Flashing and bracket mount assembly for securing solar panel rail guides on shingle roofs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12209607-B2
Application number	US-202017777463-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 18, 2020
Priority date	Nov 18, 2019
Publication date	Jan 28, 2025
Grant date	Jan 28, 2025

Abstract

In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail and rail-less support structures to a shingle roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a connection bracket and flashing device for use in installing solar panel rail support structures. The connection bracket is secured to the flashing device by placing it over various embodiments of a cone element that is embedded within the flashing and secured using a tightening mechanism such as a bolt, screw, or other fastener. A solar panel rail support guide can be connected to a generally U-shaped connection on the top of the bracket. The apparatus also offers an improved means to cover the penetration point on the flashing to protect it and prevent water from leaking into the roof as well as an improved way to install the apparatus over existing products. Various embodiments of the bracket and flashing provided as well.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for installing a solar panel array to a roof comprising:
a. a bracket comprising:
i. a base comprising:
1. An inner shell comprising an opening; and
2. An outer shell extending from the inner shell forming a void within the base, wherein the outer shell further comprises a bottom surface;

b. a flashing comprising:
i. a cone extending upward from the flashing and tapering inward terminating at a lip, the lip forming a generally circular opening within the cone;

c. wherein the inner shell of the base is coupled within the circular opening of the cone; and
d. wherein the outer shell contacts the flashing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lip extends downward from the top of the cone toward the center of the circular opening within the cone.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lip extends downward from the top of the cone toward the center of the circular opening within the cone and forms a top edge.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the top edge is curved.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a seal positioned between the top edge and the bottom surface of the outer shell.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a fastener inserted through the opening of the inner shell, the fastener further comprising a head and a threaded portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the fastener further comprises a seal positioned beneath the head of the fastener.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the fastener further comprises a rigid portion positioned between the head of the fastener and the seal.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bracket further comprises a guide that extends upward from the base, wherein the guide comprises:
a. a substantially U-shaped member that further comprises an aperture within the member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the guide U-shaped member further comprises a recess along a portion of the member that forms the perimeter of the aperture, wherein the recess is configured to allow a bolt to move vertically along the recess.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the U-shaped member further comprises first and second ends further comprising a retaining lip such that the recess terminates at each retaining lip of the first and second ends; the retaining lips protruding inward toward each other and are configured to prevent the bolt from escaping from the aperture.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the recess further comprises a plurality of ridges.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the U-shaped member further comprises a plurality of ridges.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell contacts the flashing outside of the area of the cone.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell contacts the flashing inside of the area of the cone.

16. An apparatus for installing a solar panel array to a roof comprising:
a. a bracket comprising:
i. a base comprising:
1. A top surface;
2. An interior void; and
3. An inner shell within the interior void, wherein the inner shell comprises a cylindrical opening extending through the base;

b. a flashing comprising:
i. a cone extending upward from the flashing and tapering inward terminating at a lip, the lip forming a generally circular opening within the cone; and

c. a fastener comprising a head and an elongated portion such that the elonga ted portion extends through the cylindrical opening;
d. wherein the inner shell extends through the generally circular opening of the cone; and
e. wherein an outer shell contacts the flashing.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the fastener further comprises a washer slidably coupled to the elongated portion.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the washer comprises a deformable seal.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the deformable seal of the fastener is compressed between the head of the fastener and the top surface of the base.

Assignees

• Ironridge Inc

Inventors

• Justice Anumeha
• Pedlar Roger
• Ash Jon
• Lester Bryan
• Sirochman Joseph P

Classifications

• H02S20/23 Primary

  specially adapted for roof structures · CPC title

• Y02E10/50

  Photovoltaic [PV] energy · CPC title

• Y02E10/47

  Mountings or tracking · CPC title

• Y02B10/10

  Photovoltaic [PV] · CPC title

• F16B5/0233 Primary

  allowing for adjustment perpendicular to the plane of the plates · CPC title