Rail-based solar panel mounting system
AssigneeIronRidge, Inc.
InventorsRoger Pedlar, Bryan Lester, Anumeha Justice, Duane Menton, Joe Greer, Alexander Parsley, Jordan Wensley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rail-based solar panel mounting system including at least one mounting bracket coupled to a mounting surface and at least one elongated rail having an open channel configuration, wherein the at least one elongated rail is coupled to the at least one mounting bracket. The mounting system also includes at least one mid-clamp assembly couplable to the at least one elongated rail, wherein the at least one mid-clamp assembly is configured to retain at least one solar panel relative to the at least one elongated rail.
Claims20
A hidden end clamp assembly configured to secure a frame member of a solar panel module to a rail having an open portion and a top surface, the assembly comprising:
- a clamping body, wherein the clamping body configured to be received within the open portion of the rail member wherein the clamping body, comprises
- a top clamping portion having a lower clamping surface and a surface width,
- a leg portion extending downwardly from the top clamping portion at an acute angle, wherein a distal end portion of the leg portion comprises a base portion having at least one elongated opening formed therethrough and a leg width;
- a nut member, wherein the nut member comprises a pair of flanges extending upward from a central portion of the nut member, wherein the central portion at least partially contacts the leg portion of clamping body, and further wherein the central portion comprises a threaded opening formed therethrough;
- and
- a fastener member, wherein the fastener member comprises a drive head and a threaded shank, and wherein the threaded shank is configured to extend through the at least one elongated opening of the base portion and engage with the threaded opening of the central portion of the nut member, such that tightening of the fastening member causes the lower clamping surface to move downward relative to the top surface of the rail and the base portion of the leg portion to move closer to the central portion;
- wherein the surface width is larger than the leg width and the lower clamping surface overhangs the drive head.
A hidden end clamp assembly configured to secure a solar panel module frame member having a lower flange to a rail having a top surface, the assembly comprising:
- a clamping body, wherein the clamping body comprises a top clamping portion having a lower clamping surface and a leg portion extending downwardly below the lower clamping surface, wherein a lower portion of the leg portion comprises a base portion having at least one elongated opening formed therethrough;
- a nut member, wherein the nut member comprises a pair of flanges extending from a rear portion of the hidden end clamp assembly, wherein the pair of flanges are spaced apart so as to at least partially receive the leg portion of clamping body between the flanges, wherein the rear portion comprises a threaded opening formed therethrough;
- and
- a fastener member, comprises a drive head and a threaded shank, the threaded shank through the at least one elongated opening of the base portion and engages with the threaded opening of the rear portion of the nut member such that tightening of the fastener member causes the clamping body to secure a flange portion of the frame member between the lower clamping surface and the top surface;
- wherein the leg portion separates the drive head and the nut member and the pair of flanges are vertically located above the fastener member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.