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US 10,365,017 B2Granted
Self-adjusting end clamp
AssigneeSunrun South LLC
InventorGreg McPheeters
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is a new stabilized racking system for solar cell panels on a surface through a novel use of ballast weights and a wind optimized design. The system is further optimized to fit a range of sizes and thicknesses of modules through a combination of self adjusting end clamps, adjustable tilt legs, and unique wind screen design. The system can include an array of individual solar panel systems that are reinforced in both lateral directions to reduce the amount of ballast weight required.
Claims20
A self adjusting end clamp, comprising:
- a top member with a lip;
- a bottom member with a lip, a ridge, and a clip portion comprising an arm extending obliquely away from the lip of the bottom member and towards a plane occupied by the lip;
- and
- a bolt extending through an aperture of the top member and an aperture of the bottom member, wherein the lip of the top member and the lip of the bottom member move toward each other when the bolt is tightened.
1 more element
A self adjusting end clamp, comprising:
- a top member, comprising:
- a main body portion comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall, wherein the first wall opposes the third wall, and wherein the second wall opposes the fourth wall;
- and
- a lip extending from the main body portion, wherein the lip is coplanar with the first wall and perpendicular to the second wall, wherein the first and third walls each comprise an aperture configured to receive a bolt, wherein the apertures are vertically aligned;
- and
- a bottom member comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein:
- the first and second portions are perpendicular and integrally formed;
- the first portion is arranged parallel to the first and third walls of the main body portion of the top member and comprises an aperture for receiving the bolt;
- and
- the second portion abuts the fourth wall of the main body portion of the top member and comprises an arm extending obliquely from a side of the second portion opposing a side that abuts the fourth wall.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.