Patents by Inventor Richard Tweedie

Richard Tweedie 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: 9225286
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system is disclosed having individual micro-inverters associated with each solar panel. The individual micro-inverters are easily installed without the aid of tools by snap locking a micro-inverter into place upon heat barriers mounted to and separated from the solar panels. When a micro-inverter is snapped into place it automatically electrically engages contacts from the solar panels mounted on the heat barriers. AC trunk cables pass through uni-strut channels along the backs of the solar panels. Flat jumper output cables from the micro-inverters fit adjacent the AC trunk cables within the uni-strut channels where a snap fit electrical connection is made, in a protected environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Richard Tweedie
  • Patent number: 8464478
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting photovoltaic solar panels onto a roof. The system includes first and second strut rails spaced from the roof employing a series of standoffs, the strut rails having a length, cross section, a base and side walls, side walls terminating with first and second turned in edges. First and second mounting fixtures are attached to the photovoltaic solar panels which are of a type and geometry enabling the solar panels to be removably appended to the strut rails. The first and second mounting fixtures can be applied to the photovoltaic solar panels before being elevated to a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Tweedie
  • Publication number: 20130086852
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting photovoltaic solar panels onto a roof. The system includes first and second strut rails spaced from the roof employing a series of standoffs, the strut rails having a length, cross section, a base and side walls, side walls terminating with first and second turned in edges. First and second mounting fixtures are attached to the photovoltaic solar panels which are of a type and geometry enabling the solar panels to be removably appended to the strut rails. The first and second mounting fixtures can be applied to the photovoltaic solar panels before being elevated to a roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Tweedie
  • Patent number: 8234791
    Abstract: A device for locating structural stud members beneath a surface such as a shingled roof. The device includes a support block for receiving a probe member, the probe member extending from the support block at a selected arc of curvature terminating at a point spaced apart from the support block. An indicator member is fixed to the support block, the indicator member extending from the support block parallel to the probe member and having an end coextensive with the termination point of the probe member such that the indicator member provides a user with the orientation and termination point of the probe member when the probe member is beneath the surface. In use, a hole created within the surface and the support block rotated on the surface until the probe member abuts an edge of a structural stud member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Tweedie
  • Patent number: 8136310
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting photovoltaic solar panels onto a roof. The system includes first and second strut rails spaced from the roof employing a series of standoffs, the strut rails having a length, cross section, a base and side walls, side walls terminating with first and second turned in edges. First and second mounting fixtures are attached to the photovoltaic solar panels which are of a type and geometry enabling the solar panels to be removably appended to the strut rails. The first and second mounting fixtures can be applied to the photovoltaic solar panels before being elevated to a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Tweedie
  • Patent number: 7971398
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting photovoltaic solar panels onto a roof. The system includes first and second strut rails spaced from the roof employing a series of standoffs, the strut rails having a length, cross section, a base and side walls, side walls terminating with first and second turned in edges. First and second mounting fixtures are attached to the photovoltaic solar panels which are of a type and geometry enabling the solar panels to be removably appended to the strut rails. The first and second mounting fixtures can be applied to the photovoltaic solar panels before being elevated to a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Tweedie
  • Publication number: 20110025293
    Abstract: A device for locating structural stud members beneath a surface such as a shingled roof. The device includes a support block for receiving a probe member, the probe member extending from the support block at a selected arc of curvature terminating at a point spaced apart from the support block. An indicator member is fixed to the support block, the indicator member extending from the support block parallel to the probe member and having an end coextensive with the termination point of the probe member such that the indicator member provides a user with the orientation and termination point of the probe member when the probe member is beneath the surface. In use, a hole created within the surface and the support block rotated on the surface until the probe member abuts an edge of a structural stud member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Tweedie
  • Publication number: 20100236162
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting photovoltaic solar panels onto a roof. The system includes first and second strut rails spaced from the roof employing a series of standoffs, the strut rails having a length, cross section, a base and side walls, side walls terminating with first and second turned in edges. First and second mounting fixtures are attached to the photovoltaic solar panels which are of a type and geometry enabling the solar panels to be removably appended to the strut rails. The first and second mounting fixtures can be applied to the photovoltaic solar panels before being elevated to a roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Tweedie
  • Publication number: 20100236609
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting photovoltaic solar panels onto a roof. The system includes first and second strut rails spaced from the roof employing a series of standoffs, the strut rails having a length, cross section, a base and side walls, side walls terminating with first and second turned in edges First and second mounting fixtures are attached to the photovoltaic solar panels which are of a type and geometry enabling the solar panels to be removably appended to the strut rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Tweedie