U.S. patent application number 15/617896 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-14 for tile flashing.
The applicant listed for this patent is Rillito River Solar, llc. Invention is credited to Alexander Grant Bornemann, Brian Cecil Stearns.
Application Number | 20170356189 15/617896 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60572372 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170356189 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stearns; Brian Cecil ; et
al. |
December 14, 2017 |
TILE FLASHING
Abstract
In various embodiments, a flashing system may comprise a
flashing having a uniform top surface having at least one of a flat
profile, an S profile, and a W profile. The flashing system may
further include a hook capable of being attached to the decking of
a roof and disposed beneath the flashing. The flashing may be
customizable by a user in the field to adjust a slot in the
flashing to install the flashing on the hook.
Inventors: |
Stearns; Brian Cecil;
(Tucson, AZ) ; Bornemann; Alexander Grant;
(Phoenix, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rillito River Solar, llc |
Phoenix |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60572372 |
Appl. No.: |
15/617896 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62347156 |
Jun 8, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 2001/3458 20130101;
E04D 1/14 20130101; E04D 1/30 20130101; E04D 2001/345 20130101;
E04D 2001/3452 20130101; E04D 1/34 20130101; E04D 2001/308
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04D 1/30 20060101
E04D001/30; E04D 1/14 20060101 E04D001/14; E04D 1/34 20060101
E04D001/34 |
Claims
1. A flashing system, comprising; flashing having a uniform top
surface having at least one of a flat profile, an S profile, and a
W profile, and; a hook capable of being attached to the decking of
a roof and disposed beneath the flashing, wherein the flashing is
customizable by a user in the field to adjust a slot in the
flashing to install the flashing on the hook.
2. The flashing system of claim 1, wherein the hook has at least on
of an L profile or a C profile.
3. The flashing system of claim 1, wherein there is no predefined
aperture through the flashing.
4. A method, comprising: removing a roof tile; locating a rafter on
the roof surface; fastening a hook to the rafter; fitting a
flashing in the space left by removing the roof tile; and adjusting
an edge of the flashing to allow the hook to pass through the
flashing.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising installing a clip on
the flashing.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the clip is configured to couple
the flashing to an adjacent roof tile.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the flashing is customizable by a
user in the field to adjust a slot in the flashing to install the
flashing on the hook.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the fitting includes cutting a
portion of the flashing to create an adjustable flap.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/347,156, filed Jun.
8, 2016, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by
reference for any purpose.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to flashing systems for
concrete tile roofs.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a flashing system may
comprise a flashing having a uniform top surface having at least
one of a flat profile, an S profile, and a W profile. The flashing
system may further include a hook capable of being attached to the
decking of a roof and disposed beneath the flashing. The flashing
may be customizable by a user in the field to adjust a slot in the
flashing to install the flashing on the hook.
[0004] The forgoing features and elements may be combined in
various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly
indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as
the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more
apparent in light of the following description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. A more complete understanding of the present
disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the
detailed description and claims when considered in connection with
the drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like
elements.
[0006] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate various views of a flat tile flashing
and hook system, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0007] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate various views of an "S" tile flashing
and hook system, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0008] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate various views of a "W" tile flashing
and hook system, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 3E is a process flow describing installation of a tile
flashing and hook system, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0010] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate various views of a retention clip for
use with a tile flashing and hook system, in accordance with
various embodiments; and
[0011] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate various views of a support for used
with a flashing and hook system, in accordance with various
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein
makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary
embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the inventions, it should be
understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical,
chemical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the inventions. Thus, the detailed
description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only
and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the
method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are
not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any
reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any
reference to more than one component or step may include a singular
embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed,
connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary,
partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option.
Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases)
may also include reduced contact or minimal contact.
[0013] Concrete tile shingles used in "tile" roofs generally has a
flat profile, an "S" profile or a "W" profile. The tiles can be
removed for the installation of roof mounted objects (e.g., solar
panels, snow management systems, heating and cooling equipment,
water storage equipment, and/or the like). An installer of the roof
mounted object may rework the removed tile to accommodate mounting
hardware for the roof mounted objects. This has traditionally
required rework of the tile. The rework can be time consuming and
may require protective equipment and special equipment, processing,
and training. As such, there is a need to reduce the need for
rework by an installer.
