Insertion rail for a solar module mounting system
AssigneeKloeckner Metals Corporation
InventorsJeremy Jacobs, Mark Schroeder, Brooke Stubben
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An insertion rail for a solar panel mounting system is provided. The insertion rail has a mounting wall configured for connection to the solar panel mounting system, wherein the mounting wall is posited at a lower end of a first side of the insertion rail, a vertical leg coupled to the mounting wall at at least one location, wherein the vertical leg is positioned at a second side of the insertion rail, and at least one mating section located at an upper end of the insertion rail. The mating section has an upper tab, a lower tab and the upper tab and lower tab are configured to receive and secure a solar panel integrally therewith using an interference fit.
Claims16
An insertion rail for a solar panel mounting system, the insertion rail comprising:
- a mounting wall configured for connection to the solar panel mounting system, wherein the mounting wall is positioned at a lower end of a first side of the insertion rail;
- a vertical leg coupled to the mounting wall at at least one location, wherein the vertical leg is positioned at a second side of the insertion rail;
- at least one mating section located at an upper end of the insertion rail, wherein the at least one mating section comprises a right mating section and a left mating section, wherein the right mating section comprises a pair of right upper and lower tabs, and the left mating section comprises a pair of left upper and lower tabs, wherein the pair of right upper and lower tabs and the pair of left upper and lower tabs are configured to receive and secure consecutive solar panels of an array of solar panels using an interference fit;
- a top joint formed between the right upper tab and left upper tab;
- a bottom joint formed between the right lower tab and left lower tab;
- and
- a center spine integrated between the right mating section and left mating section, wherein the right mating section and the left mating section extend outwardly perpendicular from the center spine;
- wherein the center spine comprises a planar wall that extends from the top joint to the bottom joint;
- and wherein the insertion rail is integrally formed as one-piece.
A solar panel mounting system comprising:
- a frame configured to support at least one solar panel;
- a plurality of mounting brackets connected to the frame;
- a plurality of support brackets connected to the frame;
- and
- an insertion rail comprising:
- a mounting wall configured for connection to the solar panel mounting system, wherein the mounting wall is positioned at a lower end of a first side of the insertion rail;
- a vertical leg coupled to the mounting wall at least one location, wherein the vertical leg is positioned at a second side of the insertion rail;
- at least one mating section located at an upper end of the insertion rail, wherein the at least one mating section comprises a right mating section and a left mating section, wherein the right mating section comprises a pair of right upper and lower tabs, and the left mating section comprises a pair of left upper and lower tabs, wherein the pair of right upper and lower tabs and the pair of left upper and lower tabs are configured to receive and secure consecutive solar panels of an array of solar panels using an interference fit;
- a top joint formed between the right upper tab and left upper tab;
- a bottom joint formed between the right lower tab and left lower tab;
- and
- a center spine integrated between the right mating section and left mating section, wherein the right mating section and the left mating section extend outwardly perpendicular from the center spine;
- wherein the center spine comprises a planar wall that extends from the top joint to the bottom joint;
- and wherein the insertion rail is integrally formed as one-piece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.