Abstract:
Disclosed is a tile roof equipment-mounting device for mounting solar panels and other equipment to tile roofs. The tile roof mount includes a base and an angled bracket. The base can include a base portion channel projecting upward from the base, with stepped grooves, as well as first and second slots running along opposing sides of the base portion channel in a direction parallel to the base. The angled bracket can include complementary stepped grooves that engage the base portion channel. The angled bracket can include a third slot that is perpendicular to the vertex between angled portions of the angled bracket. A threaded fastener can adjustably engage first, second, and third slots. This combination allows the tile roof mount so that the height is vertically discreetly adjustable and horizontally continuously adjustable.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/054,790 filed on Oct. 15, 2013. The entire contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/054,790 are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a device for mounting equipment, such as solar panels and other equipment, to tile roofs. 
     Mounting solar panels, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels or solar thermal panels, to tile roofs present its own particular set of challenges. Roof tile can be made of a variety of materials such as ceramic, slate, concrete, or clay. These materials can be brittle and therefore do not present a stable mounting surface for solar panels or other roof mounted equipment as it goes through the normal stress of wind and weather. In addition, roof tiles come in a variety of different shapes and styles, for example, flat roof tile, or curved barrel tile. This variation in shape and style also presents challenges for mounting equipment. 
     One solution has been to use a mounting device that includes a base portion in combination with a hook or bracket member. A portion of roof tile is removed to expose the roof sheeting. The base engages and secures the mounting device to the exposed roof directly. The hook or bracket member engages the equipment racking system to the mounting device. Flashing is generally placed on top of the base to prevent water infiltration. The removed tile portion is then re-secured over the base with the top tab of bracket member exposed above the tile to allow equipment or mounting hardware to be attached. 
     One of the challenges with this arrangement is the position of the base is often dictated by the rafters below the roof sheeting and therefore limits the position of roof equipment racking with respect to the roof tile peaks and valleys and the postion of the mounting device. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure describes a device that helps to overcome the challenges of mounting solar panels and other equipment to tile roofs presented in the Background section of this disclosure. In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a mounting device for mounting equipment to a tile roof where the mounting device can be constrained to adjust in discreet steps in two directions and continuously in a third direction after the device is mounted to a tile roof. This allows, for example, an equipment-mounting portion of the mounting device, to be adjusted in three directions relative where the device is attached to the tile roof. This simplifies installation because it allows flexibility in the placement of the equipment racking system relative to mounting device. For example, the mounting device can still be placed so it engages the rafters, as described in the background, but the racking system position is not solely determined by the position of the mounting device as there is some degree of flexibility. The two discrete step adjustments can be along the direction of maximum stress as compared with the continuous step adjustment. This helps assure minimum slippage in the directions of most stress while allowing for a more flexible adjustment along the line of less stress. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a mounting device for mounting equipment to a tile roof that includes a base, a bracket, and an equipment mounting extension. The base includes an upward projected channel with stepped grooves on the inside of the channel and a complementary pair of longitudinal slots along the length of each side of the channel. The bracket includes a first bracket portion and second bracket portion projecting away from the vertex edge of the bracket. The first bracket portion includes complementary stepped grooves and a slot transverse to its width that engages the channel and longitudinal slot of the upward projected channel. The transverse slot is aligned with the complementary pair of longitudinal slots and joined by a fastener, such as a complementary nut and bolt. When the fastener is engaged but loose, the bracket can be adjusted continuously along the longitudinal slot and in discrete steps up and down the height of the upward projected channel. 
     The second bracket portion includes a U-channel projecting away from the end distal to the vertex edge, and parallel to the plane of the second portion top surface. The U-channel includes toothed inner surfaces with the teeth, or steps, running transverse to the length of the second bracket portion or parallel to the vertex edge defining the width of the second bracket portion. 
     In a further aspect, the toothed inner surfaces of the U-channel are configured to adjustably engage toothed outer surfaces of an equipment mounting extension. In this configuration the equipment-mounting portion acts as an adjustable extension of the second bracket portion. The equipment mounting extension includes an equipment-mounting portion. This can include a slot or an aperture for engaging equipment or can be in the form of an angle bracket, L-bracket, C-bracket, or hook shaped. 
