Systems, apparatus and methods for mounting panels upon, or to form, a pitched roof, wall or other structure
AssigneePractical Renewables Racking Inc.
InventorKenneth R. McDonald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
At least first and second rows of panels may be mounted onto, or to form, at least part of a pitched roof, wall or other structure by mounting a panel support framework onto an underlying structure and arranging the panels so that each panel on the second row is offset upwardly relative to each panel on the first row in a stepped fashion.
Claims26
A system for mounting at least first and second rows of panels onto an underlying structure to form at least part of a pitched roof or wall and allow the unimpeded flow of liquid, such as rainwater, down across the pitched roof or wall, the underlying structure formed with upper and lower ends and left and right sides, the upper end of the underlying structure being higher than the lower end thereof so that the pitched roof or wall may extend angularly downwardly atop and at least partially between the upper and lower ends of the underlying structure, at least one distinct panel being provided in each row of panels, each panel having top and bottom faces, front and rear edges and left and right side edges, the system comprising:
- a panel support framework being distinct from the panels and underlying structure, the panel support framework having
- at least first, second and third spaced-apart horizontal beams, each horizontal beam configured to extend over the underlying structure at least partially from the left to the right sides of the underlying structure so that the first horizontal beam is closest to the lower end of the underlying structure, the second horizontal beam is situated between the first horizontal beam and the upper end of the underlying structure and the third horizontal beam is situated between the second horizontal beam and the upper end of the underlying structure,
- at least first and second rows of spaced-apart vertical beams, each vertical beam configured to extend partially between the upper and lower ends of the underlying structure so that the first row of vertical beams extends between the first and second horizontal beams and the second row of vertical beams extends between the second and third horizontal beams, each vertical beam having at least one panel mounting surface upon which at least part of at least one of the panels may be supported so that the first row of panels can be supported on the first row of vertical beams and the second row of panels can be supported on the second row of vertical beams with the front edge of each panel on the second row of panels being positioned proximate to the rear edge of at least one of the panels on the first row of panels and none of the panels covers, or overlaps, any of the other panels, further wherein each vertical beam extends in a longitudinal plane and the vertical beams in each vertical beam row extend in a different longitudinal plane than the vertical beams in the other respective vertical beam rows, whereby the longitudinal plane of each vertical beam in the second vertical beam row is offset upwardly relative to the longitudinal plane of each vertical beam in the first vertical beam row so that the second row of panels will be offset upwardly relative to the first row of panels,
- whereby liquid may flow unimpeded from the top face of at least one of the panels of the second row of panels, down over the front edge thereof and onto the top face of at least one of the panels of the first row of panels.
A method of mounting at least first and second rows of panels onto an underlying structure to form at least part of a pitched roof or wall and allow the unimpeded flow of liquid, such as rainwater, down across the roof or wall, the underlying structure formed with upper and lower ends and left and right sides, the upper end of the underlying structure being higher than the lower end thereof so that the pitched roof or wall may extend angularly downwardly at least partially between the upper and lower ends of the underlying structure, each row of panels including at least first and second panels, each panel having top and bottom faces, front and rear edges and left and right side edges, the method comprising:
- mounting a panel support framework onto the underlying structure, the panel support framework being distinct from the panels and underlying structure and including at least first and second angularly-oriented support beams extending at least partially between the upper and lower ends of the underlying structure, wherein the second angularly-oriented support beam is positioned so it is offset upwardly relative to the first angularly-oriented support beam in a stepped fashion;
- arranging the first and second panels of the first row of panels side-by-side closest to the lower end of the underlying structure and extending angularly upwardly over part of the panel support framework;
- arranging the first and second panels of the second row of panels side-by-side between the first row of panels and the upper end of the underlying structure and extending angularly upwardly over part of the panel support framework so that each panel on the second row is offset upwardly relative to each panel on the first row in a stepped fashion;
- resting the right side edge of the first panel and the left side edge of the second panel of the first row of panels at least partially atop the first angularly-oriented support beam;
- resting the right side edge of the first panel and the left side edge of the second panel of the second row of panels at least partially atop the second angularly-oriented support beam;
- securing the first and second rows of panels to the panel support framework;
- and
- allowing liquid to flow unimpeded from the top face of at least one of the panels of the second row of panels and down onto the top face of at least one of the panels of the first row of panels.
A method of mounting at least first and second rows of panels onto an underlying structure to form at least part of a pitched roof or wall and allow the unimpeded flow of liquid, such as rainwater, down across the roof or wall, the underlying structure formed with upper and lower ends and left and right sides, the upper end of the underlying structure being higher than the lower end thereof so that the pitched roof or wall may extend angularly downwardly at least partially between the upper and lower ends of the underlying structure, at least one distinct panel being provided in each row of panels, each panel having top and bottom faces, front and rear edges, left and right side edges, a front face at the front edge thereof and a rear face at the rear edge thereof, wherein the top face of each panel meets the front face thereof at a transition, at least two of the panels being solar panels, the method comprising:
- mounting a panel support framework onto the underlying structure, the panel support framework being distinct from the panels and underlying structure;
- securing the first row of panels to the panel support framework closest to the lower end of the underlying structure and extending angularly upwardly therefrom over part of the panel support framework;
- securing the second row of panels to the panel support framework between the first row of panels and the upper end of the underlying structure and extending angularly upwardly over part of the panel support framework, wherein the panels are secured to the panel support framework without covering more than approximately 5% of the top face and transition of each panel;
- arranging the panels so that each panel on the second row is offset upwardly relative to each panel on the first row in a stepped fashion;
- and
- allowing liquid to flow unimpeded from the top face of at least one of the panels of the second row of panels, down onto the top face of at least one of the panels of the first row of panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.