# US 10,873,289 B1 · Adjustable bracket for a solar panel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,873,289 B1 - Document ID: US10873289B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/823,716 - Filed: 2017-11-28 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-28 - Applicants: Peter Tevendale - Inventors: Peter Tevendale - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873289B1 ## CPC - F24S 25/33: forming substantially planar assemblies, e.g. of coplanar or stacked profiles - H02S 20/23: specially adapted for roof structures - B23Q 3/186: {Aligning devices} - E04F 21/1855: {of elongated elements, e.g. sidings} - F16M 13/02: for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle - F24S 25/10: extending in directions away from a supporting surface - F24S 25/70: with means for adjusting the final position or orientation of supporting elements in relation to each other or to a mounting surface; with means for compensating mounting tolerances - H02S 30/00: Structural details of PV modules other than those related to light conversion (semiconductor device aspects of modules of electrolytic light sensitive devices H01G9/20, of inorganic PV modules H10F10/00, H10F19/00, of organic PV modules H10K30/00) - F24S 25/60: Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules - F24S 2025/014: {Methods for installing support elements} - F24S 2025/018: {Means for preventing movements, e.g. stops} - F24S 2025/6006: {by using threaded elements, e.g. stud bolts} - F24S 2050/25: {Calibration means; Methods for initial positioning of solar concentrators or solar receivers} - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The adjustable bracket for a solar panel is configured for use with a solar panel array and the associated panel rack. The adjustable bracket for a solar panel aligns each of the one or more solar panels during the attachment of the one or more solar panels to the panel rack. The adjustable bracket for a solar panel comprises plurality of rafters and a panel support. The panel support attaches to the plurality of rafters. The plurality of rafters attaches to the panel rack. The panel support prevents movement by the one or more solar panels in the direction of the pitch. The plurality of rafters prevent lateral movement of the one or more solar panels relative to the pitch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An alignment tool comprising a plurality of rafters each including an extending member with grippers, a panel support with each said rafter including an elongated member with a telescoping member and a panel rack including an elongated member with an attachment element; wherein the panel support attaches the plurality of rafters to each other; wherein the plurality of rafters attaches to the panel rack; wherein the alignment tool is for use with one or more solar panels in order to align said one or more solar panels during installation on a pitched roof; wherein each of the one or more solar panels is mounted on the panel rack; wherein the one or more solar panels and the panel rack are for use on the pitched roof; wherein the alignment tool aligns each of the one or more solar panels during the attachment of the one or more solar panels to the panel rack; wherein the alignment tool aligns the one or more solar panels such that each of the one or more solar panels remains aligned after the alignment tool has been removed; wherein the alignment tool attaches to the panel rack such that the alignment tool that supports the one or more solar panels in the direction of the pitch until the one or more solar panels are attached to the panel rack; wherein the panel support prevents movement by the one or more solar panels in the direction of the pitch; wherein the plurality of rafters prevent lateral movement of the one or more solar panels relative to the pitch. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The alignment tool according to claim 1 wherein said elongated member of the panel support said elongated member is a cross brace; wherein the panel support said elongated member attaches perpendicularly to the plurality of rafters and wherein the panel support telescoping member is a tube with a ferrule. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The alignment tool according to claim 2 wherein the panel support said elongated member comprises a metal perforated tube and a plurality of perforations; wherein each of the plurality of perforations is an aperture that is formed through the metal perforated tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The alignment tool according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of rafters said each extending members forms a support structure that runs parallel to the pitch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The alignment tool according to claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of rafters comprises a fastener, a slotted bar being said each extending member, a bolt, a wing nut, a nut, and a footing; wherein the fastener attaches to the slotted bar; wherein the footing attaches to the bolt; wherein the bolt, the wing nut and the nut attach the slotted bar to the panel support wherein the slotted bar is further defined with a first end; wherein the bolt is further defined with an outer diameter and an exterior screw thread. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The alignment tool according to claim 5 wherein the fastener is a spring loaded clip; wherein the fastener attaches to the end of the first slotted bar; wherein the fastener clips the slotted bar to the panel rack. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The alignment tool according to claim 6 wherein the slotted bar is a slotted flat bar; wherein the slotted bar is formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum or steel; wherein the slotted bar is formed with a plurality of apertures. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The alignment tool according to claim 7 wherein the outer diameter is sized such the bolt screws into the wing nut; wherein the outer diameter is sized such the bolt screws into the nut; wherein the exterior screw thread is sized such the bolt screws into the wing nut; wherein the exterior screw thread is sized such the bolt screws into the nut. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The alignment tool according to claim 8 wherein the wing nut is formed with a first inner diameter and a first interior screw thread; wherein the first inner diameter and the first interior screw thread of the first wing nut are sized such that the first bolt can be screwed into the first wing nut to form a first threaded connection. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The alignment tool according to claim 9 wherein the first nut is a further defined with a second inner diameter and a second interior screw thread; wherein the second inner diameter and the second interior screw thread of the first nut are sized such that the first bolt can be screwed into the first nut to form a second threaded connection. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The alignment tool according to claim 10 wherein the first fastener fastens to the panel support such that the first slotted bar and the metal perforated tube are sandwiched between the first wing nut and the first nut. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The alignment tool according to claim 11 wherein the first footing is an end cap. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The alignment tool according to claim 12 wherein the metal perforated tube further comprises a ferrule; wherein the ferrule interconnects a plurality of panel supports in a tent pole configuration. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The alignment tool according to claim 13 wherein the ferrule attaches a first panel support to a second panel support by inserting the ferrule of the second panel directly into the first panel support. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The alignment tool according to claim 14 wherein the initial assembly of the alignment tool comprises a first panel support and a first rafter and a second rafter selected from the plurality of rafters. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The alignment tool according to claim 15 wherein the addition of a second panel support to the initial assembly further comprises a third rafter selected from the plurality of rafters.