[0014] In various embodiments, the flashings systems described
herein are configured to provide a water tight installation. The
flashing systems may be configured to replace portions of a tile
roof. The flashing systems may be used to cover a tile hook. The
tile hook may be as a mounting point for the roof mounted objects.
In this regard, the flashing system is configured to replace roof
tiles.
[0015] In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D,
flashing system 100 may be configured to provide a watertight
barrier around mounting hardware for a roof mounting hardware.
Flashing system 100 may comprise a flashing 110. Flashing 110 may
be installed as part of a tile roof system. For example, flashing
110 may be installed between one or more roof tiles 103-1 and
103-2.
[0016] In various embodiments, flashing system 100 may be mountable
to a roof at the roof decking 101 and/or a roof batten 105. For
example, flashing 110 of flashing system 100 may be attached to
roof decking 101 and/or roof batten 105 by one or more fasteners.
The fastener may be any suitable fastener such as, for example, a
screw (e.g., screw 130-1, screw 130-2, and/or the like), an
adhesive, tape, staples, nails, and/or the like. Flashing 110 may
also be attached, held, or otherwise be mountable to roof decking
101 and/or roof batten 105 by one or more roof tiles 103-1 and
103-2.
[0017] Flashing system 100 may be configured to interface with and
cover a tile hook 120. More specifically, flashing 110 may include
a channel or slot 115 that is configured as an interface with tile
hook 120. Slot 115 may be formed in flashing 110 at the time that
flashing 110 is manufactured (e.g., the slot 115 may be formed in
flashing 110 as part of the stamping operation). Flashing 110 may
also be formed onsite by a user of the flashing. For example,
flashing 110 may be manipulated by a user with a tool (e.g.,
pliers, tin snips, and/or the like). A user may also be able to
customize and/or adjust slot 115. In this regard, the user may be
able to increase or decrease the depth of slot 115 based on the
installation parameters on the roof where the user is installing
flashing. For example, the user may be able to define slot 115
along any point in the leading edge (i.e., the down slope edge) of
flashing 110 to insure that tile hook 120 can be properly mounted
to roof surface 101 (e.g., into a rafter).
[0018] In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 1A-3D,
flashing system 100 may be adapted and/or implemented with any
style of concrete or ceramic tile roof. For example, flashing
system 100 may include flashing 110 with a flat tile style profile.
Flashing system 200 may include a flashing 210 with an "S" tile
style profile. Flashing system 300 may include a flashing 310 with
an "W" tile style profile.
[0019] In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C,
flashing system 200 may work with tile hook 220 that is installed
along any portion of the leading edge (e.g., the downslope edge) of
flashing 210. For example, tile hook 220 may be placed or installed
at a peak of the "S" flashing 210 at location A, as shown in FIG.
2A. Tile hook 220 may be placed or installed at a valley of the "S"
flashing 210 at location B, as shown in FIG. 2B.
[0020] In various embodiments, the "S" tile flashing 210 may
comprise one or more surface features. For example, the surface of
flashing 210 may comprise a raised landing 217. That landing may be
supported and/or otherwise used as a point of attachment as
described herein. The surface of flashing 210 may also comprise one
or more stiffening ribs 213.
[0021] In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 3A-3D,
flashing system 300 may work with tile hook 320 that is installed
along any portion of the leading edge (e.g., the downslope edge) of
flashing 310. For example, tile hook 320 may be placed or installed
at a peak of the "W" flashing 310 at location A, as shown in FIG.
3A. Tile hook 320 may also be placed or installed at a valley of
the "W" flashing 310 at location B, as shown in FIG. 3B.
[0022] In various embodiments and similar to the "S" tile flashing
210, "W" tile flashing 310 may comprise one or more surface
features. For example, the surface of flashing 310 may comprise a
raised landing 317. That landing may be supported and/or otherwise
used as a point of attachment as described herein. The surface of
flashing 310 may also comprise one or more stiffening ribs 313.
[0023] In various embodiments, the tile flashings described herein
(e.g., flashing 110, flashing 210, flashing 310, and/or the like)
may be configured to interface with any suitable hook structure. In
this regard, the hook may be a tile hook having an "L" profile
including, for example, tile hook 120 as shown in FIG. 1A, tile
hook 320-2 as shown in FIG. 3D, and/or the like. The hook may be a
tile hook having an "C" profile including, for example, tile hook
220 as shown in FIG. 2A, tile hook 320-1 as shown in FIG. 3A,
and/or the like.
