Solar panel clamp system
US8875401B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 2012 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49947
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In one embodiment the present invention includes a solar panel clamp system for mounting solar panels on ground-level and raised purlins. Such systems include left-handed and right-hand clamps that can be attached to opposite sides of solar panel assemblies that include mounting frames. Left-handed clamps can attach to the mounting frame of a solar panel and include surfaces that can rest on the top surfaces of purlins and include a lip or shelf surface onto which the right-handed clamps of a mounting frame of a neighboring solar panel can rest to increase the speed and safety of installing solar panels on raised purlins. Through holes in the left-handed and right-handed clamps can then be used as guide holes for drilling into the purlins. The majority of, if not all of, the solar panel installation using the clamps of the present invention can be completed from underneath the raised purlins.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.