US 8,539,734 B2Granted

Roof truss compatible for solar panels

AssigneeEco Solar Generation, LLC

InventorRobert E. Heisler

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Abstract

A roof truss compatible for solar energy panels, and a method for installing the roof trusses, incorporates a non-structural top chord that may have a removable portion removed and replaced by a solar assembly. The truss is structurally designed to support the solar assembly without the presence of the non-structural top chord. A desired length of the non-structural top chord may be omitted or removed during manufacture of the truss, or may be removed at a future time for installation of solar panel assemblies. A solar assembly for inserting into the solar roof truss may include a panel enclosure which has a channel for holding a solar panel, where the panel is installed approximately flush with the roof line. The panel enclosure may have an air space underneath the solar panel, to allow for cooling air flow and water drainage.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method for installing solar panels into a roof, comprising:

installing a roof truss, the roof truss comprising:
a structural top chord having a first upper surface;
and
a non-structural top chord above the structural top chord, wherein the non-structural top chord has a second upper surface, wherein a line extending along the second upper surface from a peak to a heel of the roof truss defines a roof line, and wherein the non-structural top chord comprises a partial length and a removable portion;
wherein the roof truss is designed to accommodate the weight of a solar panel assembly after the removable portion of the non-structural top chord is removed;
and
providing end surfaces facing and spaced apart from both sides of the roof truss;
wherein when the removable portion is removed, a recessed space is established having dimensions defined by a) the length of the removed portion of the non-structural top chord, b) a height from the first upper surface to the second upper surface, and c) a width spanning between the end surfaces;
and
wherein the recessed space is suitable for holding a solar panel assembly.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/771,080Filed 20 Feb 2013 · division
Priority: 15 Apr 2010
Published: US 2013/0160396 A127 Jun 2013
Granted: 24 Sep 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification22 codes

E04B 7/18
Roofs; Roof construction with regard to insulation: special structures in or on roofs, e.g. dormer windows
E04B 7/022
With plane sloping surfaces, e.g. saddle roofs: consisting of a plurality of parallel similar trusses or portal frames
E04B 7/04
With plane sloping surfaces, e.g. saddle roofs: supported by horizontal beams or the equivalent resting on the walls
E04D 3/30
With special cross-section, e.g. with corrugations on both sides, with ribs, flanges, or the like: of metal

Family

Application61/324,712Us provisional application · filed 15 Apr 2010
Application12/874,168Parent of this division · filed 1 Sep 2010
US 2013/0160396 A1Pre-grant publication · published 27 Jun 2013
US 8,397,447 B2Parent of this division
US 2011/0252724 A1Published application
US 8,539,734 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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