Patents Assigned to Vermont Slate and Copper Services, Inc.
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Patent number: 11624188Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide for modular snow and ice retention and mounting systems. In various embodiments, a bracket may comprise a mounting strap, a hybrid pad, a bracket assembly and a rod. The hybrid pad may comprise a face portion and a support portion. The face portion and the support portion may be operatively coupled together. The hybrid pad may be operatively coupled to the mounting strap. The face portion may comprise a stiffening rib. The stiffening rib may be defined in a front surface of the face portion. The stiffening rib may define a first load plane. The face portion may also define a first rod notch. The first rod notch may be defined on a first side of the face portion. The face portion may also define a second rod notch. The rod may be mountable to the hybrid pad.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Stearns, Kris Michaud
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Patent number: 11255086Abstract: A retention system may comprise a bracket, a bar system, a seal and a bonded washer. The bracket may have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion may be operatively coupled together at an angle ?. The bracket may also have a texture. The bracket may define a mounting surface. The bar system may comprise a bar installable in the bracket. The seal may be installable in the bracket and disposed beneath the mounting surface. The bonded washer may be installable on and compressible against the mounting surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Vermont Slate and Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Michael Robert Carter, Kris Michaud
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Patent number: 9973142Abstract: An accessory for a solar panel assembly includes a bracket defining an elongated portion extending in a first direction and including a slot, a connector coupled to the bracket and configured to engage at least one panel frame of the solar panel assembly, and a fence member including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion including a planar surface oriented at an angle relative to the bracket portion, and the second portion includes a projection that removably engages the slot.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Vermont Slate and Copper Services, Inc.Inventor: Brian Cecil Stearns
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Patent number: 9422721Abstract: A roof mount assembly mounts a structure to a roof having a rafter and a substrate supported by the rafter. The roof mount assembly includes a piece of flashing positioned on the substrate. The flashing includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an aperture extending through the flashing. A fastener extends through the flashing aperture. A bracket is connected to the flashing via the fastener, and the bracket is sized to support at least one roof-mounted structure on the roof. A seal is positioned between the flashing aperture and the fastener. The seal is sized to form a water-tight seal with the aperture to inhibit flow of fluid through the aperture. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion is positioned to abut the flashing first surface and the second portion is positioned to extend through the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
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Patent number: 9212833Abstract: A roof mounting system for mounting one or more roof-mounted fixtures to a roof includes a roofing system having a top surface and a roof attachment assembly that includes a first plate having a first plate aperture, a second plate connected to the first plate, a third plate including a third plate aperture, the third plate connected to the second plate, a nut, and a first fastener including a first head positioned between the second plate and the third plate and a first shaft extending through the third plate aperture and the nut. A second fastener has a head positioned between the first and second plates and a shaft extending through the first plate aperture and through the roofing system top surface. The force required to separate the first plate and the second plate is greater than the force required to separate the second plate and the third plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Vermont Slate and Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
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Patent number: 9175478Abstract: A roof mount apparatus for mounting on a roof surface includes a first solar panel having a first frame secured to the roof surface, a second solar panel having a second frame secured to the roof surface, the second solar panel spaced from the first solar panel and defining a slot between the first and second frames, and a snow fence secured to the first and second frames. The snow fence includes a bracket positioned adjacent to a top of the first and second frames, the bracket protruding from the first and second frames to inhibit sliding of snow along at least one of the first and second solar panels, and a coupling device including an elongated portion positioned in the slot and extending substantially perpendicular to the roof surface and a wide portion positioned within a channel to couple the bracket to the first and second frames.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
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Patent number: 9134044Abstract: A mount assembly is provided for mounting a structure to a roof having a top surface. The mount includes a flashing including an aperture; a bracket including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an opening and a countersink extending around the opening, the second portion extending at an angle away from the flashing, the second portion including a slot configured to be coupled to the structure; a fastener extending through the aperture and through the opening of the bracket; and a seal extending around the aperture and positioned between the flashing and the first portion of the bracket, the seal engaging the countersink of the bracket and being compressed against the flashing.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
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Patent number: 9127464Abstract: A roof mounting system mounts a structure to a roof and includes a roof substrate having a roof surface, a flashing positioned on the roof surface and having a flashing plane, and a bracket connected to the flashing. The bracket has a bottom surface that has a bracket plane. The bottom surface is positioned on the flashing, so that the flashing plane extends substantially parallel to the bracket plane. The bracket has a bracket aperture and a seal is positioned within the bracket aperture and has a seal aperture. A fastener extends through the bracket aperture and the seal aperture, and the seal limits flow of moisture through the bracket aperture. At least one of the flashing and the bracket form a drainage opening, so that the drainage opening permits egress of moisture away from of the bracket aperture.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
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Patent number: 9010038Abstract: A roof mounting system is mounted to roofing tile. The roof mounting system includes a first bracket portion having a first elongate portion, a first hook portion and a first leg. The first hook portion engages a first side of the roofing tile. The roof mounting system also includes a second bracket portion having a second elongate portion, a second hook portion and a second leg. The second hook portion engages a second side of the roofing tile. The roof mounting system further includes a slotted plate that connects the first and the second bracket portions by engaging the first and the second legs. The roof mounting system further includes a standoff connected to either the first bracket portion or the slotted plate. The standoff supports one or more components on the roof.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
