MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR SOLAR PANELS, AND MOUNTING RAIL AND ANCHORING DEVICE THEREFOR
First Claim
1. A mounting system for mounting one or more solar panels, the mounting system comprising:
- a plurality of elongate mounting members adapted to be arranged and secured spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another, wherein each of the mounting members is adapted to receive and support an edge region of a solar panel such that each solar panel extends between at least two mounting members; and
a plurality of anchoring devices for securing each of the mounting members to a support structure;
wherein each anchoring device comprises a footing adapted to be rigidly fastened to the support structure, and a coupling member for connection with a respective one of the mounting members, wherein a spacing between the coupling member and the footing is selectively variable by a user to adjust and/or set an elevation of the respective mounting member relative to the support structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one broad aspect, the present invention provides a mounting system (100) for mounting one or more solar panels (S), comprising: a plurality of elongate mounting members (20) adapted to be arranged and secured spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another; and a plurality of anchoring devices (30) for securing each of the mounting members (20) to a support structure, such as a roof structure. Each of the mounting members (20) is adapted to receive and support an edge region (E) of a solar panel (S), such that each solar panel (S) extends between at least two mounting members (20). Furthermore, each anchoring device (30) comprises a footing (31) to be rigidly fastened to the support structure, and a coupling member (35) for connection with a respective one of the mounting members (20). A spacing between the coupling member (35) and the footing (31) is selectively variable by a user to adjust and/or set an elevation (X) of the respective mounting member (20) relative to the support structure. In a related aspect, the invention provides a mounting rail (20) for the mounting system (100). In another related aspect, the invention also provides an anchoring device (30) for the mounting system (100).
31 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A mounting system for mounting one or more solar panels, the mounting system comprising:
-
a plurality of elongate mounting members adapted to be arranged and secured spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another, wherein each of the mounting members is adapted to receive and support an edge region of a solar panel such that each solar panel extends between at least two mounting members; and a plurality of anchoring devices for securing each of the mounting members to a support structure; wherein each anchoring device comprises a footing adapted to be rigidly fastened to the support structure, and a coupling member for connection with a respective one of the mounting members, wherein a spacing between the coupling member and the footing is selectively variable by a user to adjust and/or set an elevation of the respective mounting member relative to the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31)
-
-
7. A mounting rail for mounting a solar panel thereto, comprising:
-
an upper portion having at least one panel seating area which extends longitudinally of a mounting member for receiving and fixing an edge region of the solar panel; and a base portion having a longitudinally extending channel which opens downwardly to an underside of the mounting rail, the downwardly open channel being configured to receive a coupling member of an anchoring device for securing the mounting member to a support structure; wherein the downwardly open channel comprises one or more interconnection elements configured for snap-fit engagement with the coupling member of the anchoring device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 28, 30)
-
-
12. An anchoring device for securing a mounting rail of a solar panel (S) mounting system to a support structure, the anchoring device comprising:
-
a footing to be rigidly fastened to the support structure, and a coupling member for connection with the mounting rail, wherein the anchoring device comprises means for selectively varying a distance or spacing of the coupling member from the footing to at least one of adjust and set an elevation of the mounting member relative to the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. A mounting system for mounting one or more solar panels, the mounting system comprising:
-
a plurality of elongate mounting members adapted to be arranged and secured in longitudinal alignment with one another for supporting one or more solar panels thereon; and a plurality of anchoring devices for securing each of the mounting members to a support structure; wherein each of the elongate mounting members comprises; an upper portion adapted to receive and support an edge region of a solar panel, and a base portion configured for connection with one or more of the anchoring devices along substantially an entire length of the mounting member, wherein the base portion is at least one of longitudinally offset from and extending longitudinally beyond the upper portion, such that the base portion of the mounting member is configured to overlap with the base portion of a longitudinally adjacent or adjoining mounting member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 32)
-
-
20. A retaining element for preventing a solar panel from sliding in an axial or longitudinal direction relative to an elongate mounting member of a mounting system for mounting solar panels on an inclined structure, the retaining element comprising:
-
a body portion configured to be securely fastened to an axial end region of a first elongate mounting member, the body portion comprising a stop member having a stop surface for engagement with a peripheral edge of a solar panel mounted on the first mounting member, wherein the body portion includes positioning means configured to elevate the end region of the first mounting member relative to an adjacent end region of a second mounting member which is arranged in longitudinal alignment with the first mounting member. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 29)
-
Specification