Patent ID: 11879490
Assignee: SUNRUN SOUTH LLC
Field: Thermal processes and apparatus (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  Y | IPC F

Claim 4:
5. A method for installing a mount in a solar panel installation system, comprising:
positioning a base plate against an installation surface, wherein:
a conically-shaped protrusion of the base plate extends upwardly away from an upper surface of the base plate, and
a base plate aperture with upper and lower ends and is situated concentrically with respect to the conically-shaped protrusion; wherein:
a width of the upper end of the base plate aperture is smaller than a width of the lower end of the base plate aperture;
positioning a mount atop the base plate, wherein:
the mount comprises a bracket having a base with a conically-shaped mount aperture extending therethrough, and
the mount is disposed on top of the base plate with the conically-shaped protrusion extending upwardly through the mount aperture;
inserting a distal end of a shank of a fastening device downwardly through the base plate aperture and the mount aperture, wherein:
the fastening device includes a head and a cover integral with the shank, wherein:
the shank extends away from the head and towards the distal end of the shank, and
the cover extends outwardly and away from the head in the direction of the shank and defines an annular hollow region between the shank and an inner surface of the cover; and
applying a tightening force to the fastening device until the hollow region envelops the conically-shaped protrusion and the conically-shaped mount aperture as the tightening force is being applied until the cover is secured to the mount, the mount is secured to the base plate, and the base plate is secured to an installation surface, thereby preventing an ingress of moisture beneath the fastening device;
wherein the conically-shaped protrusion of the base plate extends beyond the conically-shaped mount aperture into the hollow region of the cover when the mount is positioned atop the base plate.