Solar panel roof surface
First Claim
1. A solar panel roof surface comprisinga roof support substructure having a series of parallel hollow support beams extending downwardly from a roof peak to a roof edge;
- a series of solar panels secured to and cooperating with said series of parallel hollow support beams to collectively define a closed sloped roof surface;
said series of solar panels being positioned and supported to define elongate segments of abutting panels where each elongate segment includes a plurality of abutting panels with said elongate segment being one panel wide and supported by adjacent hollow support beams; and
wherein said abutting panels include a water resistant sealing arrangement between panels whereby water on said panels flows along the length of said elongate segments and across abutting panels to said roof edge; and
whereinsaid series of hollow support beams include a top surface including a central upwardly opening securing slot positioned between said elongate segments and panel segment support surfaces on said top surface either side of said securing slot supporting edges of said solar panels and at least one drainage channel in said top surface and extending the length of the support beam for draining of water received in said channel to said roof edge; and
a series of fasteners received in said upwardly opening securing slot that engage said slot and cooperate with an upper flanged member to draw said upper flanged member downward pressing said panels against said top surface of said elongate support beams with sufficient pressure to secure said panels to said support beams.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A solar panel roof surface effectively uses solar panels supported by an open roof support substructure having a series of parallel hollow support beams. These hollow beams support the solar panels on a top surface and accommodate drainage along the beams. The solar panels are secured to an upper surface of the hollow support beams and in combination therewith define a closed sloped roof surface. The series of solar panels are positioned on the beams to define elongate segments of abutting panels. The abutting panels include a sealing arrangement between panels to allow flow of water along the length of the elongate segments. The hollow support beams include a top surface with a central securing slot positioned between panel segments and panel segment support surfaces either side of said securing slot for supporting edges of the solar panels. Fasteners engage the securing slot and the upper edge of the panels to secure the panels to the upper surface of the support beams.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A solar panel roof surface comprising
a roof support substructure having a series of parallel hollow support beams extending downwardly from a roof peak to a roof edge; -
a series of solar panels secured to and cooperating with said series of parallel hollow support beams to collectively define a closed sloped roof surface; said series of solar panels being positioned and supported to define elongate segments of abutting panels where each elongate segment includes a plurality of abutting panels with said elongate segment being one panel wide and supported by adjacent hollow support beams; and
wherein said abutting panels include a water resistant sealing arrangement between panels whereby water on said panels flows along the length of said elongate segments and across abutting panels to said roof edge; and
whereinsaid series of hollow support beams include a top surface including a central upwardly opening securing slot positioned between said elongate segments and panel segment support surfaces on said top surface either side of said securing slot supporting edges of said solar panels and at least one drainage channel in said top surface and extending the length of the support beam for draining of water received in said channel to said roof edge; and a series of fasteners received in said upwardly opening securing slot that engage said slot and cooperate with an upper flanged member to draw said upper flanged member downward pressing said panels against said top surface of said elongate support beams with sufficient pressure to secure said panels to said support beams. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification