Patents by Inventor Brian C. Stearns

Brian C. Stearns has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230170840
    Abstract: A roof mount system supports a solar panel above a roof and includes a base positioned on the roof and a first fastener connected to the base and extending away from the roof and moveable along the base in a direction generally parallel to the roof. A first clamp supports a bottom surface of a solar panel frame and adjusts the height of the solar panel above the roof by moving the first clamp along a first fastener in a direction perpendicular to the roof. A second clamp is connected to a second fastener and moves with respect to the first clamp perpendicular to the roof. The solar panel is clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp portion. A protrusion extends from the first or second clamp to form an electrical bond between the solar panel frame and the respective first or second clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alexander G. Bornemann
  • Patent number: 9447988
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Rillito Rive Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Publication number: 20150361668
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Patent number: 9134044
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Publication number: 20140305046
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alexander Grant Bornemann
  • Patent number: 8782983
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian C. Stearns
  • Publication number: 20070271855
    Abstract: A snow guard for preventing snow from sliding off a roof top having a longitudinal strap with an up-roof end and a down-roof end, a snow restraining barrier with a generally arcuate shape and supported by a brace, the snow restraining barrier and the brace are both coupled to the down-roof end of the strap, and a rim extending up-roof along the periphery of the snow restraining barrier to grip snow accumulating on the roof top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventor: Brian C. Stearns
  • Patent number: 6526701
    Abstract: A roof mount includes a base member and an attachment mount. The base member has a protrusion, and the attachment mount defines a hollowed region for receiving the protrusion to form a compression fitting. A substantially leak proof assembly is formed when the attachment mount is placed against the base member with a sealing material therebetween and a connecting element for coupling the attachment mount to the base member extends through the sealing material. A spacer extends the base member to a roof surface. The spacer is a hollow base stand, a tube, or a side wall of the base member. The spacer has a surface area covering the roof deck less than the surface area of a side of the base member facing the roof deck. The invention includes a method of limiting wind uplift of a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alan L. Stearns
  • Publication number: 20020066235
    Abstract: A roof mount includes a base member and an attachment mount. The base member has a protrusion, and the attachment mount defines a hollowed region for receiving the protrusion to form a compression fitting. A substantially leak proof assembly is formed when the attachment mount is placed against the base member with a sealing material therebetween and a connecting element for coupling the attachment mount to the base member extends through the sealing material. A spacer extends the base member to a roof surface. The spacer is a hollow base stand, a tube, or a side wall of the base member. The spacer has a surface area covering the roof deck less than the surface area of a side of the base member facing the roof deck. The invention includes a method of limiting wind uplift of a roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alan L. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5609326
    Abstract: An impervious membranous roof snow fence system consisting of a plurality of flat six sided mounting plates affixed through membranous roofing to a roof deck below. The plates in two embodiments have vertical splines to be received by compartments or sleeves in mounting blocks or in another embodiment threaded vertical posts to be received by vertical holes in mounting blocks where the blocks fit over membranous patches fitted over the plates and fully sealed to the roofing where such patches have slits or holes in them to accommodate the spines or posts. The blocks once fastened to the plates have fastened to them in turn, porous fence flags that support horizontal fence pieces from which there hang vertical fence pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alan L. Stearns
  • Patent number: D426453
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alan L. Stearns
  • Patent number: D428799
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alan L. Stearns
  • Patent number: D430005
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventors: Brian C. Stearns, Alan L. Stearns