Support system for solar panels
AssigneeNorthern States Metals Company
InventorsPaul R. Cusson, Robert J. Voytilla, Michael G. Greenamyer, Thomas P. Kilar, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Precise parameters are maintained in a support system for solar panels or other panel-like structures through use of a collapsible folding, support frame which is preassembled to precise tolerances at a convenient staging site before being collapsed for shipment. Installation on flat roofs is also facilitated through the use of a roof interface frame which rotatably supports the panel support frame of the support system and folds along with it at the assembly, staging site.
Claims13
A method of assembling, on a roof-like substrate installation site, a collapsible panel support structure constituted by a bi-directional panel support array of intersecting lower support joists and upper panel rails and a substrate interface framework comprising at least two open channels, in each of which a lower support joist of said bi-directional panel support array is at least partially nested, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) identifying characteristics of a proposed installed configuration of said collapsible panel support structure in a desired installed configuration on said roof-like substrate;
- b) assembling said collapsible panel support structure in accordance with said characteristics of said proposed installed configuration at a staging site separate from said installation site;
- and,
- c) unitarily folding said collapsible panel support structure into a collapsed, interconnected, compact assembly appropriate for shipment on a motorized road transport vehicle, wherein nesting of individual lower support joists in said individual open channels is increased, and wherein said collapsed, interconnected, compact assembly is adapted for unitarily unfolding said bi-directional panel support array, and rotating said bi-directional panel support array upward as a single unit with respect to said substrate interface framework, thereby decreasing said nesting of said individual lower support joists in said individual open channels.
A method of assembling, on a roof-like substrate installation site, a collapsible panel support structure constituted by a bi-directional panel support array of intersecting lower support joists and upper panel rails and a substrate interface framework comprising at least two open channels, in each of which a rotating angle support is at least partially nested, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) identifying characteristics of a proposed installed configuration of said collapsible panel support structure in a desired installed configuration on said roof-like substrate;
- b) assembling said collapsible support structure in accordance with said characteristics of said proposed installed configuration at a staging site separate from said installation site;
- and,
- c) unitarily folding said collapsible panel support structure into a collapsed, interconnected, compact assembly appropriate for shipment on a motorized road transport vehicle, wherein said collapsed interconnected compact assembly is adapted for unitarily unfolding said bi-directional panel support array, and rotating said bi-directional panel support array upward as a single unit with respect to said substrate interface framework, and rotating at least one said nested angle support upward from a respected one of said open channels thereby decreasing said nesting of said rotating support in said one respective open channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.