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Publication number: 20140305046Abstract: A mount assembly is provided for mounting a structure to a roof having a top surface. The mount includes a flashing including an aperture; a bracket including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an opening and a countersink extending around the opening, the second portion extending at an angle away from the flashing, the second portion including a slot configured to be coupled to the structure; a fastener extending through the aperture and through the opening of the bracket; and a seal extending around the aperture and positioned between the flashing and the first portion of the bracket, the seal engaging the countersink of the bracket and being compressed against the flashing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
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Publication number: 20140252288Abstract: An accessory for a solar panel assembly includes a bracket defining an elongated portion extending in a first direction and including a slot, a connector coupled to the bracket and configured to engage at least one panel frame of the solar panel assembly, and a fence member including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion including a planar surface oriented at an angle relative to the bracket portion, and the second portion includes a projection that removably engages the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventor: Brian Cecil Stearns
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Patent number: 8826618Abstract: A roof attachment assembly for mounting to a roof substrate. The roof attachment assembly comprises a plate having a substantially frustoconical protrusion defining an aperture extending therethrough, the plate defining a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing the roof substrate and the second surface spaced from the roof substrate. The roof attachment assembly also comprises a membrane positioned adjacent one of the first surface and the second surface of the plate, and a bracket positioned proximate the second surface of the plate, the bracket operable to support one or more roof mounted fixtures. The roof attachment assembly further comprises a fastener extending through the bracket, the membrane and the plate, the fastener operable to couple the bracket, the membrane and the plate together, wherein the roof substrate is contiguous adjacent to an end of the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventor: Brian Cecil Stearns
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Publication number: 20140223839Abstract: A roof mounting system mounts a structure to a roof and includes a roof substrate having a roof surface, a flashing positioned on the roof surface and having a flashing plane, and a bracket connected to the flashing. The bracket has a bottom surface that has a bracket plane. The bottom surface is positioned on the flashing, so that the flashing plane extends substantially parallel to the bracket plane. The bracket has a bracket aperture and a seal is positioned within the bracket aperture and has a seal aperture. A fastener extends through the bracket aperture and the seal aperture, and the seal limits flow of moisture through the bracket aperture. At least one of the flashing and the bracket form a drainage opening, so that the drainage opening permits egress of moisture away from of the bracket aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
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Patent number: 8782983Abstract: A roof mounting system for mounting one or more roof-mounted fixtures to a roof includes a roofing system having a top surface and a roof attachment assembly mounted to the top surface of the roofing system. The roof attachment system includes a plate having an aperture, at least one membrane patch coupled to the plate, at least one disc including a disc aperture, a nut, and a first fastener including a head positioned adjacent the at least one membrane patch and a shaft extending through the at least one disc aperture and the nut. A second fastener includes a head positioned adjacent the plate and a shaft extending through the plate aperture and through the roofing system top surface, to connect the roof attachment assembly to the roofing system.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventor: Brian C. Stearns
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Patent number: 8701354Abstract: A roof mount assembly mounts a structure to a roof having a rafter and a substrate supported by the rafter. The roof mount assembly includes a piece of flashing positioned on the substrate. The flashing includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an aperture extending through the flashing. A fastener extends through the flashing aperture. A bracket is connected to the flashing via the fastener, and the bracket is sized to support at least one roof-mounted structure on the roof. A seal is positioned between the flashing aperture and the fastener. The seal is sized to form a water-tight seal with the aperture to inhibit flow of fluid through the aperture. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion is positioned to abut the flashing first surface and the second portion is positioned to extend through the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
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Patent number: 8683751Abstract: A roof attachment assembly to be mounted on a roof substrate. The assembly comprises a plate having a substantially frustoconical protrusion, the plate defining a first surface and a second surface and including an aperture. The assembly further comprises a first membrane positioned adjacent to the first surface of the plate, a second membrane positioned adjacent to the second surface of the plate, a bracket positioned proximate the second membrane and the second surface of the plate, the bracket operable to support one or more roof-mounted fixtures, and a fastener extending through the bracket, the membranes, and the plate, the fastener operable to couple the bracket, the membranes and the plate. The assembly also comprises a second fastener that substantially mates with the bracket, wherein at least one of the fastener, the plate, the first membrane, and the second fastener includes at least one pre-determined breaking point.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventor: Brian Cecil Stearns
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Patent number: 8413388Abstract: A roof mounting system can include a roof substrate and flashing supportable on the substrate and including an outwardly extending projection having a concave interior side and an aperture extending through the projection between top and bottom surfaces of the flashing. A seal can extend through the aperture and contact at least a portion of the top surface and at least a portion of the bottom surface. The seal can be conformable with the concave interior side and can define a seal aperture substantially aligned with the flashing aperture. A mounting bracket can be supportable on the flashing and can define an aperture sized to receive at least a portion of each of the seal and the projection. A fastener can extend through the mounting bracket aperture, seal aperture, and flashing aperture to inhibit fluid flow through the flashing aperture.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
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Patent number: RE49185Abstract: An accessory for a solar panel assembly includes a bracket defining an elongated portion extending in a first direction and including a slot, a connector coupled to the bracket and configured to engage at least one panel frame of the solar panel assembly, and a fence member including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion including a planar surface oriented at an angle relative to the bracket portion, and the second portion includes a projection that removably engages the slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventor: Brian Cecil Stearns
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Patent number: D974161Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Stearns, Kris Michaud
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Patent number: D1019374Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2023Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.Inventors: Brian Stearns, Kris Michaud