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US 12,577,973 B2Granted
Collapsible spacer for setting gap between adjacent panels
AssigneeSlick Tools LLC
InventorMarshall Ellison Poland
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spacer which can be temporarily inserted between two panels, such as solar modules, prior to securing the panels; such that a consistent gap is established between the panels; and a method for using said spacer. The spacer includes a collapsing feature which relieves pressure on the spacer from the adjacent panels for easier removal of the spacer. The spacer may use a cam feature to collapse its size prior to removal.
Claims12
A panel-separating spacer comprising:
- a handle including an upper grippable portion and a lower shaft portion extending along a longitudinal axis of rotation, the lower shaft portion having a cross-sectional shape that is elongated in at least one direction;
- and
- a clip that at least partially encompasses the lower shaft portion, the clip being selectively movable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of rotation between an expanded state and a collapsed state in response to rotation of the lower shaft portion relative to the clip,
- wherein the lower shaft portion has at least one of an oval or rectangular profile such that the lower shaft portion is thicker when measured in a first direction than when measured in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
- and the clip includes two opposing flat surfaces configured to at least one of rest or slide across opposing surfaces of two adjacent panels, and also including an inner shaft mating surface that matches the shape of the lower shaft portion, and the clip further including at least one deformable wing connecting the two opposing flat surfaces and allowing the two opposing flat surfaces to move closer and farther apart and preventing rotation or translation of the two opposing flat surfaces in any other direction relative to each other.
2 more elements
A panel-separating spacer comprising:
- a handle including an upper grippable portion and a lower shaft portion extending along a longitudinal axis of rotation, the lower shaft portion having a cross-sectional shape that is elongated in at least one direction;
- and
- a clip that at least partially encompasses the lower shaft portion, the clip being selectively movable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of rotation between an expanded state and a collapsed state in response to rotation of the lower shaft portion relative to the clip,
- wherein a spring is used to produce a torque between the handle and clip which forces the clip into the expanded state at rest.
1 more element
A panel-separating spacer comprising:
- a handle including an upper grippable portion and a lower shaft portion extending along a longitudinal axis of rotation, the lower shaft portion having a cross-sectional shape that is elongated in at least one direction;
- and
- a clip that at least partially encompasses the lower shaft portion, the clip being selectively movable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of rotation between an expanded state and a collapsed state in response to rotation of the lower shaft portion relative to the clip,
- wherein a supporting leg extends outward from the handle such that the supporting leg prevents the spacer from tipping over when perched on an upper edge of a horizontal or tilted panel.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.