IP Library Granted Patent US 11,085,484
Granted Patent B2
US 11,085,484 · App. 15/713,087 · Granted Aug 10, 2021

Water sealing surface attachment

Inventors: Kyle Donald Feldmann (Richmond, IA); John Paul Kapla (Mill Valley, CA); Bryan Cusick (San Pablo, CA)
Assignee: Sunpower Corporation
F16B43/001F16B5/0275F16B29/00F16B33/004F16B41/002F16J15/14F24S25/33F24S25/60F24S25/61F24S80/70H02S20/23H02S20/30F24S2025/014F24S2025/021F24S2025/601F24S2025/6005Y02B10/10Y02E10/47
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,085,484
App. No.
15/713,087
Granted
Aug 10, 2021
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (38)

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.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2025
From: SUNPOWER CORPORATION; SUNPOWER CORPORATION, SYSTEMS
To: UNIRAC, INC.
Reel/Frame 071302/0904 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2025
From: SUNPOWER CORPORATION,
To: UNIRAC, INC.
Reel/Frame 070704/0860 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2024
From: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
To: UNIRAC, INC.
Reel/Frame 069584/0419 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 14, 2024
From: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
To: GLAS AMERICAS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066598/0964 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2022
From: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 061422/0566 →
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Recorded May 24, 2021
From: FELDMANN, KYLE DONALD; CUSICK, BRYAN
To: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056340/0022 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2021
From: KAPLA, JOHN PAUL
To: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056340/0008 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,562,674