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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
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`ECOFASTEN SOLAR, LLC AND ESDEC, INC.,
`Petitioners,
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`v.
`
`UNIRAC, INC.,
`Patent Owner.
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`Case No. IPR2022-00088
`
`U.S. Patent No. 9,584,062
`Issue Date: February 28, 2017
`Title: Apparatus for Mounting Photovoltaic Modules
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`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW
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`
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`Mail Stop “PATENT BOARD”
`Patent Trial and Appeal Board
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`
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`EAST\186242370.1
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`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`I. MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R § 42.8(a)(1) ........................... 1
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`Real Parties-In-Interest – 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1) .................................. 1
`
`Related Matters – 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2) ............................................. 1
`
`Lead And Back-Up Counsel – 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3) ......................... 1
`
`Service Information ............................................................................... 2
`
`II.
`
`PAYMENT OF FEES – 37 C.F.R. § 42.103 ................................................... 2
`
`III. REQUIREMENTS FOR IPR .......................................................................... 2
`
`A. Grounds for Standing – 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(a) ..................................... 2
`
`B.
`
`Challenge Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b) and Relief Requested ............ 2
`
`IV. SUMMARY OF THE ’062 PATENT ............................................................. 3
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`Brief Description ................................................................................... 3
`
`Prosecution History of the ’062 Patent ...............................................10
`
`Priority Date of the Challenged Claims ..............................................12
`
`Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art .......................................................12
`
`V.
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`CLAIM CONSTRUCTION UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b)(3) ..................12
`
`VI. THE BOARD SHOULD NOT EXERCISE ITS DISCRETION TO DENY
`INSTITUTION ..............................................................................................13
`
`A.
`
`§ 325(d) Does Not Apply. ...................................................................13
`
`VII. GROUND 1: WILDES IN VIEW OF WILDES II .......................................14
`
`A.
`
`Claim 1 ................................................................................................19
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`[1P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: ...................................................................................19
`[1.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ................................................20
`
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`3.
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`4.
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`5.
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`[1.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of
`the bracket; ...................................................................................23
`[1.3] wherein a first photovoltaic module and a second
`photovoltaic module are mountable on a first side of the
`bracket and a first side of the clamp, wherein the first
`photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic
`module, and wherein only a respective end portion of the first
`photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module is
`mountable in the first side of the bracket and the first side of
`the clamp; and ...............................................................................26
`[1.4] a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on
`the bracket along the slot. .............................................................29
`
`Claim 6: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the footer
`is generally L-shaped and wherein the footer is variably
`positionable on the bracket along the slot via a securement
`mechanism that is disposed through the footer and is received
`in the slot. ............................................................................................30
`
`Claim 7: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
`bracket includes a first ledge on the first side of the bracket and
`a second ledge on a second side of the bracket. ..................................30
`
`Claim 8: The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the clamp
`includes a first wing on the first side of the clamp and a second
`wing on a second side of the clamp. ...................................................32
`
`Claim 9: The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first
`photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module are
`mountable on the first side of the bracket and the first side of
`the clamp between the first ledge of the bracket and the first
`wing of the clamp. ...............................................................................34
`
`Claim 10: The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a third
`photovoltaic module and a fourth photovoltaic module are
`mountable on the second side of the bracket and the second side
`of the clamp between the second ledge of the bracket and the
`second wing of the clamp, wherein the third photovoltaic
`module is adjacent to the fourth photovoltaic module, and
`wherein only a respective end portion of the third photovoltaic
`module and the fourth photovoltaic module is mountable in the
`second side of the bracket and the second side of the clamp. .............35
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`E.
`
`F.
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`G. Claim 11: The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
`first ledge of the bracket, the second ledge of the bracket, the
`first wing of the clamp, and the second wing of the clamp each
`extend along an entire longitudinal length of the apparatus. ..............37
`
`H. Claim 12: The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a
`plurality of attachment mechanisms secure the clamp to the
`bracket on the upper portion of the bracket. .......................................39
`
`I.
`
`J.
`
`Claim 14: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
`bracket defines a cavity between the upper portion of the
`bracket and the lower portion of the bracket. ......................................40
`
`Claim 17: The apparatus according to claim 1, further
`comprising a trim assembly, wherein the trim assembly
`includes a trim and a trim mounting bracket, wherein the trim
`mounting bracket is mountable on the bracket, and wherein the
`trim is mountable on the trim mounting bracket. ................................42
`
`K. Claim 18: The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a
`longitudinal length of the trim is longer than the longitudinal
`length of the bracket. ...........................................................................46
`
`L.
`
`Claim 19: The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a
`lowest-most portion of the trim assembly extends below a
`lowest-most portion of the bracket. .....................................................47
`
`M. Claim 20: The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a top
`portion of the trim is electrically bonded to a top portion of the
`trim mounting bracket and wherein a bottom portion of the trim
`mounting bracket is electrically bonded to the bracket.......................49
`
`N.
`
`Claim 26: The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first
`ledge extends outwardly from the first side of the bracket and
`wherein the second ledge extends outwardly from the second
`side of the bracket................................................................................51
`
`O. Claim 27: The apparatus according to claim 1 in combination
`with a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic
`module, wherein the first photovoltaic module and the second
`photovoltaic module are mounted on the first side of the bracket
`and the first side of the clamp and wherein the first photovoltaic
`module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic module. ......................53
`
`P.
`
`Claim 28 ..............................................................................................54
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`1.
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`2.
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`3.
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`4.
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`5.
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`[28P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: ...................................................................................54
`[28.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ................................................54
`[28.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of
`the bracket; ...................................................................................54
`[28.3] wherein only a first photovoltaic module is mountable
`on a first side of the bracket and a first side of the clamp,
`wherein only a second photovoltaic module is mountable on a
`second side of the bracket and a second side of the clamp,
`wherein only an end portion of the first photovoltaic module
`is mountable in the first side of the bracket and the first side
`of the clamp, and wherein only an end portion of the second
`photovoltaic module is mountable in the second side of the
`bracket and the second side of the clamp; and .............................54
`[28.4] a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on
`the bracket along the slot. .............................................................58
`
`Q. Claim 29 ..............................................................................................58
`
`1.
`
`2.
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`3.
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`4.
`
`[29P] A system for mounting an array of photovoltaic
`modules, comprising: ...................................................................58
`[29.1] a first mounting apparatus, wherein: a first photovoltaic
`module and a second photovoltaic module are mountable on a
`first side of the first mounting apparatus, wherein the first
`photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic
`module, and wherein only a respective first end portion of the
`first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module
`is mountable on the first side of the first mounting apparatus;
`and.................................................................................................58
`[29.2] a third photovoltaic module and a fourth photovoltaic
`module are mountable on a second side of the first mounting
`apparatus, wherein the third photovoltaic module is adjacent
`to the fourth photovoltaic module, and wherein only a
`respective first end portion of the third photovoltaic module
`and the fourth photovoltaic module is mountable on the
`second side of the first mounting apparatus; and .........................59
`[29.3] a second mounting apparatus, wherein: the first
`photovoltaic module and a fifth photovoltaic module are
`mountable on a first side of the second mounting apparatus,
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`EAST\186242370.1
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`5.
`
`wherein the first photovoltaic module is adjacent to the fifth
`photovoltaic module, and wherein only a second end portion
`of the first photovoltaic module and only a first end portion of
`the fifth photovoltaic module are mountable on the first side
`of the second mounting apparatus; and ........................................59
`[29.4] the third photovoltaic module and a sixth photovoltaic
`module are mountable on a second side of the second
`mounting apparatus, wherein the third photovoltaic module is
`adjacent to the sixth photovoltaic module, and wherein only a
`second end portion of the third photovoltaic module and only
`a first end portion of the sixth photovoltaic module are
`mountable on the second side of the second mounting
`apparatus. ......................................................................................61
`
`R.
`
`Claim 30: The system for mounting an array of photovoltaic
`modules according to claim 29, further comprising a third
`mounting apparatus, wherein only a second end portion of the
`fifth photovoltaic module is mountable on a first side of the
`third mounting apparatus and wherein only a second end
`portion of the sixth photovoltaic module is mountable on a
`second side of the third mounting apparatus. ......................................61
`
`S.
