# US 12,009,777 B2 · Solar panel rail > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,009,777 B2 - Document ID: US12009777B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/829,320 - Filed: 2022-05-31 - Published: 2022-12-22 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2021-04-01 - Assignees: Kloeckner Metals Corporation - Applicants: Kloeckner Metals Corporation - Inventors: Jeremy Jacobs - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12009777B2 ## CPC - H02S 20/32: specially adapted for solar tracking - 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 25/65: for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together - F24S 30/425: Horizontal axis - H02S 20/20: Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object (H02S20/30 takes precedence) - H02S 30/10: Frame structures - 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 2025/6007: {by using form-fitting connection means, e.g. tongue and groove} - 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) - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) ## Abstract A solar panel rail for mounting a photovoltaic module frame thereto is provided and has a rail body configured to for attachment of a rail bracket, an indexing flange located on the rail body and configured to box and maintain a module frame position along a short-side direction of the module frame, a tab located on the rail body and configured to hold the module in place along a long-side direction of the module frame, wherein the indexing flange and tab are configured to provide a predetermined locked in installation position of the module frame during installation thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A solar panel rail for mounting a photovoltaic module frame thereto, the solar panel rail comprising: a rail body configured for attachment of a rail bracket; an indexing flange, comprising one or more cutouts, located on the rail body and configured to box and maintain a module frame position along a short-side direction of the module frame; one or more cinch clips coupled to the solar panel rail proximate the one or more cutouts; a bifurcated tab located on the rail body and configured to hold the module frame in place along a long-side direction of the module frame; wherein the indexing flange and tab are configured to provide a predetermined locked in installation position of the module frame during installation thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The solar panel rail of claim 1, a wherein the rail bracket is couplable to the rail body and configured to mount the panel rail to a torque tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The solar panel rail of claim 2, wherein the indexing flange is configured to box in the module frame along a direction of the torque tube, wherein the tabs are tab is further configured to hold the module frame in a perpendicular direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The solar panel rail of claim 2, further comprising a location on the torque tube adapted for connection of a bearing assembly, wherein the bearing assembly is configured to support the torque tube and further configured for rotation of the torque tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The solar panel rail of claim 4, wherein the bearing assembly is configured to, at a full tilt position, ensure the bearing stops at end of track via internal pins. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The solar panel rail of claim 1, further comprising a wherein the one or more cinch clips are configured to couple the rail body to the module frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The solar panel rail of claim 6, wherein each cinch clip comprises a locking tab configured to secure the module frame in place using a module frame mounting hole. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The solar panel rail of claim 1, wherein the indexing flange is configured to couple the rail body to the module frame via a frame mounting hole. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The solar panel rail of claim 1, wherein the short-side direction is a north-south direction for a tracker assembly and an east-west direction for a fixed tilt assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The solar panel rail of claim 1, further comprising a side rail extending from the rail body, wherein the side rail is configured as a stability portion. ### Claim 11 A solar panel rail for mounting a photovoltaic module frame thereto, the solar panel rail comprising: a rail body configured for attachment of a rail bracket; an indexing flange located on the rail body and configured to box and maintain a module frame, the indexing flange comprising one or more cutouts; one or more cinch clips coupled to the solar panel rail proximate the one or more cutouts; and a bifurcated tab located on the rail body and configured to hold the module frame in place; wherein the indexing flange and tab are configured to provide a predetermined locked in installation position of the module frame during installation thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The solar panel rail of claim 11, further comprising a wherein the rail bracket is couplable to the rail body and configured to mount the panel rail to a torque tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The solar panel rail of claim 12, further comprising a location on the torque tube adapted for connection of a bearing assembly, wherein the bearing assembly is configured to support the torque tube and further configured for rotation of the torque tube. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The solar panel rail of claim 13, wherein the bearing assembly is configured to, at a full tilt position, ensure the bearing stops at end of track via internal pins. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The solar panel rail of claim 11, wherein each cinch clip comprises a locking tab configured to secure the module frame in place using a module frame mounting hole. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The solar panel rail of claim 11, wherein the indexing flange is configured to couple the rail body to the module frame via a frame mounting hole.