Patents by Inventor Jack Raymond West

Jack Raymond West 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: 9003729
    Abstract: A photovoltaic array, including: (a) supports laid out on a surface in rows and columns; (b) photovoltaic modules positioned on top of the supports; and (c) fasteners connecting the photovoltaic modules to the supports, wherein the supports have an upper pedestal surface and a lower pedestal surface such that the photovoltaic modules are positioned at a non-horizontal angle when edges of the photovoltaic modules are positioned on top of the upper and lower pedestal surfaces, and wherein a portion of the fasteners rotate to lock the photovoltaic modules onto the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen
  • Patent number: 8984819
    Abstract: A mounting system for solar modules in which a mounting beam has its opposite ends bent downwardly to form a first and second leg that hold photovoltaic modules at an angle to a flat roof, wherein the first and second legs are screw fastened into a rafter and the bottom ends of the first and second legs are placed into receptacles into which sealant is poured, thereby forming a water-tight seal preventing any water from leaking into the holes formed by the fasteners securing the first and second legs to the building rafters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Yang, Brian West, Jack Raymond West
  • Publication number: 20150075589
    Abstract: A photovoltaic array mounting system for a low-slope roof having interchangeable first and second bases, with a short leg extending from the first base at a non-vertical angle and a long leg extending from the second base at a non-vertical angle, wherein the short and long legs support opposite sides of a photovoltaic module such that the module is held at a non-horizontal angle, and wherein rock-in connectors are provided on top of the short and long legs permitting fast and easy system installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Brian Atchley
  • Publication number: 20150075100
    Abstract: A tile hook and flashing assembly, having: (a) a lower flashing; (b) an upper flashing; (c) a tile hook; and (d) a seal, wherein tile hook extends through an aperture passing between overlapping portions of the upper and lower flashings, and wherein the seal extends across the aperture and seals around the tile hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Emil Johansen, David Molina
  • Publication number: 20150075590
    Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Jack Raymond West
  • Publication number: 20150068590
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
  • Publication number: 20150069198
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hudson, David Molina, Ian Capsuto
  • Publication number: 20150040965
    Abstract: A solar array having three rails with the central rail having upward and downward facing pivot connectors, with top and bottom photovoltaic modules being pivot mounted onto the shared central rail such that the two photovoltaic modules are supported by three mounting rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson
  • Publication number: 20150040967
    Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Nathaniel Coleman
  • Publication number: 20150033658
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
  • Publication number: 20150013756
    Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson
  • Publication number: 20140360558
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module assembly in which frame members are affixed by sealant onto opposite bottom edges of a dual glass photovoltaic laminate to provide a module combining the strength advantages of framed modules with the advantages of frameless dual glass photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Nathaniel Taylor Coleman
  • Publication number: 20140339179
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module frame having hollow sections into which male ends of a corner key are received such that two frame sections can be connected together in orthogonal directions. The male ends of the corner key may have teeth thereon. Once so engaged, a tool head may be applied to the corner formed by the adjacent frame sections. The tool head may create indentations in the profiles that engage the teeth of the corner keys within the frame sections, thereby forming a corner of a module frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Peter Edward Gruber, Nathaniel Taylor Coleman
  • Publication number: 20140299179
    Abstract: A photovoltaic array, including: (a) supports laid out on a surface in rows and columns; (b) photovoltaic modules positioned on top of the supports; and (c) fasteners connecting the photovoltaic modules to the supports, wherein the supports have an upper pedestal surface and a lower pedestal surface such that the photovoltaic modules are positioned at a non-horizontal angle when edges of the photovoltaic modules are positioned on top of the upper and lower pedestal surfaces, and wherein a portion of the fasteners rotate to lock the photovoltaic modules onto the supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen