Spring clip

• US 8,839,573 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2012
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Northern States Metals
• Original Assignee: Northern States Metals
• Inventors: Cusson, Paul R., Greenamyer, Michael G., Nobile, Joseph A., Kilar, Thomas P. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Nkeisha
• Application Number:
  US13/367,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20120205508A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 248/231.81, 248/346.03, 248/346.04, 248/500, 521/733, 524/60, 524/64, 524/67, 524/68, 525/060.6, 522/203, 524/80, 524/831, 526/68, 526/69, 522/00, 527/304, 527/311, 527/315.4, 136/244, 136/251, 136/259, 126/621
• US Class Current: 52/173.3
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0635 fastened over the edges of the sheets or plates
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/12 using posts in combination with upper profiles
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/636 clamping by screw-threaded elements
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/10 Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground H02S20/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/30 Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• 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

A panel array support assembly has lower support joists supporting varied panel rails, to which are connected panel holding device or clips. The panel clips are spring-based and configured so that the length of each clip extends in a direction along the length of the panel rails. The panels are supported well inside of the edges extending in the same direction as the panel rails.

Claims

1. A bi-directional panel support array including a plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips holding at least one external panel to a plurality of upper panel rails, each rail having a single planar upper surface with a plurality of discrete apertures, each aperture is sized to accommodate a through connector, said plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips being spaced along a perimeter of said at least one panel, at least one said separate, individually attachable panel clip comprising:

a) a base structure having a horizontal support extending along a length of the upper surface of one of said upper panel rails, wherein said base structure further comprises a pair of substantially parallel legs, each leg extending across a width of said upper surface of said upper panel rail;

b) a first upright structure extending perpendicularly from said base structure and having a distal end;

c) a first perpendicular holding structure extending from said distal end of said upright structure holding the at least one panel;

d) a spring structure comprising at least a resilient bushing, the spring structure being positioned on and above said base structure to exert a force on the at least one panel when held by said panel clip; and

, wherein

e) said horizontal support that extends along the upper surface of said upper panel rail contains a first single discrete aperture, and said resilient bushing comprising a second single discrete aperture arranged to complement said first single discrete aperture in said horizontal support and configured so that a first through connector is positioned through both said first and second discrete apertures holding said panel clip to said upper surface of said upper panel rail through a third single discrete aperture in said upper panel rail.

2. The array of claim 1, wherein said at least one external panel is a solar panel.

3. The array of claim 2, wherein said at least one panel clip secures the solar panel so that at least two corners of said at least one external panel extend beyond adjacent upper panel rails.

4. A bi-directional panel support array including a plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips holding at least one panel to a plurality of upper panel rails by using said plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips spaced along a perimeter of said at least one panel, at least one said individually attachable panel clip comprising:

a) a base structure having a horizontal support extending along a length of an upper surface of one of said upper panel rails, a pair of substantially parallel legs extending perpendicularly from said horizontal support and across a width of said upper surface of one of said upper panel rails;

b) at least one upright structure extending perpendicular from said horizontal support, said upright structure having a distal end opposite said horizontal support;

c) at least one perpendicular holding structure extending horizontally from said distal end of said upright structure applying a spring-generated pressure by a spring structure against said at least one panel when held by said at least one said individually attachable panel clip; and

, wherein

d) said spring structure comprises a resilient portion arranged beneath said base structure, said spring structure extending along the length of one of said upper panel rails, interfacing with said base structure when the at least one said individually attachable panel clip is connected to the upper surface of one of said upper panel rails, said spring structure further comprising a flexible ridge across a width of said resilient portion, said flexible ridge applying pressure against said at least one panel, and two legs with each leg extending on an opposite side of one of said upper panel rails.

5. The array of claim 4, further comprising a through connector with a spacer.

6. The array of claim 5, further comprising a split lock washer around said connector.

7. A bi-directional panel support array including a plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips holding at least one solar panel to a plurality of upper panel rails by using said plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips spaced along a perimeter of said at least one solar panel, each said panel clip comprising:

a) a base structure having a horizontal support extending along an upper surface of one of said upper panel rails;

b) at least one upright structure extending perpendicular from said horizontal support, said upright structure having a distal end opposite said horizontal support;

c) at least one perpendicular holding structure extending from said distal end of said upright structure and applying a spring-generated pressure against said solar panel when held by said panel clip;

d) a spring component arranged in contact with said base structure, said spring component having a resilient bushing with aperture; and

, wherein,

e) a pass-through connector includes a spacer extending through said aperture of the resilient bushing thereby holding the horizontal support and said spring component together when the panel clip is connected to said one of said upper panel rails via a single discrete aperture in said one of said upper panel rails.

8. The array of claim 7, wherein said resilient bushing comprises a split lock washer.

9. The array of claim 7, wherein said base structure further comprises two substantially parallel support legs extending perpendicular to said horizontal support and across a width of said upper surface of one of said upper panel rails.