Support system for solar panels
AssigneeNorthern States Metals Company
InventorsPaul R. Cusson, Robert J. Voytilla
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Precise parameters are maintained in a support structure for solar panels or other panel-like structures through use of a collapsible folding structure which is preassembled to precise tolerances at a convenient staging site before being collapsed for shipment. Easy installation with unskilled labor is facilitated by attaching one support joist to a substrate and then unfolding the entire support structure.
Claims17
A method of assembling a support structure of intersecting upper panel rails and lower support joists to support an array of solar panels in columns and rows, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) identifying characteristics of an installed configuration of said support structure, including relevant measurements of said support structure, panel holding components, upper panel rail profiles, and panels with respect to a selected installation site;
- (b) assembling said support structure in accordance with said characteristics of said installed configuration at a staging site, including the substeps of:
- i) forming holes in said lower support joists to receive fasteners,
- ii) placing insulating washers on said fasteners between said upper panel rails and said lower support joists, and
- iii) slidably connecting said upper panel rails and said lower support joists together using said fasteners connected to T-channel slots formed in bottom surfaces of said upper panel rails;
- (c) unitarily folding said assembled support structure into a collapsed, interconnected package appropriate for transport and subsequent unitary unfolding;
- (d) unitarily unfolding and installing said support structure according to said predetermined characteristics of said installed configuration at said installation site;
- and,
- (e) sliding said solar panels through panel holding components on adjacent upper panel rails.
A collapsible panel support system constituted by an intersecting array of structural members including a first group of lower support joists and a second group of upper panel rails, said collapsible structure comprising:
- (a) connectors at intersections of said lower support joists and said upper panel rails that facilitate unitary rotation of all said lower support joists with respect to said upper panel rails, wherein said connectors comprise bolts having heads and each said upper panel rail comprises a T-channel slot configured to hold said bolt heads to facilitate a slidable connection along a length of said upper panel rail;
- (b) an insulating washer between said support joist and said upper panel rail at each said connector to facilitate folding and unfolding of said panel support structure in unison;
- and,
- (c) a plurality of panel holding components, each said panel holding component adapted to receive at least a portion of an edge of a panel to be supported by said collapsible panel support structure when said collapsible panel support structure is in a deployed state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.