     This Summary introduced a selection of concepts in simplified form relating to a novel device for mounting equipment to tile roofs. The novel device for mounting equipment to tile roofs is described in further detail in the Description. The Summary is not intended to identify essential features or limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows in partially explode perspective view, a solar panel system and tile roof structure with a device for mounting solar panels and other equipment to the tile roof. 
         FIG. 2  shows in detail perspective view, the device for mounting solar panels and other equipment to the tile roof of  FIG. 1 , with an upper tile removed to expose a mounting plate. 
         FIG. 3  shows, in exploded perspective view, the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of the device of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 6  shows a front view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a top view of the device of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 8  shows a sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1  taken along section lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  shows in perspective view the device of  FIG. 1  with an alternatively equipment mounting portion. 
         FIG. 10  shows a side view of the device of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  shows an exploded perspective view of an alternative solar panel system and tile roof structure with a device for mounting solar panels and other equipment to the tile roof. 
         FIG. 12  shows a front and top perspective view of the device of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  shows a back and top perspective view of the device of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  shows a side view of the device of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  shows a front elevation view of the device of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 16  shows a top plan view of the device of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 17  shows a sectional view of the device of  FIG. 16  taken along section lines  17 - 17 . 
         FIG. 18  shows an exploded perspective view of an additional alternative solar panel system and tile roof structure with a device for mounting solar panels and other equipment to the tile roof utilizing the base portion similar to the base portion of  FIG. 12  and the equipment mounting bracket similar to the equipment mounting portion of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 19  shows a top and front perspective view of the device of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  shows a side view of the device of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is made with reference to figures, where like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows in partially explode perspective view, a solar panel system and tile roof structure  10  with a mounting device  15  for mounting one or more solar panels  11  and other equipment to the tile roof  13 . Solar panels  11  are secured to rails  17  by solar panel end-clamps  19  and solar panel mid-clamps  21 . The rails  17  are secured the mounting device  15 . The mounting device  15  is secured to the tile roof  13  under the roofing tiles  23 . 
     To aid in understanding the mounting device  15  in relation to the tile roof  13  and the rails  17 ,  FIG. 2  shows the mounting device  15  mounted on roof sheeting  25  with roofing tiles  23  removed to expose the mounting device  15  structure. The roof sheeting  25  is typically plywood or tarpaper underlayment over plywood, but can be any material suitable for covering a roof. The mounting device  15  includes a base  27 , an angled bracket  29 , and an equipment-mounting extension  31 . The base  27  is shown mounted to the roof sheeting  25  by wood securing fasteners  33 , such as a wood screw or lag bolt, through apertures  35  in the base  27 . The base  27  includes a base portion channel  37  projecting upward from the plane of the base  27 . One end of the angled bracket  29  is secured to the base portion channel  37 . The equipment-mounting extension  31  is secured to the other end of the angled bracket  29 . The equipment-mounting extension  31  also secures the rail  17  to the mounting device  15  and thereby the roof sheeting  25 . To install the mounting device  15 , a portion of the roofing tiles  23  are removed, exposing the roof sheeting  25 , so that the base  27  can be secured to the roof sheeting  25  directly. Depending on the style of tile roof  13 , a portion of the roofing tile  23  may be cut in order to create a space to place both the angled bracket  29  and the equipment-mounting extension  31 , as illustrated. 
       FIG. 3  shows, in exploded perspective view, the mounting device  15 . Illustrated are the base  27 , the angled bracket  29 , and the equipment-mounting extension  31 , the wood securing fasteners  33  and a gasket  39 . The gasket  39 , which is optional, mounts between the base  27  and the roof sheeting. The gasket  39  includes apertures  35  for passing through the body of the wood securing fasteners  33 . The apertures  35  are similar in size and location as the apertures  35  of the base  27 . 
