Patents by Inventor Nathan Schuit

Nathan Schuit 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: 11967924
    Abstract: A solar panel system includes a rail including a horizontal flange, a rib, and a channel. A clamp assembly includes a first member having a first side having a groove for receiving a portion of the rib and an anchor member for inserting into the channel. The clamp assembly further includes a second member slideably disposed on a second side of the first member and an actuator. When the actuator is actuated, the second member moves in a direction towards a bottom surface of a solar panel such that a top portion of the second member comes into contact with a bottom portion of the solar panel and electrically bonds with the solar panel, and an anchor member of the actuator comes into contact with an inside surface of the channel and electrically bonds with the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: UNIRAC INC.
    Inventor: Nathan Schuit
  • Publication number: 20240120875
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel array on a surface is disclosed. The solar panel array includes a plurality of solar panel modules and a hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly. The hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly includes a component of a rail-based mounting system and a component of a rail-less mounting system. At least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-based mounting system and at least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-less mounting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, December Cowen, Darren Womacks
  • Publication number: 20240106385
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel in a solar panel mounting assembly is disclosed. The solar panel mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket and a helical drive, where the mounting bracket is vertically adjustable by the helical drive. The helical drive engages with a stanchion that is variably positioned along a base member that is fixed to a roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Klaus Nicolaedis, Todd Ganshaw
  • Patent number: 11942892
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel array on a surface is disclosed. The solar panel array includes a plurality of solar panel modules and a hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly. The hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly includes a component of a rail-based mounting system and a component of a rail-less mounting system. At least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-based mounting system and at least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-less mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: UNIRAC INC.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, December Cowen, Darren Womacks
  • Publication number: 20240093717
    Abstract: A channel having a base portion, an open central region, and an integral pair of sidewalls. The integral pair of sidewalls having an upper portion of each sidewall that includes an inward-facing downturned internal flange and an outward-facing upturned external flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Sindhu Madhavi Gopalam, Sai Uppu, Nathan Schuit
  • Patent number: 11894800
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel in a solar panel mounting assembly is disclosed. The solar panel mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket and a helical drive, where the mounting bracket is vertically adjustable by the helical drive. The helical drive engages with a stanchion that is variably positioned along a base member that is fixed to a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Klaus Nicolaedis, Todd Ganshaw
  • Patent number: 11824489
    Abstract: A clamp assembly configured to clamp a frame of a photovoltaic (PV) module, the clamp assembly including a first clamp portion shaped to receive an outside surface of the frame and a second clamp portion shaped to secure a flange of the frame between the second clamp portion and a portion of the first clamp portion, wherein the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion are mounted on a bolt. The clamp assembly further includes a stanchion having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side including apertures through which the bolt is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Basarich, Chris Kauffman, Nathan Schuit
  • Patent number: 11739785
    Abstract: A channel having a base portion, an open central region, and an integral pair of sidewalls. The integral pair of sidewalls having an upper portion of each sidewall that includes an inward-facing downturned internal flange and an outward-facing upturned external flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Todd Ganshaw
  • Publication number: 20230253913
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel array on a surface is disclosed. The solar panel array includes a plurality of solar panel modules and a hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly. The hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly includes a component of a rail-based mounting system and a component of a rail-less mounting system. At least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-based mounting system and at least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-less mounting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, December Cowen, Darren Womacks
  • Patent number: 11489481
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel array on a surface is disclosed. The solar panel array includes a plurality of solar panel modules and a hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly. The hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly includes a component of a rail-based mounting system and a component of a rail-less mounting system. At least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-based mounting system and at least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-less mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, December Cowen, Darren Womacks
  • Publication number: 20220345074
    Abstract: A mounting system includes a base to mount to a surface, a mounting bracket to mount over the base and to the surface, a clamp for attaching to the mounting bracket and securing a rail segment, and a bonding clamp to mount to the rail segment and secure a solar panel module thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan Neal, Todd Ganshaw, Nathan Schuit
  • Publication number: 20220216821
