Patents by Inventor Nicholas Wenzel

Nicholas Wenzel 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: 12292075
    Abstract: A twist-lock clamp to attach a solar module to a rail system includes a spring between a top clamp and a t-nut, with features on the spring and top clamp to restrict rotation relative to each other. The t-nut includes features allowing rotation of about 90 degrees when the t-nut is inserted in a rail, but restrict rotation beyond about 90 degrees. The spring serves to hold the top clamp and t-nut apart while allowing the twist-lock clamp to resist sliding in the rail during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20250105775
    Abstract: A multi-rail system for mounting solar modules to a surface, such as a roof, uses two rails to support a first row of solar modules, and a single rail to support each subsequent row of solar modules. Splices connect edges of solar modules between rows, providing support along one edge of the solar modules for the subsequent rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
  • Publication number: 20250003208
    Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Patent number: 12139905
    Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20240171116
    Abstract: A multi-rail system for mounting solar modules to a surface, such as a roof, uses two rails to support a first row of solar modules, and a single rail to support each subsequent row of solar modules. Splices connect edges of solar modules between rows, providing support along one edge of the solar modules for the subsequent rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
  • Patent number: 11990862
    Abstract: A u-shaped clamp that includes offset bends at distal ends, accepts a threaded fastener through two apertures, where tightening the fastener brings two flanges of the u-shaped clamp together to grip a wire, a cable or a pipe. An offset bend on one end of one flange serves to hold a wire or cable in position until the fastener is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11848636
    Abstract: A multi-rail system for mounting solar modules to a surface, such as a roof, uses two rails to support a first row of solar modules, and a single rail to support each subsequent row of solar modules. Splices connect edges of solar modules between rows, providing support along one edge of the solar modules for the subsequent rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
  • Publication number: 20230287674
    Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11608627
    Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11611310
    Abstract: A solar mount, for use with a bracket attachment, has an open and a closed state. In the open state, grip flanges on two hinged arms can pass through a slot opening on the bracket attachment. In the closed state, the grip flanges cooperate with respective groves in the bracket attachment to secure the solar mount to the bracket attachment. In the closed state, a fastener attaches a solar accessory, such as a rail, and holds the two hinged arms together. A flexible mount helps hold the two hinged arms together in the open state, and also helps hold the two hinged arms in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20220298776
    Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20220263458
    Abstract: A u-shaped clamp that includes offset bends at distal ends, accepts a threaded fastener through two apertures, where tightening the fastener brings two flanges of the u-shaped clamp together to grip a wire, a cable or a pipe. An offset bend on one end of one flange serves to hold a wire or cable in position until the fastener is tightened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20220239247
    Abstract: A solar mount, for use with a bracket attachment, has an open and a closed state. In the open state, grip flanges on two hinged arms can pass through a slot opening on the bracket attachment. In the closed state, the grip flanges cooperate with respective groves in the bracket attachment to secure the solar mount to the bracket attachment. In the closed state, a fastener attaches a solar accessory, such as a rail, and holds the two hinged arms together. A flexible mount helps hold the two hinged arms together in the open state, and also helps hold the two hinged arms in the closed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11377840
    Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20220190781
    Abstract: An electrically conductive bond jumper connects two solar modules, and is affixed to the solar modules with u-shaped spring grips on each end. The spring grips have sharp pointed teeth to penetrate coatings on the solar modules and enhance the electrical connection between the solar modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11236510
    Abstract: A roof pan with raised ridges along lateral edges, where the raised ridges of one pan cooperate raised ridges of another pan to prevent water movement. A formed edge that is offset from the roof surface when the pan is installed on the roof allows a flashing to slide under the formed edge when the roof pan is installed on the roof surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Nicholas Wenzel, Peter Wilke
  • Patent number: 11143436
    Abstract: A clamp particularly designed for use on the end of a solar module mounting rail, includes two hinged parts that can be adjusted by a fastener to clamp a solar module to the rail. A pull-tab with toothed catches helps to position the clamp during installation, and also prevents the clamp from sliding too far into the rail, while a grip body increases friction and electrical contact between the solar module and the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20210156413
    Abstract: A twist-lock clamp to attach a solar module to a rail system includes a spring between a top clamp and a t-nut, with features on the spring and top clamp to restrict rotation relative to each other. The t-nut includes features allowing rotation of about 90 degrees when the t-nut is inserted in a rail, but restrict rotation beyond about 90 degrees. The spring serves to hold the top clamp and t-nut apart while allowing the twist-lock clamp to resist sliding in the rail during installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20210156135
    Abstract: A splice having a main body and one or more protrusions extending from the main body. The one or more protrusions can be operable to interfere with a rail when the main body is installed into an opening of the rail. The one or more protrusions may be operable to cut into a coating of the rail and form an electrical connection between the rail and the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Patent number: D1004141
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Glenn Harris, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel