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US 10,381,974 B2Granted
Skirt mount attachable to a solar panel module frame
AssigneeSunrun South LLC
InventorGreg McPheeters
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system, apparatus, and method of mounting a solar panel module skirt to a solar panel module frame are disclosed. The system could include a number of solar panel modules, a number of skirt mount assemblies, and a solar panel module skirt. The apparatus could include a first structure, a second structure, and a fastener. The method could include receiving the apparatus, placing the apparatus into a tightening position, and tightening the fastener to mount the apparatus to the frame.
Claims20
A solar panel system, comprising:
- a plurality of solar panel modules, each solar panel module comprising at least one solar panel mounted in a solar panel module frame;
- a plurality of skirt mounting assemblies, each skirt mounting assembly clamped to the solar panel frame and comprising:
- a first structure comprising:
- a first main body having an outer surface and an inner surface opposing the outer surface,
- an upper arm extending from the outer surface and curving upwardly to form a hook with a first tipped end;
- a lower arm extending downwardly from the first surface to a second tipped end;
- a first flange extending substantially perpendicular from the inner surface;
- a second flange extending substantially perpendicular from the inner surface and substantially parallel to the first flange;
- and
- a first aperture in the first main body;
- a second structure comprising:
- a second main body;
- a third flange extending substantially perpendicular from the second main body and towards the outer surface of the first main body;
- and
- a fourth flange extending substantially perpendicular from the second main body, substantially parallel to the third flange, and towards the outer surface of the first main body;
- a second aperture in the second main body;
- and
- a fastener extending through the first aperture and into the second aperture;
- and
- a solar panel module skirt attached to the plurality of skirt mounting assemblies.
17 more elements
A mounting apparatus of a solar panel system, comprising:
- a first structure comprising:
- a first main body having an outer surface and an inner surface opposing the outer surface,
- an upper arm extending from the outer surface and curving upwardly to form a hook with a first tipped end;
- a lower arm extending downwardly from the first surface to a second tipped end;
- a first flange extending substantially perpendicular from the inner surface;
- and
- a second flange extending substantially perpendicular from the inner surface and substantially parallel to the first flange;
- a second structure comprising:
- a second main body;
- a third flange extending substantially perpendicular from the second main body and towards the outer surface of the first main body;
- a fourth flange extending substantially perpendicular from the second main body, substantially parallel to the third flange, and towards the outer surface of the first main body;
- and
- a second aperture in the second main body;
- a fastener extending through the first aperture and into the second aperture.
11 more elements
A method for installing a mounting apparatus of a solar panel system, comprising:
- receiving a mounting apparatus comprising:
- a first structure comprising:
- a first main body having an outer surface and an inner surface opposing the outer surface,
- an upper arm extending from the outer surface and curving upwardly to form a hook with a first tipped end;
- a lower arm extending downwardly from the first surface to a second tipped end;
- a first flange extending substantially perpendicular from the inner surface;
- a second flange extending substantially perpendicular from the inner surface and substantially parallel to the first flange;
- and
- a first aperture in the first main body;
- a second structure comprising:
- a second main body;
- a third flange extending substantially perpendicular from the second main body and towards the outer surface of the first main body;
- and
- a fourth flange extending substantially perpendicular from the second main body, substantially parallel to the third flange, and towards the outer surface of the first main body;
- a second aperture in the second main body;
- and
- a fastener extending through the first aperture and into the second aperture;
- placing the third flange and the first flange above and below a horizontal member of a third structure, respectively, a clamping surface of the inner surface to a side of a first vertical surface of the third structure, and a distal end of the third flange to a side of a second vertical surface;
- and
- tightening the fastener until the inner surface of the clamping surface of the first main body engages the first vertical surface and the distal end of the third flange engages the second vertical surface of the third structure.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.