Framing system for flush mounting objects to a roof and method therefor

A system for flush mounting an object like a solar panel to a roof. The system uses a frame which is coupled to an outer circumference of the object. The frame is used to support and hold the object flush to the roof. An overhang member is coupled to an outside section of the frame. The overhang member is used for supporting roof flashing which is placed under the overhang member. This allows the object to be directly flashed to the roof flashing and further prevents water from seeping in between the object to be flush mounted and the roof flashing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to frames, and more specifically, to a 
framing system for flush mounting objects, specifically solar panels, to a 
roof and which prevents water from seeping in between the object and the 
roof sheathing. 
2. Background of the Invention 
Presently, in order to install objects such as solar panels on a roof, 
metal tubing is screwed onto the roof to support the solar panels at a 
specified angle. This conventional method of installing solar panels can 
be extremely unsightly with bulky collectors tilted upright and expose 
plumbing marring roof lines. Because of the unaesthetically pleasing look 
of conventionally installed solar panels, many new home owner associations 
have restricted and/or banned the installation of solar panels using 
conventional techniques. Furthermore, in order to install solar panels 
using conventional techniques, holes are drilled into the roof in order to 
hold and support the metal tubing. This causes problems since if the holes 
are not properly drilled and sealed, water will begin to seep into the 
home. 
Therefore, a need existed to proved an improved system and method for 
mounting objects like solar panels onto a roof. The improved system and 
method will allow solar panels to be flush mount on the roof such that the 
solar panel will look like a high quality skylight. The improved system 
and method will allow solar panels to be flush mounted on the roof and 
also prevent water seepage into the home. The improved system and method 
will directly flash the solar panel and flashing panel on the roof 
sheathing thereby eliminating water from seeping in between the solar 
collector and the roof flashing. Using this flashing will allow any water 
that could form in the solar collector to run onto the roof tile through 
vent holes in the lower side of the flashing curb. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object 
of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for 
mounting objects like solar panels onto a roof. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved system 
and method for flush mounting objects like solar panels on a roof. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved 
system and method which will allow solar panels to be flush mounted on a 
roof and also prevent water from seeping into the home. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved 
system and method which will allow solar panels to be flashed directly on 
the roof sheathing thereby eliminating water from seeping in between the 
solar collector and the roof flashing. 
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an 
improved system and method for flush mounting solar panels to a roof and 
which will allow any water that may enter the solar collector through 
glass breakage or leaking tubes to not enter the establishment where the 
solar panel is mounted. 
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a roofer 
with a convenient method of flashing to make the roof water tight below 
the solar panel. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system for 
flush mounting an object to a roof is disclosed. The system uses a frame 
which is coupled to an outer circumference of the object to be flush 
mounted to the roof. The frame is used for supporting the object on the 
roof. An overhang member is coupled to an outside section of the frame. 
The overhang member is used for shielding the flashing curb so that water 
will not enter the flash pan and enter the establishment where the system 
is mounted and for preventing water from seeping in between the object to 
be flush mounted on the roof and the roof flashing. 
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of 
providing a system for flush mounting an object to a roof is disclosed. 
The method comprises the steps of: providing a frame coupled to an outer 
circumference of the object for supporting the object on the roof; and 
providing an overhang member coupled to an outside section of the frame 
for shielding the flashing curb so that water will not enter the flashing 
pan and enter the establishment where the system is mounted and for 
preventing water from seeping in between the object to be flush mounted on 
the roof and the roof flashing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a system 10 for flush mounting an object to a roof 
12 is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the 
system 10 is used for flush mounting a solar absorber panel 14 to the roof 
12. 
The system 10 uses a frame 16 for supporting the solar panel 14. The frame 
16 will have a top inside edge 16A and a bottom inside edge 16B. The top 
and bottom inside edges 16A and 16B respectively are used for supporting 
and holding the object (i.e., solar panel 14) to be flush mounted on the 
roof 12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame 
16 is placed around the entire outer circumference of the solar panel 14 
and is made out of a strong light weight material like aluminum, sheet 
metal, or a plastic. 
The frame 16 will have an overhang member 18 which is permanently coupled 
to the frame 16. The overhang member 18 generally takes the shape of an 
"L" member or that of a sweeping wing. The overhang member 18 will extend 
along the entire length of the frame 16. When installing the solar panel 
14, the roof flashing 20 will be placed under the overhang member 18. 
Thus, the overhang member 18 will allow the solar panel 14 to be mounted 
directly on the roof flashing 20 thereby eliminating water from seeping in 
between the roof flashing and the solar panel 14. 
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom tip 18A of 
the overhang member 18 begins approximately 2.25 inches to 3.00 inches 
above the bottom of the frame 16. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment 
of the present invention, the overhang member 18 will have a gap of 
approximately 0.2 to 0.5 inches from the outside of the bottom tip 18A of 
the overhang member 18 to the frame 16. 
A bottom plate may be coupled to the roof flashing 20 to form a pan 26. The 
bottom pan section 26 is used to collect moisture which may have formed 
within the solar panel 14 and is discharged through openings 32 drilled 
through the frame 16. The bottom pan section 26 will have stand pipes 28 
coupled thereto. The water feed and return lines 34 of the solar panel 14 
are each placed inside a separate stand pipe 28. The stand pipes 28 are of 
a sufficient height to ensure that water in the bottom pan section 26 will 
not flow over the top of the stand pipes 28 and into the establishment 
where the system 10 is installed. In the preferred embodiment of the 
present invention, the stand pipes are approximately two and a half inches 
high. 
To prevent water from building up in the bottom pan section 26, a plurality 
of drain holes 30 are drilled therethrough. The drain holes 30 will allow 
moisture which has collected in the bottom pan section 26 to be discharged 
onto the roof 12 thereby preventing water buildup in the bottom pan 
section 26. 
As stated above, when installing the system 10, the roof flashing 20 will 
be placed under the overhang member 18 of the frame 16. The overhang 
member 18 will allow the solar panel 14 to be flashed directly on the roof 
flashing 20 and also eliminate water from seeping in between the roof 
flashing 20 and the solar panel 14. However, to further protect against 
water seepage into the home, a moldable metal sheet 22 may be used. The 
moldable metal sheet 22 is placed under the roof flashing 20 and is molded 
to conform to the roof tiles 24. A second layer of roof tiles 24 is then 
placed over the moldable metal sheet 22 in order to hide the moldable 
metal sheet 22. The moldable metal sheet 22 will prevent water from 
seeping in between the solar panel 14 to be flush mounted and the roof 
sheathing. 
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with 
reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those 
skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and 
details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of 
the invention.