Patents by Inventor Shawn J. Meine

Shawn J. Meine 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: 11962137
    Abstract: An electrical junction box mount apparatus including a base for mounting to a mounting surface and a lid sized to seal against the base. The base includes a mounting portion having a penetration area. A periphery of the penetration area is circumscribed via a groove formed into a bottom surface of the base such that upon placing the base on a mounting surface, the groove encloses empty space within the groove against the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: UNIRAC INC.
    Inventor: Shawn J. Meine
  • Patent number: 11929583
    Abstract: Assembly for Clamping and Grounding Objects In various representative aspects, an apparatus for clamping and grounding solar panel frames to a mounting rail is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a fastener with an enlarged end, and a shank, with the enlarged end having one or more sharp protrusions that resemble teeth, and a washer with one or more sharp protrusions, and an opening. When installed, the shank is inserted through the opening of the washer, the sharp protrusions of the enlarged end penetrate either the lower or upper surface of the mounting rail and the sharp protrusions of the washer penetrate the other surface of the solar panel frames while at the same time creating a grounding path through the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn J. Meine
  • Publication number: 20230358269
    Abstract: A roof-mounting device for covering a roof penetration in a roof includes a base having an open top, an open bottom, and an outer perimeter structure. An internal reservoir of the device is in communication with the open top and the open bottom, and a mount plate is disposed in the internal reservoir extending between opposed ends of the outer perimeter structure. A bore is formed in the mount plate below the top of the base, the bore for receiving a fastener for fastening the mounting device at the roof penetration. When the bore receives the fastener therein, the internal reservoir is unsevered, remaining in communication with the open top and open bottom of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Solsera, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Meine, Carolyn D Meine
  • Publication number: 20230358268
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail and rail-less support structures to a shingle roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a connection bracket and flashing device for use in installing solar panel rail support structures. The connection bracket is secured to the flashing device by rotating its base around a threaded connection until it locks in place so that a solar panel rail support guide can be connected to a generally U-shaped connection on the top of the bracket. The apparatus also offers an improved means to cover the penetration point on the flashing to protect it and prevent water from leaking into the roof as well as an improved way to install the apparatus over existing products. An alternate embodiment of the apparatus is offered to support a rail-less pivot mount as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn J. Meine, Clayton Rietz, David Taggart, Anumeha Justice
  • Publication number: 20230332636
    Abstract: A method of covering a roof penetration in a roof includes providing a roof mounting device comprising a base, an outer perimeter structure, an open top, an open bottom, and an internal reservoir bound by the outer perimeter structure, and a fastener. The method includes securing the roof mounting device to the roof by applying the fastener to the base and to the roof penetration. The method includes applying a sealant to the internal reservoir until the sealant seals the fastener at the roof penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Sosera, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Meine, Carolyn D. Kitchel
  • Patent number: 11746821
    Abstract: A mounting device for covering a roof penetration in a roof includes a base having a hub, an outer perimeter structure, an open top, an open bottom, and ribs extending from the hub outward to the outer perimeter structure. An internal reservoir in communication with the open top and the open bottom. At least one of the ribs is formed with a bore for receiving a fastener for fastening the mounting device at the roof penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Solsera, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Meine, Carolyn D. Kitchel
  • Patent number: 11746820
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail and rail-less support structures to a shingle roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a connection bracket and flashing device for use in installing solar panel rail support structures. The connection bracket is secured to the flashing device by rotating its base around a threaded connection until it locks in place so that a solar panel rail support guide can be connected to a generally U-shaped connection on the top of the bracket. The apparatus also offers an improved means to cover the penetration point on the flashing to protect it and prevent water from leaking into the roof as well as an improved way to install the apparatus over existing products. An alternate embodiment of the apparatus is offered to support a rail-less pivot mount as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn J. Meine, Clayton Rietz, David Taggart, Anumeha Justice
  • Patent number: 11725688
    Abstract: A mounting device for covering a roof penetration in a roof includes a base formed from a sheet of material. The base includes a top, a bottom, a socket depending from the top toward the bottom, and an outer perimeter structure encircling the socket and depending downward from the top to the bottom. An internal reservoir is defined between the top and bottom of the base for holding a sealant against and in cooperation with the roof. The internal reservoir includes an upper cavity and a lower cavity. The upper cavity is bound within the socket. The lower cavity continuously encircles the socket and extends both below the socket and between the socket and the outer perimeter structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventors: Shawn J. Meine, Carolyn D. Kitchel
  • Publication number: 20230128923
    Abstract: A mounting device including a base having an open bottom, a longitudinal axis, and a linear guide on the base. The linear guide guides support hardware in linear movement along the longitudinal axis. An internal cavity is under the base for containing a sealant against and in cooperation with a roof when the mounting device is secured to the roof. An opening is though the base is for receiving a fastener when the mounting device is secured to the roof. The opening is in communication with the internal cavity. The linear guide extends beyond the internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventor: Shawn J. Meine
  • Patent number: 11572690
