Clamping system for mounting a solar panel
AssigneeUnirac, Inc.
InventorsChris Kauffman, Nathan Schuit
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamping system configured to clamp a photovoltaic module. The clamping system includes a base. A saddle is movably attached to the base to be moved between a first position, in which at least a portion of the saddle is raised compared to the base, and a second position, in which the at least the portion of the saddle is laid adjacent the base. A keeper is movably attached to the saddle such that the keeper catches the photovoltaic module against the saddle, during installation of the photovoltaic module.
Claims20
A clamping system configured to clamp a photovoltaic module, the clamping system comprising:
- a base;
- a saddle movably attached to the base to be moved between a first position, in which at least a portion of the saddle is raised compared to the base, and a second position, in which the at least the portion of the saddle is laid adjacent the base;
- and
- a keeper movably attached to the saddle such that the keeper catches the photovoltaic module against the saddle, during installation of the photovoltaic module.
A clamping system for securing one or more photovoltaic (“PV”) modules, the clamping system comprising:
- a base including an elongated bar having an aperture through a center thereof;
- a first saddle attached to a first portion of the base, the first saddle having an L-shaped end whereon a first PV module of the one or more PV modules rests when installed;
- a second saddle attached to a second portion of the base, the second saddle being aligned along the bar with the first saddle, and the second saddle having an L-shaped end whereon a second PV module of the one or more PV modules rests when installed;
- a first keeper attached to the first saddle, the first keeper configured to catch the first PV module when installed and secure the first PV module against the first saddle;
- and
- a second keeper attached to the second saddle, the second keeper configured to catch the second PV module when installed and secure the second PV module against the second saddle.
A clamping system for securing a photovoltaic module, the clamping system comprising:
- a rail attachment member including:
- an elongated bar having a first side and a second side, and
- a pair of arms spaced apart from each other and extending away from the second side of the bar, the pair of arms being spaced at a distance to accommodate a rail therebetween;
- a module rest member attached to the rail attachment member such that the module rest member is movable between a first position in which the module rest member extends longitudinally in a vertical direction and a second position in which the module rest member extends longitudinally in a horizontal direction;
- and
- a catch member rotatably attached to the module rest member such that the catch member is rotatable between:
- a first orientation in which the catch member extends in a direction transverse to a direction of extension of the module rest member, and
- a second orientation in which the catch member extends in a direction parallel with the direction of extension of the module rest member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.