    Abstract: A solar panel mounting assembly including a cap that includes a secure-side wing, a catch-side wing, and an integral vertical leg that protrudes downwardly from the catch-side wing. The vertical leg is integral with the catch-side wing and has a top end and a bottom end. A plurality of inwardly facing corrugations are disposed at the bottom end of the vertical leg. The solar panel mounting assembly further includes a base that includes a secure-side support surface, a tilted spring support ledge on a catch-side, and a plurality of outwardly-facing corrugations disposed on an upper horizontal portion of the base. An inwardly-facing corrugation of the vertical leg contacts and engages an outwardly-facing corrugation on the upper horizontal portion of the base, and the base is vertically adjustable with respect to the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Stacy Harris, Todd Ganshaw, Nathan Schuit
  • Publication number: 20220200521
    Abstract: A clamping system configured to clamp a photovoltaic module. The clamping system includes a base. A saddle is movably attached to the base to be moved between a first position, in which at least a portion of the saddle is raised compared to the base, and a second position, in which the at least the portion of the saddle is laid adjacent the base. A keeper is movably attached to the saddle such that the keeper catches the photovoltaic module against the saddle, during installation of the photovoltaic module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Chris Kauffman, Nathan Schuit
  • Publication number: 20220173692
    Abstract: A mounting sub-assembly includes an extrusion including a first aperture defined therein, a plurality of parallel threads formed on an interior surface of the first aperture defined within the extrusion, and a clamp. The clamp includes a fixed portion monolithically formed with the extrusion. The fixed portion includes a second aperture defined therein. The fixed portion includes a notch defined in an upper portion of the fixed portion, and a third aperture defined in a side of the fixed portion and opening into the second aperture. The fixed portion further includes a movable jaw including an upper lip to engage with the notch, a lower lip to engage with a rail, and a fourth aperture defined in the movable jaw and parallel to the third aperture. The clamp may further include a fastener to fasten the movable jaw to the fixed portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield
  • Patent number: 11290053
    Abstract: A solar panel mounting assembly including a cap that includes a secure-side wing, a catch-side wing, and an integral vertical leg that protrudes downwardly from the catch-side wing. The vertical leg is integral with the catch-side wing and has a top end and a bottom end. A plurality of inwardly facing corrugations are disposed at the bottom end of the vertical leg. The solar panel mounting assembly further includes a base that includes a secure-side support surface, a tilted spring support ledge on a catch-side, and a plurality of outwardly-facing corrugations disposed on an upper horizontal portion of the base. An inwardly-facing corrugation of the vertical leg contacts and engages an outwardly-facing corrugation on the upper horizontal portion of the base, and the base is vertically adjustable with respect to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy Harris, Todd Ganshaw, Nathan Schuit
  • Publication number: 20220085748
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel in a solar panel mounting assembly is disclosed. The solar panel mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket and a helical drive, where the mounting bracket is vertically adjustable by the helical drive. The helical drive engages with a stanchion that is variably positioned along a base member that is fixed to a roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Klaus Nicolaedis, Todd Ganshaw
  • Publication number: 20220074521
    Abstract: A conduit mount including a bracket and a clip. The bracket is defined at least by a first arm, a second arm, and a horizontal portion joining the first arm to the second arm. The bracket includes, a slot located on the first arm, a first catch disposed on the second arm proximate a distal end of the second arm, and a second catch disposed on the second arm and spaced a distance apart from the first catch. The clip includes a first end and a second end. The clip further includes a retaining member disposed on the first end of the clip and shaped to be insertable through the slot in the bracket. The clip also includes a hook disposed on the second end of the clip that optionally engages the first catch or the second catch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Ernest Gallegos, Jeffrey Ballard, Nathan Schuit
  • Patent number: 11251743
    Abstract: A click-on clamping mechanism is for attaching, without tools, a clamp+tower subassembly to a slider bar (which is attached to a roof substrate with lag screws). The clamp+tower sub-assembly can have a height-adjustable, rail-less solar panel mounting assembly attached to it for mounting one or more photovoltaic solar panels thereto. The height of the solar panel mounting assembly can be easily adjusted, either before or after mounting of the solar panels. The click-on clamp+tower sub-assembly is easily removable from the slider bar. A click-on L-foot mount for attaching solar mount rails is also described. The click-on structures can be spring-loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield
  • Patent number: 11205989
    Abstract: A one-piece, monolithic tile support mount attaches to a roof and provides rigid structural support for a lateral attachment bar or L-foot that is used to hold a height-adjustable mounting mechanism or mounting rail, which is used to attach solar photovoltaic panels to the roof of a roof covered with roofing tiles. A custom-designed, sheet-metal or polymer, aperture-less replacement tile is mounted between the lateral attachment bar or the L-foot and the tile support mount. Also provided is a compact, magnetic positioning tool that provides proper alignment of a drill bit when drilling or punching holes through the replacement tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Mayfield, Nathan Schuit, Stacy Harris
  • Patent number: 11183965
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel in a solar panel mounting assembly is disclosed. The solar panel mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket and a helical drive, where the mounting bracket is vertically adjustable by the helical drive. The helical drive engages with a stanchion that is variably positioned along a base member that is fixed to a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Klaus Nicolaedis, Todd Ganshaw