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: 11125356
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Gallegos, Jeffrey Ballard, Nathan Schuit
  • Publication number: 20210242826
    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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle Basarich, Chris Kauffman, Nathan Schuit
  • Publication number: 20200386347
    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: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Ernest Gallegos, Jeffrey Ballard, Nathan Schuit
  • Publication number: 20200350857
    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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Nathan Schuit
  • Patent number: 10819271
    Abstract: A height adjustable solar panel mounting assembly with an asymmetric lower bracket is disclosed. The asymmetric lower bracket includes a flat support ledge on a first side of the asymmetric lower bracket and a tilted spring support ledge on a second side of the asymmetric lower bracket, where the first side is opposite from the second side. A central box frame is defined by the asymmetric lower bracket where a helical drive element is receivable in the central box frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Ernest Gallegos
  • Publication number: 20200313604
    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: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Stacy Harris, Todd Ganshaw, Nathan Schuit
  • Publication number: 20200309184
    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: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Todd Ganshaw
  • Publication number: 20200259448
    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: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, December Cowen, Darren Womacks
  • Publication number: 20200228051
    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: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jason Mayfield, Nathan Schuit, Stacy Harris
  • Patent number: 10601360
    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: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Mayfield, Nathan Schuit, Stacy Harris
  • Patent number: 10594250
    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: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, December Cowen, Darren Womacks
  • Publication number: 20190386602
    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: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Klaus Nicolaedis, Todd Ganshaw
  • Patent number: 10461682
    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: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Klaus Nicolaedis, Todd Ganshaw
  • Patent number: 10340838
    Abstract: A trim-rail for use in a solar panel mounting assembly is disclosed. The trim-rail includes a tilted spring support ledge on a side of the trim-rail. A photovoltaic module is elastically supportable on the tilted spring support ledge when the photovoltaic module is installed on the tilted spring support ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Ernest Gallegos
  • Patent number: 10284136
    Abstract: Improved versions of flat flashings are used for waterproofing mounting hardware that holds photovoltaic solar panels on a roof; typically, such a roof is a pitched, composition shingle roof. The flashings are narrow in width, and have chamfered and/or rounded corners, and a variety of alignment marks printed on the flashing for aligning the flashing with adjacent shingles. The height/width aspect ratio of the flashing can range from 1.4 to 2.0, or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Mayfield, Nathan Schuit
  • Publication number: 20190115866
    Abstract: Improved versions of flat flashings are used for waterproofing mounting hardware that holds photovoltaic solar panels on a roof; typically, such a roof is a pitched, composition shingle roof. The flashings are narrow in width, and have chamfered and/or rounded corners, and a variety of alignment marks printed on the flashing for aligning the flashing with adjacent shingles. The height/width aspect ratio of the flashing can range from 1.4 to 2.0, or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Jason MAYFIELD, Nathan SCHUIT
  • Publication number: 20190081587
    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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Jason MAYFIELD, Nathan SCHUIT, Stacy HARRIS
  • Publication number: 20190036474
    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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan SCHUIT, Jason MAYFIELD
  • Patent number: D827157
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield
  • Patent number: D841454
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield