Roof attachment assembly for solar panels and installation method

• US 9,800,199 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2015
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ironridge Incorporated (Esdec B.V.)
• Original Assignee: Ironridge Incorporated (Esdec B.V.)
• Inventors: Meine, Shawn, Ash, Jon, Kim, William, Taggart, David, Pereira, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette E
• Application Number:
  US14/946,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20160142006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• 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: F24S 25/634 Clamps; Clips
• 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

Disclosed herein is a roof attachment assembly for mounting a solar panel on a roof without the use of rails. The assembly includes a flashing member, a pivot bracket member, a clamp member, an array skirt and a splice member. The flashing member anchors the roof attachment assembly to the roof. The pivot bracket member is rotatably connected to the flashing member. The clamp member is connected to the pivot bracket member and is rotatably connected thereto. The clamp member includes grounding elements for electrically grounding the solar panel. The array skirt is removably connected to the clamp member. The splice member includes grounding elements for electrically grounding the solar panel and is removably connected to the array skirt. Also disclosed is a method of using the assembly and an assembly kit.

Claims

1. A rail-less roof attachment assembly for mounting a solar panel on a roof having a flashing member, comprising:

a. a clamping member comprising;

i. a first and a second side positioned on opposite sides of the clamping member and an opening positioned between the first and second sides;

ii. a grounding element embedded in each of the first and second sides;

1. the first and second sides respectively further comprising a top and a bottom arm forming an opening for receiving an item wherein at least one of the bottom arms further comprises a reverse notch;

b. a pivot bracket member comprising;

i. a first side for rotatably coupling the pivot bracket member to the flashing assembly;

ii. a second side for rotatably coupling the pivot bracket member to the clamping member.

2. The rail-less roof attachment assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the grounding element is positioned on the bottom arm of at least one of the first and second sides of the clamping member and defines a grounding pin for making secure electrical connection.

3. The rail-less roof attachment assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises a leveling bolt, the leveling bolt located in the opening, positioned between the first and second sides of the clamping member, for connecting the pivot bracket member to the clamping member and wherein the leveling bolt facilitates adjustment of the height of the clamping member relative to the pivot member.

4. The rail-less roof attachment assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein the leveling bolt is threaded and further comprises a socket drive on one end of the leveling bolt and wherein the rotation of the socket drive adjusts the height of the clamping member relative to the pivot bracket member.

5. The rail-less roof attachment assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the clamping member—

further comprises a level indicator located in the opening positioned between the first and second sides of the clamping member.

6. The rail-less roof attachment assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second bottom arms further comprises a wire harness conduit.

7. The rail-less roof attachment assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the clamping member is made from a spring-like material and wherein the arms are normally urged toward one another.

8. The rail-less roof attachment assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the clamping member rotates 360°

relative to the pivot bracket member.

9. The rail-less roof attachment assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pivot bracket member rotates 360°

relative to the roof.

10. The rail-less roof attachment assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the assembly includes an array skirt member.

11. The rail-less roof attachment assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein the array skirt member comprises a compatible mating notch to the reverse notch.