Roof mount assembly

• US 9,134,044 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2014
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rillito River Solar LLC (Esdec B.V.)
• Original Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Stearns, Brian C., Bornemann, Alexander Grant
• Primary Examiner(s): STEPHAN, BETH A
• Application Number:
  US14/257,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20140305046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 52/58, 52/60, 52/27, 521/733, 52/62, 526/98, 248/205.1, 248/237, 136/244
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/389 Brackets
• 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 3/36 Connecting; Fastening
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 3/38 Devices for sealing spaces or joints between roof-covering elements E04D3/36 takes precedence; sealing joints not restricted to roof-covering elements E04B1/68
• 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: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking

Abstract

A mount assembly is provided for mounting a structure to a roof having a top surface. The mount includes a flashing including an aperture; a bracket including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an opening and a countersink extending around the opening, the second portion extending at an angle away from the flashing, the second portion including a slot configured to be coupled to the structure; a fastener extending through the aperture and through the opening of the bracket; and a seal extending around the aperture and positioned between the flashing and the first portion of the bracket, the seal engaging the countersink of the bracket and being compressed against the flashing.

Claims

1. A mount assembly for mounting a structure to a roof, the roof including a top surface, the mount assembly comprising:

a flashing including an aperture;

a bracket including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an opening and a countersink extending around the opening, the second portion extending at an angle away from the flashing, the second portion including a slot configured to be coupled to the structure;

a fastener extending through the aperture and through the opening of the bracket; and

a seal extending around the aperture and positioned between the flashing and the first portion of the bracket, the seal engaging the countersink of the bracket and being compressed against the flashing.

2. The mount assembly of claim 1, further comprising a base configured to be coupled to the top surface of the roof and positioned beneath the flashing, and a block coupled to the base and having an upper surface, wherein the flashing includes an embossed portion abutting the upper surface of the block, wherein the flashing aperture is positioned on the embossed portion.

3. The mount assembly of claim 2, wherein the embossed portion of the flashing includes a frustoconical protrusion surrounding the aperture, and wherein the seal is coupled to the aperture in the flashing and the opening of the first portion of the bracket is aligned with the aperture, such that the countersink of the bracket first portion compresses the seal against the frustoconical protrusion of the embossed portion.

4. The mount assembly of claim 2, wherein the fastener extends from the upper surface of the block through the aperture.

5. The mount assembly of claim 2, wherein the base includes a plurality of holes for receiving fasteners to couple the base to the top surface of the roof.

6. The mount assembly of claim 2, further comprising a shim positioned between the block and the base.

7. The mount assembly of claim 2, wherein the flashing further includes a second embossed portion adjacent the first embossed portion and including a second aperture, the mount assembly further comprising a second block having an upper surface abutting the second embossed portion.

8. The mount assembly of claim 7, further comprising a plate extending between the first embossed portion and the second embossed portion, the plate abutting the first embossed portion and the second embossed portion, wherein the bracket is coupled to the plate.

9. The mount assembly of claim 8, wherein the plate includes at least one opening and a countersink to engage the seal.

10. The mount assembly of claim 2, further comprising a secondary flashing member positioned between the base and the block.

11. The mount assembly of claim 2, wherein the block has a trapezoidal shape.

12. The mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the flashing is configured to have a shape similar to adjacent roof tiles.

13. The mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the flashing includes at least one of a tab for engaging an adjacent tile and a groove for receiving a portion of an adjacent tile.

14. The mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal includes a frustoconical portion that is received within the countersink of the bracket.

15. The mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the bracket includes a scored surface.

16. The mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot of the second portion of the bracket is an elongated slot that receives a fastener of a solar panel and permitting a fastener to be positioned at various distances from the flashing.

17. The mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket further includes a third portion extending at an angle with respect to the second portion.

18. The mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a groove opening in a direction away from the roof and extending along a length of the bracket.

19. The mount assembly of claim 18, wherein the bracket is a first bracket and the groove receives a fastener for coupling a second bracket to the first bracket.

20. The mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the flashing is formed as a substantially flat member having a frustoconical protrusion, wherein at least a portion of the flashing is configured to be inserted underneath a shingle attached to the roof.

21. The mount assembly of claim 20, wherein the flashing includes at least one notch configured to extend around a fastener secured to the roof.

22. A mount assembly mounting a structure to a roof, the roof including a top surface, the mount assembly comprising:

a base coupled to the top surface of the roof;

a block coupled to the base and having an upper surface;

a flashing including an embossed portion adjacent the upper surface of the block and an aperture positioned on the embossed portion;

a bracket including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an opening aligned with the aperture and a countersink extending around the opening, the second portion extending away from the flashing, the second portion including a slot configured to be coupled to the structure;

a fastener extending through the aperture and through the opening of the bracket; and

a seal extending around the aperture and positioned between the flashing and the first portion of the bracket, the seal engaging the countersink of the bracket and being compressed against the flashing.

23. The mount assembly of claim 22, wherein the embossed portion of the flashing includes a frustoconical protrusion extending around the aperture, and wherein the seal is coupled to the aperture in the flashing and the opening of the first portion of the bracket is aligned with the aperture, such that coupling the bracket to the embossed portion compresses the seal between the countersink and the frustoconical protrusion of the embossed portion.

24. The mount assembly of claim 22, wherein the fastener extends from the upper surface of the block through the aperture.

25. The mount assembly of claim 22, wherein the base includes a plurality of predetermined mounting points for coupling the base to the top surface of the roof.

26. The mount assembly of claim 22, further comprising a secondary flashing member positioned between the base and the block.

27. The mount assembly of claim 22, wherein the block has a trapezoidal shape.

28. The mount assembly of claim 22, wherein the flashing includes at least one of a tab for engaging an adjacent tile and a groove for receiving a portion of an adjacent tile.

29. The mount assembly of claim 22, wherein the seal includes a frustoconical portion that is received within the countersink of the bracket.

30. The mount assembly of claim 22, wherein the slot of the second portion of the bracket receives a fastener of a solar panel.