# US 10,873,290 B2 · Leak resistant solar panel installation clamp and method of use

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- Number: US 10,873,290 B2
- Document ID: US10873290B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/375,759
- Filed: 2019-04-04
- Published: 2019-12-05
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-04
- Applicants: Blue Lightning LLC
- Inventors: Greg J. Olson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873290B2

## CPC

- F16B 5/0028: {using I-shaped connectors (with flanges moving towards each other F16B5/0068)}
- 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)
- F16B 5/0621: {in parallel relationship (fastened by a drive-pin F16B19/1081; fastened by a device locking by rotation F16B21/02)}
- H02S 30/10: Frame structures
- Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV]
- Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D)
- 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)
- 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

What is disclosed is a mounting system for one or more solar panels for use, for example, on a roof, awning, parking structure, or other location. The mounting system preferably utilizes one or more generally u shaped tracks. The U shaped tracks are configured for insertion of an I-beam. The I beam is configured to extend beyond the end of the arms of the u-shaped tracks such that an edge of a solar panel can be positioned between an arm of the I beam and the end of the arm of the U shaped track. A tightening mechanism is utilized to provide tension on the I beam toward the bottom of the u shaped track to retain the solar panel between the arm of the I beam and the arm of the U shaped track.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A solar panel assembly, for mounting solar panels, comprising:
a rail having a base and two walls, with said base having a first side and a second side, and one or more holes connecting said first side and said second side;
each of said walls having a base edge and a free edge, with each of said base edges attached to said first side of said base and each of said walls extending away from said base such that said walls oppose each other to form a channel, with the space between said free edges defining an opening into said channel;
an I-beam having a foot, a spine, and a head, with said foot and said head each defining a flat, elongated member, said foot and said head positioned parallel to each other and joined by perpendicular attachment of said spine;
said I-beam positioned within said rail such that said foot is situated within said channel and said spine extends through said opening of said channel with said head outside of said channel to define a gap between said free edges and said head, said gap capable of accommodating the thickness of a solar panel; and
a plurality of clamps, each clamp having a pair of retaining flanges, a coupler, and an adjuster, said pair of retaining flanges positioned inside said channel and configured to clasp said foot, with said coupler attached to said pair of retaining flanges and extending through one of said holes in said base, with said adjuster attached to said coupler and located outside said channel, said clamp configured such that manipulation of said adjuster changes the distance between said pair of retaining flanges and said adjuster;
wherein, when the edge of a solar panel is inserted into said gap, said adjuster may be manipulated so as to shorten the distance between said adjuster and said pair of retaining flanges, thereby pulling said I-beam further into said channel and reducing the size of said gap until the solar panel is securely held between said free edge and said head.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The solar panel assembly described in claim 1 further comprising a protective layer attached to said free edges and said head to minimize damage to solar panel during installation and adjustment.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The solar panel assembly described in claim 1 further comprising a sealing layer between said head and said solar panel to minimize leakage of fluid between said head and said solar panel.

### Claim 4

A solar panel assembly, comprising:
a rail comprising a base and two walls, with said base having a first side and a second side, and one or more holes connecting said first side and said second side;
each of said walls having a base edge and a free edge, with each of said base edges attached to said first side of said base and each of said walls extending away from said base such that said walls oppose each other to form a channel, with the space between said free edges defining an opening into said channel;
an I-beam having a foot, a spine, and a head, with said foot and said head each defining a flat, elongated member, said foot and said head positioned parallel to each other and joined by perpendicular attachment of said spine;
said I-beam positioned within said rail such that said foot is situated within said channel and said spine extends through said opening of said channel with said head outside of said channel to define a gap between said free edges and said head, said gap capable of accommodating the thickness of a solar panel;
a plurality of clamps, each clamp having a pair of retaining flanges, a coupler, and an adjuster, said pair of retaining flanges positioned inside said channel and configured to clasp said foot, with said coupler attached to said pair of retaining flanges and extending through one of said holes in said base, with said adjuster attached to said coupler and located outside said channel, said clamp configured such that manipulation of said adjuster changes the distance between said pair of retaining flanges and said adjuster; and
a solar panel having an edge inserted into said gap;
wherein, with said edge of said solar panel inserted into said gap, said adjuster may be manipulated so as to shorten the distance between said adjuster and said pair of retaining flanges, thereby pulling said I-beam further into said channel and reducing the size of said gap until the solar panel is securely held between said free edge and said spine side of said head.

### Claim 5

A method of mounting solar panels, comprising:
providing a solar panel having one or more edges;
providing a rail comprising a base and two walls, with said base having a first side and a second side, and one or more holes connecting said first side and said second side;
each of said walls having a base edge and a free edge, with each of said base edges attached to said first side of said base and each of said walls extending away from said base such that said walls oppose each other to form a channel, with the space between said free edges defining an opening into said channel;
providing an I-beam having a foot, a spine, and a head, with said foot and said head each defining a flat, elongated member, said foot and said head positioned parallel to each other and joined by perpendicular attachment of said spine;
positioning said I-beam within said rail such that said foot is situated within said channel and said spine extends through said opening of said channel with said head outside of said channel to define a gap between said free edges and said head, said gap capable of accommodating the thickness of a solar panel; and
providing a plurality of clamps, each clamp having a pair of retaining flanges, a coupler, and an adjuster, said pair of retaining flanges positioned inside said channel and configured to clasp said foot, with said coupler attached to said pair of retaining flanges and extending through one of said holes in said base, with said adjuster attached to said coupler and located outside said channel, said clamp configured such that manipulation of said adjuster changes the distance between said pair of retaining flanges and said adjuster;
inserting said edge of said solar panel into said gap and manipulating said adjuster so as to shorten the distance between said adjuster and said pair of retaining flanges, thereby pulling said I-beam further into said channel and reducing the size of said gap until the solar panel is securely held between said free edge and said spine side of said head.