# US 2012/0073563 A1 · Solar array column cap > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0073563 A1 - Document ID: US20120073563A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/103,475 - Filed: 2011-05-09 - Published: 2012-03-29 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-09 - Inventors: Michael Zuritis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120073563A1 ## CPC - H02S 20/10: Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground (H02S20/30 takes precedence) - F24S 25/10: extending in directions away from a supporting surface - F24S 25/12: using posts in combination with upper profiles - F24S 25/15: using bent plates; using assemblies of plates - F24S 25/60: Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules - F24S 25/65: for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together - H02S 30/10: Frame structures - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Disclosed herein is a solar array column cap that includes a main body extending between a left side and a right side to define a channel, the channel configured to at least partially receive a vertical column of a solar array support structure such that the main body surrounds the vertical column. The main body further includes a left flange extending radially outwardly from the left side of the channel and right flange extending radially outwardly from the right side of the channel. Further, the main body includes an left upper flap extending from a top edge of the left flange, and a right upper flap extending from a top edge of the right flange, the right upper flap and left upper flap being co-planar. In another embodiment, a body has an opening extending along a center axis from a bottom to a top, the opening configured to receive the vertical column such that the body surrounds the vertical column, and an upper support surface configured to receive a horizontal beam, the upper support surface being located in a plane that is non-perpendicular with the center axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A solar array column cap comprising: a main body extending between a left side and a right side to define a channel, the channel configured to at least partially receive a vertical column of a solar array support structure such that the main body surrounds the vertical column; a left flange extending radially outwardly from the left side of the channel; a right flange extending radially outwardly from the right side of the channel; an left upper flap extending from a top edge of the left flange; and a right upper flap extending from a top edge of the right flange, the right upper flap and left upper flap being co-planar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The solar array column cap of claim 1, wherein the channel is defined by a left wall, a middle wall and a right wall and wherein bends separate the left wall the middle wall and the right wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The solar array column cap of claim 2, wherein a bend is located between the left flange and the left wall, and wherein a bend is located between the right flange and the right wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The solar array column cap of claim 1, wherein the left upper flap and the right upper flap each include an opening that is configured to receive an end of a U-bolt. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The solar array column cap of claim 1, wherein the left upper flap and the right upper flap are located on a plane that is perpendicular from the left and right flanges and a center axis of the channel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The solar array column cap of claim 1, wherein the left flange and the right flange are co-planar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The solar array column cap of claim 1, wherein the left flange and the right flange each include an opening that is configured to receive an end of a U-bolt. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The solar array column cap of claim 7, further comprising a U-clamp bolted to the third and fourth openings of the left flange and the right flange. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The solar array support structure of claim 1, wherein the left upper flap and the right upper flap extend into the cross section defined by the channel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The solar array support structure of claim 1, wherein the left upper flap and the right upper flap are not directly connected. ### Claim 11 A solar array support structure comprising: a vertical column extending from the ground to an upper end; an column cap attached to the upper end of the vertical column, the column cap including: a main body defining a channel extending at least partially around the vertical column; a left flange extending from the main body radially outwardly with respect to the vertical column; a right flange extending from the main body radially outwardly with respect to the vertical column; an left upper flap extending from a top edge left flange; and a right upper flap extending from a top edge of the right flange; a horizontal beam resting on the column cap; and a U-bolt connecting the horizontal beam to the left and right upper flaps. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The solar array support structure of claim 11, wherein the channel is defined by a left wall, a middle wall and a right wall and wherein bends separate the left wall the middle wall and the right wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The solar array support structure of claim 12, wherein a bend is located between the left flange and the left wall, and wherein a bend is located between the right flange and the right wall. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The solar array support structure of claim 11, wherein the left upper flap and the right upper flap each include an opening that is configured to receive an end of a U-bolt. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The solar array support structure of claim 11, wherein the left upper flap and the right upper flap are located on a plane that is perpendicular from the left and right flanges and the center axis of the channel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The solar array support structure of claim 11, wherein the left flange and the right flange are co-planar. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The solar array support structure of claim 11, wherein the left flange and the right flange each include an opening that is configured to receive an end of a U-bolt. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The solar array support structure of claim 17, further comprising a U-clamp bolted to the third and fourth openings of the left flange and the right flange, wherein the combination of the U-clamp and the channel fully surround the vertical column. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The solar array support structure of claim 11, wherein the left upper flap and the right upper flap extend into the cross section defined by the channel such that the column cap rests on the vertical column and the left upper flap and the right upper flap are prevented from moving past the upper end of the vertical column. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The solar array support structure of claim 11, wherein the horizontal beam has a circular cross section. ### Claim 21 A solar array support structure comprising: a front vertical column; a rear vertical column; an end cap attached to an extending end of the front vertical column; and a horizontal cross beam attached to the end cap and extending to the rear vertical column.