Roof mount assembly

• US 9,447,988 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2015
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rillito River Solar LLC (Esdec B.V.)
• Original Assignee: Rillito River Solar LLC (Esdec B.V.)
• Inventors: Stearns, Brian C., Bornemann, Alexander Grant
• Primary Examiner(s): STEPHAN, BETH A
• Application Number:
  US14/823,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20150361668A1
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/00 Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Protection against birds; Roof drainage ; Sky-lights ventilation tiles E04D1/30; ventilation slabs E04D3/40; internal channels E04F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/021 Sealing means between support elements and mounting surface
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 21/00 Solar heat collectors not provided for in groups F24S10/00-F24S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/61 for fixing to the ground or to building structures
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/636 clamping by screw-threaded elements
• 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 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 engaging the countersink of the bracket.

2. The mount assembly of claim 1, further comprising a base that is 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 a first embossed portion abutting the upper surface of the block, wherein the aperture is positioned on the first embossed portion.

3. The mount assembly of claim 2, wherein the first 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 first portion compresses the seal against the frustoconical protrusion of the first 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, further comprising a shim positioned between the block and the base.

6. 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.

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

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

9. 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.

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

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

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

13. 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.

14. The mount assembly of claim 13, wherein the bracket is a first bracket and the groove receives a fastener for coupling a second bracket to the first bracket.

15. 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.

16. The mount assembly of claim 15, wherein the flashing includes at least one notch configured to extend around a fastener secured to the roof.

17. A mount assembly for 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 first 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 first aperture, the second portion extending away from the flashing, the second portion including a second aperture configured to be coupled to the structure;

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

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

18. The mount assembly of claim 17, wherein the fastener extends from the upper surface of the block through the first aperture.

19. The mount assembly of claim 17, 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.

20. The mount assembly of claim 17, wherein the second aperture in the second portion of the bracket is a slot for receiving a fastener of a solar panel.