IP Library Granted Patent US 11,205,990
Granted Patent B2
US 11,205,990 · App. 17/099,128 · Granted Dec 21, 2021

Roof mounting system

Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns (Tucson, AZ); Douglas Timothy Lounsbury (Moretown, VT)
Assignee: Ecofasten Solar, LLC
H02S20/23E04B1/66E04D13/04E04D13/10E04D13/14E04D13/1407E04D13/147F16B5/0258F16B43/001F24S25/61F24S2025/021Y02B10/10Y02B10/20Y02E10/47
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,205,990
App. No.
17/099,128
Granted
Dec 21, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A roof mount assembly mounts a structure to a roof having a rafter and a substrate supported by the rafter. The roof mount assembly includes a piece of flashing positioned on the substrate. The flashing includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an aperture extending through the flashing. A fastener extends through the flashing aperture. A bracket is connected to the flashing via the fastener, and the bracket is sized to support at least one roof-mounted structure on the roof. A seal is positioned between the flashing aperture and the fastener. The seal is sized to form a water-tight seal with the aperture to inhibit flow of fluid through the aperture. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion is positioned to abut the flashing first surface and the second portion is positioned to extend through the aperture.

Claims (41)

1. A roof mounting system, comprising:

a flashing extending along a first plane, the flashing comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the flashing comprising a frustoconical protrusion extending upwardly from the first side, the frustoconical protrusion defining a first aperture, the frustoconical protrusion have a first diameter in the first plane and a second diameter in a second plane disposed above the first plane;

a bracket comprising,

an elongate body having a first end and a second end, the elongate body including a slot defined through the elongate body, the elongate body having a serrated portion adjacent the slot, and

a flange comprising a top surface, the flange extending perpendicularly from the elongate body, the flange defining a second aperture, the second aperture having a first aperture portion with a consistent width and a second aperture portion with a tapered width;

a washer comprising a polymeric portion and a rigid portion adjacent the polymeric portion, the washer including a third aperture defined through the polymeric portion and a fourth aperture defined through the rigid portion; and

a fastener comprising a head portion and a threaded portion, the fastener installable through the fourth aperture, the third aperture, the second aperture and the first aperture, the head portion of the fastener configured to engage the rigid portion of the washer,

wherein the polymeric portion is compressed between the rigid portion of the washer and the top surface of the flange.

2. A roof mounting system, comprising:

a flashing extending along a first plane, the flashing comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the flashing comprising a protrusion extending upwardly from the first side, the protrusion defining a first aperture, the protrusion having a first diameter in the first plane and a second diameter in a second plane, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter;

a bracket comprising,

an elongate body have a first end and a second end, the elongate body including a slot defined through the elongate body between the first end and the second end, the elongate body having a rough surface having a high coefficient of friction and

a flange comprising a top surface that extends perpendicularly from the elongate body, the flange defining a second aperture having a first aperture portion with a uniform cross-section and a second aperture portion with a tapered cross-section;

a washer comprising a polymeric portion and a rigid portion adjacent the polymeric portion, the washer including a third aperture defined through the polymeric portion and a fourth aperture defined through the rigid portion; and

a fastener comprising a head portion and a threaded portion, the fastener installable through the fourth aperture, the third aperture, the second aperture and the first aperture, the head portion of the fastener configured to engage the rigid portion of the washer,

wherein the polymeric portion is compressed between the rigid portion and the top surface of the flange.

3. The roof mounting system of claim 2 , wherein the second plane is disposed above the first plane.

4. The roof mounting system of claim 2 , further comprising a rubber seal including a first seal end portion, a second seal end portion and a central seal portion between the first seal end portion and second seal end portion, the rubber seal defining a cylindrical second aperture through the first seal end portion, the second seal end portion, and the central seal portion.

5. The roof mounting system of claim 2 , wherein the slot of the elongate body is sized to receive a second fastener to support a solar panel.

6. The roof mounting system of claim 2 , wherein a track is configured to mount to the elongate body.

7. The roof mounting system of claim 6 , wherein a height between the track and a roof is adjustable along a length of the slot in the elongate body.

8. The roof mounting system of claim 6 , wherein the track is configured to engage the rough surface of the elongate body.

9. The roof mounting system of claim 6 , wherein the track is configured to receive a solar panel.

10. The roof mounting system of claim 2 , wherein the first aperture portion of the second aperture has a first width, and the second aperture portion of the second aperture has a second width and a third width flange.

11. The roof mounting system of claim 10 , wherein the first width is smaller than the second width and the second width is smaller than the third width.

