SANDWICH WEDGE CLAMP FOR FASTENING A SOLAR PANEL

• US 20120201601A1
• Filed: 02/09/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dynoraxx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Solar Liberty Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Rizzo, Nathan
• Application Number:
  US13/369,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20120201601A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/409.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/02 with conical parts
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6008 by using toothed elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/632 Side connectors; Base connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/76 having a cam, wedge, or tapered portion

Abstract

The present invention includes a solar panel mount. The solar panel mount comprises a mounting surface such as a base or a rail. The rail has a generally elongated clamp plate attached to the rail proximal to a first end and having a clamp pad proximal to a second end. There is a wedge plate pivotally connected to the rail proximal to a first end of the wedge plate. The wedge plate is attached between the rail and the generally elongated clamp plate. The wedge plate is pivotal from a disengaged position to a clamping position. The clamping position is the position of the wedge where the wedge head is between the clamp plate and the rail. In another embodiment, the mount is configured to support a solar panel having a flange that is clamped between the clamp pad and the rail.

Claims

9-1. A method of mounting a solar panel, comprising:

providing a solar panel of the type having a frame around the solar panel and a flange on the frame beneath the solar panel;

providing a solar panel mount of claim 1;

placing the flange between the clamp plate and the rail; and

moving the wedge plate from the disengaged position to the clamping position.

10-2. A method of mounting a solar panel, comprising:

providing a solar panel of the type having a frame around the solar panel and a flange on the frame beneath the solar panel;

providing a solar panel mount of claim 3;

sliding the clamp plate along the channel to position the clamp plate over the flange; and

moving the wedge plate from the disengaged position to the clamping position.

11. A framed object mount, comprising:

a supporting surface;

a generally elongated clamp plate attached to the surface proximal to a first end and having a clamp pad proximal to a second end; and

a wedge plate pivotally connected to the surface proximal to a first end of the wedge head between the surface and the generally elongated clamp plate, the wedge plate is pivotal from a disengage position to a clamping position that positions the wedge head between the clamp plate and the surface.

12. The mount of claim 11, wherein there is configured to support a framed object having a flange that is clamped between the clamp pad and the surface.

13. The mount of claim 11, wherein clamp plate and the wedge plate are slidably attached to surface by at least one pin that is slidable within a channel in the surface.

14. The mount of claim 11, wherein the clamp plate is generally bow shaped defining an apex having a predetermined height between the first end of the clamp plate and the clamp pad, the clamp plate is affixed proximal the first end by a first pin and a second pin proximal the apex.

15. The mount of claim 14, wherein the effective length of the first pin and second pin as well as the apex height are predetermined to create a distance between the clamp plate and the surface that is less than the wedge plate.

16. The mount of claim 14, wherein the first pin and second pin are rivets.

17. The mount of claim 11, wherein the wedge plate has a bevel edge on the side that engages the surface and a thumb pad on the opposite side of the surface.

18. The mount of claim 14, wherein the distance between the clamp plate and the surface creates a clamping force that enables the wedge plate to be pivoted into the clamping position manually, but is sufficiently strong to secure the plate to the surface.

19. A method of mounting a framed object, comprising:

providing a framed object of the type having a frame around the framed object and a flange on the frame beneath the framed object;

providing a framed object mount of claim 11;

placing the flange between the clamp plate and the surface; and

moving the wedge plate from the disengaged position to the clamping position.

20. A method of mounting a framed object, comprising:

providing a framed object of the type having a frame around the framed object and a flange on the frame beneath the framed object;

providing a framed object mount of claim 13;

sliding the clamp plate along the channel to position the clamp plate over the flange; and

moving the wedge plate from the disengaged position to the clamping position.