Patents by Inventor Richard F. Schaefer
Richard F. Schaefer 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).
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Patent number: 11885364Abstract: Provided herein is a fastener that may be used to secure objects to a channel strut or attach a channel strut to a structure. In an arrangement, the fastener is a fastener block configured for disposition within the interior of a channel strut. The fastener block has a body that includes at least one aperture, which may be threaded, extending through the fastener block between upper and lower surfaces. A fastener receptacle may be formed around the aperture. A standard nut or bolt may be inserted into the fastener receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: D Three Enterprises, LLCInventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Patent number: 11624394Abstract: Provided herein is a fastener that may be used to secure objects to a channel strut or attach a channel strut to a structure. In an arrangement, the fastener is a fastener block configured for disposition within the interior of a channel strut. The fastener block has a body that includes at least one pair of spaced apart and parallel recesses (e.g., recessed channels) sized to engage the inward lips of the strut channel. Once the pair to recessed channels engage the strut channel lips, the fastener block is prevented from rotating. At least one aperture extends through the fastener block between the parallel recessed channels. A fastener recess (e.g., hexagon recess) is recede into the block around the aperture. A standard nut or bolt may be inserted into the fastener recess.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: D Three Enterprises, LLCInventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Patent number: 11624395Abstract: Provided herein is a fastener that may be used to secure objects to a channel strut or attach a channel strut to a structure. In an arrangement, the fastener is a fastener block configured for disposition within the interior of a channel strut. The fastener block has a body that includes at least one aperture that extends through the fastener block between upper and lower surfaces. A fastener receptacle is formed around the aperture. A standard nut or bolt may be inserted into the fastener receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: D Three Enterprises, LLCInventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20220252100Abstract: Provided herein is a fastener that may be used to secure objects to a channel strut or attach a channel strut to a structure. In an arrangement, the fastener is a fastener block configured for disposition within the interior of a channel strut. The fastener block has a body that includes at least one aperture, which may be threaded, extending through the fastener block between upper and lower surfaces. A fastener receptacle may be formed around the aperture. A standard nut or bolt may be inserted into the fastener receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20220128085Abstract: Provided herein is a fastener that may be used to secure objects to a channel strut or attach a channel strut to a structure. In an arrangement, the fastener is a fastener block configured for disposition within the interior of a channel strut. The fastener block has a body that includes at least one aperture that extends through the fastener block between upper and lower surfaces. A fastener receptacle is formed around the aperture. A standard nut or bolt may be inserted into the fastener receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20220128084Abstract: Provided herein is a fastener that may be used to secure objects to a channel strut or attach a channel strut to a structure. In an arrangement, the fastener is a fastener block configured for disposition within the interior of a channel strut. The fastener block has a body that includes at least one pair of spaced apart and parallel recesses (e.g., recessed channels) sized to engage the inward lips of the strut channel. Once the pair to recessed channels engage the strut channel lips, the fastener block is prevented from rotating. At least one aperture extends through the fastener block between the parallel recessed channels. A fastener recess (e.g., hexagon recess) is recede into the block around the aperture. A standard nut or bolt may be inserted into the fastener recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Patent number: 10840851Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to mounting components on a corrugated metal roof. The disclosed systems and devices utilize a multi-surface clip (e.g., multi-planar) to securely attaching components such as rails to the corrugated metal roof while increasing the pullout strength of mounted structures and more evenly spreading the load of such mounted structures over the corrugated metal roof. In one embodiment, the multi-surface clip allows attaching a rail to the top of a rib of the corrugated metal roof while a fastener mechanically attaches the clip to a side surface of the rib. This allows the fastener to experience shear forces when upward forces (e.g., normal to the top surface of the rib) are applied to the rail or a structure supported by the rail.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20190081590Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to mounting components on a corrugated metal roof. The disclosed systems and devices utilize a multi-surface clip (e.g., multi-planar) to securely attaching components such as rails to the corrugated metal roof while increasing the pullout strength of mounted structures and more evenly spreading the load of such mounted structures over the corrugated metal roof. In one embodiment, the multi-surface clip allows attaching a rail to the top of a rib of the corrugated metal roof while a fastener mechanically attaches the clip to a side surface of the rib. This allows the fastener to experience shear forces when upward forces (e.g., normal to the top surface of the rib) are applied to the rail or a structure supported by the rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20180152133Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a roof mounting system that utilizes a base plate that is affixed to a roof surface by multiple fasteners (e.g., lag bolts, screws etc.) and a cap (e.g., top cap) that attaches to the base plate covering the fasteners affixing the base plate to the roof surface. Once attached, the top cap covers the fasteners preventing water infiltration. To further waterproof the fasteners affixing the base plate to the roof surface, the base plate includes a raised or elevated section on its top surface with a planar flange extending around the elevated section. A portion of the flange may be disposed beneath a single or shingles on a roof surface. The fasteners extend through the elevated section. Accordingly, water drains around the elevated section when the base plate is attached to a roof surface further isolating the fasteners.