12. The roof mounting system of claim 11 , wherein the slope between the third width and the second width conforms to the protrusion in the flashing.

13. A roof mounting system, comprising:

a flashing extending along a first plane, the flashing comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the flashing comprising a protrusion extending upwardly from the first side, the protrusion defining a first aperture, the protrusion having a first diameter in the first plane and a second diameter in a second plane, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter;

a bracket comprising,

a bottom portion adjacent the flashing first side, the bottom portion comprising a top surface, the bottom portion defining a second aperture, the second aperture having a first aperture portion and a second aperture portion disposed below the first aperture portion

an elongate body extending perpendicularly from the bottom portion, the elongate body comprising a slot defined through the elongate body, the elongate body having a serrated portion;

a washer comprising a polymeric portion and a rigid portion adjacent the polymeric portion, the washer including a third aperture defined through the polymeric portion and a fourth aperture defined through the rigid portion; and

a fastener comprising a head portion and a threaded portion, the fastener installable through the fourth aperture, the third aperture, the second aperture and the first aperture, the head portion of the fastener configured to engage the rigid portion of the washer,

wherein the polymeric portion is compressed between the rigid portion and the top surface of the flange.

14. The roof mounting system of claim 13 , wherein the first aperture portion has a first flange diameter, and the second aperture portion has a second flange diameter and a third flange diameter.

15. The roof mounting system of claim 14 , wherein the first flange diameter is greater than the second flange diameter.

16. The roof mounting system of claim 14 , wherein the second flange diameter is greater than the third flange diameter.

17. The roof mounting system of claim 13 , wherein the protrusion has a frustoconical profile.

18. The roof mounting system of claim 13 , wherein a height between a track and a roof is adjustable along a length of the slot in the elongate body.

19. The roof mounting system of claim 18 , wherein the track is configured to engage the serrated portion of the elongate body.

20. The roof mounting system of claim 13 , further comprising a rubber seal including a first seal end portion, a second seal end portion and a central seal portion between the first seal end portion and second seal end portion, the rubber seal defining a cylindrical second aperture through the first seal end portion, the second seal end portion, and the central seal portion.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 25, 2025
From: ECOFASTEN SOLAR, LLC
To: ENSTALL US, INC.
Reel/Frame 073511/0490 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2021
From: ECOFASTEN SOLAR, LLC; IRONRIDGE, INC.; PANELCLAW, INC.; WENCON DEVELOPMENT, INC.; ESDEC B.V.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057365/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 17, 2020
From: RILLITO RIVER SOLAR, LLC
To: ECOFASTEN SOLAR, LLC
Reel/Frame 054601/0568 →
MERGER Recorded Nov 17, 2020
From: RILLITO RIVER SOLAR, LLC
To: RILLITO RIVER SOLAR, LLC
Reel/Frame 054391/0349 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2020
From: VERMONT SLATE & COPPER SERVICES, INC.
To: RILLITO RIVER SOLAR, LLC
Reel/Frame 054389/0837 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 16, 2020
From: STERNS, BRIAN CECIL; LOUNSBURY, DOUGLAS TIMOTHY
To: ALPINE SNOWGUARDS
Reel/Frame 054379/0168 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 16, 2020
From: ALPINE SNOWGUARDS
To: VERMONT SLATE & COPPER SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 054379/0364 →
Continuity (25)
Continuation 16864018 · Apr 30, 2020
Continuation 16752667 · Jan 26, 2020
Continuation 16051479 · Jul 31, 2018
Continuation 15942265 · Mar 30, 2018
Continuation 15711745 · Sep 21, 2017
Continuation 15461166 · Mar 16, 2017
Continuation 15229974 · Aug 5, 2016
Continuation 15003472 · Jan 21, 2016
Continuation 14813199 · Jul 30, 2015
Continuation 14253687 · Apr 15, 2014
Continuation 13271650 · Oct 12, 2011
Continuation 13166542 · Jun 22, 2011
Continuation 12914209 · Oct 28, 2010
Continuation In Part 12727726 · Mar 19, 2010
Continuation 14813199 · Jul 30, 2015
Continuation 14235687 · Jan 28, 2014
Continuation 12914209 · Oct 28, 2010
Continuation 14253687 · Apr 15, 2014
Continuation In Part 13166378 · Jun 22, 2011
Continuation 12727726 · Mar 19, 2010
Continuation In Part 12727726 · Mar 19, 2010
Provisional Application 61161668 · Mar 19, 2009
Provisional Application 61298101 · Jan 25, 2010
Provisional Application 61345885 · May 18, 2010
Related Publication 20210067085A1 · Mar 4, 2021