Solar module skirt assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12283915-B2
Application number	US-202318448594-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 11, 2023
Priority date	Sep 24, 2018
Publication date	Apr 22, 2025
Grant date	Apr 22, 2025

Abstract

A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A clip to attach a skirt to a solar module, the clip comprising:
a first portion configured to attach to an edge feature of the solar module and to the skirt, the first portion including a body having protrusions extending downward from the body;
a second portion configured to hold a portion of the edge feature of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, the second portion including grooves to receive the protrusions; and
a fastener configured to affix the clip to the edge feature of the solar module and the portion of the skirt directly between the body of the first portion and the second portion.

2. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are inclined towards one another.

3. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes two of the protrusions and the second portion includes two of the grooves.

4. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes at least one opening.

5. The clip according to claim 4 , wherein the first portion includes two of the protrusions and the protrusions are positioned on opposite sides of the at least one opening.

6. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the body of the first portion is S-shaped.

7. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes two openings that are larger than a head of the fastener.

8. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion is at least as wide as the second portion.

9. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes first and second openings that are larger than a head of the fastener and a third opening that is smaller than a head of the fastener.

10. The clip according to claim 1 , further comprising a spacer positioned between a head of the fastener and the first portion to prevent the first portion from deforming as the fastener is tightened.

11. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion includes a threaded opening to receive the fastener and to allow the fastener to draw the second portion towards the first portion as the fastener is tightened.

12. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion is made from aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or galvanized steel.

13. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion is made from a reinforced plastic, resin, or other polymer.

14. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion is made from aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or galvanized steel.

15. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion is made from a reinforced plastic, resin, or other polymer.

16. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the fastener are made from a same material.

Assignees

• Unirac Inc

Inventors

• Rossi Gary
• Ely Ethan

Classifications

• H02S20/23

  specially adapted for roof structures · CPC title

• Y02B10/10

  Photovoltaic [PV] · CPC title

• Y02E10/50

  Photovoltaic [PV] energy · CPC title

• H02S30/10 Primary

  Frame structures · CPC title