Back to results
US 12,392,366 B2Granted
Solar panel mounting configuration
AssigneeTamarack Solar Products, Inc.
InventorDavid Katz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Mounting clamps may be utilized to quickly and easily secure solar panel modules relative to mounting rails, which may in turn be secured relative to a mounting surface (e.g., a roof). The mounting clamps may be configured to quickly secure the solar pane modules relative to the mounting rails by tightening a tightening element to pull a clamp element toward the surface of a mounting rail, thereby clamping a portion (e.g., a frame) of a solar panel module between the clamping element and an outer surface of the mounting rail.
Claims20
A solar panel mounting system comprising:
- at least one mounting rail;
- and
- at least one mounting clamp for securing one or more modules to the at least one mounting rail, the at least one mounting clamp comprising:
- a clamp component defining a first horizontal clamp surface;
- a fastening member adjustably securing the clamp component to a channel nut, the fastening member having an adjustment head extending above a clamp top surface of the clamp component, wherein the fastening member is configured to, when tightened by rotating the adjustment head, move the clamp component toward the channel nut;
- and
- a compressible resilient member positioned between the clamp component and the channel nut, and wherein the compressible resilient member is configured to support the clamp component a distance away from the channel nut;
- wherein the compressible resilient member comprises one or more side members, each of the one or more side members having a height measured between a base of the compressible resilient member and a top end of the respective side member of said one or more side members;
- wherein the compressible resilient member comprises a compressible resilient member aperture configured to receive at least a portion of the fastening member therein, wherein the compressible resilient member aperture is defined at least in part by an outer perimeter that at least partially surrounds the at least a portion of the fastening member;
- and
- wherein each side member of the compressible resilient member defines a vertical arm portion that, when compressed, forms substantially stacked sheet portions.
8 more elements
A solar panel mounting system comprising:
- at least one mounting rail;
- and
- at least one mounting clamp for securing one or more solar panels to the at least one mounting rail, the at least one mounting clamp comprising:
- a clamp component configured to engage a panel top surface of at least a first solar panel;
- a channel nut configured to engage an interior portion of the at least one mounting rail, wherein the channel nut has a nut width and a nut length measured perpendicular to the nut width;
- a fastening member adjustably securing the clamp component to the channel nut and having an adjustment head extending above a clamp top surface of the clamp component, wherein the fastening member is configured to, when tightened by rotating the adjustment head, move the clamp component toward the channel nut and the at least one mounting rail to clamp the first solar panel against an exterior portion of the at least one mounting rail;
- and
- a compressible resilient member positioned between the clamp component and the channel nut, wherein the compressible resilient member is configured to support the clamp component a distance away from the channel nut;
- wherein the clamp component defines a first horizontal clamp surface on a first side of the fastening member and a second horizontal clamp surface on an opposite, second side of the fastening member, wherein the first horizontal clamp surface is configured to engage the first solar panel and the second horizontal clamp surface is configured to engage a second solar panel;
- wherein the compressible resilient member comprises one or more vertical arm members, each of the one or more vertical arm members having a height measured between a bottom horizontal base of the compressible resilient member and a top end of the respective vertical arm member of said one or more vertical arm members;
- wherein the one or more vertical arm members comprises a first vertical arm member and a second vertical arm member;
- and
- wherein the first vertical arm member defines at least a portion of a first vertical side edge of the compressible resilient member and the second vertical arm member defines at least a portion of a second vertical side edge of the compressible resilient member;
- and
- wherein the compressible resilient member further comprises a cover plate that extends between the first vertical side edge and the second vertical side edge.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.