     The base  27  is shown with the base portion channel  37  projecting upward from the mounting plane of the base  27 . While the base portion channel  37  is shown projecting perpendicularly upward, the base portion channel  37  can project upward at other angles, as required. The base portion channel  37  includes toothed inner surfaces  41 . The teeth or steps run longitudinally along the base portion channel  37  and are approximately parallel to the mounting plane of the base  27 . 
     The angled bracket  29  includes a first bracket portion  43  and a second bracket portion  45 . The first bracket portion  43  includes toothed outer surfaces  47 . The teeth, or steps, run along the width of the angled bracket  29  and parallel to the vertex edge of the angled bracket  29 . These toothed outer surfaces  47  of the first bracket portion  43  of the angled bracket  29  are configured to engage with the toothed inner surfaces  41  of the base portion channel  37 . The angled bracket  29  can be a right angle L-bracket. Alternatively, the angle between the first bracket portion  43  and the second bracket portion  45  can be, for example, between approximately 80-degrees and 100-degrees as required by the installation. 
     The base portion channel  37  includes a first and second opposing slots  49  approximately parallel to the bottom edge of and on opposing surfaces of the base portion channel  37 . The first bracket portion  43  of the angled bracket  29  includes a third slot  51 ; the third slot  51  being transverse to width or longitudinal along the length of the angled bracket  29 . The toothed outer surfaces  47  of the first bracket portion  43  engages toothed inner surfaces  41  of the base portion channel  37  so that the first and second opposing slots  49  and third slot  51  cross at approximately a right angle. The first and second opposing slots  49  and third slot  51  are secured with a machine-threaded fastener  53  and a nut  55  with complementary threading to the machine-threaded fastener  53 . The first and second opposing slots  49  and third slot  51  are positioned so that when the machine-threaded fastener  53  and nut  55  are secured but loose, the angled bracket  29  can be adjusted continuously laterally along the length of the base portion channel  37 , captive in the toothed inner surfaces  41  and can be adjusted in discrete steps along the height of the base portion channel  37 , each step defined by the toothed inner surfaces  41 . 
     The second bracket portion  45  includes a slotted or hollowed end portion forming a U-channel portion  57 . The U-channel portion  57  includes toothed inner surfaces. The equipment-mounting extension  31  includes a first equipment-mounting extension portion  59  with toothed outer surfaces  61  that are configured to engage the toothed inner surfaces of the U-channel portion  57 . The teeth, or steps, run transverse to the length of the first equipment-mounting extension portion  59 . The U-channel portion  57  includes an aperture  35  sized to pass through a machine-threaded fastener  62  and engage a fourth slot  63  in the equipment-mounting extension  31 . The machine-threaded fastener  62  is secured to a threaded portion  65  in the bottom of the U-channel portion  57 . The machine-threaded fastener is shown as a countersunk screw with a hex-head but is not limited as such. For example, the machine-threaded fastener  62  can be a non-countersunk bolt. The machine-threaded fastener  62  can alternatively be a slot-head, Philips, or torx-head screw, for example. 
     The equipment-mounting extension  31  includes a second equipment-mounting extension portion  67  or in the form of an equipment mounting portion. The second equipment-mounting extension portion  67  and the first equipment-mounting extension portion  59  together form an angled bracket. The second equipment-mounting extension portion  67  includes slot  69 , or alternatively an aperture, for securing the mounting device. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the equipment-mounting extension  31  is secured to the rail  17  by a machine-threaded fastener  53  and a nut  55  through the slot  69 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the mounting device  15  in assembled perspective view.  FIG. 5  shows the mounting device  15  in side view.  FIG. 6  shows the mounting device  15  showing the base portion channel  37  in relation to the base  27  as well as the first and second opposing slots  49  in relation to the base portion channel  37  in front view.  FIG. 7  shows a top view of the mounting device  15  showing the base  27  and the base portion channel  37 , in relation to the angled bracket  29  and equipment-mounting extension  31 .  FIG. 8  shows a sectional view of the mounting device  15  taken along section lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the base portion channel  37  is shown offset in relation to the centerline of the base  27 . This is done in order to provide a larger fastening surface in order to offset the forces or rotational torque applied to the equipment-mounting extension  31  applied by the solar panels, rails, and other roof mounted equipment. The position of the base portion channel  37  can be adjusted or centered, as desired, in order to accommodate different designs of the equipment-mounting extension  31 . 
