Photovoltaic panel support assembly
First Claim
1. A support assembly for mounting an array of photovoltaic panels, said assembly comprising:
- a plurality of front posts to support one portion of the array of panels, each of said front posts having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading of about at least twenty-one (21) pounds per square foot on said array of photovoltaic panels, and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion;
a plurality of rear posts, each of said rear posts having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading of about at least twenty-one (21)pounds per square foot on said array of photovoltaic panels, and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion;
a front horizontal support affixable to each of said front post leg portions; and
a rear horizontal support affixable to each of said rear post leg portions, at least one of said front or rear horizontal supports having means for mounting the photovoltaic panels thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided is a support assembly for mounting an array of photovoltaic panels to a support surface such as the ground. According to the invention, there is provided a plurality of front and rear support posts, each post having an anchor portion to be driven into the support surface and a leg portion which is nested therein and longitudinally adjustable to raise or lower corresponding front and rear horizontal supports. Photovoltaic panels are mounted lengthwise across the horizontal supports in a predetermined position to minimize the stress thereon caused by wind load. The horizontal supports further comprise wiring raceways to support wiring harnesses originating from the photovoltaic panels and terminating at the end of each row of photovoltaic panels in the array.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A support assembly for mounting an array of photovoltaic panels, said assembly comprising:
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a plurality of front posts to support one portion of the array of panels, each of said front posts having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading of about at least twenty-one (21) pounds per square foot on said array of photovoltaic panels, and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; a plurality of rear posts, each of said rear posts having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading of about at least twenty-one (21)pounds per square foot on said array of photovoltaic panels, and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; a front horizontal support affixable to each of said front post leg portions; and a rear horizontal support affixable to each of said rear post leg portions, at least one of said front or rear horizontal supports having means for mounting the photovoltaic panels thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A support assembly for mounting an array of photovoltaic panels adapted to be connected to electrical wiring, said assembly comprising:
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a plurality of front posts, each of said front posts having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading of about at least twenty-one (21) pounds per square foot on said array of photovoltaic panels, and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; a plurality of rear posts, each of said rear posts having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading of about at twenty-one (21) pounds per square foot on said array of photovoltaic panels and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; a front horizontal support affixable to each of said front post leg portions; and a rear horizontal support affixable to each of said rear post leg portions, at least one of said front or rear horizontal supports having means for mounting the photovoltaic panels thereto and further defining a raceway sufficient to receive said electrical wiring. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A support assembly for mounting photovoltaic panels, said assembly comprising:
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at least one front post having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading of about at least twenty-one (21) pounds per square foot on said photovoltaic panels and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; at least one rear post having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading of about at least twenty-one (21) pounds per square foot on said photovoltaic panels and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; at least one horizontal support member affixable to said at least one front post leg portion and said at least one rear post leg portion, said at least one horizontal support member having means for mounting the photovoltaic panels thereto. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A support assembly for mounting photovoltaic panels adapted to be connected to electrical wiring, said assembly comprising:
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at least one front post having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading to about at least twenty-one (21) pounds per square foot on said photovoltaic panels and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; at least one rear post having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading of about at least twenty-one (21) pounds per square foot on said photovoltaic panels and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; at least one horizontal support member affixable to said at least one front post leg portion and said at least one rear post leg portion, said at least one horizontal support member having means for mounting the photovoltaic panels thereto and further defining a raceway sufficient to receive said electrical wiring. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A support assembly for mounting an array of photovoltaic panels adapted to be connected to electrical wiring, said assembly comprising:
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a plurality of front posts, each of said front posts having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading on said array of photovoltaic panels, and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; a plurality of rear posts, each of said rear posts having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading on said array of photovoltaic panels and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; a front horizontal support affixable to each of said front post leg portions; and a rear horizontal support affixable to each of said rear post leg portions, at least one of said front or rear horizontal supports having means for mounting the photovoltaic panels thereof, and further defining a C-shaped raceway sufficient to receive said electrical wiring.
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48. A support assembly for mounting photovoltaic panels adapted to be connected to electrical wiring, said assembly comprising:
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at least one front post having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading on said photovoltaic panels and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; at least one rear post having an outer anchor portion configured to be driven sufficiently into a ground mass to resist removal therefrom during wind loading on said photovoltaic panels and an inner leg portion telescopically cooperating with said outer anchor portion; at least one horizontal support member affixable to said at least one front post leg portion and said at least one rear post leg portion, said at least one horizontal support member having means for mounting the photovoltaic panels thereto and further defining a C-shaped raceway sufficient to receive said electrical wiring.
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Specification