End clip for recessed rail
AssigneeD Three Enterprises, LLC
InventorsRichard F. Schaefer, David Kreutzman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamp is provided that allows for easily and securely mounting an object such as a PV panel to a rail having an internal recess or channel. The clamp utilizes one or more splice bars that extend into a recess of a rail that supports a PV panel. In one arrangement, the splice bar is inserted through an end of the rail into the recess such that a portion the splice bar extends beyond the end of the rail. A sliding clamp body engages lateral edges of the slice bar to, in one embodiment, compress a PV panel against a surface of the rail. The sliding clamp body may be affixed to the splice bar to secure the panel.
Claims1
A clamp, comprising:
- a splice bar configured for slidable receipt within a recess or channel of a rail, including:
- first and second lateral notches along a length of a body of said slice bar;
- a threaded aperture on proximate to a first end of said body;
- a sliding clamp body, including
- a lower portion having first and second spaced legs, wherein said spaced legs are sized for sliding engagement with said notches;
- an upper portion having an object engaging element;
- and
- a tab on a rearward surface between said upper and lower portions, said tab having an aperture;
- and
- a bolt, wherein said bolt passes through said aperture of said tab and threadably engages said threaded aperture of said splice bar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.