Patents by Inventor Eric Hafter
Eric Hafter 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).
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Patent number: 12620924Abstract: A solar panel support structure includes a first shelf for supporting a first frame section of a first solar panel module, the first shelf defining a first plane, and a second shelf for supporting a second frame section of a second solar panel module, the second shelf defining a second plane. A dividing structure is provided between the first and second shelves and extends above the first and second planes. A first shelf upturn may be provided at an end of the first shelf away from the dividing structure and extending above the first plane. A second shelf upturn may be provided at an end of the second shelf away from the dividing structure and extending above the second plane. The support structure includes one or more first movable lock tabs for engaging first and second bottom flange portions of the frame sections.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2023Date of Patent: May 5, 2026Assignee: ORIGAMI SOLAR, INC.Inventors: John C. Patton, Eric Hafter, Tyler Hudson
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Patent number: 12566014Abstract: A mounting system may be provided for a solar panel and may include a frame having a first frame section and a first support structure. The first frame section may include an elongated piece of framework material having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends define a lengthwise dimension. A lengthwise fold may define an intersection of a frame sidewall with a bottom flange, wherein at least a portion the frame sidewall extends above the bottom flange. A first wall opening may be provided in the frame sidewall. A panel containment structure may be provided at an upper portion of the frame sidewall and may include a lower shelf extending from the frame sidewall. The panel containment structure may engage a bottom surface of the solar panel at a first panel edge area.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: March 3, 2026Assignee: Origami Solar, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hafter, John C. Patton
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Publication number: 20260051839Abstract: A solar panel support structure includes a first shelf for supporting a first frame section of a first solar panel module, the first shelf defining a first plane, and a second shelf for supporting a second frame section of a second solar panel module, the second shelf defining a second plane. A dividing structure is provided between the first and second shelves and extends above the first and second planes. A first shelf upturn may be provided at an end of the first shelf away from the dividing structure and extending above the first plane. A second shelf upturn may be provided at an end of the second shelf away from the dividing structure and extending above the second plane. The support structure includes one or more first movable lock tabs for engaging first and second bottom flange portions of the frame sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2023Publication date: February 19, 2026Inventors: John C. Patton, Eric Hafter, Tyler Hudson
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Publication number: 20250309814Abstract: A mounting rail system configured to couple to a photovoltaic (PV) module is disclosed. The mounting rail system may include a mounting rail and an interlock component. The mounting rail may include an upper portion that includes a surface configured to physically engage with a bottom surface of a module frame of the PV module. The interlock component may be engaged with the mounting rail. The interlock component may include a clip. The clip and the upper portion of the mounting rail may at least partially define an aperture configured to receive a lip of the module frame during installation of the PV module to interlock the module frame with the mounting rail. The interlock component may include a separate piece of material from the mounting rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2025Publication date: October 2, 2025Inventors: Benjamin C. DeFresart, Thierry Marin-Martinod, Nathan Schuknecht, Kevin Krautbauer, Shuo Chen, John Patton, Tyler Hudson, Eric Hafter, Gregg Patterson
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Publication number: 20250192715Abstract: A frame for at least partially enclosing or supporting a panel is provided. The frame may include at least a first frame section that may include an elongated piece of framework material having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends define a lengthwise dimension. The first frame section may further include lengthwise fold defining an intersection of a frame sidewall with a bottom flange, wherein the frame sidewall is characterized by a height extending from the bottom flange. The first frame section may further include a portion of at least one tab connection assembly where a connected element is attached to the first frame section. The tab connection assembly may include: i) at least one tab feature provided as part of either the first frame section or the connected element, and ii) at least one corresponding hole feature provided as part of the other of the first frame section or the connected element, wherein the hole feature may lockingly receives the at least one tab feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2022Publication date: June 12, 2025Inventors: John C. Patton, Eric Hafter, Tyler Hudson
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Publication number: 20240297614Abstract: A mounting system may be provided for a solar panel and may include a frame having a first frame section and a first support structure. The first frame section may include an elongated piece of framework material having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends define a lengthwise dimension. A lengthwise fold may define an intersection of a frame sidewall with a bottom flange, wherein at least a portion the frame sidewall extends above the bottom flange. A first wall opening may be provided in the frame sidewall. A panel containment structure may be provided at an upper portion of the frame sidewall and may include a lower shelf extending from the frame sidewall. The panel containment structure may engage a bottom surface of the solar panel at a first panel edge area.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2022Publication date: September 5, 2024Inventors: Eric Hafter, John C. Patton
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Publication number: 20240266994Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide an elongated single piece of framework (59) which may be bent around a corner (46) perhaps for form an about 90 degree angle (61). An elongated single piece of framework (59) may have a first end (49) and a second end (50) which may be joined to each other or may be joined to other ends of a separate framework. A partial frame (48) or even a rectangular panel framework (3) may be created from at least one of an elongated single piece of framework which may frame a solar panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2024Publication date: August 8, 2024Inventors: John C. Patton, Eric Hafter
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Patent number: 11996802Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide an elongated single piece of framework (59) which may be bent around a corner (46) perhaps for form an about 90 degree angle (61). An elongated single piece of framework (59) may have a first end (49) and a second end (50) which may be joined to each other or may be joined to other ends of a separate framework. A partial frame (48) or even a rectangular panel framework (3) may be created from at least one of an elongated single piece of framework which may frame a solar panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Origami Solar, Inc.Inventors: John C. Patton, Eric Hafter
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Publication number: 20220302872Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide an elongated single piece of framework (59) which may be bent around a corner (46) perhaps for form an about 90 degree angle (61). An elongated single piece of framework (59) may have a first end (49) and a second end (50) which may be joined to each other or may be joined to other ends of a separate framework. A partial frame (48) or even a rectangular panel framework (3) may be created from at least one of an elongated single piece of framework which may frame a solar panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: John C. Patton, Eric Hafter
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Patent number: 10079570Abstract: Solar panel array with a plurality of solar panels on support system attached at corners or off such corners for foundation structure needs and irregularities secured to roof by lag bolt with mount channel and flashing pre-assembled into mount by crimp for positive seal and mount riser height adjustable can include bilateral or quadrilateral mounts, a coupler seat to affix panel to mount and lateral movement seat for solar panel, and different clamps including wedge clamps, top restraints, lip end clamps, side support clamps, compression clamps, etc.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Ironridge, Inc.Inventors: John C. Patton, Todd Lindstrom, Eric Hafter
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Publication number: 20150244308Abstract: Solar panel array with a plurality of solar panels on support system attached at corners or off such corners for foundation structure needs and irregularities secured to roof by lag bolt with mount channel and flashing pre-assembled into mount by crimp for positive seal and mount riser height adjustable can include bilateral or quadrilateral mounts, a coupler seat to affix panel to mount and lateral movement seat for solar panel, and different clamps including wedge clamps, top restraints, lip end clamps, side support clamps, compression clamps, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: John C. Patton, Todd Lindstrom, Eric Hafter
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Publication number: 20150207451Abstract: A portable solar panel kit is provided herein. In one embodiment, the portable solar panel kit comprises at least one encasement having a solar panel rotatably coupled to and disposed within the at least one encasement; and a power converter coupled to a backside of the solar panel, wherein the solar panel is moveable between a first position in which the solar panel is parallel to the at least one encasement, and a second position, in which the solar panel is disposed at a predetermined angle to the at least one encasement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: John C. Patton, Eric Hafter, Todd Lindstrom, Martin Fornage
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Patent number: 9080792Abstract: Solar panel array with a plurality of solar panels on support system attached at corners or off such corners for foundation structure needs and irregularities secured to roof by lag bolt with mount channel and flashing pre-assembled into mount by crimp for positive seal and mount riser height adjustable can include bilateral or quadrilateral mounts, a coupler seat to affix panel to mount and lateral movement seat for solar panel. An intercalative junction piece, nut, or washer has tines for grounding, a dissociation guide and flexture and keeps off the surface for association and perforation to clamp panel firmly via different clamps including wedge clamps, top restraints, lip end clamps, side support clamps, compression clamps, etc.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: IronRidge, Inc.Inventors: John C. Patton, Todd Lindstrom, Eric Hafter
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Publication number: 20150034355Abstract: Solar panel array with a plurality of solar panels on support system attached at corners or off such corners for foundation structure needs and irregularities secured to roof by lag bolt with mount channel and flashing pre-assembled into mount by crimp for positive seal and mount riser height adjustable can include bilateral or quadrilateral mounts, a coupler seat to affix panel to mount and lateral movement seat for solar panel. An intercalative junctionpiece, nut, or washer has tines for grounding, a dissociation guide and flexture and keeps off the surface for association and perforation to clamp panel firmly via different clamps including wedge clamps, top restraints, lip end clamps, side support clamps, compression clamps, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: J2L Consulting, LLCInventors: John C. Patton, Todd Lindstrom, Eric Hafter
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Patent number: D649929Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Solar Power, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hafter, John C. Patton, James Gillespy, YangLin Li