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US 12,587,126 B2Granted
Snap-in mounting systems for laminate solar panels
AssigneeSunrun Inc.
InventorsGreg McPheeters, Ethan Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Snap-in mounting systems for laminate solar panels are provided. The laminate solar panels can include laminate strips that can be snapped into mounting rails. The mounting rails may be coupled to racking rails for structural support and may include locking mechanisms for additional support and theft deterrence. An entire system may include a number of racking rails, mounting rails, and solar panels.
Claims20
A rail attachment assembly, comprising:
- a laminate strip comprising two portions substantially parallel to each other and extending away from a surface shared by the two portions in a substantially perpendicular direction until each reaches a tapered distal end, wherein the tapered distal end of each of the two portions is not directly connected to the other distal end and comprises a notch, wherein each of the notches extend in different directions;
- and
- a mounting rail comprising two sidewalls substantially parallel to each other and extending away from a surface shared by the two sidewalls in a substantially perpendicular direction until each reaches a distal end, wherein each sidewall is configured to bend at its distal end without permanent deformation, wherein each distal end of the two sidewalls is configured with clip, wherein each clip is configured to snap into place with one of the notches as the laminate strip is attachably coupled to the mounting rail;
- wherein the laminate strip is mounted to a laminate solar panel.
1 more element
A rail attachment assembly, comprising:
- a laminate strip comprising two portions substantially parallel to each other and extending away from a surface shared by the two portions in a substantially perpendicular direction until each reaches a tapered distal end, wherein the tapered distal end of each of the two portions is not directly connected to the other distal end and comprises a notch, wherein each of the notches faces inwardly toward the other notch;
- and
- a mounting rail comprising two individual outwardly facing U-shaped rails coupled together, wherein one end of each of the rails is configured with clip, wherein each clip is configured to engage with one of the notches as the laminate strip is coupled to the mounting rail;
- wherein the laminate strip is mounted to a laminate solar panel.
1 more element
A rail attachment assembly, comprising:
- a laminate strip comprising two portions substantially parallel to each other and extending away from a surface shared by the two portions in a substantially perpendicular direction until each reaches a tapered distal end, wherein the tapered distal end of each of the two portions is not directly connected to the other distal end and comprises a notch, wherein each of the notches faces inwardly toward the other notch;
- and
- a mounting rail comprising an I-beam, wherein one flange of the I-beam is configured to engage with the inwardly facing notches;
- wherein the laminate strip is mounted to a laminate solar panel.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.