[0024] In various embodiments, the flashing (e.g., flashing 110,
flashing 210, flashing 310, and/or the like) described herein may
be modified, adjusted, and/or customized by the user. In this
regard, the flashing may be adapted to work with any suitably
shaped or sized hook that is configured to mount to a roof and
support a structure. The flashing may be provided by a manufacturer
in various user selectable configurations. The flashing may also be
field adjustable by a user.
[0025] In various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 3E, a
method 350 for installing a tile flashing may be provided. A roof
tile may be removed (Step 352). In response to the roof tile being
removed, a user may locate a rafter on the roof surface (Step 354).
The rafter may be located with a tool or sensor. In this regard,
the rafter may be located in any suitable fashion. A hook may be
fastened to the rafter (Step 356) with any suitable fastener (e.g.,
a lag bolt, screw, and/or the like). A flashing may be fit in the
space left by removing the roof tile (Step 358). An edge of the
flashing may be adjusted to allow the hook to pass through the
flashing (Step 360). In this regard, and as discussed herein, the
flashing may be customizable by a user in the field to adjust a
slot in the flashing to install the flashing on the hook. Moreover,
the fitting or adjusting may include cutting a portion of the
flashing to create an adjustable flap. A clip may be installed on
the flashing (Step 362). The clip may be configured to couple the
flashing to an adjacent roof tile.
[0026] In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 4A and
4B, flashing 410 of flashing system 400 may be secured to a roof
structure by a clip 440. Clip 440 may be a separate clip that the
user installs between flashing 410 and additional roof structure
(e.g., the clip may attach to a roof tile that is adjacent flashing
410). In this regard, clip 440 may be configured to engage,
contact, or otherwise interface with a portion of flashing 410 and
a portion of the roof structure (e.g., the underside of a roof
tile). Clip 440 may have spring properties. In this regard, clip
440 may be actuatable by a user in the field. Clip 440 may also be
deformable and/or customizable to a user in the field. In this
regard, clip 440 may be adjusted to mate with both flashing 410 and
roof structure. Clip 440 may also be integrally formed in flashing
410. Clip 440 may be installable on the leading or trailing edge of
flashing 410 (e.g., the upslope edge or the downslope edge of
flashing 410).
[0027] In various embodiments, flashing system 500 may comprise a
support 550. Support 550 may be installed between flashing 510 and
a roof surface 501. In this regard, support 550 may be attached to
roof surface 501 (e.g., roof decking, a roof rafter, a roof batten
505, and/or the like). Support 550 may also be attached to the
underside of flashing 510. Support 550 may also be a free floating
structure that may be placed at any suitable point where the
flashing may be subjected to a load (e.g., raised portion 517). In
various embodiments, support 550 may be any suitable material,
including, for example, wood, metal, Styrofoam, plastic, and/or the
like. Moreover, support 550 may be placed at a point on the
flashing to prevent compressive distortion or crushing of the
flashing from environmental, user imposed, and/or structural loads
(e.g., snow and ice loads, wind load, user load from maintenance of
the roof mounted structure, and/or the like).
[0028] In various embodiments, the systems described herein may be
used with any suitable roof mounted structure including, for
example, a solar panel array or system, an environmental
conditioning system (e.g., HVAC, swamp cooler, and/or the like), a
water system (e.g., a solar water heater, a water storage system,
and/or the like). The systems may also be used with any suitable
concrete or ceramic tile system. In this regard, the systems
described herein provide a universal, watertight flashing system
for tile style roofs.
[0029] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described herein with regard to specific embodiments.
Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures
contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional
relationships and/or physical couplings between the various
elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional
functional relationships or physical connections may be present in
a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to
problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage,
or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be
construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements
of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be
limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which
reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean
"one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or
more." Moreover, where a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B,
or C" is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be
interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B
alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an
embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may
be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B
and C, or A and B and C.
[0030] Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the
detailed description herein, references to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "various embodiments", etc., indicate that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include
the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,
such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the
description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant
art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative
embodiments.
[0031] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the
present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public
regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be
construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless the
element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for." As used
herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that
a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of
elements does not include only those elements but may include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,
article, or apparatus.
* * * * *