Water sealing surface attachment
AssigneeSunPower Corporation
InventorsKyle Donald Feldmann, John Paul Kapla, Bryan Cusick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mounting assembly for securing fixtures to a mounting structure may include a first fastener, a washer, a mounting bracket, and second fastener. The first fastener may be coupled to the mounting structure through a mounting aperture. The washer may be disposed around shaft of the first fastener between a head of the first fastener and the mounting surface. The mounting bracket may be disposed on top of the first fastener. The second fastener may be disposed through the mounting bracket and coupled to head of the first fastener. The washer may be a sealing washer that dispenses liquid sealant under compressive force to moisture-proof the securement of the first fastener to the mounting surface.
Claims10
A mounting assembly coupled to a mounting surface having a mounting aperture, the mounting assembly comprising:
- a first fastener comprising:
- a first head comprising an upper side and a lower side, the upper side of the head having one or more surfaces that define a connector portion;
- and
- a first shaft extending from the lower side of the first head into the mounting aperture of the mounting surface;
- a sealing washer disposed around the first shaft of the first fastener between the mounting surface and the lower side of the first head of the first fastener, the sealing washer defining one or more chambers that contain a sealant, the one or more chambers comprising a frangible dispensing portion configured to rupture when a pressure of the sealant in the chamber exceeds a threshold, the frangible dispensing portion configured to direct the sealant toward the first shaft of the first fastener upon rupture;
- and
- a sealing washer retainer including a central opening disposed below the sealing washer, sealing arms extending outwardly from the central opening, and a coupling member disposed on the end of each of the sealing arms distal from the central opening;
- a second fastener engaging the connector portion of the first fastener, the second fastener comprising:
- a second head comprising an upper side and a lower side;
- and
- a second shaft extending from the lower side of the second head into the connector portion of the first head of the first fastener to secure the second fastener relative to the first fastener;
- and
- a mounting bracket disposed between the first head of the first fastener and the second head of the second fastener such that the second shaft of the second fastener extends through an opening in the mounting bracket, the mounting bracket including retaining receivers on a bottom face of the mounting bracket, and each of the coupling members is positioned in one of the retainer receivers;
- wherein the bottom face of the mounting bracket defines a first cavity receiving a portion of the first head of the first fastener and wherein the lower side of the first head defines a second cavity receiving a portion of the sealing washer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.