Patents by Inventor Wolfgang G. Fraint

Wolfgang G. Fraint 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: 9831819
    Abstract: A rotating, pivoting mount for mounting a panel is disclosed. The mount can include a mounting block, a driveshaft, and a base. A socket in the mounting block can be mounted on a ball of the base to pivotally couple the panel to a structure. The ball can also include a cam profile, while the mounting block can include a complementary cam follower. As the mounting block rotates, therefore, the cam follower can follow a path set forth by the cam profile to tilt the mounting block about one axis as the mounting block rotates about a second axis. In this manner, the panel can be rotated and tilted—or moved about two axes—using a single motor. The use of a single motor can, in turn, reduce the cost and complexity of the system, while maintaining high efficiency for the panel (e.g., a solar panel) mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: KIRK-RUDY, INC.
    Inventors: Harry V. Kirk, Bryan Carbon, Wolfgang G. Fraint, Michael Aiken
  • Publication number: 20160285411
    Abstract: A rotating, pivoting mount for mounting a panel is disclosed. The mount can include a mounting block, a driveshaft, and a base. A socket in the mounting block can be mounted on a ball of the base to pivotally couple the panel to a structure. The ball can also include a cam profile, while the mounting block can include a complementary cam follower. As the mounting block rotates, therefore, the cam follower can follow a path set forth by the cam profile to tilt the mounting block about one axis as the mounting block rotates about a second axis. In this manner, the panel can be rotated and tilted—or moved about two axes—using a single motor. The use of a single motor can, in turn, reduce the cost and complexity of the system, while maintaining high efficiency for the panel (e.g., a solar panel) mounted thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Harry V. Kirk, Bryan Carbon, Wolfgang G. Fraint, Michael Aiken