# US 2017/0288601 A1 · Modular strap mount for solar panels

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2017/0288601 A1
- Document ID: US20170288601A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/626,080
- Filed: 2017-06-17
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2013-02-11
- Inventors: Jonathan Port
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170288601A1

## CPC

- H02S 20/22: specially adapted for buildings
- F24S 25/16: Arrangement of interconnected standing structures; Standing structures having separate supporting portions for adjacent modules
- F24S 25/50: comprising elongate non-rigid elements, e.g. straps, wires or ropes
- F24S 25/61: for fixing to the ground or to building structures
- Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV]
- 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)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A method and apparatus for mounting a solar collector panel by itself or supported within a frame, to a surface comprising: a strap assembly, a first attachment device attached to and between the panel or frame and the strap assembly; and a second attachment means for attaching the strap assembly to the surface. The strap assembly comprises a plurality of straps attached end to end. The first attachment device could be a bolt, a screw, adhesive, etc. Alternatively, there could be a support between the panel or frame and the strap assembly. The second attachment means may be: a nail, a spike, adhesive, bolting to a stud attached to the surface, welding, ballast, adhesive tape or combinations of these.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of mounting a solar collector panel or a solar collector panel mounted within a frame to a surface comprising the steps of:
a) providing a plurality of straps, each having a full-thickness end;
b) attaching said straps together end overlapping end in a straight line, adjacent their ends;
c) providing a support of rectangular cross section having a top flange and a bottom flange; said flanges being in line with said straight line;
d) providing a first attaching means;
e) attaching said top flange directly to said panel or said frame with said first attaching means;
f) providing a second attaching means;
g) attaching said strap assembly to said surface with said second attaching means;
h) providing a third attaching means;
i) attaching said bottom flange to said strap assembly with said third attaching means.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said top flange is parallel to said surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said top flange is at an angle to said surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said support comprises a first support and a second support spaced apart from each other.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1 in which a height of said first support is greater than a height of said second support.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1 in which a length of said support is greater than the width of said strap.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said straps have different widths.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
a) drilling a hole pattern adjacent said end; and
b) attaching said straps to each other through said hole pattern.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising the steps of:
a) drilling said hole pattern in said bottom flange; and
b) additionally attaching said bottom flange to said ends of two of said straps through said hole pattern in said bottom flange.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2 in which said second attaching means is selected from the group comprising nailing, adhering, bolting, weighing down with ballast, and combinations of these.

### Claim 11 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2 in which said third attaching means is selected from the group comprising screwing, bolting, riveting and fastening with blind fastener.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2 in which said third attaching means comprises a clip, adapted to clamp to said panel or said frame, placed on, transverse to, over a top edge of, and at a side of said panel or said frame; in which said method further comprises fastening said clip and said top flange to each other so that said panel or said frame is clamped to said top flange.

### Claim 13

A method of mounting a solar collector panel or a solar collector panel mounted within a frame to a surface comprising the steps of:
a) providing a plurality of straps, each having an end;
b) attaching said straps together end overlapping end;
c) providing a first attaching means; said first attaching means being selected from the group comprising a fastener and adhesive;
d) attaching said one of said panel and said frame directly to said strap assembly with said first attaching means
e) providing a second attaching means; and
f) attaching said strap assembly to said surface with said second attaching means.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

A method as claimed in claim 13 in which said straps have different widths.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

A method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising the steps of:
a) drilling a hole pattern adjacent said end; and
b) attaching said straps to each other through said hole pattern.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

A method as claimed in claim 13 in which said second attaching means is selected from the group comprising nailing, adhering, bolting, weighing down with ballast, and combinations of these.

### Claim 17

A method of mounting a solar collector panel or a solar collector panel mounted within a frame to a surface comprising the steps of:
a) providing a plurality of straps, each having a full thickness end; attaching said straps together end overlapping end;
b) providing a U-shaped channel having a base and an opening opposite said base;
c) attaching said base to said strap assembly;
d) providing a first attaching means;
e) attaching said one of said panel and said frame to said U-shaped channel with said first attaching means
f) providing a second attaching means; and
g) attaching said strap assembly to said surface with said second attaching means.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

A method as claimed in claim 17 in which said first attaching means is selected from the group comprising a fastener and adhesive.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

A method as claimed in claim 17 in which said straps have different widths.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising the steps of:
a) drilling a hole pattern adjacent said end; and
b) attaching said straps to each other through said hole pattern.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

A method as claimed in claim 17 in which said second attaching means is selected from the group comprising nailing, adhering, bolting, weighing down with ballast, and combinations of these.

### Claim 22 (depends on 17)

A method as claimed in claim 17 in which said first attaching means comprises a clip, adapted to clamp to said panel or said frame, placed on, transverse to, over a top edge of, and at a side of said panel or said frame;
in which said method further comprises fastening said clip and channel to each other so that said panel or said frame is clamped to said channel.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

A method as claimed in claim 22 in which said U-shaped channel further comprises:
a) a plate adapted to fit slidably in said channel, parallel to said base; and
b) a clip, adapted to clamp to said panel or said frame, placed on said panel or said frame, transverse to said panel or said frame, over a top edge of said panel or said frame at a side of said panel or said frame;
in which said method further comprises the step of fastening said clip and said plate to each other so that said panel or said frame is clamped to said channel.

### Claim 24 (depends on 17)

A method as claimed in claim 17 in which said third attaching means is selected from the group comprising screwing, bolting, riveting and fastening with blind fasteners.