`
`Claim 31 ..............................................................................................61
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`[31P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: ...................................................................................61
`[31.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ................................................61
`[31.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of
`the bracket; ...................................................................................61
`[31.3] wherein a first photovoltaic module and a second
`photovoltaic module are mountable on a first side of the
`bracket and a first side of the clamp, wherein the first
`photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic
`module, and wherein only a respective end portion of the first
`photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module is
`mountable in the first side of the bracket and the first side of
`the clamp; and ...............................................................................62
`[31.4] a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on
`the bracket along the slot such that the footer is positioned on
`
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`the bracket so as to be co-located at a position of a roof rafter
`to which the footer is to be mounted. ...........................................62
`
`VIII. GROUND 2: WENTWORTH .......................................................................63
`
`A.
`
`Claim 1 ................................................................................................63
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`[1P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: ...................................................................................63
`[1.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ................................................64
`[1.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of
`the bracket; ...................................................................................68
`[1.3] wherein a first photovoltaic module and a second
`photovoltaic module are mountable on a first side of the
`bracket and a first side of the clamp, wherein the first
`photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic
`module, and wherein only a respective end portion of the first
`photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module is
`mountable in the first side of the bracket and the first side of
`the clamp; and ...............................................................................71
`[1.4] a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on
`the bracket along the slot. .............................................................74
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`E.
`
`Claim 6: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the footer
`is generally L-shaped and wherein the footer is variably
`positionable on the bracket along the slot via a securement
`mechanism that is disposed through the footer and is received
`in the slot. ............................................................................................80
`
`Claim 7: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
`bracket includes a first ledge on the first side of the bracket and
`a second ledge on a second side of the bracket. ..................................83
`
`Claim 8: The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the clamp
`includes a first wing on the first side of the clamp and a second
`wing on a second side of the clamp. ...................................................85
`
`Claim 9: The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first
`photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module are
`mountable on the first side of the bracket and the first side of
`
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`F.
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`the clamp between the first ledge of the bracket and the first
`wing of the clamp. ...............................................................................87
`
`Claim 10: The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a third
`photovoltaic module and a fourth photovoltaic module are
`mountable on the second side of the bracket and the second side
`of the clamp between the second ledge of the bracket and the
`second wing of the clamp, wherein the third photovoltaic
`module is adjacent to the fourth photovoltaic module, and
`wherein only a respective end portion of the third photovoltaic
`module and the fourth photovoltaic module is mountable in the
`second side of the bracket and the second side of the clamp. .............88
`
`G. Claim 11: The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
`first ledge of the bracket, the second ledge of the bracket, the
`first wing of the clamp, and the second wing of the clamp each
`extend along an entire longitudinal length of the apparatus. ..............91
`
`H. Claim 12: The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a
`plurality of attachment mechanisms secure the clamp to the
`bracket on the upper portion of the bracket. .......................................93
`
`I.
`
`J.
`
`Claim 14: The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
`bracket defines a cavity between the upper portion of the
`bracket and the lower portion of the bracket. ......................................95
`
`Claim 17: The apparatus according to claim 1, further
`comprising a trim assembly, wherein the trim assembly
`includes a trim and a trim mounting bracket, wherein the trim
`mounting bracket is mountable on the bracket, and wherein the
`trim is mountable on the trim mounting bracket. ................................97
`
`K. Claim 18: The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a
`longitudinal length of the trim is longer than the longitudinal
`length of the bracket. .........................................................................100
`
`L.
`
`Claim 20: The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a top
`portion of the trim is electrically bonded to a top portion of the
`trim mounting bracket and wherein a bottom portion of the trim
`mounting bracket is electrically bonded to the bracket.....................101
`
`M. Claim 26: The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first
`ledge extends outwardly from the first side of the bracket and
`wherein the second ledge extends outwardly from the second
`side of the bracket..............................................................................102
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`N.
