US 6,799,398 B1Granted

Modular system for securing flat panels to a curved support structure

AssigneeSkytech Systems, Inc.

InventorMichael Plevyak

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A modular system (10) for attaching planar panels (12) to a curved support structure (14). The system includes modules (20) that are defined between a transverse hook support panel (36) and a transverse plate support panel (38) and between a base member (78) and a pivot member (80). Each module (20) defines one or more cells (18) in accordance with the use of transverse cross-support members (30). Each panel (12) is secured on a respective cell (18).

Claims12

Dependent claims

A module for securing panels to first and second rafters, said module comprising:

(A) a transverse hook support panel that is supported by the first rafter;
(B) a transverse plate support panel that is oriented substantially parallel to said transverse hook support panel, said transverse plate support panel being supported by the second rafter;
(C) a base member having one longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse hook support panel and having a second longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse plate support panel, said base member including:
(1) a platform;
(2) a riser panel having first and second edges, the first riser edge being secured in fixed relationship to said platform;
(3) a support member that is connected to the second riser edge;
and
(4) a pedestal that is connected to said platform;
(D) a pivot member having one longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse hook support panel and having a second longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse plate support panel, said pivot member contacting the pedestal of said base member, said pivot member having
(1) a planar section with first and second edges;
(2) a structure connected to the first edge of the planar section;
and
(3) a support member that is connected to the second edge of the planar section;
(E) a first hook glazing member that engages the transverse hook support panel and a second hook glazing member that engages the support member of one of the base member or the pivot member;
and
(F) a first plate glazing member that engages the transverse plate support panel and a second plate glazing member that engages the support member of the other of said base member or said pivot member, said first and second plate glazing members cooperating with said first and second hook glazing members to secure the panel to the rafters.

13 more elements

A modular system for securing photovoltaic units to an array of substantially parallel members that define a generally arcuate shape, with adjacent parallel members being respectively connected by a parallel array of cross-members, said modular system comprising:

(A) a transverse hook support panel that is supportable by a first parallel member;
(B) a transverse plate support panel that is oriented substantially parallel to said transverse hook support panel, said transverse plate support panel being supportable by a second parallel member;
(C) a base member having one longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse hook support panel and having a second longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse plate support panel, said base member including:
(1) a platform;
(2) a riser panel having first and second edges, the first riser edge being secured in fixed relationship to said platform;
(3) a plate support that is connected to the second riser edge;
and
(4) a pedestal that is connected to said platform;
(D) a pivot member having one longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse hook support panel and having a second longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse plate support panel that contacts the pedestal of said base member, said pivot member having
(1) a planar section with first and second edges;
(2) a bearing structure connected to the first edge of the planar section;
and
(3) a hook support that is connected to the second edge of the planar section;
(E) at least one transverse cross-support members, each transverse cross-support member being longitudinally aligned in substantially parallel relationship with respect to other transverse cross-support members and with respect to said transverse hook support panel and said transverse plate support panel, each of transverse cross-support member respectively having;
(1) a first longitudinal end that is connected to said base member;
and
(2) a second longitudinal end that is connected to said pivot member such that the transverse cross-support member cooperates with the base member and with the pivot member;
and such that said base member and the pivot member cooperate with the transverse hook support panel and with the transverse plate support panel to form a rigid grid that defines cells for receiving photovoltaic units;
(F) first and second hook glazing members that respectively engage;
(1) the hook support of the pivot member;
and
(2) one of the hook support panel and a cross-support member;
and
(G) first and second plate glazing members that respectively engage;
(1) the plate support of the base member;
and
(2) one of the transverse plate support panel and a cross-support member, said first and second plate glazing members cooperating with said first and second hook glazing members to secure the photovoltaic unit to the rigid grid.

24 more elements

(A) a transverse hook support panel that is supportable by a first parallel member;
(B) a transverse plate support panel that is oriented substantially parallel to said transverse hook support panel, said transverse plate support panel being supportable by a second parallel member;
and
(C) first and second lateral panel joints, each of said first and second lateral panel joints respectively having;
(1) a base member with one longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse hook support panel and with a second longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse plate support panel, said base member including:
(a) a platform;
(b) a riser panel having first and second edges, the first riser edge being secured in fixed relationship to said platform;
(c) a plate support that is connected to the second riser edge;
and
(d) a pedestal that is connected to said platform;
and
(2) a pivot member having one longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse hook support panel and having a second longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse plate support panel that contacts the pedestal of said base member, said pivot member having
(a) a planar section with first and second edges;
(b) a bearing structure connected to the first edge of the planar section;
and
(c) a hook support that is connected to the second edge of the planar section;
(D) a plurality of transverse cross-support members, each of said transverse cross-support members being longitudinally aligned in substantially parallel relationship with respect to each other and with respect to said transverse hook support panel and said transverse plate support panel, each of said transverse cross-support members respectively having;
(1) a first longitudinal end that is connected to the base member of one of said first and second lateral joints, and
(2) a second longitudinal end that is connected to the pivot member of the other of said first and second lateral joints, such that transverse cross-support members cooperate with the base member of said first lateral panel joint and with the pivot member of said second lateral panel joint and such that said base member of said first lateral panel joint and the pivot member of said second lateral panel joint cooperate with the transverse hook support panel and with the transverse plate support panel to form a rigid grid that defines cells for receiving photovoltaic units;
(E) first and second hook glazing members that respectively engage;
(1) the hook support of the pivot member of the second lateral panel joint;
and
(2) one of the transverse hook support panel and the cross-support member;
and
(F) first and second plate glazing members that respectively engage;
(1) the plate support of the first lateral panel joint;
and
(2) one of the transverse plate support panel and the cross-support member, said first and second plate glazing members cooperating with said first and second hook glazing members to secure the photovoltaic unit to the rigid grid.

