Patents by Inventor John Edward Klinkman

John Edward Klinkman 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: 8413944
    Abstract: Mounting systems for mounting solar panels to a surface are disclosed and can include panel clamp assemblies and rail clamp assemblies. Panel clamp assemblies can comprise a panel clamp having a base and arms extending from edges of the base, the base having an aperture, a rail clamp having a central portion with an aperture and two flexible tabs extending from the central portion on opposing sides of the aperture and a fastener threaded through the apertures such that that flexible tabs contact a head of the fastener and the arms extend in an opposite direction from the flexible tabs. Rail clamp assemblies can comprise a base member having a bottom and two side walls, the bottom having at least one aperture and each side wall having an elongated aperture, two clamping members and a fastener, wherein the side walls of the base member are positioned such that the opening is of sufficient size to receive the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Energy Technologies
    Inventors: John Henry Harberts, Aaron Faust, John Edward Klinkman, Ronald Paul Katt, David Wayne Raffler
  • Patent number: 8276330
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of modular racking systems for solar panels and in particular, modular solar panel racks, racking systems, arrays of racks, kits and methods of use. One embodiment of a modular solar panel rack comprises a plurality of discrete ballast holders and a plurality of panel support members each having two upright portions, a transverse portion contiguously connected between the two upright portions, the connection such that the transverse portion is non-perpendicular to the two upright portions, and a retainer attached to the transverse portion and configured to retain a solar panel. Each of the plurality of ballast holders is connected to no more than four panel support members, each ballast holder perpendicularly connected to one of the upright portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Energy Technologies
    Inventors: John Henry Harberts, John Edward Klinkman
  • Publication number: 20100276558
    Abstract: Mounting systems for mounting solar panels to a surface are disclosed and can include panel clamp assemblies and rail clamp assemblies. Panel clamp assemblies can comprise a panel clamp having a base and arms extending from edges of the base, the base having an aperture, a rail clamp having a central portion with an aperture and two flexible tabs extending from the central portion on opposing sides of the aperture and a fastener threaded through the apertures such that that flexible tabs contact a head of the fastener and the arms extend in an opposite direction from the flexible tabs. Rail clamp assemblies can comprise a base member having a bottom and two side walls, the bottom having at least one aperture and each side wall having an elongated aperture, two clamping members and a fastener, wherein the side walls of the base member are positioned such that the opening is of sufficient size to receive the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Aaron Faust, John Henry Harberts, John Edward Klinkman, Ronald Paul Katt, David Wayne Raffler
  • Publication number: 20100147359
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of modular racking systems for solar panels and in particular, modular solar panel racks, racking systems, arrays of racks, kits and methods of use. One embodiment of a modular solar panel rack comprises a plurality of discrete ballast holders and a plurality of panel support members each having two upright portions, a transverse portion contiguously connected between the two upright portions, the connection such that the transverse portion is non-perpendicular to the two upright portions, and a retainer attached to the transverse portion and configured to retain a solar panel. Each of the plurality of ballast holders is connected to no more than four panel support members, each ballast holder perpendicularly connected to one of the upright portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Appleid Energy Technologies
    Inventors: John Henry Harberts, John Edward Klinkman
  • Patent number: 7441679
    Abstract: An article rack assembly is disclosed, including at least two siderails generally parallel to one another that are adapted to be secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. At least one crossbar is generally perpendicular to the siderails having a length sufficient to span between the siderails. The crossbar has opposing ends that may each include a support assembly member. The support assembly member may include an actuating lever having a grip portion for facilitating engagement of the actuating lever and a locking portion. A rod member is disposed within the crossbar, and may be staked to each actuating lever such that pivoting of one the actuating levers from the locked to the unlocked position causes a generally simultaneous movement of a locking pin assembly at the opposite support assembly, thereby disengaging both locking pin assemblies from their respective siderails generally simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: SportRack LLC
    Inventors: John H. Harberts, John Edward Klinkman
  • Patent number: 7156593
    Abstract: An adjustable tie-down assembly includes a pin having a first end and a second end. A lock plate is disposed proximate the second end and a sliding block is partially received within an opening of a rail. The block is adapted to receive the pin. A tie-down loop is disposed proximate the first end and at least one spring member is disposed proximate the sliding block. The spring member is adapted to bias the tie-down loop in a first direction away from the sliding block and the spring member is adapted to secure the lock plate to the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sportrack, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald G. Saward, John H. Harberts, John Edward Klinkman