Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02823303 2013-08-07
UNIVERSAL PANEL CLAMP
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Traditional clamps often include mechanisms that allow the clamps to secure
devices having
varying sizes. For example, panel clamps that are used to secure panels to
framing members may
be adjustable to support panels having a number of different sizes. One
drawback with using
such a clamp is that the clamp may suffer from inadequate clamping force when
used to hold
panels having different sizes/thicknesses. As a result, the clamp may slip as
it is being tightened
or even fail after it is installed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a clamp consistent with an exemplary
implementation;
Fig. 2A is a side view of the clamp of Fig. 1;
Fig. 2B is an enlarged view of a portion of the clamp of Fig. 1 according to
an exemplary
implementation;
Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C are a top view, sectional view and bottom view,
respectively, of the clamp
of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the clamp of Fig. 1 securing a panel to a strut
channel member;
Fig. 5 is another isometric view of two clamps securing the panel of Fig. 4 to
the strut channel
member;
Fig. 6 is a side view of another exemplary clamp securing a panel to a strut
channel member; and
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp, panel and strut channel member
of Fig. 6.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The
same reference
numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also,
the following
detailed description does not limit the invention.
Embodiments described herein provide a clamp that may be used in combination
with a
structural member, such as a strut channel, to secure another member (e.g., a
panel or frame) to
the structural member. In an exemplary implementation, the clamp includes a
clamping surface
that includes grooves or teeth having different angles with respect to the
clamping surface. The
clamp also includes a mounting hole for a clamp screw or bolt that will be
connected to a clamp
nut. As the screw/bolt is tightened, the clamping surface contacts the panel
to achieve a very high
gripping force. The mounting hole and screw/bolt may also be located to ensure
that the clamp
does not move or slip off of the frame as the screw/bolt is tightened.
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary clamp 100 (also referred to as
panel clamp 100).
Panel clamp 100 may be an end panel clamp used to secure an end portion of a
member, such as
a solar panel, to a framing structure. Referring to Fig. 1, panel clamp 100
includes top
portion 110, side members 120 and 130 (also referred to as side portions 120
and 130) and
bottom member 140. In an exemplary implementation, the components illustrated
in Fig. 1 may
be fabricated out of metal, such as, aluminum, steel (e.g., galvanized steel),
or some other metal.
In other implementations, all or some of the components illustrated in Fig. 1
may be fabricated
using other materials, such as plastic or composite materials. In addition, in
an exemplary
implementation, top portion 110, side portions 120 and 130 and bottom portion
140 may be
formed as a unitary structure or as a single body, as opposed to being formed
from multiple
bodies, components or pieces.
Top portion 110 may be generally rectangular in shape and may include a
beveled top surface.
For example, portion 112 may angle from the top surface of top portion 110 at
one end of top
portion 110. The lower surface of portion 112 may include grooves 114 (also
referred to as
teeth 114) to facilitate gripping a structure that is to be clamped, such as a
solar panel or a frame
of a solar panel. The sidewalls of various ones of teeth 114 may be angled at
different angles to
enhance the gripping capability of clamp 100 with respect to a number of
different sized objects
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that may be secured by clamp 100, as described in detail below. Top portion
110 may also
include mounting hole or opening 116 that receives a clamp bolt or screw (not
shown). In an
exemplary implementation, mounting hole 116 may be located to aid clamp 100 in
achieving a
maximum clamping force, while also ensuring the clamp 100 does not slip, as
described in detail
below.
Side members 120 and 130 extend from top portion 110 and connect to bottom
portion 140. The
upper portion of side member 120 may extend from top portion at approximately
a 90 degree
angle. The lower portion of side member 120 may include an angled portion 122
that extends to
lower portion 140. In an exemplary implementation, angled portion 122 may
extend from the
upper portion of side member 120 at an angle ranging from about 40 degrees to
60 degrees
(e.g., 50 degrees). Side member 130 may extend from top portion 110 at
approximately a 90
degree angle. Side members 120 and 130 provide structural support to allow
panel clamp 100 to
achieve sufficient structural rigidity and strength.