25 more elements

(A) first and second transverse joints, each of said first and second transverse joints having;
(1) a transverse hook support panel that is supportable by a first rafter;
and
(2) a transverse plate support panel that is oriented substantially parallel to said transverse hook support panel, said first and second transverse joints being supportable by first and second parallel members respectively;
(B) a base member having one longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse hook support panel of said first transverse joint and having a second longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse plate support panel of said second transverse joint, said base member including:
(1) a platform;
(2) a riser panel having first and second edges, the first riser edge being secured in fixed relationship to said platform;
(3) a plate support that is connected to the second riser edge;
and
(4) a pedestal that is connected to said platform;
(C) a pivot member having one longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse hook support panel of said first transverse joint and having a second longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse plate support panel of said second transverse joint and that contacts the pedestal of said base member, said pivot member having
(a) a planar section with first and second edges;
(b) a bearing structure connected to the first edge of the planar section;
and
(c) a hook support that is connected to the second edge of the planar section;
(C) a plurality of transverse cross-support members, each of said transverse cross-support members being longitudinally aligned in substantially parallel relationship with respect to each other and with respect to said transverse hook support panel of said first transverse joint and with respect to said transverse plate support panel of said second transverse joint, each of said transverse cross-support members respectively having;
(1) a first longitudinal end that is connected to the base member, and
(2) a second longitudinal end that is connected to the pivot member such that transverse cross-support members cooperate with the base member and with the pivot member and such that said base member and the pivot member cooperate with the transverse hook support panel of the first transverse joint and with the transverse plate support panel of the second transverse joint to form a rigid grid that defines cells for receiving photovoltaic units;
(D) first and second hook glazing members that respectively engage;
(1) the hook support of the pivot member;
and
(2) one of the transverse hook support panel of the first transverse joint or a cross-support member;
and
(E) first and second plate glazing members that respectively engage;
(1) the plate support;
and
(2) one of the transverse plate support panel of the second transverse joint and the cross-support member, said first and second plate glazing members cooperating with said first and second hook glazing members to secure the photovoltaic unit to the rigid grid.

24 more elements

(A) first and second transverse joints, each of said first and second transverse joints having;
(1) a transverse hook support panel that is supportable by a first rafter;
and
(2) a transverse plate support panel that is oriented substantially parallel to said transverse hook support panel, said first and second transverse joints being supportable by first and second parallel members respectively;
(B) first and second lateral panel joints, each of said first and second lateral panel joints respectively having;
(1) a base member having one longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse hook support panel and having a second longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse plate support panel, said base member including:
(a) a platform;
(b) a riser panel having first and second edges, the first riser edge being secured in fixed relationship to said platform;
(c) a plate support that is connected to the second riser edge;
and
(d) a pedestal that is connected to said platform;
and
(2) a pivot member having one longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse hook support panel and having a second longitudinal end that is secured to said transverse plate support panel that contacts the pedestal of said base member, said pivot member having
(a) a planar section with first and second edges;
(b) a bearing structure connected to the first edge of the planar section;
and
(c) a hook support that is connected to the second edge of the planar section;
(C) a plurality of transverse cross-support members, each of said transverse cross-support members being longitudinally aligned in substantially parallel relationship with respect to each other and with respect to said transverse hook support panel and said transverse plate support panel, each of said transverse cross-support members respectively having;
(1) a first longitudinal end that is connected to the base member of one of said first and second lateral joints, and
(2) a second longitudinal end that is connected to the pivot member of the other of said first and second lateral joints, such that transverse cross-support members cooperate with the base member of said first lateral panel joint and with the pivot member of said second lateral panel joint and such that said base member of said first lateral panel joint and the pivot member of said second lateral panel joint cooperate with the transverse hook support panel and with the transverse plate support panel to form a rigid grid that defines cells for receiving photovoltaic units;
(D) first and second hook glazing members that respectively engage;
(1) the hook support of the pivot member of the second lateral panel joint;
and
(2) One of the transverse hook support panel and the cross-support member;
and
(E) first and second plate glazing members that respectively engage;
(1) the plate support of the first lateral panel joint;
and
(2) one of the transverse plate support panel and the cross-support member, said first and second plate glazing members cooperating with said first and second hook glazing members to secure the photovoltaic unit to the rigid grid.

26 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract