Clamping system for mounting a solar panel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025030379-A1
Application number	US-202418787802-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 29, 2024
Priority date	Dec 18, 2020
Publication date	Jan 23, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A clamping system configured to clamp a photovoltaic module. The clamping system includes a base. A saddle is movably attached to the base to be moved between a first position, in which at least a portion of the saddle is raised compared to the base, and a second position, in which the at least the portion of the saddle is laid adjacent the base. A keeper is movably attached to the saddle such that the keeper catches the photovoltaic module against the saddle, during installation of the photovoltaic module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A clamping system configured to clamp a photovoltaic module, the clamping system comprising:
a base; a saddle movably attached to the base to be moved between a first position, in which at least a portion of the saddle is raised compared to the base, and a second position, in which the at least the portion of the saddle is laid adjacent the base; and a keeper movably attached to the saddle such that the keeper catches the photovoltaic module against the saddle, during installation of the photovoltaic module.

2 . The clamping system according to claim 1 , wherein the base includes:
a bar that extends in a first direction, and a pair of saddle attachment arms, spaced apart from each other, extending from an end of the bar in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction, and wherein the saddle is movable, via a pivoting action, in the space between the pair of the saddle attachment arms.

3 . The clamping system according to claim 1 , further comprising a fastener attached to the saddle to secure the keeper in a fixed position to clamp the photovoltaic module during the installation of the photovoltaic module.

4 . The clamping system according to claim 1 , wherein the base includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end,
wherein the saddle is a first saddle and the keeper is a first keeper, the first saddle and the first keeper being attached to the first end of the base, and wherein the clamping system further comprises:
a second saddle movably attached to the second end of the base, and
a second keeper movably attached to the second saddle.

5 . The clamping system according to claim 1 , wherein the base includes a bar having:
a first side to which the saddle is attached, and a second side including a pair of bracket members that extend away from the bar and are spaced apart such that a gap exists therebetween, the gap being sized to accommodate a rail therein.

6 . The clamping system according to claim 5 , wherein the bar further has an aperture through the bar and aligned with the gap between the pair of bracket members to accommodate a fastener therein.

7 . The clamping system according to claim 1 , wherein the base includes:
a bar defined, at least in part, by an elongated surface having a perimeter bounded by opposing side edges, and a pivot hinge point, between the base and the saddle, located above the elongated surface and disposed such that the saddle is movable via pivoting between the first position and the second position, wherein the saddle includes: a body that extends longitudinally, and a flange extending away from an end of the body, wherein, in the first position, the body of the saddle extends in a direction transverse to a direction of elongation of the bar, while a surface of the body of the saddle is substantially parallel with the elongated surface of the bar, and wherein, in the second position, the flange of the saddle extends in a direction transverse to the direction of elongation of the bar, while a surface of the flange of the saddle is one of substantially parallel or coplanar with the elongated surface of the bar.

8 . The clamping system according to claim 7 , wherein the flange of the saddle is a first flange and the end of the saddle is a first end,
wherein the saddle further includes a second flange extending away from a second end of the body, and wherein the second flange includes an aperture sized to accommodate a fastener therethrough, via which the clamping system locks into a secure position when securing the photovoltaic module.

9 . A clamping system for securing one or more photovoltaic (“PV”) modules, the clamping system comprising:
a base including an elongated bar having an aperture through a center thereof;
a first saddle attached to a first portion of the base, the first saddle having an L-shaped end whereon a first PV module of the one or more PV modules rests when installed;
a second saddle attached to a second portion of the base, the second saddle being aligned along the bar with the first saddle, and the second saddle having an L-shaped end whereon a second PV module of the one or more PV modules rests when installed;
a first keeper attached to the first saddle, the first keeper configured to catch the first PV module when installed and secure the first PV module against the first saddle; and
a second keeper attached to the second saddle, the second keeper configured to catch the second PV module when installed and secure the second PV module against the second saddle.

10 . The clamping system according to claim 9 , wherein the first saddle and the second saddle are attached to a first side of the bar, and
wherein the base further includes a pair of arms that extend from a second side of the bar that is opposite the first side of the bar, the pair of arms being adjacent the aperture on the bar.

11 . The clamping system according to claim 9 , wherein the first saddle and the second saddle are pivotally attached to the bar to be pivoted between an upright position and a laid-back position.

12 . The clamping system according to claim 9 , wherein the first keeper is attached to a main surface of the first saddle via a first fastener fixed such that the first keeper is rotatable in a plane that is parallel to the main surface of the first saddle, and
wherein the second keeper is attached to a main surface of the second saddle via a second fastener fixed such that the second keeper is rotatable in a plane that is parallel to the main surface of the second saddle.

13 . The clamping system according to claim 12 , wherein the first keeper includes:
a main body portion that is elongated, a first flange on a first end of the main body portion of the first keeper, and a second flange on a second end of the main body portion of the first keeper, wherein the second keeper includes: a main body portion that is elongated, a first flange on a first end of the main body portion of the second keeper, and a second flange on a second end of the main body portion of the second keeper, wherein, when the main body portion of the first keeper is rotated: the first flange of the first keeper is positioned adjacent the first PV module to catch the first PV module when installed, and the second flange of the first keeper is positioned adjacent a fastening portion of the first saddle, and wherein, when the main body portion of the second keeper is rotated: the second flange of the second keeper is positioned adjacent the second PV module to catch the second PV module when installed, and the second flange of the second keeper is positioned adjacent a fastening portion of the second saddle.

14 . The clamping system according to claim 9 , wherein the first saddle and the second saddle each further have a fastening portion at an end opposite the L-shaped ends thereof, respectively, and
wherein the respective fastening portions of the first saddle and the second saddle are actuated to engage and secure the first keeper and the second keeper, respectively, when moved to secure the first PV module and the second PV module, respectively.

15 . The clamping system according to claim 9 , wherein the first keeper is rotatable about an axis independently of movement of the first saddle, and
the second keeper is rotatable about an axis independently of movement of the second saddle.

16 . A clamping system for securing a photovoltaic module, the clamping system comprising:
a rail attachment member including:
an elongated bar having a first

Assignees

• Unirac Inc

Inventors

• Kauffman Chris
• Schuit Nathan

Classifications

• F16B2/12

  using sliding jaws · CPC title

• H02S20/22

  specially adapted for buildings · CPC title

• Y02E10/47

  Mountings or tracking · CPC title

• Y02E10/50

  Photovoltaic [PV] energy · CPC title

• H02S30/10 Primary

  Frame structures · CPC title