Patents by Inventor Erich Kai Stephan

Erich Kai Stephan 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).

  • Patent number: 11236510
    Abstract: A roof pan with raised ridges along lateral edges, where the raised ridges of one pan cooperate raised ridges of another pan to prevent water movement. A formed edge that is offset from the roof surface when the pan is installed on the roof allows a flashing to slide under the formed edge when the roof pan is installed on the roof surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
  • Patent number: 11143436
    Abstract: A clamp particularly designed for use on the end of a solar module mounting rail, includes two hinged parts that can be adjusted by a fastener to clamp a solar module to the rail. A pull-tab with toothed catches helps to position the clamp during installation, and also prevents the clamp from sliding too far into the rail, while a grip body increases friction and electrical contact between the solar module and the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20210234500
    Abstract: A structural support block cooperates with a cone-shaped protrusion in a roof flashing. The support block and protrusion have a through-hole allowing a fastener to secure the support block and flashing to a roof. Cooperation of the support block and the cone-shaped protrusion in the roof flashing diverts water, particularly on sloped surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris
  • Publication number: 20210156413
    Abstract: A twist-lock clamp to attach a solar module to a rail system includes a spring between a top clamp and a t-nut, with features on the spring and top clamp to restrict rotation relative to each other. The t-nut includes features allowing rotation of about 90 degrees when the t-nut is inserted in a rail, but restrict rotation beyond about 90 degrees. The spring serves to hold the top clamp and t-nut apart while allowing the twist-lock clamp to resist sliding in the rail during installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20210156135
    Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10998847
    Abstract: A structural support block cooperates with a cone-shaped protrusion in a roof flashing. The support block and protrusion have a through-hole allowing a fastener to secure the support block and flashing to a roof. Cooperation of the support block and the cone-shaped protrusion in the roof flashing diverts water, particularly on sloped surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris
  • Publication number: 20210067083
    Abstract: Combinations of various solar module mounting components are tested and certified for use in mounting solar modules. The components are tested and certified for use in different configurations, allowing them to be cross-compatible. The different configurations include dual-rail systems, shared-rail systems, and rail-free systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20200389121
    Abstract: A roof pan with raised ridges along lateral edges, where the raised ridges of one pan cooperate raised ridges of another pan to prevent water movement. A formed edge that is offset from the roof surface when the pan is installed on the roof allows a flashing to slide under the formed edge when the roof pan is installed on the roof surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
  • Publication number: 20200389122
    Abstract: A multi-rail system for mounting solar modules to a surface, such as a roof, uses two rails to support a first row of solar modules, and a single rail to support each subsequent row of solar modules. Splices connect edges of solar modules between rows, providing support along one edge of the solar modules for the subsequent rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
  • Patent number: 10845093
    Abstract: Solar panel mounting assemblies having an arm support assembly for supporting a clamp assembly above an installation surface through a base and a base stud and configured to allow the clamp assembly to be adjusted in three dimensions while installing a solar panel module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris
  • Publication number: 20200313608
    Abstract: A mount for use over a roof flashing on a composition roof. The mount includes a central aperture for a fastener, a top surface with a horizontal platform extending laterally from the top surface, and a conical inner surface to cooperate with a conical protrusion on the roof flashing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nick Wenzel, Peter Wilke
  • Publication number: 20200270010
    Abstract: A method for packaging solar mounting attachments by forming a package box having a first end and a second end, sealing the first end of the package box, placing attachment brackets into compartments defined by dividers in the package box, placing a container of fasteners onto at least one of the attachment brackets, and placing flashings onto at least one other attachment bracket. The flashings, the container of fasteners, and attachment brackets may be removed from the package box from the second end in the order of flashings, the container of fasteners, and attachment brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nick Wenzel
  • Patent number: 10601362
    Abstract: A solar panel mounting system for use on flat and ā€œSā€ tile roof structures includes a support arm coupled to a threaded post. A base flashing and corresponding attachment bracket are configured to couple with the post. A tile replacement flashing is installed over the base flashing and includes a conical protrusion with associated aperture. The aperture is configured to receive the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris
  • Patent number: 10277158
    Abstract: Clamp assemblies for mounting solar panels and accessories. Clamp assemblies can have geometric features, shaped apertures for fasteners, and measured protrusions for allowing clamp rotation, lateral adjustment, self-alignment, and angled surfaces for facilitating installation of a solar panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris
  • Publication number: 20190032965
    Abstract: Solar panel mounting assemblies having an arm support assembly for supporting a clamp assembly above an installation surface through a base and a base stud and configured to allow the clamp assembly to be adjusted in three dimensions while installing a solar panel module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris
  • Patent number: 10088201
    Abstract: Solar panel mounting assemblies having an arm support assembly for supporting a clamp assembly above an installation surface through a base and a base stud and configured to allow the clamp assembly to be adjusted in three dimensions while installing a solar panel module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris
  • Patent number: 10024580
    Abstract: Solar panel connection assemblies for mounting solar energy panels to buildings as well as for affixing multiple solar energy panels together. Solar panel corner connection assemblies including a bracket that can be fastened to the corner edge of solar panel frames. Solar panel corner connection assemblies including flanges extending from the corner of a bracket for connecting with a neighboring flange on a neighboring bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris
  • Patent number: D823786
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris
  • Patent number: D846162
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Peter Wilke
  • Patent number: D856548
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Peter Wilke