US 8,894,033 B2Granted

Slider clip and photovoltaic structure mounting system

AssigneeFirst Solar, Inc.

InventorsJohn Hartelius, Michael Monaco, Kyle Kazimir

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

Described herein is a mounting system and slider clips that support simplified installation of photovoltaic structures. The mounting system comprises a support structure which can be mounted to support columns via an optional tilt table. The support structure comprises a plurality of parallel spaced beams and a plurality of parallel spaced rails that are mounted approximately perpendicular to the beams. Disclosed embodiments describe a collapsible support structure in which the rails are pivotally mounted to the beams. Rails are preassembled with prefabricated slider clips for holding edge portions of the photovoltaic structures. Rails can also be integrally formed with slider clips. Described herein are also methods of installing one or more photovoltaic structures using the mounting system and methods for manufacturing slider clips and a photovoltaic structure mounting system.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A device for holding at least one photovoltaic structure to a support element, said device comprising:

a frame having a bottom extension for securing the device to the support element, a top extension for holding the at least one photovoltaic structure to the support element and a sidewall connecting one end of the bottom extension to one end of the top extension;
and
a holding element having a vertical barrier abutting the sidewall of the frame and connecting one end of a top section to one end of a bottom section, the top section being adjacent to an underside surface of the top extension of the frame and the bottom section extending from the vertical barrier in a same direction as the top section,
wherein the top extension comprises a top surface and at least one structural feature located on the top surface such that the at least one structural feature cooperates with the respective holding element to hold the holding element in place with the frame,
wherein the holding element further comprises a flat middle section extending beyond the vertical barrier in a direction opposite the bottom section, the flat middle section being located below the bottom extension of the frame.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/794,013Filed 11 Mar 2013 · continuation
Priority: 29 Jul 2010
Published: US 2013/0193297 A11 Aug 2013
Granted: 25 Nov 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification22 codes

F24S 25/634
For fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements: clamps; Clips
F24S 25/12
Extending in directions away from a supporting surface: using posts in combination with upper profiles
F24S 25/40
Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules: using plate-like mounting elements, e.g. profiled or corrugated…
F24S 25/632
For fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements: side connectors; Base connectors

Family

Application12/846,365Parent of this continuation · filed 29 Jul 2010
US 2013/0193297 A1Pre-grant publication · published 1 Aug 2013
US 8,418,983 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2011/0068244 A1Published application
US 8,894,033 B2This patent

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