Patents Assigned to UniRac, Inc.
  • Hybrid solar panel mounting assembly
    Patent number: 10594250
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel array on a surface is disclosed. The solar panel array includes a plurality of solar panel modules and a hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly. The hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly includes a component of a rail-based mounting system and a component of a rail-less mounting system. At least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-based mounting system and at least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-less mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, December Cowen, Darren Womacks
  • Monolithic bracket for flat roof mounted photovoltaic modules
    Patent number: 10574177
    Abstract: An integral, monolithic mounting bracket supports a corner of a photovoltaic module. The bracket includes a ballast tray for holding one or more ballast blocks, and includes a plurality of monolithic support legs that are disposed at acute angles from a plane of the ballast tray and that are integral with the ballast tray. The bracket can be manufactured by stamping at least two identical sections of metal from the sheet and then bending-up each section on its remaining uncut fourth side into a near-vertical position, so that each bent-up section forms a monolithic support leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Bauer, Bill Vaught, Kim Weaver, Caitlin Purigraski, Stacy Harris, Charles Stubbs, David Saenz Alvarez
  • Height adjustable solar panel mounting assembly
    Patent number: 10461682
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel in a solar panel mounting assembly is disclosed. The solar panel mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket and a helical drive, where the mounting bracket is vertically adjustable by the helical drive. The helical drive engages with a stanchion that is variably positioned along a base member that is fixed to a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Klaus Nicolaedis, Todd Ganshaw
  • Universal end clamp for mounting solar panels on structural rails
    Patent number: 10451315
    Abstract: A universal end clamp and method for clamping a solar module to a rail are configured for applying a torque to a clamp body and generating a compressive clamping force between the body and a lower flange of a solar panel module frame so that the lower flange of the module frame is clamped to the rail. The clamp is disposed underneath the solar module, where it cannot be seen. The components of the assembly that can move include threaded bolts, front and rear T-slides, drive blocks, cams, coil springs, leaf springs, and offset drive brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy Harris, David S. Alvarez, Thomas Young, Todd Ganshaw
  • Hybrid solar panel mounting assembly with a tilted ledge
    Patent number: 10340838
    Abstract: A trim-rail for use in a solar panel mounting assembly is disclosed. The trim-rail includes a tilted spring support ledge on a side of the trim-rail. A photovoltaic module is elastically supportable on the tilted spring support ledge when the photovoltaic module is installed on the tilted spring support ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Ernest Gallegos
  • Narrow flashing for waterproof mounting of solar panels to a roof
    Patent number: 10284136
    Abstract: Improved versions of flat flashings are used for waterproofing mounting hardware that holds photovoltaic solar panels on a roof; typically, such a roof is a pitched, composition shingle roof. The flashings are narrow in width, and have chamfered and/or rounded corners, and a variety of alignment marks printed on the flashing for aligning the flashing with adjacent shingles. The height/width aspect ratio of the flashing can range from 1.4 to 2.0, or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Mayfield, Nathan Schuit
  • Monolithic bracket for flat roof mounted photovoltaic modules
    Patent number: 10224865
    Abstract: An integral, monolithic mounting bracket supports a corner of a photovoltaic module. The bracket includes a ballast tray for holding one or more ballast blocks, and includes a plurality of monolithic support legs that are disposed at acute angles from a plane of the ballast tray and that are integral with the ballast tray. The bracket can be manufactured by stamping at least two identical sections of metal from the sheet and then bending-up each section on its remaining uncut fourth side into a near-vertical position, so that each bent-up section forms a monolithic support leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Bauer, Bill Vaught, Kim Weaver, Caitlin Purigraski, Stacy Harris, Charles Stubbs, David Saenz Alvarez
  • Trim assembly
    Patent number: 9998065
    Abstract: A trim assembly is disclosed. The trim assembly includes a trim, where the trim has a curved form, and a trim mounting bracket, where the trim is mountable on the trim mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ganshaw, Ernest Gallegos, Jason Mayfield, Nathan Schuit
  • Assembly for mounting a trim piece to a photovoltaic panel using standardized clamps
    Patent number: 9837955
    Abstract: A monolithic trim piece is used for covering an opening between the edge of a photovoltaic module and the roof. The trim piece, with a curved front face, is attached to the underside of the photovoltaic module(s) using a standardized end-clamp (for a single module) or a standard mid-clamp (for a pair of modules). A threaded fastener with a T-shaped head can be used in a recessed channel located underneath an attachment flange of the trim piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Todd Ganshaw, Sr., Tom Young
  • Module-level power electronics mounting plate
    Patent number: D801781
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield
  • Mounting bracket for roof mounted photovoltaic modules
    Patent number: D801913
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Bauer, Bill Vaught, Kim Weaver, Caitlin Purigraski, Stacy Harris, Charles Stubbs
  • Mounting bracket for roof mounted photovoltaic modules
    Patent number: D801914
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Bauer, Bill Vaught, Kim Weaver, Caitlin Purigraski, Stacy Harris, Charles Stubbs
  • Mounting bracket for roof mounted photovoltaic modules
    Patent number: D801915
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Bauer, Bill Vaught, Kim Weaver, Caitlin Purigraski, Stacy Harris, Charles Stubbs
  • Helical drive
    Patent number: D803040
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield
  • Solar mount light rail
    Patent number: D808066
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Young
  • Solar mount trim
    Patent number: D815303
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Todd Ganshaw, Tom Young
  • Trimrail extrusion
    Patent number: D815308
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield
  • Floating splice extrusion
    Patent number: D824047
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield
  • Base extrusion
    Patent number: D827157
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield
  • Helical drive
    Patent number: D841454
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield