Module rail for a photovoltaic system
First Claim
1. A module rail for a photovoltaic system, the module rail having a length and a height, the module rail comprising:
- a module-supporting surface extending along the length of the module rail for supporting at least one photovoltaic module thereon;
a vertical sidewall extending downward from a side of the module-supporting surface and generally along the height of the module rail, wherein the sidewall has an inner surface partially defining an interior of the module rail, and outer surface partially defining an exterior of the module rail; and
fastener openings spaced apart from one another along the length of the rail, each of the fastener openings extending through the sidewall generally adjacent to a juncture of the module-supporting surface and the sidewall in a direction generally transverse to the height and the length of the module rail, wherein each of the fastener openings extends through the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall from the exterior to the interior of the module rail, wherein each of the fastener openings is configured to receive a clip fastener for securing a photovoltaic module on the module-supporting surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A module rail for a photovoltaic system includes a module-supporting surface extending along the length of the module rail for supporting at least one photovoltaic module thereon. A vertical sidewall extends downward from a side of the module-supporting surface. Fastener openings are spaced apart from one another along the length of the rail. Each of the fastener openings extend through the sidewall generally adjacent to a juncture of the module-supporting surface and the sidewall. Each of the fastener openings is configured to receive a clip fastener for securing a photovoltaic module on the module-supporting surface.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A module rail for a photovoltaic system, the module rail having a length and a height, the module rail comprising:
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a module-supporting surface extending along the length of the module rail for supporting at least one photovoltaic module thereon; a vertical sidewall extending downward from a side of the module-supporting surface and generally along the height of the module rail, wherein the sidewall has an inner surface partially defining an interior of the module rail, and outer surface partially defining an exterior of the module rail; and fastener openings spaced apart from one another along the length of the rail, each of the fastener openings extending through the sidewall generally adjacent to a juncture of the module-supporting surface and the sidewall in a direction generally transverse to the height and the length of the module rail, wherein each of the fastener openings extends through the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall from the exterior to the interior of the module rail, wherein each of the fastener openings is configured to receive a clip fastener for securing a photovoltaic module on the module-supporting surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A photovoltaic system comprising:
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a module rail having a length and comprising a module-supporting surface extending along the length of the module rail, a vertical sidewall extending downward from a side of the module-supporting surface and generally along the height of the module rail, and fastener openings spaced apart from one another along the length of the rail, each of the fastener openings extending through the sidewall generally adjacent to a juncture of the module-supporting surface and the sidewall in a direction generally transverse to the height and the length of the module rail; at least one photovoltaic module secured to the module rail, the photovoltaic module including a lower flange; and clip fasteners securing the at least one photovoltaic module to the module-supporting surface of the module rail, each clip fastener including upper and lower clip jaws partially defining a press-fit channel, wherein the lower clip jaw of each clip fastener is inserted into one of the fastener openings such that the module-supporting surface and the lower flange of the photovoltaic module are press-fit into the press-fit channel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A module rail for a photovoltaic system, the module rail having a length and a height, the module rail comprising:
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a module-supporting surface extending along the length of the module rail for supporting at least one photovoltaic module thereon; a vertical sidewall extending downward from a side of the module-supporting surface and generally along the height of the module rail; and fastener openings spaced apart from one another along the length of the rail, each of the fastener openings extending through the sidewall generally adjacent to a juncture of the module-supporting surface and the sidewall in a direction generally transverse to the height and the length of the module rail, wherein each of the fastener openings is configured to receive a clip fastener for securing a photovoltaic module on the module-supporting surface, wherein each of the fastener openings also extends through the module supporting surface.
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Specification