Mounting bracket for solar panel applications
First Claim
1. A bracket, comprising:
- first, second and third planar portions oriented along a bracket longitudinal axis;
the first planar portion having first and second ends and an upper surface defining a first plane, the first planar portion further having a plurality of elongated stiffening members with longitudinal axes oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the bracket longitudinal axis;
the second planar portion having first and second ends and an upper surface defining a second plane; and
the third planar portion having first and second ends and an upper surface defining a third plane;
wherein the second end of the first planar portion is connected to the first end of the second planar portion, and the second end of the second planar portion is connected to the first end of the third planar portion such that the first and third planes are substantially parallel and the second plane is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the first and third planes;
wherein the first and second planar portions further comprise first and second reinforcing members that span the connection between the first and second planar portions, the first and second reinforcing members having apices disposed above the upper surfaces of the first and second planar portions; and
wherein the second and third planar portions further comprise a third reinforcing member that spans the connection between the second and third planar portions, the third reinforcing member further having an apex disposed below the upper surfaces of the second and third planar portions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bracket is disclosed for attaching solar panels to roof structures. The bracket may comprise first, second and third planar portions, the first and third portions generally parallel to each other, and the second planar portion disposed at an oblique angle with respect to first and third portions. The first portion may have a plurality of elongated stiffening members disposed at oblique angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bracket. Gussets may be provided across the transition between the first and second portions, and the transition between the second and third portions. The gussets and stiffening members are shaped, sized and oriented to enhance the strength of the bracket. The bracket may have a drain hole to allow water to pass through the bracket, and a plurality of fastener holes are provided to enable the bracket to attach to a variety of different solar panels and roof structures.
77 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A bracket, comprising:
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first, second and third planar portions oriented along a bracket longitudinal axis; the first planar portion having first and second ends and an upper surface defining a first plane, the first planar portion further having a plurality of elongated stiffening members with longitudinal axes oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the bracket longitudinal axis; the second planar portion having first and second ends and an upper surface defining a second plane; and the third planar portion having first and second ends and an upper surface defining a third plane; wherein the second end of the first planar portion is connected to the first end of the second planar portion, and the second end of the second planar portion is connected to the first end of the third planar portion such that the first and third planes are substantially parallel and the second plane is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the first and third planes; wherein the first and second planar portions further comprise first and second reinforcing members that span the connection between the first and second planar portions, the first and second reinforcing members having apices disposed above the upper surfaces of the first and second planar portions; and wherein the second and third planar portions further comprise a third reinforcing member that spans the connection between the second and third planar portions, the third reinforcing member further having an apex disposed below the upper surfaces of the second and third planar portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A solar panel support system, comprising:
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a solar panel support grid; and a bracket comprising; first, second and third planar portions oriented along a bracket longitudinal axis; the first planar portion having first and second ends and an upper surface defining a first plane, the first planar portion further having a plurality of elongated stiffening members with longitudinal axes oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the bracket longitudinal axis; the second planar portion having first and second ends and an upper surface defining a second plane; and the third planar portion having first and second ends and an upper surface defining a third plane; wherein the second end of the first planar portion is connected to the first end of the second planar portion, and the second end of the second planar portion is connected to the first end of the third planar portion such that the first and third planes are substantially parallel and the second plane is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the first and third planes; wherein the first and second planar portions further comprise first and second reinforcing members that span the connection between the first and second planar portions, the first and second reinforcing members having apices disposed above the upper surfaces of the first and second planar portions; and wherein the second and third planar portions further comprise a third reinforcing member that spans the connection between the second and third planar portions, the third reinforcing member further having an apex disposed below the upper surfaces of the second and third planar portions; and wherein the third planar portion of the bracket is engaged with the solar panel support grid via fasteners disposed in the fastener holes of the third planar portion, and the first planar portion of the bracket is engaged with the roof structure via fasteners disposed in the fastener holes of the first planar portion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification