Back to results
US 9,803,677 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for limiting travel and constraining liner movement of a nut element within a channel
AssigneeSolarCity Corporation
InventorsJack Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system to prevent a sliding nut in a channel in a bar from escaping from the channel, and to prevent the nut from entering a no-go-zone at the end of the channel. The system is adjustable to position the nut at a desirable location along the length of the channels to mount coupling devices onto the bar.
Claims12
An apparatus for constraining movement of a nut within a channel, comprising:
- (a) a bar having at least one channel extending therealong;
- (b) a nut dimensioned to be received within the at least one channel and to slide along a length of the channel;
- (c) an end cap at one end of the bar, the end cap having an aperture dimensioned to receive the nut therethrough;
- and
- (d) at least one flexible finger extending downwardly from the end cap down into the at least one channel such that the flexible finger permits the nut to travel thereunder when the nut is inserted into the aperture, but wherein the flexible finger prevents the nut from traveling out of the aperture when the nut is in the channel.
2 more elements
An apparatus for constraining movement of a nut within a channel, comprising:
- (a) a bar having at least one channel extending therealong;
- (b) a nut dimensioned to be received within the at least one channel and to slide along a length of the channel;
- and
- (d) at least one flexible spring extending laterally outwards from the nut to provide resistance to movement of the nut in the channel, wherein the flexible spring is a single continuous piece of metal extending along inside channels on the lateral sides and one longitudinal end of the nut.
1 more element
A method for connecting a plurality of devices to a bar comprising steps:
- inserting an end cap comprising one or more flexible fingers and one or more nut shaped slots;
- after inserting the end cap, inserting a sliding nut into one of the nut shaped slots of the end cap;
- pushing the sliding nut through the nut shaped slot;
- pushing the sliding nut past one of the flexible fingers;
- securing one or more screws onto the bar;
- and
- thereby enabling the bar to limit travel and constrain linear movement of the sliding nut within the channel of the bar.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.