       FIGS. 4-5 , and  8  show the angled bracket  29  secured to the base  27  with the first bracket portion  43  of the angled bracket  29  engaged with the base portion channel  37  and is secured by the machine-threaded fastener  53  and the nut  55 . The wood securing fasteners  33  are shown with their threaded portions passing through the planar portion of the base  27  and with their heads seated against the planar portion of the base  27 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the base portion channel  37  is shown with toothed inner surfaces  41 , in side view, engaging the toothed outer surfaces  47  of the first bracket portion  43 . In  FIG. 4 , the first and second opposing slots  49  are shown allowing the angled bracket  29  to slide laterally along the toothed inner surfaces  41 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4-5  and  8 , the second bracket portion  45  of the angled bracket  29 , is shown with the U-channel portion  57  with toothed channels transverse to the length of the second bracket portion  45 . The U-channel portion  57  is shown engaged with the toothed outer surfaces  61  of equipment-mounting extension  31  and secured with the machine-threaded fastener  53  into the threaded portion  65  of the bottom of the U-channel portion  57 . 
       FIG. 9  shows in perspective view the mounting device  15  with an alternatively equipment mounting portion folded over the first equipment-mounting extension portion  59  of the equipment-mounting extension  31 .  FIG. 10  shows a side view of the mounting device  15  of  FIG. 9 . In  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the equipment-mounting extension  31  includes an equipment-mounting end portion  71  the projects upward and then inward creating an inverted L-shape or hook shape with respect to the first equipment-mounting extension portion  59  of the equipment-mounting extension  31 . In  FIG. 9 , the equipment-mounting end portion  71  includes a slot  69  or alternatively, a circular aperture, for mounting equipment. In  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the equipment-mounting extension  31 , angled bracket  29  and base  27  are shown in approximately the same relationship as described for  FIGS. 1-8 . 
       FIGS. 11-17  show another example of a device  115  for mounting solar panels and other equipment to tile roof in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 11  a front exploded perspective view,  FIG. 12  shows a front and top perspective view,  FIG. 13  shows a back and top perspective view,  FIG. 14  shows a side view,  FIG. 15  shows a front elevation view, and  FIG. 16  shows a top plan view of the device  115 .  FIG. 17  shows a sectional view of the device  115  of  FIG. 16  taken along section lines  17 - 17 . Referring to  FIGS. 11-17 , illustrated are the base  127 , an angled bracket  129 , wood securing fasteners  33 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a gasket  139 , which is optional, that mounts between the base  127  and the roof sheeting. The gasket  139  includes apertures  35  for passing through the body of the wood securing fasteners  33 . The apertures  35  are similar in size and location as the apertures  35  of the base  127 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 11-17 , the base  127  is shown with the base portion channel  137  projecting upward from the mounting plane of the base  127 . The base portion channel  137  is shown projecting upward at an obtuse angle with respect to the central portion of the base  127 . Typically, the base portion channel  137  can be angled to project upward from 90 degrees to 135 degrees with respect to the base  127 . The base portion channel  137  can project upward at other angles, as required and is not limited to the range given above. The angle is generally limited by the how much torque the wood securing fasteners  33  that secure the base  127  to the roof sheeting can tolerate before the joint between the roof sheet and base fails. The torque is produced by force being applied to the angled bracket  129  by the solar panels and other roof top mounting equipment. While steeper angles allow for more flexible in mounting distance of the equipment with respect to the base  127 , the steeper angle will create more stress on the wood securing fasteners  33 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-14 , and  17 , the base portion channel  137  includes toothed inner surfaces  141 . The teeth or steps run longitudinally along the base portion channel  137  and are approximately parallel to the mounting plane of the base  127 . The angled bracket  129  includes a first bracket portion  143  and a second bracket portion  145 . The first bracket portion  143  includes toothed outer surfaces  147 . The teeth, or steps, run along the width of the angled bracket  129  and parallel to an outside vertex edge  148  of the angled bracket  129 . These toothed outer surfaces  147  of the first bracket portion  143  of the angled bracket  129  are configured to engage with the toothed inner surfaces  141  of the base portion channel  137 . The angled bracket  129  is typically angled so that second bracket portion  145 , when engaged with the base portion channel  137  is typically 0 to 10 degrees with respect to the horizon or plane of the roof sheeting. In this typical scenario, for a base portion channel  137  with an angle with respect to the plane of the base of 110-degrees, the inside angle between the first bracket portion  143  and the second bracket portion  145  would be 110-degrees+0 to 10 degrees=110 to 120 degrees. For a base portion channel  137  of 100-degrees, for the second bracket portion  145  to make an angle with the horizon of 0 to 10 degrees, the angle between the first bracket portion  143  and the second bracket portion  145  would be between 100 to 110-degrees. The reader should note that these examples are meant to clarify. The claimed invention is not limited only to these angles or to the ranges given. Other angles can be selected depending on factors such as the roof tile length and the height of the roof tile above the roof sheeting as well as the stress factors mentioned in the preceding paragraphs. 
