Patents by Inventor Jon Costanza

Jon Costanza 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: 11863115
    Abstract: A solar panel mounting system for forming a solar array includes longitudinal support rails mounted to a support structure such as a roof. A first solar panel disposed on the rails has a peripheral frame including a locking frame member with deformable clamping portion configured for slideably receiving a peripheral frame portion of an adjacent second solar panel. A pair of captive T-bolt sets passing through the clamping portion include T-bolts having locking heads and nuts frictionally engaged with the T-bolts to rotate the T-bolts. The heads are each inserted and rotationally locked into fastening channels of respective support rails. The second solar panel is inserted into the first panel clamping portion and the nuts are fully tightened producing a clamping action which locks the first and second panels together. Power/control cables may be routed inside covered cable compartments on rears of the panels for protection against rodent damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Stuart Koch, Jon Costanza
  • Publication number: 20220182012
    Abstract: A solar panel mounting system for forming a solar array includes longitudinal support rails mounted to a support structure such as a roof. A first solar panel disposed on the rails has a peripheral frame including a locking frame member with deformable clamping portion configured for slideably receiving a peripheral frame portion of an adjacent second solar panel. A pair of captive T-bolt sets passing through the clamping portion include T-bolts having locking heads and nuts frictionally engaged with the T-bolts to rotate the T-bolts. The heads are each inserted and rotationally locked into fastening channels of respective support rails. The second solar panel is inserted into the first panel clamping portion and the nuts are fully tightened producing a clamping action which locks the first and second panels together. Power/control cables may be routed inside covered cable compartments on rears of the panels for protection against rodent damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Stuart KOCH, Jon COSTANZA
  • Patent number: 11283396
    Abstract: A solar panel mounting system for forming a solar array includes longitudinal support rails mounted to a support structure such as a roof. A first solar panel disposed on the rails has a peripheral frame including a locking frame member with deformable clamping portion configured for slideably receiving a peripheral frame portion of an adjacent second solar panel. A pair of captive T-bolt sets passing through the clamping portion include T-bolts having locking heads and nuts frictionally engaged with the T-bolts to rotate the T-bolts. The heads are each inserted and rotationally locked into fastening channels of respective support rails. The second solar panel is inserted into the first panel clamping portion and the nuts are fully tightened producing a clamping action which locks the first and second panels together. Power/control cables may be routed inside covered cable compartments on rears of the panels for protection against rodent damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventors: Stuart Koch, Jon Costanza
  • Publication number: 20200169214
    Abstract: A solar panel mounting system for forming a solar array includes longitudinal support rails mounted to a support structure such as a roof. A first solar panel disposed on the rails has a peripheral frame including a locking frame member with deformable clamping portion configured for slideably receiving a peripheral frame portion of an adjacent second solar panel. A pair of captive T-bolt sets passing through the clamping portion include T-bolts having locking heads and nuts frictionally engaged with the T-bolts to rotate the T-bolts. The heads are each inserted and rotationally locked into fastening channels of respective support rails. The second solar panel is inserted into the first panel clamping portion and the nuts are fully tightened producing a clamping action which locks the first and second panels together. Power/control cables may be routed inside covered cable compartments on rears of the panels for protection against rodent damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Stuart KOCH, Jon COSTANZA
  • Patent number: 10388802
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be a system for simultaneously shutting down electrical device, the system including a plurality of circuits, each circuit including an electrical device, and a control circuit configured to turn the electrical device on and off, each control circuit comprising an isolation transformer; an electrical source providing a control current; a switching device configured to switch on and off; and conductors configured to connect the isolation transformers of the plurality of circuits, the electrical source, and the switching device in series to form a current loop, the current loop transmitting the control current; wherein when the switching device is switched from on to off, the isolation transformers of the plurality of circuits stop receiving the control current, thereby causing the electrical devices of the plurality of circuits to shut off simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew Benton, Jon Costanza
  • Publication number: 20170012431
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be a system for simultaneously shutting down electrical device, the system including a plurality of circuits, each circuit including an electrical device, and a control circuit configured to turn the electrical device on and off, each control circuit comprising an isolation transformer; an electrical source providing a control current; a switching device configured to switch on and off; and conductors configured to connect the isolation transformers of the plurality of circuits, the electrical source, and the switching device in series to form a current loop, the current loop transmitting the control current; wherein when the switching device is switched from on to off, the isolation transformers of the plurality of circuits stop receiving the control current, thereby causing the electrical devices of the plurality of circuits to shut off simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew Benton, Jon Costanza