Rail-attached bottom clamp for solar panels secured to roofs and building structures
AssigneeSunmodo Corporation
InventorsRoland Jasmin, Steve Mumma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device, system, and method for mounting solar PV panels to rails. The device can include a bottom clamp that secures the solar PV panel to the rail by creating tension between the return flange of the solar panel frame and the rail. The bottom clamp can be structured to snap onto the rail sides. Mid-clamp versions of the bottom clamp can be so structured that the solar PV panel and bottom clamps can be removed by prying the opposing sides of the bottom clamp from above the solar PV panels.
Claims20
A bottom clamp for mounting a solar PV panel to a rail, the solar PV panel including a frame with a return flange, the rail includes a first rail side and a second rail side, comprising:
- a top including an upper tab extending obliquely downward from the top, the upper tab sized and positioned to engage the return flange;
- a first side and a second side each extending downward from the top;
- a first tab extending obliquely upward from the first side and positioned to engage the first rail side, and a second tab extending obliquely upward and inward from the second side and positioned to engage the second rail side;
- and
- a first spur extending inward from the first side and sized and positioned to engage the first rail side under tension and a second spur extending inward from the second side and sized and positioned to engage the second rail side under tension.
A bottom clamp for mounting a solar PV panel to a rail, the solar PV panel including a frame with a return flange, the rail includes a first rail side and a second rail side, comprising:
- a top including an upper tab extending obliquely downward from the top, the upper tab sized and positioned to engage the return flange;
- a first side and a second side each extending downward from the top;
- a first tab extending obliquely upward from the first side and positioned to engage the first rail side, and a second tab extending obliquely upward and inward from the second side and positioned to engage the second rail side;
- and
- a first spacer extending from the first side and a second spacer extending from the second side, the first spacer and the second spacer are sized and positioned to space apart the solar PV panel and a second solar PV panel directly adjacent therewith a predetermined distance apart.
A bottom clamp for mounting a solar PV panel to a rail, the solar PV panel including a frame with a return flange, the rail includes a first rail side and a second rail side, comprising:
- a top including an upper tab extending obliquely downward from the top, the upper tab sized and positioned to engage the return flange;
- a first side and a second side each extending downward from the top;
- a first tab extending obliquely upward from the first side and positioned to engage the first rail side, and a second tab extending obliquely upward and inward from the second side and positioned to engage the second rail side;
- and
- a first slot extending lengthwise into a first edge of the first side and a second slot extending lengthwise into a second edge of the second side, the first slot and the second slot are sized and positioned to receive the return flange and align the return flange to engage the upper tab under tension.
A system, comprising:
- a first solar PV panel including a frame, the frame including a return flange;
- a second solar PV panel directly adjacent to the first solar PV panel;
- a rail including a first rail side and a second rail side;
- a bottom clamp including a top with an upper tab extending obliquely downward from the top and is positioned to engage the return flange, a first side and a second side each extending downward from the top, and a first tab extending obliquely upward from the first side and positioned to engage the first rail side, and a second tab extending obliquely upward and inward from the second side and positioned to engage the second rail side;
- and
- a first spacer extending from the first side and a second spacer extending from the second side, the first spacer and the second spacer are sized and positioned to space apart the first solar PV panel and a second solar PV panel a predetermined distance apart.
A system, comprising:
- a solar PV panel including a frame, the frame including a return flange;
- a rail including a first rail side and a second rail side;
- a bottom clamp including a top with an upper tab extending obliquely downward from the top and is positioned to engage the return flange, a first side and a second side each extending downward from the top, and a first tab extending obliquely upward from the first side and positioned to engage the first rail side, and a second tab extending obliquely upward and inward from the second side and positioned to engage the second rail side;
- and
- a first spur extending inward from the first side and sized and positioned to engage the first rail side under tension and a second spur extending inward from the second side and sized and positioned to engage the second rail side under tension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.