Patents by Inventor Jon Ash

Jon Ash 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).

  • Publication number: 20180238589
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail support structure to a tile roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a base plate that is secured to the roof beneath various shapes of tiles on the tile roof and a generally L-shaped bracket that is then coupled to a rail support guide. The bracket is then capable of being adjusted in various locations along the base plate by utilizing a spring lock mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon ASH, Shawn MEINE, Anumeha NARAIN, Clayton RIETZ, David TAGGART
  • Publication number: 20180106289
    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 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn Meine, Anumeha Narain, Clayton Reitz, David Taggart
  • Publication number: 20180102729
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for connecting and electrically bonding two solar panel rail guides is provided. More specifically, the assembly provides a novel and improved inner rail used as a splice that slides within the two solar panel rail guides and includes a serrated screw that is pre-installed within the splice. When installed, the two rail guides are brought together along the splice and meet at the point where the screw is located, the screw can then be tightened so that the serrations penetrate surface treatment layers on each of the rail guides so that the solar panel rail guides are secured and electrically coupled to each other. An alternate embodiment utilizes the inner splice to join two solar panel rail guides by sliding the splice within the inner contour of two solar panel rail guides, and utilizing a pair of bonding pins to electrically bond the splice and the two solar panel rail guides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Ash
  • Publication number: 20180062571
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a support bracket to rail guide used for mounting and installing solar panels is provided. More specifically, the assembly provides a novel and improved nut with a serrated surface in combination with a t-bolt with a serrated surface that is capable of penetrating the respective oxidation surface layers of the bracket and the rail guide when installed. When installed, provides a mechanism for using the bracket to connect the rail guide to a flashing that is typically installed on a roof. An alternate embodiment of the nut also includes rotational and vertical stabilizing features that prevent the nut from moving along the bracket once it is secured. By employing the apparatus at various locations along the roof in a linear fashion, the rail support structure can be properly installed so that an array of solar panel modules to be installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, David Taggart
  • Patent number: 9865938
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an apparatus for securing solar panels to a rail support guide, while facilitating grounding by a common grounding wire. The apparatus is an electrically conductive lay-in-lug fastener, which facilitates multiple rows of solar panels to be electrically bonded to each other. The apparatus includes a lug member for securing the grounding wire. In doing so, the structure for securing the grounding wire is at an acute angle to the frame, enabling a wrench to be used even in space-challenged locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ironridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Meine, Jon Ash, Scott Ochenreider
  • Publication number: 20170366132
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a roof attachment assembly for mounting a solar panel on a roof without the use of rails. The assembly includes a splice member includes grounding elements for electrically grounding the solar panel and is removably connected to the array skirt. Also disclosed is a method of using the assembly and an assembly kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Meine, Jon Ash, William Kim, David Taggart, William Pereira
  • Patent number: 9837954
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for connecting and electrically bonding two solar panel rail guides is provided. More specifically, the assembly provides a novel and improved inner rail used as a splice that slides within the two solar panel rail guides and includes a serrated screw that is pre-installed within the splice. When installed, the two rail guides are brought together along the splice and meet at the point where the screw is located, the screw can then be tightened so that the serrations penetrate surface treatment layers on each of the rail guides so that the solar panel rail guides are secured and electrically coupled to each other. An alternate embodiment utilizes the inner splice to join two solar panel rail guides by sliding the splice within the inner contour of two solar panel rail guides, and utilizing a pair of bonding pins to electrically bond the splice and the two solar panel rail guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ironridge, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Ash
  • Patent number: 9819303
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a support bracket to rail guide used for mounting and installing solar panels is provided. More specifically, the assembly provides a novel and improved nut with a serrated surface in combination with a t-bolt with a serrated surface that is capable of penetrating the respective oxidation surface layers of the bracket and the rail guide when installed. When installed, provides a mechanism for using the bracket to connect the rail guide to a flashing that is typically installed on a roof. By employing the apparatus at various locations along the roof in a linear fashion, the rail support structure can be properly installed so that an array of solar panel modules to be installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ironridge, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Ash
  • Patent number: 9800199
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a roof attachment assembly for mounting a solar panel on a roof without the use of rails. The assembly includes a flashing member, a pivot bracket member, a clamp member, an array skirt and a splice member. The flashing member anchors the roof attachment assembly to the roof. The pivot bracket member is rotatably connected to the flashing member. The clamp member is connected to the pivot bracket member and is rotatably connected thereto. The clamp member includes grounding elements for electrically grounding the solar panel. The array skirt is removably connected to the clamp member. The splice member includes grounding elements for electrically grounding the solar panel and is removably connected to the array skirt. Also disclosed is a method of using the assembly and an assembly kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ironridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Meine, Jon Ash, William Kim, David Taggart, William Pereira
  • Publication number: 20170299102
