Solar module carriers and related systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12410015-B2
Application number	US-202217655266-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 17, 2022
Priority date	Jan 23, 2015
Publication date	Sep 9, 2025
Grant date	Sep 9, 2025

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to carrier device, and related systems. A device may include a handle and at least one attachment device coupled to the handle. The at least one attachment device may be configured to couple to a solar module, wherein each attachment device includes at least one of a channel for receiving a portion of a frame of the solar module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A solar module carrier device, comprising:
a handle;
an attachment device coupled to the handle and configured to couple to a solar module, wherein the attachment device includes a channel configured for receiving a frame of the solar module, wherein a depth of the channel is greater than a width of the channel; and
an anti-slip device comprising a threaded rod positioned and fixed on an upward-facing edge of the channel and having a rod axis that is parallel to a downward-facing surface of the solar module, the anti-slip device being configured to contact a downward-facing edge of the frame and create an interference laterally along the downward-facing edge to prevent the downward-facing edge from sliding in the channel, the anti-slip device comprising a first metallic material that is stronger than a second material of the frame for deforming at least a portion of the downward-facing edge of the frame.

2. The solar module carrier device of claim 1 , wherein the attachment device comprises two attachment devices spaced at least three inches apart.

3. The solar module carrier device of claim 2 , wherein the solar module carrier device has a weight of at least four pounds.

4. The solar module carrier device of claim 3 , wherein the handle has a width of at least 34 centimeters.

5. The solar module carrier device of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises an attachment point for coupling to a pulley system.

6. The solar module carrier device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip device is configured to contact and create friction with the downward-facing edge of the frame.

7. The solar module carrier device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip device comprises the threaded rod for penetrating the downward-facing edge of the frame of the solar module to create a deformation.

8. The solar module carrier device of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises an attachment point for coupling to a rope.

9. A solar module lifting device, comprising:
a handle;
at least one attachment device coupled to the handle and configured to couple to a solar module, the at least one attachment device including:
a vertical channel including an open end for receiving at least a portion of the solar module and a closed end at a bottom of the vertical channel, the closed end opposite the open end; and
an anti-slip device comprising a threaded rod positioned at the bottom of the vertical channel and having a rod axis that is parallel to a downward-facing surface of the solar module, the anti-slip device configured to engage the solar module under the weight of the solar module and penetrate the downward-facing surface of the solar module to limit movement of the at least a portion of the solar module positioned in the vertical channel in at least one of a first horizontal direction and a second, opposite horizontal direction.

10. The solar module lifting device of claim 9 , wherein a width of the vertical channel is greater than 2.5 millimeters and less than 4 millimeters.

11. The solar module lifting device of claim 9 , wherein the handle comprises an attachment interface for coupling to a rope.

12. The solar module lifting device of claim 9 , wherein a nose of the at least one attachment device has a width of 22 millimeters or less.

13. A solar module carrier device, comprising:
an attachment interface;
at least one attachment device coupled to the attachment interface and configured to couple to a solar module, wherein the at least one attachment device includes a vertical channel extending from an opening of the vertical channel away from the attachment interface in a first vertical direction and configured for receiving a portion of a frame of the solar module; and
an anti-slip device comprising a threaded rod positioned within the vertical channel in a fixed position relative to the vertical channel and having a rod axis that is parallel to a downward-facing surface of the solar module, the anti-slip device configured to contact and create friction with a downward-facing edge of the portion of the frame of the solar module;
wherein the attachment interface and the at least one attachment device are configured such that a lifting force applied to the attachment interface while the solar module is being carried is in a second vertical direction opposite the first vertical direction and perpendicular to a horizontal direction.

14. The solar module carrier device of claim 13 , wherein the vertical channel has a resting depth of 14 millimeters to 22 millimeters.

15. The solar module carrier device of claim 13 , wherein the attachment interface is configured for coupling to a rope or a hook.

16. The solar module carrier device of claim 13 , wherein the anti-slip device is configured to limit movement of the portion of the frame of the solar module positioned in the vertical channel in the horizontal direction.

17. The solar module carrier device of claim 13 , wherein the attachment interface and the at least one attachment device comprise a single piece of continuous material.

18. A solar module lift system, comprising:
a solar module lifting device including:
a handle;
at least one attachment device coupled to the handle and configured to couple to a solar module, wherein the at least one attachment device includes a channel for receiving a portion of a frame of the solar module; and
an anti-slip device located at a bottom of the channel and configured to penetrate at least a portion of an edge of the frame of the solar module;

a pulley; and
a rope coupled to the pulley and including one end coupled to the solar module lifting device, wherein the rope includes a first section extending from the pulley toward the ground and a second section extending from the pulley to the solar module lifting device.

19. The solar module lift system of claim 18 , wherein a weight of the solar module lifting device is greater than a weight of the first section of the rope.

Assignees

• Fluke Corp

Inventors

• McCall Mark Spurgeon
• Macdonald Willard
• Hasebe Kunio
• Jungerman Roger L

Classifications

• A45F5/102

  with means, e.g. a hook, receiving a carrying element of the hand article to be carried · CPC title

• B65G49/061

  Lifting, gripping, or carrying means, for one or more sheets forming independent means of transport, e.g. suction cups, transport frames (suction means as load-engaging elements attached to the lifting or lowering gear of cranes B66C1/02; suction cups for attaching purposes F16B47/00; suction cups on gripping heads B25J15/0616; suction cups in general B65G47/91; suction cups combined with cutting means on vertical conveyors C03B33/00 - C03B33/10; devices for turning sheets B65G49/067; suspending devices B65G49/066) · CPC title

• B65G2201/022

  Flat · CPC title

• B65G7/12 Primary

  Load carriers, e.g. hooks, slings, harness, gloves, modified for load carrying · CPC title

• A45F2003/001

  Accessories · CPC title