Bottom portion 140 extends from side portion 130 at approximately a 90 degree
angle. Bottom
portion 140 may also include a semi-circular opening 142 to allow a clamp
screw (not shown) to
pass through clamp 100. For example, a clamp screw or threaded bolt may extend
through
mounting hole 116, down through opening 142 and connect to a framing support
member, as
described in detail below. Opening 142 may facilitate guiding the clamp
screw/bolt as it is being
tightened to ensure that clamp 100 remains properly positioned with respect to
a panel/frame that
is being clamped. In other implementations, opening 142 may have other shapes.
For example,
opening 142 may be circular and be contained completely within bottom portion
140.
Fig. 2A is a side view of clamp 100 of Fig. 1 consistent with an exemplary
implementation.
Referring to Fig. 2A, the center of mounting hole 116 in the axial direction
(represented by the
dashed line) may be located a distance A in the lateral direction from
face/wall 210 of upper
portion 110. Face 210 of upper portion 110 may abut the tooth 114 located
closest to mounting
hole 116. In an exemplary implementation, the distance A may range from
approximately 0.13
inches to 0.17 inches, based on the size of clamp 100. For example, in one
implementation in
which the overall length of top portion 110 (including portion 112) is about
1.4 inches, distance
A may be 0.14 inches. The location of mounting hole 116, and the clamp
bolt/screw that extends
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through mounting hole 116, with respect to face 210 may allow clamp 100 to
achieve a
maximum clamping power when clamp 100 is used to clamp components/members
having
varying thickness, while minimizing or eliminating the possibility that clamp
100 may slip as the
clamp bolt/screw is being tightened.
Taken collectively, teeth 114 may form a clamping surface that contacts a
member to be
clamped, such as a solar panel or a panel frame. In an exemplary
implementation, the sidewalls
of teeth 114 may have a number of different angles or angular profiles to
provide for increased
gripping strength for clamp 100. For example, in an exemplary implementation,
the angle of the
side walls of several teeth 114 located at the left or forward side of the
clamping surface
illustrated in Fig. 2A may have an angle of less than 45 degrees with respect
to the clamping
surface formed by the vertices or points of all of teeth 114, such as an angle
ranging from
about 25 degrees to 40 degrees (e.g., 35 degrees). Other ones of teeth 114,
such as the innermost
teeth 114 located closest to face 210 may have an angle of greater than 50
degrees with respect to
the clamping surface, such as an angle ranging from about 50 degrees to 70
degrees. Providing
the different angles/angular profiles for teeth 114 enhances the gripping
power of clamp 100 in
various directions with respect to the member being clamped, as described in
more detail below.
In addition, in one implementation, the clamping surface formed by teeth 114
(i.e., a plane that
connects the lower points or vertices of each tooth 114) may be angled with
respect to horizontal
surface 220 located on the lower side of upper portion 110, as described in
more detail below.
Angling the clamping surface in this manner also results in increased gripping
power for
clamp 100 with respect to the member being clamped.
Face 240 of lower portion 140 may include rounded corners, labeled 242 in Fig.
2A. In addition,
in an exemplary implementation, face 240 of lower portion 140 may not extend
beyond face 210
of upper portion 110. In one implementation, the lateral distance between face
240 and face 210,
labeled distance B in Fig. 2A, may be approximately 0.010 inches. In other
implementations,
distance B may be smaller or greater. In each case, the lateral location of
face 240 with respect to
face 210 ensures the proper alignment of clamp 100 with respect to the
structure to be secured by
clamp 100.
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In an exemplary implementation, the nose of angled portion 112, labeled 250 in
Fig. 2A may be
rounded. In addition, the distance between the outermost tooth 114 and surface
220, labeled C in
Fig. 2B, may range from 0.10 to 1.2 inches (e.g,, 0.94 inches). The distance C
may help ensure
that a panel being clamped is properly aligned and abuts face 210 when the
panel is being
secured. As described above, the clamping surface of clamp 100 formed by teeth
114 (located
within the area labeled 260 in Fig. 2A) is angled and includes teeth having
different angular
profiles to enhance the gripping force of clamp 100, as described in detail
below.
