IP Library Granted Patent US 11,695,261
Granted Patent B2
US 11,695,261 · App. 17/966,493 · Granted Jul 4, 2023

Groove indicated junction box

Inventors: Benjamin Wade (Holladay, UT); Lee Hatley (Arvada, CO)
Assignee: Easy Solar Products, Inc.
H02G3/081H02G3/088H02G3/10H02G3/14
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,695,261
App. No.
17/966,493
Granted
Jul 4, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

In an example embodiment, a junction box may include a flashing. The flashing may define a first groove. The first groove may be disposed relative to a first center axis on a first plane. The junction box may also include a housing. The housing may include a bottom portion. The bottom portion may define a second groove. The second groove may be disposed relative to a second center axis. The second center axis may be coincident with the first center axis in a direction that is substantially parallel to the first plane of the first groove. In addition, the second groove may be located on a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane of the first groove. Further, the second groove may be configured to indicate a suitable hole position in the bottom portion.

Claims (37)

1. A junction box, comprising:

an enclosable housing comprising a bottom interior surface and a bottom exterior surface opposing the bottom interior surface;

a drill zone positioned on the bottom interior surface;

a seal groove positioned on the bottom exterior surface, wherein the drill zone corresponds to the seal groove; and

a flashing extending from the enclosable housing, the flashing being coplanar with the bottom interior surface and the bottom exterior surface of the enclosable housing.

2. The junction box of claim 1 , wherein the drill zone corresponds to the seal groove by being positioned inside of at least a partial perimeter of the seal groove.

3. The junction box of claim 1 , further comprising:

sidewalls of the enclosable housing;

a lid positionable onto an upper surface of the sidewalls; and

a gasket positioned between the lid and the upper surface of the sidewalls.

4. The junction box of claim 1 , further comprising:

a weep hole in the bottom interior surface; and

a gap in the seal groove, wherein the gap is in fluid communication with the weep hole.

5. A junction box, comprising:

an enclosable housing comprising a bottom interior surface and a bottom exterior surface opposing the bottom interior surface;

a drill zone positioned on the bottom interior surface;

a seal groove positioned on the bottom exterior surface, wherein the drill zone is positioned inside of at least a partial perimeter of the seal groove; and

a flashing extending from the enclosable housing.

6. The junction box of claim 5 , wherein the flashing and the enclosable housing are discrete separable components, the flashing being attachable to the enclosable housing for assembling the junction box.

7. The junction box of claim 5 , wherein the flashing comprises a pliable material.

8. The junction box of claim 7 , wherein the pliable material comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).

9. The junction box of claim 7 , wherein the flashing is shapeable to match a contour of a tile shingle.

10. The junction box of claim 9 , wherein the drill zone is configured for routing one or more wires or cables from a solar panel array through the bottom interior surface, through a roof structure, and into an interior space.

11. The junction box of claim 5 , wherein a perimeter of the drill zone is centered relative to at least three edges of the flashing.

12. The junction box of claim 5 , further comprising bosses positioned within the bottom interior surface and outside the drill zone.

13. The junction box of claim 12 , wherein the bosses are positioned inside of the at least partial perimeter of the seal groove.

14. A junction box, comprising:

a housing comprising a bottom interior surface and a bottom exterior surface opposing the bottom interior surface;

a lid positionable onto the housing;

a drill zone in the bottom interior surface of the housing; and

a seal groove in the bottom exterior surface of the housing, wherein the drill zone corresponds to the seal groove.

15. The junction box of claim 14 , further comprising a flashing extending from the housing.

16. The junction box of claim 15 , wherein the flashing is coplanar with the bottom interior surface and the bottom exterior surface of the housing.

17. The junction box of claim 15 , wherein the flashing and the housing form a unibody component inseparably connected together.

18. The junction box of claim 15 , wherein the flashing and the housing comprise a polycarbonate material.

19. The junction box of claim 14 , wherein the seal groove comprises a shape with a vertex oriented towards a front portion of the housing.

20. The junction box of claim 14 , wherein the drill zone is outlined via a groove, color indicia, or pattern indicia.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2023
From: SASQUATCH SOLAR LLC
To: EASY SOLAR PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063556/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2023
From: EASY SOLAR PRODUCTS, LLC
To: EASY SOLAR PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 063537/0033 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2023
From: WADE, BENJAMIN; HATLEY, LEE
To: SASQUATCH SOLAR LLC
Reel/Frame 063492/0728 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16709682 · Dec 10, 2019
Continuation In Part 16259887 · Jan 28, 2019
Continuation In Part 15963707 · Apr 26, 2018
Related Publication 20230043327A1 · Feb 9, 2023
Cited By (5)
US 1,106,972 US 1,129,390 US 12,494,627 US 12,676,464 US 12,683,371