`
`Claim 27: The apparatus according to claim 1 in combination
`with a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic
`module, wherein the first photovoltaic module and the second
`photovoltaic module are mounted on the first side of the bracket
`and the first side of the clamp and wherein the first photovoltaic
`module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic module. ....................103
`
`O. Claim 28 ............................................................................................104
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`[28P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: .................................................................................104
`[28.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ..............................................104
`[28.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of
`the bracket; .................................................................................104
`[28.3] wherein only a first photovoltaic module is mountable
`on a first side of the bracket and a first side of the clamp,
`wherein only a second photovoltaic module is mountable on a
`second side of the bracket and a second side of the clamp,
`wherein only an end portion of the first photovoltaic module
`is mountable in the first side of the bracket and the first side
`of the clamp, and wherein only an end portion of the second
`photovoltaic module is mountable in the second side of the
`bracket and the second side of the clamp; and ...........................104
`[28.4] a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on
`the bracket along the slot. ...........................................................107
`
`P.
`
`Claim 29 ............................................................................................107
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`[29P] A system for mounting an array of photovoltaic
`modules, comprising: .................................................................107
`[29.1] a first mounting apparatus, wherein: a first photovoltaic
`module and a second photovoltaic module are mountable on a
`first side of the first mounting apparatus, wherein the first
`photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic
`module, and wherein only a respective first end portion of the
`first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module
`is mountable on the first side of the first mounting apparatus;
`and...............................................................................................107
`[29.2] a third photovoltaic module and a fourth photovoltaic
`module are mountable on a second side of the first mounting
`
`EAST\186242370.1
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`
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`apparatus, wherein the third photovoltaic module is adjacent
`to the fourth photovoltaic module, and wherein only a
`respective first end portion of the third photovoltaic module
`and the fourth photovoltaic module is mountable on the
`second side of the first mounting apparatus; and .......................107
`[29.3] a second mounting apparatus, wherein: the first
`photovoltaic module and a fifth photovoltaic module are
`mountable on a first side of the second mounting apparatus,
`wherein the first photovoltaic module is adjacent to the fifth
`photovoltaic module, and wherein only a second end portion
`of the first photovoltaic module and only a first end portion of
`the fifth photovoltaic module are mountable on the first side
`of the second mounting apparatus; and ......................................107
`[29.4] the third photovoltaic module and a sixth photovoltaic
`module are mountable on a second side of the second
`mounting apparatus, wherein the third photovoltaic module is
`adjacent to the sixth photovoltaic module, and wherein only a
`second end portion of the third photovoltaic module and only
`a first end portion of the sixth photovoltaic module are
`mountable on the second side of the second mounting
`apparatus. ....................................................................................108
`
`Q. Claim 30: The system for mounting an array of photovoltaic
`modules according to claim 29, further comprising a third
`mounting apparatus, wherein only a second end portion of the
`fifth photovoltaic module is mountable on a first side of the
`third mounting apparatus and wherein only a second end
`portion of the sixth photovoltaic module is mountable on a
`second side of the third mounting apparatus. ....................................108
`
`R.
`
`Claim 31 ............................................................................................109
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`[31P] An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules,
`comprising: .................................................................................109
`[31.1] a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower
`portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a
`longitudinal length of the bracket; ..............................................109
`[31.2] a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of
`the bracket; .................................................................................109
`[31.3] wherein a first photovoltaic module and a second
`photovoltaic module are mountable on a first side of the
`bracket and a first side of the clamp, wherein the first
`
`EAST\186242370.1
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`

`
`
`photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic
`module, and wherein only a respective end portion of the first
`photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module is
`mountable in the first side of the bracket and the first side of
`the clamp; and .............................................................................109
`[31.4] a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on
`the bracket along the slot such that the footer is positioned on
`the bracket so as to be co-located at a position of a roof rafter
`to which the footer is to be mounted. .........................................109
`
`5.
