Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02719628 2010-11-01
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to solar panel systems, and in particular to a support
system for
supporting such solar panels on a surface , such as a sloping roof for
example.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well understood that solar panels are usually erected either at a
location on sloping
surfaces or rooftops, at an angle which is hoped to be optimal with regard to
the
movement of the sun at the latitude of the location. It is desirable that such
solar
panels shall be supported on a prefabricated framework in which the framework
can be
first of all, fastened to the base surface whether it is a roof of a building
or some other
angled deck or surface. The solar panels are then attached on such framework.
This
raises the solar panels themselves away from the surface, so that
precipitation can flow
down the without interfering with the panels. In addition, electrical
harnesses can be
connected to the panels and supported on the framework free of contact with
the deck
or roof. Servicing of the panels is greatly facilitated by this system, since
panels can
be individually accessed, removed and replaced as desired.
In the past, such frameworks have usually consisted of a plurality of metal
rails. The
metal rails were secured on upright supports for example to the roof, and they
were
arranged in parallel lines, extending from side to side across the roof, in
most cases,
2 being spaced apart by distances appropriate to the size of the panels. The
panels were
then attached to the metal rails.
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It has been known to provide the metal rails with various grooves and other
formations
to which support posts can be attached to hold them on the roof, and enabling
the
attachment devices to hold the solar panels to be attached to the rails.
The manufacture and installation of such metal rails constitutes a significant
expense in
the erection of solar panels. Generally the metal must be aluminum, to be free
of
corrosion, although other corrosion free metals may be used. Aluminum is also
relatively easy to extrude in elongated rails. The use of aluminum represents
in itself a
considerable cost for the base material, and support rails made of aluminum
represent
a considerable weight which must be bourne on the roof. In addition, aluminum
is
known to be subject to weathering unless it is provided with some kind of
surface finish
such as anodizing. Such weathering can result in deposits of aluminum being
carried
off the aluminum rails by precipitation for example, and deposited on the
roof. This
may create unsightly streaks and patches on the surface of the roof, or even
damage.
All of this is clearly undesirable, but in the past it has been more or less
standard
practice. An example of such metal support rails is shown in US Letters Patent
No
6,105,316 Inventors: Bottger et al.; Granted: August 22nd, 2000;
Clearly it is desirable to both reduce the cost of the raw material of the
rails, and to
reduce the weight of the rails, and to eliminate weathering, and unsightly
deposits on
the roof.
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With a view to achieving these various objectives, the invention provides a
solar panel
support system, comprising a plurality of extruded thermo plastic rails, and a
plurality of
channels formed along such rails, and a plurality of mounting legs, and
attachment
devices for attaching the mounting legs to the channels in such rails.
Preferably, the channels will be generally of rectangular shape, and define
inwardly
extending channel walls defining between them a slot along the rails.
Preferably the attachment devices will be in the form of threaded attachment
devices
having heads with generally planar surfaces, for engaging and non rotatively
locking the
threaded attachment devices in the respective channels.
Preferably the attachment legs will be in the form of generally L-shaped
members,
having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, and the horizontal portion
being
attachable to a support surface, and the vertical portion being attachable to
the rails.
Preferably, there will be a plurality of attachment clips, for attaching solar
panels to such
rails, and the attachment brackets will comprise a generally vertical portion,
a lower
horizontal locking sliding portion, and an upper horizontal attachment
portion, preferably
the lower sliding portion will comprise the generally Tee formation having a
stem, and a
head transverse to the stem, and wherein the head is slidably receivable in
the
channels.
Preferably, the vertical portions of the attachment brackets will be of pre-
determined
first height, and the upper attachment portions will be located in a plane
below the edge
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of the support rails, whereby when the attachment brackets are tightened up
against
the solar panels, the attachment brackets will make a frictional binding
engagement
within their respective channels.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed
out with
more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a
better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific
objects
attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred
embodiments
of the invention.
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IN THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a typical solar panel installation
on a sloping
surface such as a roof;
Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of a portion of a solar panel and a
thermo plastic
support bar, forming part of the supporting system of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the support system, and ;
Figure 4 is a perspective of an alternate connection;
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DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT
As described above, the invention seeks to provide an improved form of support
system
for supporting solar panels on a sloping surface such as a roof. For the
purposes of this
description, reference will be made to roof, although it will be understood
that this is not
exclusive and the sloping surface may be any form of sloping support which may
be
erected specifically to support solar panels themselves, or any other sloping
structure.
