Roof mounting system

• US 10,594,251 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2018
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EcoFasten Solar, LLC
• Original Assignee: EcoFasten Solar, LLC
• Inventors: Stearns, Brian Cecil, Lounsbury, Douglas Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Beth A
• Application Number:
  US16/051,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20180337628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/66 Sealings damp-proof courses E04B1/644; fire-proof sealings E04B1/948; additions of anti-leak properties to plaster C04B; bituminous sealing masses C08L95/00; sealings for hydraulic engineering work in general E02B3/16; against ground humidity or ground water E02D31/02; coverings against rain or other precipitations of the atmosphere E04D; composition of material or manufacture of sealing foils, see the relevant classes for these foils
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/04 Roof drainage; Drainage fittings in flat roofs, balconies or the likegutter tiles E04D1/30; gutter slabs E04D3/40; vessels for collecting rainwater E03B3/03; street gullies E03F5/04
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/10 Snow traps ; Removing snow from roofs; Snow melters
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/14 Junctions of roof sheathings to chimneys or other parts extending above the roof
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/1407 for flat roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/147 specially adapted for inclined roofs trays for cavity walls E04B1/70
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 43/001 for sealing or insulation
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0258 using resiliently deformable sleeves, grommets or inserts F16B43/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/021 Sealing means between support elements and mounting surface
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/61 for fixing to the ground or to building structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A roof mount assembly mounts a structure to a roof having a rafter and a substrate supported by the rafter. The roof mount assembly includes a piece of flashing positioned on the substrate. The flashing includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an aperture extending through the flashing. A fastener extends through the flashing aperture. A bracket is connected to the flashing via the fastener, and the bracket is sized to support at least one roof-mounted structure on the roof. A seal is positioned between the flashing aperture and the fastener. The seal is sized to form a water-tight seal with the aperture to inhibit flow of fluid through the aperture. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion is positioned to abut the flashing first surface and the second portion is positioned to extend through the aperture.

Claims

1. A solar panel mounting system, comprising:

flashing including a projection and a first aperture;

a first bracket comprising a top flange and a bottom flange, the first bracket being adjustably positionable on the flashing,

wherein a second aperture is defined in the bottom flange,

wherein the second aperture is alignable with the first aperture,

wherein the top flange comprises an attachment structure for attaching a roofing assembly disposed separately from the second aperture, and

wherein the first bracket is configured to surround the projection; and

a fastener configured to mount the first bracket to the flashing.

2. The solar panel racking assembly of claim 1, further comprising a washer located between the fastener and the first bracket.

3. The mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a roofing assembly adjustably positionable on the first bracket, the roofing assembly comprising a plate and a U-shaped second bracket, wherein the plate and the U-shaped second bracket are configured to form a slot to support a roof-mounted structure.

4. The mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a seal disposed between the flashing and the first bracket.

5. The mounting system of claim 4, wherein the seal is compressed by the fastener.

6. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the projection has a frustoconical profile.

7. The solar panel racking assembly of claim 3, wherein the length between the plate and the second bracket is variable.

8. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the first bracket is configured with a counterbore.

9. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein a plate is adjustably coupled to the first bracket.

10. A roof mounting system, comprising:

flashing defining a raised portion, a projection, and a first aperture;

a first bracket adjustably positionable on the flashing,

wherein the first bracket defining a second aperture alignable with the first aperture

wherein the first bracket comprising a mounting point disposed separately from the second aperture, and

wherein the first bracket is configured to surround the projection;

a fastener configured to mount the first bracket to the flashing,

wherein the position of the first bracket is adjustable relative to the fastener;

a mount assembly comprising a plate adjustably coupled to second bracket, the second bracket is U-shaped and comprises a first flange and a second flange,

wherein the length between the between the plate and the second bracket is adjustable, and

wherein the plate and the second bracket are configured to support and retain a roof-mounted structure.

11. The roof mount system of claim 10, wherein the raised portion includes a channel.

12. The roof mount system of claim 10, wherein the projection is located within the raised portion.

13. The roof mount system of claim 10, further comprising a seal.

14. The roof mount system of claim 13, wherein the seal is installable in the projection.

15. The roof mount system of claim 10, wherein the first bracket is longitudinally adjustable relative to the fastener.

16. The roof mount system of claim 10, further comprising a washer including a first portion and a second portion.

17. The roof mount system of claim 16, wherein the washer is configured to seal the second aperture.

18. A solar panel racking assembly, comprising:

flashing comprising a raised portion and a first aperture defined through the raised portion;

a bracket adjustably positionable on the flashing,

wherein the bracket defines a second aperture alignable with the first aperture,

wherein the bracket comprises a mounting point, and

wherein the bracket is configured to surround the raised portion;

a fastener configured to mount the bracket to the flashing,

wherein the position of the bracket is adjustable relative to the fastener;

a washer installable on the fastener and configured to seal the second aperture; and

a stud installed in the bracket;

a mount assembly installed on the stud and comprising a plate and a U-shaped clamp, wherein the plate and the clamp are configured to support and retain a roof-mounted structure

wherein the length between the plate and the U-shaped clamp is adjustable.

19. The solar panel racking assembly of claim 18, wherein the raised portion as a tapered profile defining the first aperture.

20. The solar panel racking assembly of claim 18, further comprising a seal installable with the first aperture.