`
`IX. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................111
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`EX1001: U.S. Patent No. 9,584,062 (“the ’062 patent”)
`
`EXHIBITS
`
`EX1002: Prosecution History of the ’062 Patent (“Prosecution History”)
`
`EX1003: Declaration of Barry Cinnamon
`
`EX1004: U.S. Patent No. 8,938,932 (“Wentworth”)
`
`EX1005: Provisional Patent Application No. 61/916,046
`
`EX1006: Partial Prosecution History of U.S. Patent Application No. 14/166,633
`
`EX1007: U.S. Patent No. 9,825,581
`
`EX1008: U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019/0245477
`
`EX1009: Provisional Patent Application No. 61/904,049 (“Wildes II”)
`
`EX1010: Provisional Patent Application No. 62/014,054 (“Wildes”)
`
`EX1011: Partial Prosecution History of U.S. Patent Application No. 14/541,127
`
`
`
`EAST\186242370.1
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`
`
`I. MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R § 42.8(a)(1)
`
`A. Real Parties-In-Interest – 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(1)
`
`EcoFasten Solar, LLC and Esdec, Inc. (collectively, “Petitioner”) are the real
`
`parties-in-interest, and request Inter Partes Review (“IPR”) under 35 U.S.C.
`
`§§311–319 and 37 C.F.R. §42 of claims 1, 6-12, 14, 17-20, and 26-31 (“the
`
`Challenged Claims”) of U.S. Patent No. 9,584,062 (“the ’062 patent” or
`
`“Challenged Patent”) assigned to Unirac, Inc. (“Patent Owner”).
`
`B. Related Matters – 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(2)
`
`U.S. Patent No. 9,584,062 is the subject of the following lawsuit that may
`
`affect or be affected by a decision in this proceeding: Unirac, Inc. v. EcoFasten
`
`Solar, LLC; Esdec, Inc., Case No. 1:21-cv-00059-MN, filed on January 20, 2021,
`
`in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
`
`C. Lead And Back-Up Counsel – 37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)(3)
`
`Petitioner provides the following designation of counsel.
`
`Lead Counsel
`
`Backup counsel
`
`Edward H. Sikorski
`(USPTO Reg. No. 39,478)
`Ed.Sikorski@us.dlapiper.com
`DLA-Unirac_cases@us.dlapiper.com
`DLA Piper LLP (US)
`401 B Street, Suite 1700
`San Diego, California 92101-4297
`Tel.: (619) 699-2645
`Fax: (619) 764-6645
`
`Brian Biggs (Pro Hac Vice)
`Brian.Biggs@us.dlapiper.com
`DLA Piper LLP (US)
`1201 North Market Street
`Suite 2100
`Wilmington, Delaware 19801-1147
`Tel.: (302) 468-5661
`Fax: (302) 778-7813
`
`Nicholas Panno
`(USPTO Reg. No. 68,513)
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`Nicholas.Panno@us.dlapiper.com
`DLA Piper LLP (US)
`11911 Freedom Drive
`Suite 300
`Reston, Virginia 20190-5602
`Tel.: (703) 773-4157
`Fax: (703) 773-5157
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`D.
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`Service Information
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`Papers should be served to the addresses of all counsel listed above.
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`Petitioner consents to electronic service by email to the following:
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`DLA-Unirac_cases@us.dlapiper.com
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`II.
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`PAYMENT OF FEES – 37 C.F.R. § 42.103
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`The Patent and Trademark Office is authorized to charge Deposit Account
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`No. 07-1896 for the fee set in 37 C.F.R. § 42.15(a) for this Petition and any
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`additional fees, referencing Attorney Docket 433736-4.
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`III. REQUIREMENTS FOR IPR
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`A. Grounds for Standing – 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(a)
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`Petitioner certifies that the ’062 patent is available for IPR and Petitioner is
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`not barred or estopped from requesting IPR.
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`B. Challenge Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b) and Relief Requested
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`Petitioner requests IPR of the Challenged Claims on the grounds listed
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`below. A declaration from Barry Cinnamon accompanies this Petition.
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`Ground
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`Claims
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`Basis
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`References
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`1
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`2
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`Claims 1, 6-12, 14, 17-20,
`and 26-31
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`Claims 1, 6-12, 14, 17, 18,
`20, and 26-31
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`§103 Wildes in view of Wildes II
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`§103 Wentworth
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`IV. SUMMARY OF THE ’062 PATENT
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`A. Brief Description
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`The ’062 patent was filed on October 16, 2014 and is subject to the first-to-
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`file (AIA) provisions of 35 U.S.C. §§ 102-103. EX1003, ¶29.