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2017Publication date: May 31, 2018Applicant: D Three Enterprises LLCInventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Patent number: 9714671Abstract: A clamp is provided that allows for easily and securely mounting an object such as a PV panel to a rail having an internal recess or channel. The clamp utilizes one or more splice bars that extend into a recess of a rail that supports a PV panel. In one arrangement, the splice bar is inserted through an end of the rail into the recess such that a portion the splice bar extends beyond the end of the rail. A sliding clamp body engages lateral edges of the slice bar to, in one embodiment, compress a PV panel against a surface of the rail. The sliding clamp body may be affixed to the splice bar to secure the panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Patent number: 9680409Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a roof mounting system that utilizes a base plate that is affixed to a roof surface by multiple fasteners (e.g., lag bolts, screws etc.) and a cap (e.g., top cap) that attaches to the base plate covering the fasteners affixing the base plate to the roof surface. Once attached, the top cap covers the fasteners preventing water infiltration. To further waterproof the fasteners affixing the base plate to the roof surface, the base plate includes a raised or elevated section on its top surface with a planar flange extending around the elevated section. A portion of the flange may be disposed beneath a single or shingles on a roof surface. The fasteners extend through the elevated section. Accordingly, water drains around the elevated section when the base plate is attached to a roof surface further isolating the fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: D Three Enterprises, LLCInventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20170146041Abstract: A clamp is provided that allows for easily and securely mounting an object such as a PV panel to a rail having an internal recess or channel. The clamp utilizes one or more splice bars that extend into a recess of a rail that supports a PV panel. In one arrangement, the splice bar is inserted through an end of the rail into the recess such that a portion the splice bar extends beyond the end of the rail. A sliding clamp body engages lateral edges of the slice bar to, in one embodiment, compress a PV panel against a surface of the rail. The sliding clamp body may be affixed to the splice bar to secure the panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Patent number: 9620870Abstract: An adjustable mounting system for mounting solar panels on roofs is disclosed. The system allows a user to mount the solar panels either with or without rails. The mounting assemblies are adjustable to allow the user to mount a base plate in a chosen location (either on a roof joist or other structural member or not) and to adjust the mounting location for the panel in as many as three axis of adjustment from the location of the base plate. A system for mounting and grounding the panels at the same time is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: D Three Enterprises, LLCInventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Patent number: 9473064Abstract: A clamp is provided that allows for easily and securely mounting an object such as a PV panel to a rail having an internal recess or channel. The clamp utilizes one or more splice bars that extend into a recess of a rail that supports a PV panel. In one arrangement, the splice bar is inserted through an end of the rail into the recess such that a portion the splice bar extends beyond the end of the rail. A sliding clamp body engages lateral edges of the slice bar to, in one embodiment, compress a PV panel against a surface of the rail. The sliding clamp body may be affixed to the splice bar to secure the panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20160118726Abstract: An adjustable mounting system for mounting solar panels on roofs is disclosed. The system allows a user to mount the solar panels either with or without rails. The mounting assemblies are adjustable to allow the user to mount a base plate in a chosen location (either on a roof joist or other structural member or not) and to adjust the mounting location for the panel in as many as three axis of adjustment from the location of the base plate. A system for mounting and grounding the panels at the same time is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20160108941Abstract: A clamp is provided that allows for easily and securely mounting an object such as a PV panel to a rail having an internal recess or channel. The clamp utilizes one or more splice bars that extend into a recess of a rail that supports a PV panel. In one arrangement, the splice bar is inserted through an end of the rail into the recess such that a portion the splice bar extends beyond the end of the rail. A sliding clamp body engages lateral edges of the slice bar to, in one embodiment, compress a PV panel against a surface of the rail. The sliding clamp body may be affixed to the splice bar to secure the panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20150270802Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a roof mounting system that utilizes a base plate that is affixed to a roof surface by multiple fasteners (e.g., lag bolts, screws etc.) and a cap (e.g., top cap) that attaches to the base plate covering the fasteners affixing the base plate to the roof surface. Once attached, the top cap covers the fasteners preventing water infiltration. To further waterproof the fasteners affixing the base plate to the roof surface, the base plate includes a raised or elevated section on its top surface with a planar flange extending around the elevated section. A portion of the flange may be disposed beneath a single or shingles on a roof surface. The fasteners extend through the elevated section. Accordingly, water drains around the elevated section when the base plate is attached to a roof surface further isolating the fasteners.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: D Three Enterprises, LLCInventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Patent number: 9106023Abstract: An adjustable mounting system for mounting solar panels on roofs is disclosed. The system allows a user to mount the solar panels either with or without rails. The mounting assemblies are adjustable to allow the user to mount a base plate in a chosen location (either on a roof joist or other structural member or not) and to adjust the mounting location for the panel in as many as three axis of adjustment from the location of the base plate. A system for mounting and grounding the panels at the same time is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: D THREE ENTERPRISES, LLCInventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20150218824Abstract: A variety of roof mount sealing assemblies are disclosed. The roof mount sealing assemblies allow a user to mount rails for solar panels, signs, satellite dish or any other desired item on the roof and have the mounting location sealed against water. The roof mount sealing assemblies has a body with a recess for a flexible washer, which is attached to a bolt body (or formed with the bolt body) and threaded either down in a base plate or directly into the roof. The bolt body and body form a double stud assembly, which also holds a flashing onto the roof to provide further water proofing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman, Don N. Tamm
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Patent number: 9068339Abstract: A roof standoff having a base attached to a roof surface using one or more threaded fasteners or screws. The base has a threaded hole that is aligned with a hole in a raised flashing that overlays the base to prevent water from infiltrating the holes in the roof formed by the threaded fasteners. A bolt threadably engages the threaded hole of the base to attach a bracket to the base. Objects may engage with the bracket such that these objects are supported by the roof standoff.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: D THREE ENTERPRISES, LLCInventors: Richard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman, Don N. Tamm