Patents by Inventor Michael Zuritis

Michael Zuritis 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: 12018862
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated bonding mid clamp device for solar panel mounting and grounding, as well as a related system and method. The integrated bonding mid clamp includes a deformable toothed washer for breaking an anodized layer of a solar panel frame. The deformable toothed washer is capable of deforming to avoid obstructing proper contact between the mid clamp and the solar panel frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: SOLAR FOUNDATIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Patent number: 11736059
    Abstract: A solar array support structure includes a mounting structure extending a length and configured to receive a solar array, an externally threaded pile extension extending from the mounting structure toward a ground; and a vertical pile extending into the ground, the vertical pile including: a pile body extending between a first end and a second end and including a main body extending from the first end, the pile body further including a conical portion extending from the main body to the second end, and a first helical structure extending around at least one of a portion of the main body and a portion of the conical portion. The first end of the vertical pile is internally threaded and has received the externally threaded pile extension. A vertical pile for a solar array support structure and method of manufacturing the same is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SOLAR FOUNDATIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Publication number: 20230194126
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated bonding mid clamp device for solar panel mounting and grounding, as well as a related system and method. The integrated bonding mid clamp includes a deformable toothed washer for breaking an anodized layer of a solar panel frame. The deformable toothed washer is capable of deforming to avoid obstructing proper contact between the mid clamp and the solar panel frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Patent number: 11522488
    Abstract: A vertical column has a column body extending between a first end and a second end. The column body includes a main body, a conical portion extending from the main body, and a tip portion extending from the conical portion. The vertical column includes a first helical structure extending around a portion of the main body and a second helical structure extending around a portion the tip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SOLAR FOUNDATIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Publication number: 20210408959
    Abstract: A solar array support structure includes a mounting structure extending a length and configured to receive a solar array, an externally threaded pile extension extending from the mounting structure toward a ground; and a vertical pile extending into the ground, the vertical pile including: a pile body extending between a first end and a second end and including a main body extending from the first end, the pile body further including a conical portion extending from the main body to the second end, and a first helical structure extending around at least one of a portion of the main body and a portion of the conical portion. The first end of the vertical pile is internally threaded and has received the externally threaded pile extension. A vertical pile for a solar array support structure and method of manufacturing the same is further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Patent number: 11088654
    Abstract: A solar array support structure includes a first vertical pile extending from a ground to a first pile end, a second vertical pile extending from the ground to a second pile end, and a first pile cap attached to each of the first and second vertical piles, the first pile cap configured to account for a misalignment of at least one of the first vertical pile and the second vertical pile by providing for adjustable attachment locations for each of the first and second pile ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SOLAR FOUNDATIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Patent number: 10992251
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated bonding mid clamp device for solar panel mounting and grounding, as well as a related system and method. The integrated bonding mid clamp includes a deformable toothed washer for breaking an anodized layer of a solar panel frame. The deformable toothed washer is capable of deforming to avoid obstructing proper contact between the mid clamp and the solar panel frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: SOLAR FOUNDATIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Publication number: 20210111664
    Abstract: A solar array support structure includes a first vertical pile extending from a ground to a first pile end, a second vertical pile extending from the ground to a second pile end, and a first pile cap attached to each of the first and second vertical piles, the first pile cap configured to account for a misalignment of at least one of the first vertical pile and the second vertical pile by providing for adjustable attachment locations for each of the first and second pile ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Publication number: 20200358391
    Abstract: A vertical column has a column body extending between a first end and a second end. The column body includes a main body, a conical portion extending from the main body, and a tip portion extending from the conical portion. The vertical column includes a first helical structure extending around a portion of the main body and a second helical structure extending around a portion the tip portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Publication number: 20190326847
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated bonding mid clamp device for solar panel mounting and grounding, as well as a related system and method. The integrated bonding mid clamp includes a deformable toothed washer for breaking an anodized layer of a solar panel frame. The deformable toothed washer is capable of deforming to avoid obstructing proper contact between the mid clamp and the solar panel frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Patent number: 10103680
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar array structure that includes a first vertical column having a first height and a second vertical column having a second height, the second height being taller than the first height. The solar array support structure further includes a telescopic wind brace extending between an upper portion of the first vertical column and a lower portion of the second vertical column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SOLAR FOUNDATIONS USA, INC
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Patent number: 9777459
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attachment and vehicle that includes a left loader arm, a right loader arm, and a boom arm operatively attached to the left loader arm and the right loader arm. The boom arm extends in substantially the same direction that both the left loader arm and the right loader arm extends, is positioned between the left loader arm and the right loader arm, and includes a rotating mechanism at a first end for attaching and rotating a vertical column for installation in the ground. The attachment includes a first hydraulic cylinder attaching the left loader arm with the boom arm and a second hydraulic cylinder attaching the right loader arm with the boom arm. The first and second hydraulic cylinders exact rotation on the boom arm, and the first and second hydraulic cylinders extend at least substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the boom arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SOLAR FOUNDATIONS USA, INC
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Patent number: 9660568
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar array column cap that includes a body having an opening extending along a center axis from a bottom to a top, the opening configured to receive the vertical column such that the body surrounds the vertical column. The solar array column cap further includes an upper support surface configured to receive a horizontal beam, the upper support surface being located in a plane that is visibly non-perpendicular with the center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Patent number: 9660569
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mounting rail for a solar array support structure that includes a main body having a top and a bottom, the main body extending from a first end to a second end. The mounting rail further includes a solar panel mounting portion extending along the top of the main body, the solar panel mounting portion configured to secure the solar panel to the mounting rail. The mounting rail further includes a first flange extending from the bottom of the first vertical element, the first flange including a first pair of holes configured to receive two ends of a U-bolt, the first pair of holes spaced apart substantially equal to a width of the horizontal rail. A method of installing a solar array support structure using the mounting rail is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SOLAR FOUNDATIONS USA, INC
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Patent number: 9571029
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar array column cap that includes a main body extending between a left side and a right side to define a channel, the channel configured to at least partially receive a vertical column of a solar array support structure such that the main body surrounds the vertical column. The main body further includes a left flange extending radially outwardly from the left side of the channel and right flange extending radially outwardly from the right side of the channel. Further, the main body includes an left upper flap extending from a top edge of the left flange, and a right upper flap extending from a top edge of the right flange, the right upper flap and left upper flap being co-planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Publication number: 20160373052
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar array structure that includes a first vertical column having a first height and a second vertical column having a second height, the second height being taller than the first height. The solar array support structure further includes a telescopic wind brace extending between an upper portion of the first vertical column and a lower portion of the second vertical column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Patent number: 9447990
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar array structure that includes a first vertical column having a first height and a second vertical column having a second height, the second height being taller than the first height. The solar array support structure further includes a first horizontal beam attached to and extending across a top of the first vertical column and a second horizontal beam attached to and extending across a top of the second vertical column. The solar array support structure further includes at least one solar panel attached above the first horizontal beam and the second horizontal beam in a plane that extends between the first horizontal beam and the second horizontal beam. Finally, the solar array support structure further includes a telescopic wind brace extending between an upper portion of the first vertical column and a lower portion of the second vertical column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Publication number: 20160118927
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mounting rail for a solar array support structure that includes a main body having a top and a bottom, the main body extending from a first end to a second end. The mounting rail further includes a solar panel mounting portion extending along the top of the main body, the solar panel mounting portion configured to secure the solar panel to the mounting rail. The mounting rail further includes a first flange extending from the bottom of the first vertical element, the first flange including a first pair of holes configured to receive two ends of a U-bolt, the first pair of holes spaced apart substantially equal to a width of the horizontal rail. A method of installing a solar array support structure using the mounting rail is further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventor: MICHAEL ZURITIS
  • Patent number: 9249994
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mounting rail for a solar array support structure that includes a main body having a top and a bottom, the main body extending from a first end to a second end, the main body including a dual web having a first vertical element and a second vertical element. Further, the mounting rail includes a solar panel mounting portion extending along the top of the main body, the solar panel mounting portion configured to secure the solar panel to the mounting rail. Finally, the mounting rail includes a first flange extending from the bottom of the first vertical element, the first flange including a first pair of holes configured to receive two ends of a U-bolt, the first pair of holes spaced apart substantially equal to a width of a horizontal rail of a solar array support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Zuritis
  • Publication number: 20150076088
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar array column cap that includes a body having an opening extending along a center axis from a bottom to a top, the opening configured to receive the vertical column such that the body surrounds the vertical column. The solar array column cap further includes an upper support surface configured to receive a horizontal beam, the upper support surface being located in a plane that is visibly non-perpendicular with the center axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: MICHAEL ZURITIS