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`The ’062 patent describes an apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules
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`that includes a bracket that “defines a slot in a lower portion of the bracket and the
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`slot extends along a longitudinal length of the bracket,” a clamp “securable to the
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`bracket on an upper portion of the bracket,” and a footer “variably positionable on
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`the bracket along the slot.” The apparatus mounts a first photovoltaic module and a
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`second photovoltaic module adjacent to one another “on a first side of the bracket and
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`a first side of the clamp.” EX1001, Abstract; EX1003, ¶30.
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`The ’062 patent discloses that the apparatus 10 includes bracket 100, which
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`has slots 112A and 112B on opposite sides in a lower portion 110A thereof.
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`EX1001, 2:13-17; EX1003, ¶31. Bracket 100 includes first ledge 120 on a first side
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`110C thereof and second ledge 122 on a second, opposite side 110D thereof.
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`EX1001, 2:18-23; EX1003, ¶31.
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`Clamp 200 is securable to an upper portion 110B of bracket 100 by a
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`plurality of attachment mechanisms 300. EX1001, 2:30-39; EX1003, ¶32. Clamp
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`200 includes first wing 220 on a first side 200A thereof and second wing 222 on a
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`second side 200B thereof. EX1001, 2:40-48; EX1003, ¶32.
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`An L-shaped footer 400 is variably positionable along either one of slot
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`112A or slot 112B by securement mechanism 410. Footer 400 can be secured to a
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`roof structure by a lag bolt. EX1001, 2:49-3:7; EX1003, ¶33.
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`Apparatus 10 with bracket 100, clamp 200, and footer 400, is shown in
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`FIGS. 1 and 3 (reproduced below).
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`The ’062 patent discloses securing photovoltaic modules 1 and 2 by
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`threading securement mechanisms 300 “into respective apertures in clamp 200 and
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`extension member 140 of bracket 100 to lower the clamp 200 with respect to
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`bracket 100, and thus, clamp the photovoltaic modules 1, 2 between the first ledge
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`120 of bracket 100 and first wing 220 of clamp 200.” EX1001, 3:57-63; EX1003,
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`¶35. FIG. 2 (reproduced below) shows photovoltaic modules 1 and 2 secured
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`within the apparatus 10.
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`The ’062 patent also discloses a shortened version of apparatus 10, labeled
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`apparatus 10A, which supports only one photovoltaic module per side for a total of
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`two. EX1001, 4:50-5:29; EX1003, ¶36. Apparatus 10A “includes the same
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`elements as apparatus 10… a bracket 100, a clamp 200, and a footer 400.”
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`EX1001, 5:4-8; EX1003, ¶36. Apparatus 10A has a longitudinal length that is
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`shorter than that of apparatus 10, because apparatus 10A is used to mount “two
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`photovoltaic modules in the N-S direction at the E-W ends of the photovoltaic
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`array,” as opposed to the four photovoltaic modules mounted by apparatus 10.
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`EX1001, 4:55-5:3; EX1003, ¶36. Apparatus 10A is shown in FIG. 9 (reproduced
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`below).
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`FIG. 10 (reproduced below) shows an array of photovoltaic modules
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`assembled using a plurality of apparatuses 10. Each apparatus 10 can support up to
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`four photovoltaic modules, with two mounted per side. While each apparatus 10 is
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`shown roughly centered on the corners of the modules, POSITA would understand
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`that apparatus 10 would be coupled to a rafter that does not necessarily line up with
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`the corners of the modules. Thus, apparatus 10 would be long enough to span both
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`the rafter location and the meeting point of the modules it supports, and need not
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`necessarily be centered on the corners of the modules. Each apparatus 10A
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`supports up to two photovoltaic modules (e.g., at end portions thereof as defined in
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`the ’062 prosecution history discussed below), with one mounted per side.
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`EX1001, 4:9-27, 5:30-32; EX1002, p.95; EX1003, ¶37-38.
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`The ’062 patent also discloses a trim assembly 600, including trim 610 and
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`trim mounting bracket 620, that is mountable on bracket 100. A trim bracket
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`mounting structure 623 engages with a ridge 150 of bracket 100, an