Bracing assembly

• US 9,774,293 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2015
• Issued: 09/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Engie Services US Incorporated (ENGIE SA)
• Original Assignee: Opterra Energy Services, Inc. (ENGIE SA)
• Inventors: Hamilton, Collin
• Primary Examiner(s): Liu, Jonathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Morris, Taylor
• Application Number:
  US14/871,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20160248372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 24829511, 2482184, 24822021, 248145, 2482273, 2482274, 2482281, 2481221, 2482191, 2482194, 521272, 52677, 521733, 136251, 136245
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/012 Foldable support elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/013 Stackable support elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/018 Means for preventing movements, e.g. stops
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2030/115 Linear actuators, e.g. pneumatic cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2030/16 Hinged elements; Pin connections
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/12 using posts in combination with upper profiles
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/61 for fixing to the ground or to building structures
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/632 Side connectors; Base connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/65 for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/70 with means for adjusting the final position or orientation of supporting elements in relation to each other or to a mounting surface; with means for compensating mounting tolerances
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/10 Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground H02S20/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/20 Collapsible or foldable PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

The invention includes a solar canopy a brace assembly for stabilizing a foldable solar canopy structure including: a first brace clamp comprising a first U-shaped body removable attached to a flat body; a second brace clamp comprising a second U-shaped body removable attached to a flat body, wherein the second brace clamp is adapted to encircle and securely attach to a beam and wherein the first brace clamp is removably attached on one side to the second brace clamp at one side; a third brace clamp comprising a third U-shaped body removable attached to a flat body; and a strut member for attaching the third brace clamp to the second brace claim, removably attached at one end to a side of the third brace clamp at on the opposing end to the side of the second brace clamp opposite the side attached to the first brace clamp, thereby forming a linear assembly.

Claims

1. A brace assembly for stabilizing a foldable solar canopy structure comprising:

a. a first brace clamp comprising a first U-shaped body comprised of first and second planar sides each joined to a third planar side, an open end of the first U-shaped body removably attached to an indented cover plate, wherein the first brace clamp is adapted to encircle and securely attach to a first beam, and wherein the first brace clamp further comprises mating flanges located on the first planar side of the first brace clamp, the mating flanges having eyes;

b. a second brace clamp comprising a second U-shaped body comprised of first and second planar sides each joined to a third planar side, an open end of the second U-shaped body removably attached to a first flat body, wherein the second brace clamp is adapted to encircle and securely attach to a second beam, and wherein the second brace clamp further comprises attachment flanges located on the first planar side of the second brace clamp, the attachment flanges having eyes;

c. a pin passing through the eyes of the mating flanges and the attachment flanges to join the first and second brace clamps together;

d. a third brace clamp comprising a third U-shaped body comprised of first and second planar sides each joined to a planar side, an open end of the third U-shaped body removably attached to a second flat body, wherein the third brace clamp is adapted to encircle and securely attach to a third beam or column; and

e. a strut member removably attached to the first planar side of the third brace clamp and to the second planar side of the second brace clamp, thereby forming a linear assembly.

2. The brace assembly of claim 1, wherein the strut member comprises a shock absorber for absorbing shock during transport of the foldable solar canopy.