     The base portion channel  137  includes a first slot  149  shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 ,  15 , and  16 , and second slot  150  shown in  FIGS. 11-14  and  17 , the first slot  149  and the second slot  150  on opposing surfaces of the base portion channel  137  and approximately parallel to the bottom edge of the base portion channel  137 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the first bracket portion  143  of the angled bracket  129  includes a third slot  151 ; the third slot  151  being transverse to width or longitudinal along the length of the angled bracket  129 . The toothed outer surfaces  147  of the first bracket portion  143  engages toothed inner surfaces  141  of the base portion channel  137  so that the first slot  149 , the second slot  150 , and third slot  151  cross at approximately a right angle. The first slot  149 , the second slot  150 , and the third slot  151  are secured with a machine-threaded fastener  53  into threading  152  along the inside surface of the second slot  150 . Alternatively, the machine-threaded fastener  53  can engage a nut as described for  FIG. 3 . The first slot  149 , the second slot  150 , and the third slot  151  are positioned so that the angled bracket  129  can be adjusted continuously laterally along the length of the base portion channel  137 , captive in the toothed inner surfaces  141  and can be adjusted in discrete steps along the height of the base portion channel  137 , each step defined by the toothed inner surfaces  141 . 
     In  FIGS. 11-17 , the angled bracket  129  is illustrated including a third bracket portion  167  projecting upward from the second bracket portion  145 . The third bracket portion  167  and the second bracket portion  145  together form an angled bracket. In  FIGS. 12 ,  13 , and  15 , the third bracket portion  167  includes a fourth slot  169 , or alternatively an aperture, for securing the mounting device to the rail or other equipment. The fourth slot is shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , and  15 . 
       FIG. 18  shows an exploded perspective view of an additional alternative solar panel system and tile roof structure with a device  215  for mounting solar panels and other equipment to the tile roof utilizing the base  127  similar to the base  127  of  FIG. 12 , and the equipment-mounting extension  31  similar to the equipment-mounting extension  31  of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 19  shows a top and front perspective view, and  FIG. 20  shows a side view of the device  215  of  FIG. 18 . Referring to  FIGS. 18-20 , illustrated are the base  127 , an angled bracket  229 , the equipment-mounting extension  31 , wood securing fasteners  33 , and machine-threaded fastener  53 .  FIG. 18  illustrates a gasket  139 , which is optional, that mounts between the base  127  and the roof sheeting. The gasket  139  includes apertures  35  for passing through the body of the wood securing fasteners  33 . The apertures  35  are similar in size and location as the apertures  35  of the base  127 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 18-20 , the base  127  is shown with the base portion channel  137  projecting upward from the mounting plane of the base  127 . The base portion channel  137  is shown projecting upward at an obtuse angle with respect to the center of the base  127 , and can project upward at a range of angles, as previously described for  FIG. 11 . 
