Wire clip for photovoltaic modules
AssigneeSolarCity Corporation
InventorsCharles Bernardo Almy, Brian Despard West
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a wire clip for securing wires to a flange of a photovoltaic module frame. The wire clip includes a base having a first end and a second end. The first end of the base is opposite the second end. The wire clip also includes an attachment arm extending from and cooperating with the base to define an opening that faces the first end and that leads into a frame-receiving slot. A wire gather extends from the base and defines an opening that faces the second end and that leads into a wire-receiving slot. The wire gather extends from a portion of the base closer to the second end than the first end.
Claims20
A wire clip suitable for attachment to a photovoltaic module frame, the wire clip comprising:
- a base including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
- an attachment arm extending from the first surface and cooperating with the base to define a slot sized to receive a portion of a photovoltaic module frame;
- a wire gather extending from the second surface and cooperating with the base to define an interior volume sized to receive a plurality of wires;
- and
- a hook formed at a distal end of the base, the hook and an end of the attachment arm defining an opening configured to receive the portion of the photovoltaic module frame.
A photovoltaic module assembly, comprising:
- a wire clip, comprising:
- a base,
- an attachment arm extending from the base and defining a frame-receiving slot in cooperation with the base, a first opening leading into the frame-receiving slot oriented towards a first end of the base and
- a wire gather extending from the base and defining an internal volume, a second opening leading into the internal volume being oriented towards a second end of the base, the second end opposite the first end;
- a photovoltaic module, comprising a photovoltaic module frame, a portion of the photovoltaic module frame being positioned within the frame-receiving slot;
- and
- an electrically conductive wire supported by the wire gather and extending through the internal volume defined by the wire gather.
A wire clip, comprising:
- a base having a first end and a second end, the first end opposite the second end;
- an attachment arm extending from and cooperating with the base to define an opening that faces the first end and leads into a frame-receiving slot;
- and
- a wire gather extending from the base and defining an opening that faces the second end and leads into a wire-receiving slot,
- wherein the wire gather extends from a portion of the base closer to the second end than the first end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.