The term solar panel when used herein is used to describe any typical solar
panel of
which a great variety are known in the art and others which may be developed ,
and
require no specific description. Generally speaking they are rectangular, and
have a
glass or plastic surface facing the sun, and a variety of solar responsive
devices and
circuits within the panels, for responding to the suns rays and generating
electricity.
As shown in Figure 1, shows a group of solar panels (P) supported at an angle
on an
angled surface (S). Typically the surface (S) will be a roof of some structure
. In this
case it is shown as the roof of a small building or house. The invention
provides a
solar panel support system for such panels, having a plurality of extruded
thermo plastic
rails (10). The rails (10) are shown in more detail in figures 2 and 3. Each
of the rails
(10) have a plurality of channels formed along such rails (10). A first lower
channel (12)
is provided on one side of a rail (10) . The first channel (12) is of
generally rectangular
shape, having a narrow mouth, extending out to one side of rail (10).
A second channel (14) is provided on the rail (10), on the opposite side from
first
channel (12) . Second channel (14) is of the same shape as the first channel
(12) and
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defines a narrow open mouth.
Along the upper edge of the rail, a generally Tee-shaped formation (16) is
formed .
Within the T-shaped formation (16), a third channel (18) is provided. Channel
(18)
defines an open mouth. It will be seen that the first channel (12) extends to
one side of
the rail. The second channel (14) extends to the opposite side of the rail.
The third
channel (18) extends directed vertically upwardly.
Each of the channels (12) (14) (18) are of the same internal dimensions in
this
embodiment, for reasons to be described below.
In order to support the rails, there is a plurality of attachment brackets
(20) provided for
attaching to the first channels (12) in such rails (10) .
The vertical portions (22) of the attachment brackets (20) will be of pre-
determined first
height, located in a plane below the edge of the support rails (10).
The attachment brackets (20) are in the form of generally L-shaped members,
having a
vertical portion (22) and a horizontal portion (24) . The horizontal portion
(24) is
attachable to a support surface (S). The vertical portion (22) is attachable
to the rails
(10) . Slots (26) are formed in portions (22).
Attachment devices are provided in the form of threaded devices having heads
(28)
with generally planar surfaces (30) , for engaging and non rotatively holding
the
threaded attachment devices in the respective channels.
When the attachment devices (26) are tightened up, the attachment brackets
(20) will
make a frictional binding engagement within their respective channels.
In order to attach the solar panels (p) to the rails (10) there are a
plurality of attachment
slides (32) , for attaching solar panels (p) to such rails (10). The
attachment slides
(32) comprise a generally vertical portion (34) , and an upper horizontal
attachment
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portion (38). A lower sliding portion comprises a generally Tee-formation
having a
stem (40) , and a head (42) transverse to the stem (40). The head (42) is
slidably
receivable in the second channels (14).
In many cases, the solar panels (p) will be provided with a plurality of
threaded
recesses (not shown). Bolts (44) will be provided for passing through holes
(46) in
attachment slides (32) and securing them on the underside of the solar panels
(p).
By tightening up the bolts against the solar panels, the solar panels will be
drawn down
firmly against the upper surface of the Tee-shaped portion (16) of the rail
(10) and this
will have the effect of binding the stem (40) and head (42) of the attachment
slides
within its corresponding second channel (14).
It will be appreciated that the dimension of the vertical portion (34) of the
attachment
slides will be slightly less that the distance from the second channel (14) to
the upper
surface of the Tee-shaped portion (16) of the rail (10).
This will ensure that the bolt (44) may be tightened up, this causing the stem
(40) and
head (42) to bind in the second channel (14).
In some cases however, it may be desirable to use solar panels without such
threaded
recesses. In this case, a separate attachment channel (50) , shown in Figure 4
may be
used. The attachment channel (50) will be of generally hat-shape in section,
and
provide two locking flanges (52) , for engaging the edges of solar panels on
either side.
Such hat-shaped attachments may be attached to the third channel (18) of the
rail, by
threaded fastenings such as bolt (26) .
The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
which is given
here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to
any of the
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specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as
come
within the scope of the appended claims.
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