Mounting device for building surfaces having elongated mounting slot

• US 9,611,652 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2014
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RMH Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: Dustin M.M. Haddock, Robert M.M. Haddock
• Inventors: Haddock, Dustin M. M., Haddock, Robert M. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): STERLING, AMY JO
• Application Number:
  US14/500,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20150247326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/61 of slab-shaped building elements with each other
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/389 Brackets
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/0842 specially adapted for thin sheet-like materials, e.g. sheet-metal or plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6008 by using toothed elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/615 for fixing to protruding parts of buildings, e.g. to corrugations or to standing seams
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/636 clamping by screw-threaded elements
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/22 specially adapted for buildings
• 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 mounting device or bracket for paneled building surfaces is disclosed. The mounting bracket includes an upper wall in the form of a flat surface for supporting various types of attachments. An elongated mounting slot extends through the upper wall, and the mounting bracket includes an elongated nut receptacle that is positioned below this elongated mounting slot. With an attachment being positioned on the upper wall, an attachment fastener may be directed through the attachment, then through the elongated mounting slot, and then may be threadably engaged with a nut that is positioned within and movable along the nut receptacle in its elongated dimension. The elongated configuration of the mounting slot and nut receptacle provides adjustability for the position of the attachment fastener relative to the mounting bracket, including after the mounting bracket has already been installed on the building surface.

Claims

1. A building system comprising:

a building surface comprising a plurality of interconnected panels;

a mounting device maintained in a fixed position relative to said building surface and comprising;

an upper wall disposed in spaced relation to an underlying portion of said building surface;

an un-threaded mounting slot that extends through said upper wall and that is elongated in a first dimension; and

a nut receptacle that is aligned with said mounting slot and that is also elongated in said first dimension, wherein said nut receptacle is located between said building surface and said mounting slot;

a nut, wherein at least part of said nut is retained within said nut receptacle by a configuration of said nut receptacle but such said nut is still movable along said nut receptacle in said first dimension; and

an attachment fastener that extends through said mounting slot and that is threadably engaged with said nut, wherein said attachment fastener is disposable in multiple positions along said mounting slot and in said first dimension, and furthermore is threadably engageable with said nut in each of said multiple positions by moving said nut along said nut receptacle in said first dimension and into alignment with said attachment fastener, wherein said nut receptacle is defined at least in part by first and second base surfaces that are spaced from one another and that each project in a direction of said upper wall, wherein said first and second base surfaces define a maximum amount that said nut is able to move away from said upper wall when said nut is disposed within said nut receptacle.

2. The building system of claim 1, wherein said mounting slot comprises a length, width, and depth, wherein said length of said mounting slot is measured in said first dimension and is of a greater magnitude than said width of said mounting slot, wherein said width of said mounting slot is measured in a second dimension that is perpendicular to said first dimension, and wherein a depth of said mounting slot corresponds with a thickness of said upper wall and is perpendicular to a reference plane that contains said length and said width of said mounting slot.

3. The building system of claim 1, wherein said nut receptacle is disposed immediately below said upper wall.

4. The building system of claim 1, wherein said nut receptacle comprises a base that is spaced from an underside of said upper wall, wherein said base comprises said first and second base surfaces.

5. The building system of claim 4, wherein said base is configured to retain at least part of said nut within said nut receptacle in a dimension that corresponds with a depth of said mounting slot.

6. The building system of claim 4, wherein said nut comprises a nut flange and a nut body, wherein said nut receptacle comprises a nut flange receptacle and a nut body receptacle, wherein a width of said nut flange receptacle is larger than a width of said nut body receptacle, wherein an entirety of said nut flange is retained in said nut flange receptacle, and wherein said nut body extends into said nut body receptacle.

7. The building system of claim 6, wherein an effective outer diameter of said nut flange is larger than said width of said nut body receptacle.

8. The building system of claim 6, wherein said base comprises first and second base portions that are oppositely disposed, wherein said nut body receptacle extends between said first and second base portions, wherein said first base portion comprises said first base surface, and wherein said second base portion comprises said second base surface.

9. The building system of claim 8, wherein said nut body is positioned between said first and second base portions.

10. The building system of claim 9, wherein said first and second base portions limit relative rotational movement between said nut and said mounting device.

11. The building system of claim 9, wherein said first and second base portions are disposed in closely spaced relation to opposing sidewall portions of said nut body.

12. The building system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said nut body is at all times retained between said first and second base portions.

13. The building system of claim 6, wherein a width of said nut body receptacle limits relative rotation between said nut and said mounting device.

14. The building system of claim 1, wherein said nut comprises a nut flange and a nut body, wherein said nut receptacle comprises a nut flange receptacle and a nut body receptacle with said nut flange receptacle being located between said nut body receptacle and said upper wall, and wherein a width of said nut flange receptacle is larger than a width of said nut body receptacle.

