Apparatus for Securing a Solar Panel Rail Guide to a Support Bracket

• US 20170063300A1
• Filed: 08/31/2016
• Published: 03/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ironridge Incorporated (Esdec B.V.)
• Original Assignee: Ironridge Incorporated (Esdec B.V.)
• Inventors: Ash, Jon
• Granted Patent: US 9,819,303 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/61 for fixing to the ground or to building structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a support bracket to rail guide used for mounting and installing solar panels is provided. More specifically, the assembly provides a novel and improved nut with a serrated surface in combination with a t-bolt with a serrated surface that is capable of penetrating the respective oxidation surface layers of the bracket and the rail guide when installed. When installed, provides a mechanism for using the bracket to connect the rail guide to a flashing that is typically installed on a roof. By employing the apparatus at various locations along the roof in a linear fashion, the rail support structure can be properly installed so that an array of solar panel modules to be installed.

Claims

1. A clamping apparatus for facilitating the completion of an electrical circuit between a solar panel rail guide and a support bracket comprising:

a. a bolt comprising;

i. an enlarged end comprising at least one raised portion on a top surface of the enlarged end for penetrating a surface treatment layer of the solar panel rail guide;

ii. a shank having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is coupled to the top surface of the enlarged so that the shank is perpendicular to the enlarged end;

b. a nut comprising at least one serration on a bottom side of the nut for penetrating a surface treatment layer of the support bracket and the nut being coupled to the second end of the shank through an opening on the bottom side;

c. and the enlarged end is insertable in a first orientation along a length of the solar panel rail guide and rotatable to a second orientation such that the enlarged end engages the rail support guide.

2. The clamping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shank is threaded.

3. The clamping apparatus of claim 2 where in the opening on the bottom side of the nut is threaded and adapted to engage the threaded shank by rotating the nut around the threaded shank.

4. The clamping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the nut further comprises a gripping structure on a top side of the nut.

5. The clamping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support bracket is a substantially L-shaped bracket.

6. An assembly for facilitating the completion of an electrical circuit between a first and second object comprising:

a. a solar panel rail guide comprising;

i. a slot comprising;

an opening along its length and;

a surface treatment layer;

b. a support bracket comprising;

i. an aperture and;

ii. a surface treatment layer;

c. a bolt comprising;

i. an enlarged end comprising at least one raised portion on a top surface of the enlarged end for penetrating the surface treatment layer of the slot of the solar panel rail guide;

ii. a shank having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is coupled to the top surface of the enlarged so that the shank is perpendicular to the enlarged end;

d. a nut comprising at least one serration on a bottom side of the nut for penetrating the surface treatment layer of the support bracket and the nut being coupled to the second end of the shank through an opening on the bottom side;

e. the enlarged end being insertable in a first orientation through the opening along the length of the solar panel rail guide and rotatable to a second orientation such that the enlarged end engages the rail support guide.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the shank is threaded.

8. The assembly of claim 7 where in the opening on the bottom side of the nut is threaded and adapted to engage the threaded shank by rotating the nut around the threaded shank.

9. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the nut further comprises a gripping structure on a top side of the nut.

10. A method of installing a solar panel rail guide to a support structure comprising the steps of:

a. Inserting an enlarged end of a bolt into an opening of a slot along a length of a solar panel rail guide wherein the t-bolt further comprises a shank extending from the enlarged end;

b. coupling a nut to an end opposite the enlarged end of the bolt;

c. inserting a support bracket between the nut and the slot of the solar panel rail guide so that the shank fits through an opening of the support bracket;

d. rotating the nut so that the enlarged end rotates to a position substantially perpendicular to the opening of the slot and engages the slot;

e. continuing to rotate the nut until at least one serration on a bottom surface of the nut penetrates a surface oxidation layer of the support bracket and at least one raised portion on a top surface of the enlarged end penetrates a surface oxidation layer of the slot and creates an electrical grounding path between the solar panel rail guide and the support bracket.