IP Library Granted Patent US 11,522,490
Granted Patent B2
US 11,522,490 · App. 17/403,490 · Granted Dec 6, 2022

Height adjustment bracket for roof applications

Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns (Tucson, AZ); Alexander Grant Bornemann (Duxbury, VT)
Assignee: Ecofasten Solar, LLC
H02S20/23F16M13/02F24S25/632F24S25/636H02S30/10Y02B10/10Y02B10/20Y02E10/47
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,522,490
App. No.
17/403,490
Granted
Dec 6, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A roof mount system supports a solar panel above a roof and includes a base positioned on the roof and a first fastener connected to the base and extending away from the roof and moveable along the base in a direction generally parallel to the roof. A first clamp supports a bottom surface of a solar panel frame and adjusts the height of the solar panel above the roof by moving the first clamp along a first fastener in a direction perpendicular to the roof. A second clamp is connected to a second fastener and moves with respect to the first clamp perpendicular to the roof. The solar panel is clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp portion. A protrusion extends from the first or second clamp to form an electrical bond between the solar panel frame and the respective first or second clamp.

Claims (30)

1. A roof mount, comprising:

a base installable on a roof;

an adjustment assembly operatively coupled to the base, the adjustment assembly comprising a threaded shaft extending along a first axis substantially perpendicular to the roof and a nut constrained within the adjustment assembly;

a clamp adjustably connected to the base by the adjustment assembly, wherein a distance between the clamp and the base is adjustable, the clamp comprising:

a first clamp portion that includes a central portion, a first support surface and a second support surface,

the first support surface comprising a recess and configured to support a portion of a first solar panel,

the central portion disposed between the first support portion and the second support portion;

a second clamp portion

a fastener connected to the clamp, the fastener operable to tighten the second clamp portion to the first clamp portion; and

an access to enable adjustment of the clamp along the first axis, the access defined through the second clamp portion.

2. The roof mount of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment assembly is slidable on the base.

3. The roof mount of claim 1 , wherein the recess is a curvilinear depression.

4. The roof mount of claim 1 , wherein the central portion defines an aperture that is configured to receive the adjustment assembly.

5. The roof mount of claim 4 , the nut comprises a protrusion that is configured to contact and support the first clamp portion.

6. The roof mount of claim 1 , wherein the clamp comprises a resilient wall defined in the central portion.

7. The roof mount of claim 1 , wherein the second portion is configured to support a portion of a second solar panel.

8. A roof mount comprising:

a base extending along a second axis;

an adjustment assembly operatively coupled to the base, the adjustment assembly comprising a threaded shaft extending along a first axis substantially perpendicular to the second axis and a nut constrained within the adjustment assembly;

a clamp adjustably connected to the base by the adjustment assembly, wherein a distance between the clamp and the base is adjustable, the clamp comprising:

a first channel sized to receive and support a first solar panel, the first channel defined between a first top flange and a first bottom flange, the first bottom flange including a recess, the first channel having a first height extending between the first top flange and the first bottom flange, the first height being adjustable; and

a second channel sized to receive and support one of a second solar panel, the second channel defined between a second top flange and a second bottom flange, the second channel having a second height extending between the second top flange and the second bottom flange, the second height being adjustable;

a central portion disposed between the first bottom flange and the second bottom flange, the central portion comprising a slot having an open side facing the base; and

a first fastener connected to the clamp, the first fastener operable to adjust the first height and second height; and

an access to enable adjusting of the clamp along the second axis, the access defined through the central portion.

9. The roof mount of claim 8 , wherein the recess is a curvilinear depression.

10. The roof mount of claim 8 , wherein the slot of the central portion is configured to receive the adjustment assembly.

11. The roof mount of claim 10 , wherein the nut comprises a protrusion that is configured to contact the central portion.

12. The roof mount of claim 10 , wherein the nut is retained in the slot by an insert.

13. The roof mount of claim 8 , wherein the clamp comprises a wall disposed between the first channel and the second channel.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 25, 2025
From: ECOFASTEN SOLAR, LLC
To: ENSTALL US, INC.
Reel/Frame 073511/0490 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2025
From: ECOFASTEN SOLAR, LLC; ENSTALL EUROPE B.V.; IRONRIDGE, INC.; PANELCLAW, INC.; ENSTALL US, INC.; ENSTALL INNOVATION B.V.; WENCON DEVELOPMENT, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070892/0981 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2021
From: STEARNS, BRIAN C; BORNEMANN, ALEXANDER G
To: RILLITO RIVER SOLAR, LLC
Reel/Frame 057200/0703 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 17, 2021
From: RILLITO RIVER SOLAR, LLC
To: RILLITO RIVER SOLAR, LLC
Reel/Frame 057200/0735 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 17, 2021
From: RILLITO RIVER SOLAR, LLC
To: ECOFASTEN SOLAR, LLC
Reel/Frame 057200/0994 →