Purlin construction and clip for flat panel roof structures
OwnerJohn Powers, IIIinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Solar panels are coupled to elongated purlins by solar panel clamps. A single strip of sheet metal is folded to form a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion opposed to the first mounting portion, and a first section of an upright wall extending perpendicularly therebetween. A first and second mounting shelves extend perpendicularly from the first section of the upright wall. A second section of the upright wall extends perpendicularly from between the first and second mounting shelves. A plurality of solar panel clamps affix the plurality of solar panels to the mounting shelves of the elongated purlins.
Claims14
Solar panels coupled to elongated purlins by solar panel clamps comprising:
- a single strip of sheet metal folded to comprise:
- a first mounting portion;
- a second mounting portion opposed to the first mounting portion;
- a first section of an upright wall extending perpendicularly from between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion;
- a first mounting shelf extending perpendicularly from the first section of the upright wall parallel to and in an overlying position with the first mounting portion;
- a second mounting shelf extending perpendicularly from the first section of the upright wall opposing the first mounting shelf and parallel to and in an overlying position with the second mounting portion;
- and
- a second section of the upright wall extending perpendicularly from between the first mounting shelf and the second mounting shelf;
- a plurality of solar panels, each solar panel including a generally rectangular frame with an inwardly extending horizontal leg supporting solar sensors, each of the plurality of solar panels carried by one of the first mounting shelf and the second mounting shelf;
- and
- a plurality of solar panel clamps affixing the plurality of solar panels to the mounting shelves of the elongated purlins.
Solar panels coupled to elongated purlins by solar panel clamps comprising:
- elongated purlins incorporated into a roof structure, each purlin including a single strip of sheet metal folded to comprise:
- a first mounting portion having an inner edge;
- a first portion of an upright wall extending perpendicularly from the inner edge of the first mounting portion;
- a first mounting shelf includes a first portion extending perpendicularly from the first portion of the upright wall parallel to and in an overlying position with the first mounting portion and a second portion of the first mounting shelf bent back overlying the first portion of the first mounting shelf;
- an upper upright portion includes a first portion extending from and perpendicular to the second portion of the first mounting shelf and a second portion of the upper upright portion bent back overlying the first portion of the upper upright portion;
- a second mounting shelf includes a first portion extending perpendicularly from the second portion of the upper upright portion diametrically opposed to the first mounting shelf and a second portion bent back overlying the first portion of the second mounting shelf;
- a second portion of the upright wall extending perpendicularly from the second portion of the second mounting shelf a distance equal to the length of the first portion of the upright wall in parallel abutting engagement therewith;
- and
- a second mounting portion extending perpendicularly from the second portion of the upright in a direction opposed to and in a plane with the first mounting portion;
- a plurality of solar panels, each solar panel including a generally rectangular frame with an inwardly extending horizontal leg supporting solar sensors, each of the plurality of solar panels carried by one of the first mounting shelf and the second mounting shelf;
- and
- a plurality of solar panel clamps affixing the plurality of solar panels to the mounting shelves of the elongated purlins.
A solar panel clamp for use in affixing solar panels in the channels of elongated purlins comprising:
- an attachment plate configured to be fastened to a purlin, the attachment plate including a surface for engagement with the purlin and an edge generally perpendicular thereto;
- a U-shaped element having a closed end and an open end, the U-shaped element including a first portion and a second portion joined at the closed end and terminating at an first edge and a second edge, respectively;
- and
- wherein the first edge of the first portion of the U-shaped member forms a juncture with the edge of the attachment plate with the first portion perpendicular to the surface of the attachment plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.