Water sealing surface attachment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11085484-B2
Application number	US-201715713087-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 22, 2017
Priority date	Sep 23, 2016
Publication date	Aug 10, 2021
Grant date	Aug 10, 2021

Abstract

A mounting assembly for securing fixtures to a mounting structure may include a first fastener, a washer, a mounting bracket, and second fastener. The first fastener may be coupled to the mounting structure through a mounting aperture. The washer may be disposed around shaft of the first fastener between a head of the first fastener and the mounting surface. The mounting bracket may be disposed on top of the first fastener. The second fastener may be disposed through the mounting bracket and coupled to head of the first fastener. The washer may be a sealing washer that dispenses liquid sealant under compressive force to moisture-proof the securement of the first fastener to the mounting surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mounting assembly coupled to a mounting surface having a mounting aperture, the mounting assembly comprising:
a first fastener comprising:
a first head comprising an upper side and a lower side, the upper side of the head having one or more surfaces that define a connector portion; and
a first shaft extending from the lower side of the first head into the mounting aperture of the mounting surface;
a sealing washer disposed around the first shaft of the first fastener between the mounting surface and the lower side of the first head of the first fastener, the sealing washer defining one or more chambers that contain a sealant, the one or more chambers comprising a frangible dispensing portion configured to rupture when a pressure of the sealant in the chamber exceeds a threshold, the frangible dispensing portion configured to direct the sealant toward the first shaft of the first fastener upon rupture;
a second fastener engaging the connector portion of the first fastener, the second fastener comprising:
a second head comprising an upper side and a lower side; and
a second shaft extending from the lower side of the second head into the connector portion of the first head of the first fastener to secure the second fastener relative to the first fastener; and
a mounting bracket disposed between the first head of the first fastener and the second head of the second fastener such that the second shaft of the second fastener extends through an opening in the mounting bracket,
wherein a bottom face of the mounting bracket defines a first cavity corresponding shaped with and receiving the first head of the first fastener such that the first head seats within the first cavity with the lower side of the first fastener head flush with the bottom face of the mounting bracket and wherein the lower side of the first fastener head defines a second cavity receiving a portion of the sealing washer.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a flashing disposed between the sealing washer and the mounting surface, wherein the first shaft of the first fastener extends through flashing.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 2 , wherein the sealant has been directed onto the first shaft of the first fastener and the flashing.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fixture disposed atop the mounting surface, wherein the mounting bracket is coupled to the fixture.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 4 , wherein the fixture comprises a rail.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 5 wherein a solar module is coupled to the rail.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper side of the second head of the second fastener comprises one or more surfaces that define a non-circular profile configured to be engaged by a corresponding profile of a tool to drive the second fastener.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more chambers of the sealing washer includes a corresponding dispensing portion disposed on an interior circumference of the sealing washer.

9. The mounting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sealant comprises silicone.

10. A mounting assembly coupled to a mounting surface having a mounting aperture, the mounting assembly comprising:
a first fastener comprising:
a first head comprising an upper side and a lower side, the upper side of the head having one or more surfaces that define a connector portion; and
a first shaft extending from the lower side of the first head into the mounting aperture of the mounting surface;
a second fastener engaging the connector portion of the first fastener, the second fastener comprising:
a second head comprising an upper side and a lower side; and
a second shaft extending from the lower side of the second head into the connector portion of the first head of the first fastener to secure the second fastener relative to the first fastener;
a mounting bracket disposed between the first head of the first fastener and the second head of the second fastener such that the second shaft of the second fastener extends through an opening in the mounting bracket;
a sealing washer disposed around the first shaft of the first fastener between the mounting surface and the lower side of the first head of the first fastener, the sealing washer defining separate chambers that contain a sealant, the separate chambers each comprising a frangible dispensing portion configured to rupture when a pressure of the sealant in the chamber exceeds a threshold, the frangible dispensing portion configured to direct the sealant toward the first shaft of the first fastener upon rupture; and
a flashing disposed between the sealing washer and the mounting surface, wherein the first shaft of the first fastener extends through flashing,
wherein a bottom face of the mounting bracket defines a first cavity corresponding shaped with and receiving the first head of the first fastener such that the first head seats within the first cavity with the lower side of the first fastener head flush with the bottom face of the mounting bracket, and wherein the lower side of the first fastener head defines a second cavity receiving a portion of the sealing washer.

11. The mounting assembly of claim 10 , wherein the sealant has been directed onto the first shaft of the first fastener and the flashing.

12. The mounting assembly of claim 10 , further comprising:
a fixture disposed atop the mounting surface, wherein the mounting bracket is coupled to the fixture.

13. The mounting assembly of claim 12 , wherein the fixture comprises a rail.

14. The mounting assembly of claim 13 , wherein a solar module is coupled to the rail.

15. The mounting assembly of claim 10 , wherein the upper side of the second head of the second fastener comprises one or more surfaces that define a non-circular profile configured to be engaged by a corresponding profile of a tool to drive the second fastener, and wherein each of the separate chambers of the sealing washer includes a corresponding dispensing portion disposed on an interior circumference of the sealing washer, wherein the sealant comprises silicone.

16. The mounting assembly of claim 10 , wherein each of the separate chambers of the washer includes a curved top surface and a curved bottom surface.

Assignees

• Sunpower Corp

Inventors

• Feldmann Kyle Donald
• Kapla John Paul
• Cusick Bryan

Classifications

• H04N7/181

  for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources · CPC title

• H04L2012/2849

  Audio/video appliances · CPC title

• H04L63/0428

  wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload · CPC title

• H04L63/02

  for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls · CPC title

• H04L61/2578

  without involvement of the NAT server · CPC title