Tools for Spacing and Aligning Solar Panels
OwnerRyan Douglas Reidinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tool for spacing and aligning solar panels includes an upper element and a lower element joined to the upper element. The upper element is constructed in a manner such that it is adapted to be readily manipulable (e.g., lifted, moved, rotated, etc.) by a user. The upper element has at least one surface that is substantially flat, allowing the upper element to be placed on, and remain at rest on, the surface of a solar panel. The lower element extends from the upper element at a ninety (90) degree angle from the flat surface of the upper element. The lower element varies in thickness, being thickest at the point where the two elements are joined and narrowest at the tip of the lower element. The tool may include one or more apertures and one or more handles.
Claims12
A tool for spacing and aligning solar panels, the tool comprising:
- a first element having a top side and a bottom side;
- and
- a second element joined to the first element, the second element comprising a first side, a second side, a length axis parallel to the bottom side of the first element, and a thickness defined as a first distance between the first and second sides, wherein the thickness varies as a function of a second distance from the bottom side of the first element;
- wherein the first side of the second element intersects the bottom side of the first element to form a joint along a second axis parallel to the length axis of the second element;
- wherein the first side of the second element and the bottom side of the first element form an angle of substantially ninety (90) degrees.
A method comprising:
- creating a desired space between first and second solar panels by repeatedly performing a set of operations, the set of operation comprising:
- placing a tool comprising a first element and a second element joined to the first element, the first element having at least one substantially flat surface, the second element having a thickness varying from a greatest thickness at a point proximate the at least one substantially flat surface of the first element to a smallest thickness at a tip of the second element, in a position such that the tip of the second element is between first and second solar panels;
- and
- manipulating the first element of the tool in a manner to cause the second element to be inserted between the first and second solar panels until the at least one substantially flat surface contacts the first solar panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.