    Abstract: An assembly for fastening a conduit to a flashing structure that is typically secured to a shingled roof. The apparatus includes an adjustable clamp that can be secured to a cap on the flashing. A conduit is laid on top of the cap and the adjustable clamp is positioned on top of the conduit and is snapped in place along the perimeter of the cap. An adjustable bolt is threaded through the top of the clamp with a curved saddle that resides beneath the clamp and conforms to the shape of the conduit's outer surface. The bolt can then be adjusted to tighten the conduit to the cap. An exemplary use of the clamp involves securing conduit for running electrical wiring throughout a solar panel array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Clayton Robert Rietz, Anumeha Narain
  • Publication number: 20170284432
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an apparatus for clamping and grounding an upper and lower solar panel 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 mounting rail and the sharp protrusions of the washer penetrate the other mounting rail while at the same time creating a grounding path through the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn Meine
  • Publication number: 20170288602
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel and improved roof flashing assembly for use in supporting hardware needed to install solar panel arrays on shingle roofs. The assembly is both easy to install and provides an improved watertight seal at the location where the assembly is secured to the rafters of the roof over the state of the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Meine, Jon Ash, Bryan Lester, David Taggart
  • Publication number: 20170264026
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an apparatus for securing solar panels to a rail support guide, while facilitating grounding by a common grounding wire. The apparatus is an electrically conductive lay-in-lug fastener, which facilitates multiple rows of solar panels to be electrically bonded to each other. The apparatus includes a lug member for securing the grounding wire. In doing so, the structure for securing the grounding wire is at an acute angle to the frame, enabling a wrench to be used even in space-challenged locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: IRONRIDGE, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn Meine, Jon Ash, Scott Ochenreider
  • Publication number: 20170194902
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing array skirts and solar panel modules in an array on a roof by providing a leveling system that utilizes a barrel bolt and barrel nut to vertically adjust the assembly. Improved electrical bonding by utilizing bonding pins installed in mounting plates of a support clamp are also provided. Additionally, an improved array skirt design that is installed on the outer row of the array, as well as improved designs in the support clamp and splice mechanisms are also provided. Finally, an improved wire management system is included as well as a method of installation of the array assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Meine, Jon Ash, David F. Taggart, Willie Kim, Clayton Robert Rietz, William Anthony Pereira
  • Patent number: 9671136
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, a clamp assembly that secures a solar panel module to a rail support structure that utilizes a generally c-shaped clamp in combination with a t-bolt and a binding bolt such that the t-bolt and binding bolt fit through a pair of apertures in the c-shaped clamp. This enables the foot of the t-bolt to be inserted into a guide on the top of the rail support structure so that the clamp can subsequently secure the solar panel module to the rail support structure by rotating the binding bolt, which in turn locks the t-bolt within the guide and the top of the clamp is then tightened with continuous rotation of the binding bolt, which also enables raised portions on the foot of the t-bolt and top of the clamp to create an electrical bonding path between the solar panel module and the rail support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ironridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn J. Meine
  • Patent number: 9647433
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing array skirts and solar panel modules in an array on a roof by providing a leveling system that utilizes a barrel bolt and barrel nut to vertically adjust the assembly. Improved electrical bonding by utilizing bonding pins installed in mounting plates of a support clamp are also provided. Additionally, an improved array skirt design that is installed on the outer row of the array, as well as improved designs in the support clamp and splice mechanisms are also provided. Finally, an improved wire management system is included as well as a method of installation of the array assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Meine, Jon Ash, Dave Taggart, Willie Kim, Clayton Robert Reitz, William Anthony Pereira
  • Publication number: 20170085219
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an apparatus for securing and covering clamp assembly that secures and electrically binds a solar panel module to a mounting rail as part of a solar panel array is provided that is both easy and efficient to install.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, David Briggs, Shawn Meine, Bryan Lester
  • Publication number: 20170063301
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for connecting and electrically bonding two solar panel rail guides is provided. More specifically, the assembly provides a novel and improved inner rail used as a splice that slides within the two solar panel rail guides and includes a serrated screw that is pre-installed within the splice. When installed, the two rail guides are brought together along the splice and meet at the point where the screw is located, the screw can then be tightened so that the serrations penetrate surface treatment layers on each of the rail guides so that the solar panel rail guides are secured and electrically coupled to each other. An alternate embodiment utilizes the inner splice to join two solar panel rail guides by sliding the splice within the inner contour of two solar panel rail guides, and utilizing a pair of bonding pins to electrically bond the splice and the two solar panel rail guides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Ash
  • Publication number: 20170063300
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a support bracket to rail guide used for mounting and installing solar panels is provided. More specifically, the assembly provides a novel and improved nut with a serrated surface in combination with a t-bolt with a serrated surface that is capable of penetrating the respective oxidation surface layers of the bracket and the rail guide when installed. When installed, provides a mechanism for using the bracket to connect the rail guide to a flashing that is typically installed on a roof. By employing the apparatus at various locations along the roof in a linear fashion, the rail support structure can be properly installed so that an array of solar panel modules to be installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Ash
  • Publication number: 20160282018
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, an end clamp that mounts a bottom flange of a solar panel module to a rail support structure without requiring any tools for insertion while mechanically fastening and electrically bonding the solar panel module to the rail support structure. A method of installation is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: IronRidge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn J. Meine, David Taggart