Weatherproof Multipurpose Enclosure With Integrated Flashing
Patent No. US11349288 (titled "Weatherproof Multipurpose Enclosure With Integrated Flashing") was filed by Unirac Inc on Sep 8, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’288 is related to the field of weatherproof enclosures for mounting accessories on rooftops, particularly those requiring connections through the roof. The background acknowledges the increasing need to install electrical and mechanical components, such as solar panels, on building exteriors. A key challenge is protecting the connections and the building's interior from weather damage when routing cables or wires from the exterior component to an internal power source or junction box.
The underlying idea behind ’288 is to provide a flashed enclosure that simplifies installation and enhances weather protection by eliminating or minimizing the need to cut roof shingles. This is achieved by using a base with an asymmetrically positioned raised portion , leaving an 'uphill' section of the base exposed. This exposed section is designed to slide under existing shingles without requiring any cutting, streamlining the installation process and reducing the risk of leaks.
The claims of ’288 focus on an enclosure assembly comprising a base and a cover. The base has a bottom wall and a raised portion with side walls forming an enclosed interior space. The key feature is the off-center placement of the raised portion relative to the bottom wall's transverse axis, leaving an upper portion of the bottom wall uncovered. This configuration allows the enclosure to be installed without cutting the roof shingles.
In practice, the enclosure assembly is mounted on a rooftop with the uncovered 'uphill' portion of the base sliding beneath the existing shingles. The raised portion provides a protected space for housing connectors, cables, or other components. The cover is then attached to the raised portion, creating a weatherproof seal. Location markers on the base facilitate drilling holes for mounting the enclosure and routing cables, while a sealant applied in a horseshoe pattern further enhances water protection.
’288 differentiates itself from prior solutions by addressing the shortcomings of existing flashed enclosures that require cutting roof shingles. By designing the base with an asymmetrically positioned raised portion, the need for cutting is eliminated, reducing installation time and minimizing the risk of roof damage and subsequent water intrusion. The angled side walls of the raised portion also prevent water and debris accumulation, further enhancing the enclosure's durability and longevity.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2010s when ’288 was filed, electrical systems were at a time when routing wires and cables to external components often required installers to penetrate building exteriors, when weatherproofing connections was typically implemented using enclosures and sealants, and when minimizing roof penetrations was a common engineering constraint.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner allowed the claims because the prior art does not teach or fairly suggest, in combination with the other claimed limitations, an enclosure assembly for protecting a component on a rooftop, wherein the bottom wall comprises a central transverse axis extending through two lateral edges of the base, the raised portion being disposed off-center relative to the central transverse axis of the bottom wall, leaving an upper portion of the bottom wall uncovered. The examiner also stated that the prior art does not teach or fairly suggest an enclosure assembly for protecting a component on a rooftop, wherein the bottom wall comprises a central transverse axis that extends laterally across the bottom wall, and the raised portion is disposed off-center toward a bottom portion of the bottom wall relative to the central transverse axis of the bottom wall. Finally, the examiner stated that the prior art does not teach or fairly suggest an enclosure assembly for protecting a component on a rooftop, wherein the bottom wall comprises a central transverse axis extending between lateral sides of the bottom wall, the raised portion being disposed off-center toward the lower portion of the bottom wall relative to the central transverse axis of the bottom wall.
Claims
This patent contains 20 claims, of which claims 1, 12, and 18 are independent. The independent claims generally focus on an enclosure assembly for protecting a component on a rooftop, with specific features relating to the base, raised portion, and cover. The dependent claims elaborate on the features and configurations described in the independent claims, adding further detail and limitations.
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Date
Description
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US11349288
- Application Number
- US17014555
- Filing Date
- Sep 8, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Jul 9, 2038
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents