IP Library Granted Patent US 12,098,803
Granted Patent B2
US 12,098,803 · App. 18/112,794 · Granted Sep 24, 2024

Frame enhancer

Inventors: Joseph Armano (Andover, MA); Hanghai Yang (Andover, MA); Colby Anderson Andresen (Lowell, MA)
Assignee: PanelClaw, Inc.
F16M13/02H02S30/10F24S25/63F24S25/632F24S25/634F24S25/65F24S25/67
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,098,803
App. No.
18/112,794
Granted
Sep 24, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A frame enhancer may include a body, a first extension extending from the body and including a first notch, a second extension extending from the body, and a third extension extending from the body and including a second notch. The first extension and the second extension may define a first slot. The second extension and the third extension define a second slot. The first slot may be configured to receive a first side of a support arm, and the second slot may be configured to receive a second side of the support arm. The first notch may be configured to lock the first side of the support arm in the first slot, and the second notch may be configured to lock the second side of the support arm in the second slot. At least a portion of the first and third extensions may be configured to support a flange.

Claims (62)

1. A frame enhancer comprising:

a base;

a first extension extending from the base, the first extension comprising a first notch;

a second extension extending from the base; and

a third extension extending from the base, the third extension comprising a second notch,

wherein the first extension and the second extension define a first slot,

wherein the second extension and the third extension define a second slot,

wherein the first slot is configured to receive a first side of a support arm therein, and the second slot is configured to receive a second side of the support arm therein,

wherein the first notch is configured to lock the first side of the support arm within the first slot, and the second notch is configured to lock the second side of the support arm within the second slot, and

wherein at least a portion of the first extension, the second extension, and the third extension are configured to support a flange connected to the support arm.

2. The frame enhancer of claim 1 , wherein the first extension comprises a first leg and a second leg defining a first channel therebetween,

wherein the third extension comprises a first leg and a second leg defining a second channel therebetween, and

wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to receive the flange therein.

3. The frame enhancer of claim 2 , wherein the second leg of the first extension extends farther than the first leg of the first extension, and

wherein the second leg of the third extension extends farther than the first leg of the third extension.

4. The frame enhancer of claim 3 , wherein the second leg of the first extension and the second leg of the third extension support the flange.

5. The frame enhancer of claim 2 , wherein, the first slot is configured to receive the first side of the support arm therein, and the second slot is configured to receive the second side of the support arm therein thereby slidably mounting the frame enhancer to the support arm.

6. The frame enhancer of claim 3 , wherein the first notch extends from a portion of the first extension adjacent to the first channel, and the second notch extends from a portion of the third extension adjacent to the second channel.

7. The frame enhancer of claim 1 , wherein the second extension comprises a first leg and a second leg defining a third channel therebetween, and

wherein the third channel is configured to receive a portion of the flange therein.

8. The frame enhancer of claim 7 , wherein the portion of the flange received within the third channel is located between the first and second sides of the support arm.

9. The frame enhancer of claim 1 , wherein the frame enhancer is electrically bonded to the support arm.

10. The frame enhancer of claim 1 , wherein the first extension and the third extension extend from the base a first length, and the second extension extends from the base a second length, and

wherein the first length is longer than the second length.

11. A frame enhancer comprising:

a body comprising:

a first extension;

a second extension; and

a third extension,

wherein the first extension and the second extension define a first slot configured to receive a portion of a support arm therein,

wherein the second extension and the third extension define a second slot configured to receive a portion of the support arm therein,

wherein the first extension defines a first channel configured to receive a portion of a flange therein,

wherein the second extension defines a second channel,

wherein the third extension defines a third channel configured to receive a portion of the flange therein,

wherein the frame enhancer is configured to be mounted to the support arm and the flange, and

wherein at least a portion of the first extension, the second extension, and the third extension are configured to support the flange.

12. The frame enhancer of claim 11 , wherein the frame enhancer further comprises a first notch extending into the first slot and a second notch extending into the second slot, and

wherein the first notch is configured to lock the support arm in the first slot, and the second notch is configured to lock the support arm in the second slot.

13. The frame enhancer of claim 12 , wherein the first notch extends from the first extension, and the second notch extends from the third extension.

14. The frame enhancer of claim 11 , wherein the first extension and the third extension extend a distance longer than the second extension.

15. The frame enhancer of claim 14 , wherein the first extension comprises a first leg and a second leg defining the first channel therebetween,

wherein the second extension comprises a first leg and a second leg defining the second channel therebetween, and

wherein the third extension comprises a first leg and a second leg defining the third channel therebetween.

16. The frame enhancer of claim 15 , wherein the second legs of the first extension, second extension, and third extension extend beyond their respective first legs, and

wherein the first and second legs of the first extension, second extension, and third extension support the flange.

17. An assembly for enhancing a frame to support a bracket, the assembly comprising:

a tilt arm;

a bracket extending from and supported by the tilt arm; and

a frame enhancer comprising:

a body having a first extension, a second extension, and a third extension,

wherein the first extension and the second extension define a first slot configured to receive a portion of the tilt arm therein,

wherein the second extension and the third extension define a second slot configured to receive a portion of the tilt arm therein,

wherein the first extension defines a first channel configured to receive a portion of the bracket therein,

wherein the second extension defines a second channel,

wherein the third extension defines a third channel configured to receive a portion of the bracket therein,

wherein the frame enhancer is configured to be mounted to the tilt arm and the bracket, and

wherein at least a portion of the first extension and the third extension are configured to support the bracket.

18. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the frame enhancer further comprises a first notch extending into the first slot and a second notch extending into the second slot, and

wherein the first notch is configured to lock the portion of the tilt arm in the first slot, and the second notch is configured to lock the portion of the tilt arm in the second slot.

19. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the first extension comprises a first leg and a second leg defining the first channel therebetween, and

wherein the third extension comprises a first leg and a second leg defining the third channel therebetween.

20. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the frame enhancer is configured to be slidably mounted to the tilt arm and the bracket.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2025
From: ECOFASTEN SOLAR, LLC; ENSTALL EUROPE B.V.; IRONRIDGE, INC.; PANELCLAW, INC.; ENSTALL US, INC.; ENSTALL INNOVATION B.V.; WENCON DEVELOPMENT, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070892/0981 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2023
From: ARMANO, JOSEPH; YANG, HANGHAI; ANDRESEN, COLBY ANDERSON
To: PANELCLAW, INC.
Reel/Frame 064679/0018 →