15. The building system of claim 14, wherein an entirety of said nut flange is retained in said nut flange receptacle, and wherein said nut body extends into said nut body receptacle.

16. The building system of claim 15, wherein an effective outer diameter of said nut flange is larger than said width of said nut body receptacle.

17. The building system of claim 16, wherein said mounting device further comprises first and second base portions that are oppositely disposed, wherein said nut body receptacle extends between said first and second base portions, wherein said first base portion comprises said first base surface and a first end, wherein said second base portion comprises said second base surface and a second end, wherein said width of said nut body receptacle is defined by spacing between said first and second ends and with said first and second ends being disposed in opposing relation, wherein each of said first and second ends is associated with a different flat on a sidewall of said nut body, and wherein said first and second ends are spaced from each other such each said flat is unable to be rotated past its corresponding said first or second end.

18. The building system of claim 14, wherein said mounting device further comprises first and second base portions that are oppositely disposed, wherein said nut body receptacle extends between said first and second base portions, wherein said first base portion comprises said first base surface and a first end, wherein said second base portion comprises said second base surface and a second end, wherein said width of said nut body receptacle is defined by spacing between said first and second ends and with said first and second ends being disposed in opposing relation, wherein each of said first and second ends is associated with a different flat on a sidewall of said nut body, and wherein said first and second ends are spaced from each other such each said flat is unable to be rotated past its corresponding said first or second end.

19. The building system of claim 1, wherein said mounting device further comprises first and second base portions that are oppositely disposed, wherein said nut body receptacle extends between said first and second base portions, wherein said first base portion comprises said first base surface and a first end, wherein said second base portion comprises said second base surface and a second end, wherein said nut receptacle is defined at least in part by a spacing between said first and second ends and with said first and second ends being disposed in opposing relation, wherein each of said first and second ends is associated with a different flat on a sidewall of said nut, and wherein said first and second ends are spaced from each other such each said flat is unable to be rotated past its corresponding said first or second end.

20. A building system comprising:

a building surface comprising a plurality of interconnected panels;

a mounting device maintained in a fixed position relative to said building surface and comprising;

an upper wall disposed in spaced relation to an underlying portion of said building surface;

an un-threaded mounting slot that extends through said upper wall and that is elongated in a first dimension; and

a nut receptacle that is aligned with said mounting slot and that is also elongated in said first dimension, wherein said nut receptacle is located between said building surface and said mounting slot, wherein said nut receptacle comprises a nut flange receptacle and a nut body receptacle, wherein a width of said nut flange receptacle is larger than a width of said nut body receptacle, wherein said nut receptacle comprises a base that is spaced from an underside of said upper wall, wherein said base comprises first and second base portions that are oppositely disposed, and wherein said nut body receptacle extends between said first and second base portions;

a nut, wherein at least part of said nut is retained within said nut receptacle by a configuration of said nut receptacle but such said nut is still movable along said nut receptacle in said first dimension, wherein said nut comprises a nut flange and a nut body, wherein an entirety of said nut flange is retained in said nut flange receptacle, and wherein said nut body extends into said nut body receptacle; and

an attachment fastener that extends through said mounting slot and that is threadably engaged with said nut, wherein said attachment fastener is disposable in multiple positions along said mounting slot and in said first dimension, and furthermore is threadably engageable with said nut in each of said multiple positions by moving said nut along said nut receptacle in said first dimension and into alignment with said attachment fastener.

21. The building system of claim 20, wherein said mounting slot comprises a length, width, and depth, wherein said length of said mounting slot is measured in said first dimension and is of a greater magnitude than said width of said mounting slot, wherein said width of said mounting slot is measured in a second dimension that is perpendicular to said first dimension, and wherein a depth of said mounting slot corresponds with a thickness of said upper wall and is perpendicular to a reference plane that contains said length and said width of said mounting slot.

22. The building system of claim 20, wherein said nut receptacle is disposed immediately below said upper wall.

23. The building system of claim 20, wherein said base is configured to retain at least part of said nut within said nut receptacle in a dimension that corresponds with a depth of said mounting slot.

24. The building system of claim 20, wherein an effective outer diameter of said nut flange is larger than said width of said nut body receptacle.

25. The building system of claim 20, wherein said first and second base portions limit relative rotational movement between said nut and said mounting device.

26. The building system of claim 20, wherein said first and second base portions are disposed in closely spaced relation to opposing sidewall portions of said nut body.

27. The building system of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of said nut body is at all times retained between said first and second base portions.

28. The building system of claim 20, wherein a width of said nut body receptacle limits relative rotation between said nut and said mounting device.

