# US 11,114,974 B2 · Surface mount assemblies for a solar panel system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,114,974 B2 - Document ID: US11114974B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/113,516 - Filed: 2018-08-27 - Published: 2019-02-28 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-25 - Assignees: Sunrun South LLC - Applicants: Sunrun South LLC - Inventors: Greg McPheeters - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11114974B2 ## CPC - H02S 20/30: Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment - F24S 25/30: using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the supporting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors (extending in directions away from the supporting surface F24S25/10; peripheral frames for modules F24S25/20) - F24S 25/61: for fixing to the ground or to building structures - F24S 25/634: Clamps; Clips - F24S 25/70: with means for adjusting the final position or orientation of supporting elements in relation to each other or to a mounting surface; with means for compensating mounting tolerances - H02S 20/23: specially adapted for roof structures - F24S 2025/016: {Filling or spacing means; Elastic means} - F24S 2025/019: {Means for accommodating irregularities on mounting surface; Tolerance compensation means} - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Surface mount assemblies for mounting to a solar panel frame to an installation surface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a height-adjustable rail mount to slidably couple a track with a fastener assembly that includes of a fastener, spacer, and nut. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount and positioned on a base plate to slidably couple to a surface track with a fastener assembly that includes a first fastener slidably coupled to a groove formed by the track, spacer, and second fastener. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount for slidably coupling the rail to a height-adjustable base with a fastener. In some embodiments, a two-configuration, track-mounted, rectangular base is designed with a rectangular base having a pair of short-sided legs, a pair of long-sided legs, and a fastener for engaging outer surfaces of a track. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surface mount assembly for mounting to a solar panel frame to an installation surface, comprising: a base configured with at least one aperture; a track; a plate configured with a raised portion, wherein the raised portion includes at least one aperture extending away from a surface of the raised portion; and a fastener assembly configured for coupling the base to the track and comprised of a threaded track fastener, a threaded base fastener, and a spacer with one aperture having a first threaded end and a second threaded end, wherein the threaded track fastener extends from the track to threadably engage complementary threads of the first threaded end, and wherein the threaded base fastener extends through one base aperture and one plate aperture to threadably engage complementary threads of the second threaded end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surface mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the track is coupled to an installation surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surface mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is L-shaped, wherein a horizontal arm of the L-shaped base is configured with the at least one base aperture. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded track fastener slidably engages the track configured for a slidable engagement. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surface mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded base fastener is comprised of a threaded cap and a threaded insert configured to threadably engage both the complementary threads of the second threaded end and complementary threads of the threaded cap. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The surface mount assembly of claim 5, wherein the threaded cap is further comprised of a first portion and a second portion, wherein threads of the threaded cap are located in the first portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The surface mount assembly of claim 6, wherein an outer surface of the second portion is conically flared. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The surface mount assembly of claim 6, wherein the first portion and the second portion are tiered. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The surface mount assembly of claim 5, wherein one plate aperture is threaded and configured to threadably engage complementary threads of the threaded insert. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The surface mount assembly of claim 9, wherein a second plate aperture is a threaded aperture extending substantially perpendicularly away from the surface of the raised portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The surface mount assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a second threaded cap configured to threadably engage complementary threads of the second plate aperture. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The surface mount assembly of claim 11, wherein the second threaded cap is comprised of an outer shell and a threaded cylindrical member concentric to the outer shell.