Patents by Inventor William L. Vietas

William L. Vietas 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: 10432132
    Abstract: A solar mounting system includes at least one solar panel with a panel frame and a support structure including at least one elongated support rail configured to support the panel frame of the at least one solar panel. The elongated support rail includes a grounding structure with a raised edge formed from material of the at least one elongated support rail. The raised edge is configured to cut through a protective coating surrounding a conductive material forming the panel frame, thereby grounding the solar panel by providing direct electrical contact between the panel frame and the at least one elongated support rail. This automatic grounding does not require additional grounding equipment or elements to be added to the solar mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: RBI Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Reilly, William L. Vietas
  • Patent number: 10250181
    Abstract: A support device for supporting a solar panel above a base surface includes a body having an upper mounting surface, a lower base surface, and integral ballast. The upper mounting surface is sloped relative to the lower base surface. The support device further includes at least one mounting element projecting upwardly from the upper mounting surface and configured to support a solar panel. A solar panel support system includes first and second support devices spaced apart from one another, each including a body having an upper mounting surface, a lower base surface, and integral ballast, the upper mounting surface being sloped relative to the lower base surface. Each support device further includes first and second mounting elements projecting upwardly from the upper mounting surface and configured to support solar panels. First and second purlins are supported by and extend between the first and second support devices, and are configured to support the solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: RBI Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Vietas, Ben Urbanek, Mike Freshwater, Nick Allen
  • Publication number: 20170111006
    Abstract: A support device for supporting a solar panel above a base surface includes a body having an upper mounting surface, a lower base surface, and integral ballast. The upper mounting surface is sloped relative to the lower base surface. The support device further includes at least one mounting element projecting upwardly from the upper mounting surface and configured to support a solar panel. A solar panel support system includes first and second support devices spaced apart from one another, each including a body having an upper mounting surface, a lower base surface, and integral ballast, the upper mounting surface being sloped relative to the lower base surface. Each support device further includes first and second mounting elements projecting upwardly from the upper mounting surface and configured to support solar panels. First and second purlins are supported by and extend between the first and second support devices, and are configured to support the solar panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: William L. Vietas, Ben Urbanek, Mike Freshwater, Nick Allen
  • Publication number: 20150000725
    Abstract: A solar mounting system includes at least one solar panel with a panel frame and a support structure including at least one elongated support rail configured to support the panel frame of the at least one solar panel. The elongated support rail includes a grounding structure with a raised edge formed from material of the at least one elongated support rail. The raised edge is configured to cut through a protective coating surrounding a conductive material forming the panel frame, thereby grounding the solar panel by providing direct electrical contact between the panel frame and the at least one elongated support rail. This automatic grounding does not require additional grounding equipment or elements to be added to the solar mounting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: RBI SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Richard T. Reilly, William L. Vietas