29. The building system of claim 20, wherein said first base portion comprises a first end, wherein said second base portion comprises a second end, wherein said width of said nut body receptacle is defined by a spacing between said first and second ends and with said first and second ends being disposed in opposing relation, wherein each of said first and second ends is associated with a different flat on a sidewall of said nut body, and wherein said first and second ends are spaced from each other such each said flat is unable to be rotated past its corresponding said first or second end.

30. The building system of claim 29, wherein said first base portion further comprises a first base surface, wherein said second base portion further comprises a second base surface, wherein said first and second base surfaces are spaced from one another and each projects in a direction of said upper wall, and wherein said first and second base surfaces define a maximum amount that said nut is able to move away from said upper wall when said nut is disposed within said nut receptacle.

31. The building system of claim 20, wherein said first base portion comprises a first base surface and said second base portion comprises a second base surface, wherein said first and second base surfaces are spaced from one another and each projects in a direction of said upper wall, and wherein said first and second base surfaces define a maximum amount that said nut is able to move away from said upper wall when said nut is disposed within said nut receptacle.

32. A building system comprising:

a building surface comprising a plurality of interconnected panels;

a mounting device maintained in a fixed position relative to said building surface and comprising;

an upper wall disposed in spaced relation to an underlying portion of said building surface;

an un-threaded mounting slot that extends through said upper wall and that is elongated in a first dimension; and

a nut receptacle that is aligned with said mounting slot and that is also elongated in said first dimension, wherein said nut receptacle is located between said building surface and said mounting slot, wherein said nut receptacle is defined at least in part by first and second base portions that are disposed in opposing relation, wherein said first base portion comprises a first end, and wherein said second base portion comprises a second end;

a nut, wherein at least part of said nut is retained within said nut receptacle by a configuration of said nut receptacle but such said nut is still movable along said nut receptacle in said first dimension, wherein said first and second ends of said first and second base portions, respectively, are each associated with a different flat on a sidewall of said nut, and wherein said first and second ends of said first and second base portions, respectively, are spaced from each other such that each said flat is unable to be rotated past its corresponding said first or second end; and

an attachment fastener that extends through said mounting slot and that is threadably engaged with said nut, wherein said attachment fastener is disposable in multiple positions along said mounting slot and in said first dimension, and furthermore is threadably engageable with said nut in each of said multiple positions by moving said nut along said nut receptacle in said first dimension and into alignment with said attachment fastener.

33. The building system of claim 32, wherein said mounting slot comprises a length, width, and depth, wherein said length of said mounting slot is measured in said first dimension and is of a greater magnitude than said width of said mounting slot, wherein said width of said mounting slot is measured in a second dimension that is perpendicular to said first dimension, and wherein a depth of said mounting slot corresponds with a thickness of said upper wall and is perpendicular to a reference plane that contains said length and said width of said mounting slot.

34. The building system of claim 32, wherein said nut receptacle is disposed immediately below said upper wall.

35. The building system of claim 32, wherein said nut receptacle comprises a base that is spaced from an underside of said upper wall, and wherein said base comprises said first and second base portions.

36. The building system of claim 35, wherein said base is configured to retain at least part of said nut within said nut receptacle in a dimension that corresponds with a depth of said mounting slot.

37. The building system of claim 32, wherein said nut comprises a nut flange and a nut body, wherein said nut receptacle comprises a nut flange receptacle and a nut body receptacle, wherein a width of said nut flange receptacle is larger than a width of said nut body receptacle, wherein an entirety of said nut flange is retained in said nut flange receptacle, and wherein said nut body extends into said nut body receptacle.

38. The building system of claim 37, wherein said nut body receptacle extends between said first and second ends of said first and second base portions, respectively.

39. The building system of claim 38, wherein said nut body is positioned between said first and second ends of said first and second base portions, respectively.

40. The building system of claim 39, wherein said first and second ends of said first and second base portions, respectively, limit relative rotational movement between said nut and said mounting device.

41. The building system of claim 39, wherein said first and second ends of said first and second base portions, respectively, are disposed in closely spaced relation to opposing sidewall portions of said nut body.

42. The building system of claim 41, wherein at least a portion of said nut body is at all times retained between said first and second ends of said first and second base portions, respectively.

43. The building system of claim 37, wherein a width of said nut body receptacle limits relative rotation between said nut and said mounting device.

44. The building system of claim 32, wherein said first base portion further comprises a first base surface and said second base portion further comprises a second base surface, wherein said first and second base surfaces are spaced from one another and each projects in a direction of said upper wall, and wherein said first and second base surfaces define a maximum amount that said nut is able to move away from said upper wall when said nut is disposed within said nut receptacle.