     The base portion channel  137  includes toothed inner surfaces  141 . The teeth or steps run longitudinally along the base portion channel  137  and are approximately parallel to the mounting plane of the base  127 . The angled bracket  229  includes a first bracket portion  243  and a second bracket portion  245 . Referring to  FIG. 18 , the first bracket portion  143  includes toothed outer surfaces  247 . The teeth, or steps, run along the width of the angled bracket  229  and parallel to the outside vertex edge  148  of the angled bracket  229 . These toothed outer surfaces  247  of the first bracket portion  243  of the angled bracket  229  are configured to engage with the toothed inner surfaces  141  of the base portion channel  137 . The angled bracket  129  is typically angled so that second bracket portion  145 , when engaged with the base portion channel  137  is typically 3 to 8 degrees with respect to the horizon or plane of the roof sheeting can be angled with respect to the horizon, or the alternatively, the plane of the roof sheeting, as described for  FIGS. 11-17 . 
     The base portion channel  137  includes the first slot  149  shown in  FIGS. 18-19 , and the second slot  150  shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , the first slot  149  and the second slot  150  on opposing surfaces of the base portion channel  137  and approximately parallel to the bottom edge of the base portion channel  137 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the first bracket portion  243  of the angled bracket  229  includes a third slot  251 ; the third slot  251  being transverse to width or longitudinal along the length of the angled bracket  229 . The toothed outer surfaces  247  of the first bracket portion  243  engages toothed inner surfaces  141  of the base portion channel  137  so that the first slot  149 , the second slot  150 , and third slot  251  cross at approximately a right angle. The first slot  149 , the second slot  150 , and the third slot  251  are secured with a machine-threaded fastener  53  into threading along the inside surface of the second slot  150 . Alternatively, the machine-threaded fastener  53  can engage a nut as described for  FIG. 3 . The first slot  149 , the second slot  150 , and the third slot  251  are positioned so that the angled bracket  229  can be adjusted continuously laterally along the length of the base portion channel  137 , captive in the toothed inner surfaces  141  and can be adjusted in discrete steps along the height of the base portion channel  137 , each step defined by the toothed inner surfaces  141 . 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 18 , the second bracket portion  245  includes a slotted or hollowed end portion forming a U-channel portion  257 . The U-channel portion  257  includes toothed inner surfaces. The equipment-mounting extension  31 , is as previously described for  FIG. 3 , and includes a first equipment-mounting extension portion  59  with toothed outer surfaces  61  that are configured to engage the toothed inner surfaces of the U-channel portion  257  of the angled bracket  229 . The teeth, or steps, run transverse to the length of the first equipment-mounting extension portion  59 . The U-channel portion  257  includes an aperture  35  sized to pass through a machine-threaded fastener  62  and engage a fourth slot  63  in the equipment-mounting extension  31 . In  FIGS. 18-20 , the machine-threaded fastener  62  is secured to a threaded portion  265  in the bottom of the U-channel portion  257 . 
     In  FIG. 18-19 , illustrated is the second equipment-mounting extension portion  67  of the equipment-mounting extension  31 . The second equipment-mounting extension portion  67  and the first equipment-mounting extension portion  59  together form a second angled bracket as previously described for  FIG. 3 . The second equipment-mounting extension portion  67  includes slot  69 , or alternatively an aperture, for securing the mounting device. The equipment-mounting extension  31  can be secured to the rail  17 , for example of  FIG. 2 , by a machine-threaded fastener  53  and a nut  55  through the slot  69 . 
     A device for mounting equipment, such as solar panels, to tile roof structures has been described. It is not the intent of this disclosure to limit the claimed invention to the examples, variations, and exemplary embodiments described in the specification. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations will occur when embodying the claimed invention in specific implementations and environments. For example, it is possible to implement certain features described in separate embodiments in combination within a single embodiment. Similarly, it is possible to implement certain features described in single embodiments either separately or in combination in multiple embodiments. It is the intent of the inventor that these variations fall within the scope of the claimed invention. While the examples, exemplary embodiments, and variations are helpful to those skilled in the art in understanding the claimed invention, it should be understood that, the scope of the claimed invention is defined solely by the following claims and their equivalents.