Patents by Inventor Charles Olen Nehls

Charles Olen Nehls 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: 9291370
    Abstract: A clamp for attaching solar panel grids to standing seam roof structures. The clamp includes opposing clamp halves having inter-engageable projections and recesses. One or more fasteners engage the halves to draw them together. A first set of recesses on one clamp half receives a first set of projections on the other half. A second set of recesses on the other clamp half receives a second set of projections. When loose, the first set of projections engage the first set of recesses like a detent, while the second set of projections are spaced apart from the second set of recesses to enable the clamp to be slid down onto the vertical seam of a standing seam roof. Tightening the fasteners causes the second set of projections to deform the seam into the second set of recesses, fixing the clamp to the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: UNISTRUT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chad K. Zeilenga, Charles Olen Nehls
  • Patent number: 9157574
    Abstract: A clamp for overhead assemblies has a clamp portion including a frame with first and second spaced apart side portions connected at respective ends to a top portion. The first and second side portion can have first and second openings therethrough to form a clamp opening. A plate is disposed through third and fourth openings in the first and second spaced apart side portions, respectively. The plate includes a tapped recess for receiving a threaded rod. A screw is disposed in a tapped recess in the top portion. An engagement end of the screw is selectively extendible into the clamp opening to engage a structural member inserted within the clamp opening to couple the structural member to the threaded rod. A longitudinal axis of the screw is aligned with the tapped recess to eliminate eccentric loading of the clamp. A method of stocking clamps is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: UNISTRUT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Charles Olen Nehls
  • Publication number: 20150083876
    Abstract: A clamp for overhead assemblies has a clamp portion including a frame with first and second spaced apart side portions connected at respective ends to a top portion. The first and second side portion can have first and second openings therethrough to form a clamp opening. A plate is disposed through third and fourth openings in the first and second spaced apart side portions, respectively. The plate includes a tapped recess for receiving a threaded rod. A screw is disposed in a tapped recess in the top portion. An engagement end of the screw is selectively extendible into the clamp opening to engage a structural member inserted within the clamp opening to couple the structural member to the threaded rod. A longitudinal axis of the screw is aligned with the tapped recess to eliminate eccentric loading of the clamp. A method of stocking clamps is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: UNISTRUT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Charles Olen NEHLS
  • Publication number: 20140217253
    Abstract: A clamp for attaching solar panel grids to standing seam roof structures. The clamp includes opposing clamp halves having inter-engageable projections and recesses. One or more fasteners engage the halves to draw them together. A first set of recesses on one clamp half receives a first set of projections on the other half. A second set of recesses on the other clamp half receives a second set of projections. When loose, the first set of projections engage the first set of recesses like a detent, while the second set of projections are spaced apart from the second set of recesses to enable the clamp to be slid down onto the vertical seam of a standing seam roof. Tightening the fasteners causes the second set of projections to deform the seam into the second set of recesses, fixing the clamp to the seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ATKORE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: CHAD K. ZEILENGA, CHARLES OLEN NEHLS
  • Patent number: 8732917
    Abstract: A clamp for attaching solar panel grids to standing seam roof structures. The clamp includes opposing clamp halves having inter-engageable projections and recesses. One or more fasteners engage the halves to draw them together. A first set of recesses on one clamp half receives a first set of projections on the other half. A second set of recesses on the other clamp half receives a second set of projections. When loose, the first set of projections engage the first set of recesses like a detent, while the second set of projections are spaced apart from the second set of recesses to enable the clamp to be slid down onto the vertical seam of a standing seam roof. Tightening the fasteners causes the second set of projections to deform the seam into the second set of recesses, fixing the clamp to the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Atkore International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad K. Zeilenga, Charles Olen Nehls
  • Patent number: 8226061
    Abstract: A bracket is disclosed for attaching solar panels to roof structures. The bracket may comprise first, second and third planar portions, the first and third portions generally parallel to each other, and the second planar portion disposed at an oblique angle with respect to first and third portions. The first portion may have a plurality of elongated stiffening members disposed at oblique angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bracket. Gussets may be provided across the transition between the first and second portions, and the transition between the second and third portions. The gussets and stiffening members are shaped, sized and oriented to enhance the strength of the bracket. The bracket may have a drain hole to allow water to pass through the bracket, and a plurality of fastener holes are provided to enable the bracket to attach to a variety of different solar panels and roof structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Unistrut International Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Olen Nehls
  • Publication number: 20120047827
    Abstract: A clamp is disclosed for attaching solar panel grids to standing seam roof structures. The clamp may comprise a pair of opposing clamp halves having a plurality of inter-engageable projections and recesses. One or more fasteners engage the halves to draw the halves together. At one end of the clamp, a first set of recesses on the first clamp half may receive a first set of projections on the second half. At an opposite end of the clamp a second set of recesses on the first clamp half may receive a second set of projections on the second half. In the loosened condition, the first set of recesses may be engaged in the first set of recesses to act as a detent, while the second set of projections may be spaced a sufficient distance away from the second set of recesses to enable the clamp to be slid down onto the vertical seam portion of a standing seam roof. Tightening the fasteners then causes the second set of projections to deform the seam portion into the second set of recesses, fixing the clamp to the seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: ATKORE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Chad K. Zeilenga, Charles Olen Nehls
  • Publication number: 20100187391
    Abstract: A bracket is disclosed for attaching solar panels to roof structures. The bracket may comprise first, second and third planar portions, the first and third portions generally parallel to each other, and the second planar portion disposed at an oblique angle with respect to first and third portions. The first portion may have a plurality of elongated stiffening members disposed at oblique angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bracket. Gussets may be provided across the transition between the first and second portions, and the transition between the second and third portions. The gussets and stiffening members are shaped, sized and oriented to enhance the strength of the bracket. The bracket may have a drain hole to allow water to pass through the bracket, and a plurality of fastener holes are provided to enable the bracket to attach to a variety of different solar panels and roof structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Unistrut International Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Olen Nehls
  • Patent number: 7658356
    Abstract: A bracket is disclosed for attaching solar panels to roof structures. The bracket may comprise first, second and third planar portions, the first and third portions generally parallel to each other, and the second planar portion disposed at an oblique angle with respect to first and third portions. The first portion may have a plurality of elongated stiffening members disposed at oblique angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bracket. Gussets may be provided across the transition between the first and second portions, and the transition between the second and third portions. The gussets and stiffening members are shaped, sized and oriented to enhance the strength of the bracket. The bracket may have a drain hole to allow water to pass through the bracket, and a plurality of fastener holes are provided to enable the bracket to attach to a variety of different solar panels and roof structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Unistrut International Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Olen Nehls
  • Patent number: D805375
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: UNISTRUT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Charles Olen Nehls
  • Patent number: D805881
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: UNISTRUT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Charles Olen Nehls