    Abstract: A mounting device includes a base having an internal cavity, a top, and an open bottom in communication with the internal cavity. The device includes a first upper member above the base, wherein the first upper member extends upwardly from the base, and a second upper member is above the base, wherein the second upper member extends upwardly from the base. The device further includes a fastener opening formed though the base for receiving a fastener when the mounting device is secured to a roof. The fastener opening is in communication with the internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn J. Meine
  • Patent number: 11486133
    Abstract: A mounting device including a base having an open bottom, a longitudinal axis, and a linear guide on the base. The linear guide guides support hardware in linear movement along the longitudinal axis. An internal cavity is under the base for containing a sealant against and in cooperation with a roof when the mounting device is secured to the roof. An opening is though the base is for receiving a fastener when the mounting device is secured to the roof. The opening is in communication with the internal cavity. The linear guide extends beyond the internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn J. Meine
  • Patent number: 11486134
    Abstract: A mounting device including a base having an internal cavity and an upper portion above the base. The upper portion extends upward from the base and includes a vertical member defining opposed first and second faces above the base. An aperture is formed through the upper portion and extends through the first and second faces. The base extends outward, beyond each of the first and second faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn J. Meine
  • Publication number: 20220178586
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail and rail-less support structures to a shingle roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a connection bracket and flashing device for use in installing solar panel rail support structures. The connection bracket is secured to the flashing device by rotating its base around a threaded connection until it locks in place so that a solar panel rail support guide can be connected to a generally U-shaped connection on the top of the bracket. The apparatus also offers an improved means to cover the penetration point on the flashing to protect it and prevent water from leaking into the roof as well as an improved way to install the apparatus over existing products. An alternate embodiment of the apparatus is offered to support a rail-less pivot mount as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn J. Meine, Clayton Rietz, David Taggart, Anumeha Justice
  • Publication number: 20220149545
    Abstract: Assembly for Clamping and Grounding Objects In various representative aspects, an apparatus for clamping and grounding solar panel frames to a mounting rail is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a fastener with an enlarged end, and a shank, with the enlarged end having one or more sharp protrusions that resemble teeth, and a washer with one or more sharp protrusions, and an opening. When installed, the shank is inserted through the opening of the washer, the sharp protrusions of the enlarged end penetrate either the lower or upper surface of the mounting rail and the sharp protrusions of the washer penetrate the other surface of the solar panel frames while at the same time creating a grounding path through the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn J. Meine
  • Publication number: 20220099136
    Abstract: A mounting device for covering a roof penetration in a roof includes a base having a hub, an outer perimeter structure, an open top, an open bottom, and ribs extending from the hub outward to the outer perimeter structure. An internal reservoir in communication with the open top and the open bottom. At least one of the ribs is formed with a bore for receiving a fastener for fastening the mounting device at the roof penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Solsera, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Meine, Carolyn D. Kitchel
  • Publication number: 20210328415
    Abstract: An electrical junction box mount apparatus including a base for mounting to a mounting surface and a lid sized to seal against the base. The base includes a mounting portion having a penetration area. A periphery of the penetration area is circumscribed via a groove formed into a bottom surface of the base such that upon placing the base on a mounting surface, the groove encloses empty space within the groove against the mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventor: Shawn J. Meine
  • Publication number: 20210262222
    Abstract: A mounting device includes a base having an internal cavity, a top, and an open bottom in communication with the internal cavity. The device includes a first upper member above the base, wherein the first upper member extends upwardly from the base, and a second upper member is above the base, wherein the second upper member extends upwardly from the base. The device further includes a fastener opening formed though the base for receiving a fastener when the mounting device is secured to a roof. The fastener opening is in communication with the internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Solsera, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn J. Meine
  • Publication number: 20210230861
    Abstract: A mounting device including a base having an open bottom, a longitudinal axis, and a linear guide on the base. The linear guide guides support hardware in linear movement along the longitudinal axis. An internal cavity is under the base for containing a sealant against and in cooperation with a roof when the mounting device is secured to the roof. An opening is though the base is for receiving a fastener when the mounting device is secured to the roof. The opening is in communication with the internal cavity. The linear guide extends beyond the internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Solsera, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn J. Meine
  • Publication number: 20210222421
    Abstract: A mounting device including a base having an internal cavity and an upper portion above the base. The upper portion extends upward from the base and includes a vertical member defining opposed first and second faces above the base. An aperture is formed through the upper portion and extends through the first and second faces. The base extends outward, beyond each of the first and second faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Solsera, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn J. Meine
  • Patent number: 10982430
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, the present invention relates generally to a system and apparatuses for sealing a structural attachment to a flat or shingle roof. More specifically, the invention relates to providing the system for sealing structural attachments for solar panel mounts for rail guides. The invention utilizes an adhesive sealant to create a permanent watertight seal at any surface penetration. The system may be used for any structural attachment, fastener, mount, or other penetration that requires sealing. Typical building applications include roof penetrations and wall penetrations for cases such as roof vents, structural attachment, conduit or pipe penetrations, or electrical mounts to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Shawn J. Meine