Removable water cap for photovoltaic module mounting system

Abstract

A removable water cap to cap a fastener retaining a self-aligning system of mounting photovoltaic modules to a surface, including: a base having a first end structured and arranged to fit between at least two roof shingles; and a second end opposite from the first end, the second end structured and arranged to receive and generally seal the fastener, and permit an undersurface of the base to be generally in consistent contact with at least one underlying shingle.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A removable water cap to cap a fastener retaining a self-aligning system of mounting photovoltaic modules to a surface, comprising:
 a base having a first end structured and arranged to fit between at least two roof shingles; and   a second end opposite from the first end, the second end structured and arranged to receive and generally seal the fastener, and permit an undersurface of the base to be generally in consistent contact with at least one underlying shingle.   
     
     
         2 . The removable water cap of  claim 1 , wherein the second end is further structured and arranged to snapfit over the fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The removable water cap of  claim 1 , wherein the base, the first end and the second end are formed of metal. 
     
     
         4 . The removable water cap of  claim 1 , wherein the base is aluminum having a thickness permitting manual cutting by a user. 
     
     
         5 . The removable water cap of  claim 1 , wherein the second end has an enclosure having generally two sides, a top and front rising above the base, the enclosure having an opening opposite from the front and disposed proximate a distal end of the second end and at least one bendable tab generally normal to the base and extending away from the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The removable water cap of  claim 5 , wherein the enclosure has a receiver disposed therein, the receiver structured and arranged to receive at least a portion of the fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The removable water cap of  claim 5 , wherein the second end further includes a first side area and a second side area on either side of the enclosure, the first side are and the second side area being in a plane generally defined by the first end. 
     
     
         8 . The removable water cap of  claim 1 , further including at least one bendable tab extending from the second end and structured and arranged to bend around at least a portion of an anchor secured to a surface by the fastener and further secure the removable water cap. 
     
     
         9 . The removable water cap of  claim 8 , having two opposing bendable tabs. 
     
     
         10 . The removable water cap of  claim 1 , wherein the second end is further structured and arranged to direct water away from a longitudinal axis of the removable water cap. 
     
     
         11 . The removable water cap of  claim 1 , wherein the first end has a length pre-selected to be generally non-intrusive to roofing nails affixing shingles to a roof. 
     
     
         12 . The removable water cap of  claim 1 , wherein the base has an underside having a water sealing material disposed thereon. 
     
     
         13 . A removable water cap to cap a fastener retaining a self-aligning system of mounting photovoltaic modules to a surface, comprising:
 a base having a first end and opposite thereto a second end, the base generally defining a plane;   the first end structured and arranged to fit between at least two roof shingles; and   the second end structured and arranged to provide an enclosure having generally two sides, a top and front formed in the second end and rising above the plane, the enclosure having an opening opposite from the front and disposed proximate a distal end of the second end and at least one bendable tab generally normal to the first plane and extending away from the opening.   
     
     
         14 . The removable water cap of  claim 13 , wherein the front of the enclosure is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the base. 
     
     
         15 . The removable water cap of  claim 13 , wherein the front of the enclosure is angled relative to a latitudinal axis of the base. 
     
     
         16 . The removable water cap of  claim 13 , wherein the front of the enclosure is structured and arranged to direct water away from the removable cap. 
     
     
         17 . The removable water cap of  claim 13 , wherein the enclosure is structured and arranged to receive at least a portion of the fastener, the bendable tab structured and arranged to bend around at least a portion of an anchor secured to a surface by the fastener and further secure the removable water cap. 
     
     
         18 . The removable water cap of  claim 13 , wherein the enclosure has two bendable tabs, one each side of the enclosure. 
     
     
         19 . The removable water cap of  claim 13 , wherein the second end further includes a first side area and a second side area on either side of the enclosure as portions of the base. 
     
     
         20 . The removable water cap of  claim 13 , wherein the first end has a length pre-selected to be generally non-intrusive to roofing nails affixing shingles to a roof. 
     
     
         21 . The removable water cap of  claim 13 , wherein the base is aluminum having a thickness permitting manual cutting by a user. 
     
     
         22 . The removable water cap of  claim 13 , wherein the base has an underside having a water sealing material disposed thereon. 
     
     
         23 . A removable water cap to cap a fastener retaining a self-aligning system of mounting photovoltaic modules to a surface, comprising:
 a means for binding between at least two roof shingles;   an enclosing means for enclosing at least part of a fastener;   an attaching means for removably attaching the removable water cap to an anchor secured by the fastener; and   a water redirecting means for directing water away from the enclosing means.   
     
     
         24 . The removable water cap of  claim 23 , wherein the enclosing means is further structured and arranged to snapfit over the fastener. 
     
     
         25 . The removable water cap of  claim 23 , wherein the means for binding is aluminum having a thickness permitting manual cutting by a user. 
     
     
         26 . The removable water cap of  claim 23 , wherein the attaching means comprises at least a set of bendable tabs. 
     
     
         27 . The removable water cap of  claim 23 , wherein the means for binding has a length pre-selected to be generally non-intrusive to roofing nails affixing shingles to a roof.