener receptacle surface 172 of the insert 160′ (FIG. 16B). The insert 160′ may be forced against the second sidewall 66′ of the rib 54′ as a result of being engaged by the interior of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102. Moreover, continued motion of the mounting body 102 in the noted manner may rotate or pivot the insert 160′ at least generally about its second projection 164′ (positioned within the recess 70′ on the second sidewall 66′ of the rib 54′) in a second or counterclockwise direction (in the end views of FIGS. 16A-16D) in proceeding from the FIG. 16A position to the FIGS. 16B and 16C positions. Note that the alignment surface 162′ of the insert 160′ has moved away from the transition section 72′ of the second sidewall 66′ for the rib 54′ in each of the FIGS. 16B and 16C positions compared to the FIG. 16A position.

(71) A number of observations may be made about the portion of the installation sequence presented up to FIG. 16C. One is that the mounting body 102 and the insert 160′ may move in at least generally opposite directions to realize the position illustrated in FIG. 16C (from the position of FIG. 16A). From a common end view, the mounting body 102 moves about one axis in one direction (clockwise at least generally about the first projection 116 of the mounting body 102 positioned within the recess 60′ of the rib 54′ in the common views shown in FIGS. 16A-16D), while the insert 160′ may move about a different, parallel axis in the opposite direction (counterclockwise at least generally about the second projection 164′ of the insert 160′ positioned within the recess 70′ of the rib 54′ in the common views shown in FIGS. 16A-16D).

(72) The mounting body 102 may be characterized as being “snapped over” the insert 160′ going from the FIG. 16B position to the FIG. 16C position. In the FIG. 16C position, the insert 160′ may be compressed against the second sidewall 66′ of the rib 54′ by the mounting body 102, and the insert 160′ may be retained against the second sidewall 66′ of the rib 54′ solely by the mounting body 102 being in the FIG. 16C position. Although the insert 160′ is illustrated as being fully seated within the insert receptacle 128 on the inside of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 in the FIG. 16C position (e.g., so that the fastener receptacle surface 172 of the insert 160′ is seated against the side surface 132 on the interior of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102, and so that the lip 179 of the insert 160′ is fully seated within the recess 138 on the free end 134 of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102), such may not be the case in all instances. For instance, there could be at least a slight space between at least part of the fastener receptacle surface 172 of the insert 160′ and the side surface 132 on the interior of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102, the lip 179 of the insert 160′ may not be completely disposed within the recess 138 on the free end 134 of the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102, or both.

(73) One or more clamping fasteners 180 may be threaded into the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102 (e.g., rotated relative to the second leg 122) and as shown in FIG. 16C (e.g., by threading a clamping fastener 180 into a corresponding hole 140 through the second leg 122). It should be appreciated that it may be necessary to adjust the position of the insert 160′ along the length of the rib 54′ to align each clamping fastener receptacle 174 on the insert 160′ with its corresponding clamping fastener 180. In any case, each clamping fastener 180 may continue to be rotated relative to the second leg 122 to direct each clamping fastener 180 into its corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174 on the insert 160′ (FIG. 16D). The described pivoting or rotation of the insert 160′, relative to the rib 54′ and about the second projection 164′ of the insert 160′, may be due to contact between the second leg 112 and the insert 160′ during movement of the mounting body 102 relative to the rib 54 in the above-noted manner, may be due to directing one or more clamping fasteners 180 into a corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174 of the insert 160′, or both.

(74) Each clamping fastener 180 may be rotated relative to the second leg 122 to engage the base 176 of its corresponding clamping fastener receptacle 174 on the insert 160′. Continued rotation of each clamping fastener 180 in this manner will then move the insert 160′ away from the second leg 122 of the mounting body 102, which in turn may compress the rib 54′ between the first leg 112 of the mounting body 102 (e.g., its first projection 116 engaging the first sidewall 56′ of the rib 54′ within the recess 60′, and its pocket 118 engaging the projection 58′ on this first sidewall 56′) and the insert 160′ (e.g., its second projection 164′ engaging the second sidewall 66′ of the rib 54′ within the recess 70′, and its pocket 166′ engaging the projection 68′ on this second sidewall 66′). This compression of the rib 54′ may reduce the spacing between the first sidewall 56′ of the rib 54′ and the second sidewall 66′ of the rib 54′. However and in one embodiment, the rib 54′ is not collapsed by having the mounting body 102 and insert 160′ installed thereon in the manner described herein.

(75) An insert, for use with the mounting body 102′ of FIGS. 11A and 11B and the rib 54′ of FIG. 13 (and various other rib profiles) is illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B and is identified by reference numeral 160a′. There are two primary differences between the insert 160a′ (FIGS. 17A and 17B) and the insert 160′ (FIGS. 14 and 15A-15C). One is that the insert 160a′ (FIGS. 17A and 17B) is shorter than the insert 160′ (FIGS. 14 and 15A-5C). Another is that the insert 160a′ (FIGS. 17A and 17B) incorporates a single clamping fastener receptacle 174 (to receive an end portion of a corresponding clamping fastener 180, to in turn secure the mounting body 102′ and insert 160a relative to the rib 54), whereas the insert 160′ (FIGS. 14 and 15A-15C) incorporates multiple clamping fastener receptacles 174 that are spaced along the length of the insert 160′.

(76) An attachment 200 may be secured to the mounting body 102 using one or more attachment fasteners that are directed through the attachment 200 and that threadably engage the mounting body 102 (e.g., by being directed into a corresponding threaded hole 110 that is accessible on the upper section 106 of the base 104 of the mounting body 102). Another option is illustrated in FIG. 18, and is a variation of the mounting body 102′ of FIGS. 11A and 11B (although the mounting flange 144 to be described could also be used by the mounting body 102 as well). The mounting body 102a of the FIG. 18 embodiment includes a mounting flange 144 that extends from the base 104a. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface of the mounting flange 144 and the upper section 106a of the base 104a are each flat and are contained within a common plane. However, the mounting flange 144 could be offset from the upper section 106a (including being disposed in parallel relation). In any case, the mounting flange 144 includes at least one mounting hole 146. Each mounting hole 146 may be of any appropriate shape (e.g., circular, an elongated slot). Moreover, each mounting hole 146 may be un-threaded or threaded.

(77) An attachment 200 may be positioned at least on the mounting flange 144 (the attachment could also be positioned on the upper section 106a of the base 104a). A threaded attachment fastener (e.g., a bolt) may be directed through the attachment 200 and then through the mounting flange 144. A nut could then be threaded onto the free end of the attachment fastener to secure the attachment 200 to the mounting body 102a. If the mounting hole 146 on the mounting flange 144 is threaded, it could extend all the way through the mounting flange 144 or it could extend only part way through the thickness of the mounting flange 144.

(78) The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.