Fig. 2B illustrates an enlarged view of portion 260 of clamp 100. As described
above, the
clamping surface (represented by the dashed line labeled 280 in Fig. 2B)
formed by teeth 114
(labeled 1-7 in Fig. 2B) may be angled with respect to a lateral plane
parallel to surface 220. For
example, in one implementation, the angle of the clamping surface with respect
to a lateral plane
that is parallel to surface 220 (or parallel to the planar surface of top
portion 110), illustrated as
angle D in Fig. 2B, may range from approximately three degrees to five degrees
(e.g., four
degrees).
As described above, teeth 114 may also include side walls that are angled
differently from other
ones of teeth 114. For example, the angle of the left sidewall associated with
tooth 2, labeled
angle E in Fig. 2B, may range from approximately 30 degrees to 45 degrees. In
one
implementation, angle E may be approximately 35 degrees. In addition, in an
exemplary
implementation, the left sidewall of the first four teeth 114 labeled 1-4 in
Fig. 2B, may have the
same angle (e.g., 35 degrees) with respect to clamping surface 280. The right
sidewall of each of
teeth 1-4 may be more vertical with respect to clamping surface 280. For
example, the angle for
the right sidewall of each of teeth 1-4 with respect to clamping surface 280
may range from
about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees (e.g., 90 degrees). The acute angles
associated with the
left sidewalls of teeth 1-4 aid in allowing the clamping surface (e.g., teeth
1-4) to slightly dig into
a member (e.g., a solar panel frame) that is to be clamped, when the clamp
bolt/screw (not
shown) is tightened, to enhance or maximize the clamping force along an x
direction (e.g., width
direction) of the member being clamped.
The fifth through seventh teeth 114, labeled 5-7 in Fig. 2B, may include
differently angled
sidewalls than those of teeth 1-4. As illustrated, the left sidewall of tooth
5 may be steeper or less
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acute with respect to clamping surface 280 than the left sidewalls of teeth 1-
4. For example, the
left sidewall of tooth 5 with respect to the clamping surface may range from
about 50 degrees to
about 60 degrees. In addition, the right sidewall of tooth 5 with respect to
clamping surface 280
may be less steep/vertical with respect to the clamping surface than the
corresponding right
sidewall of teeth 1-4. For example, the right sidewall of tooth 5 with respect
to clamping
surface 280 may range from 60 degrees to 70 degrees. As a result, tooth 5 has
a wider angular
profile than teeth 1-4. For example, in an exemplary implementation, the angle
between the
sidewalls of tooth 5, labeled F in Fig. 2B, may range from 50 degrees to about
70 degrees. In one
implementation, angle F may be 68 degrees.
In an exemplary implementation, teeth 6 and 7 may have the same or slightly
different angular
profiles than tooth 5. For example, in one implementation, the left sidewall
of tooth 6 may be
slightly steeper or more vertical with respect to the clamping surface 280
than the left sidewall of
tooth 5. For example, the right sidewall of tooth 6 may form an angle of about
65 degrees with
respect to clamping surface 280 and the right sidewall of tooth 5 may form an
angle of about 60
degrees with respect to clamping surface 280. The right sidewall of tooth 6,
however, may be
angled similar to that of tooth 5. In an exemplary implementation, the angle
between the
sidewalls of tooth 6, labeled G in Fig. 2B may range from about 50 degrees to
60 degrees
(e.g., 53 degrees). Tooth 7 may have a similar angular profile as tooth 6. In
this manner, teeth 5-7
may be angled more vertically with respect to clamping surface 280 than teeth
1-4. The angular
profile of teeth 5-7 allows teeth 5-7 to grip into the surface to be clamped,
when the clamp
bolt/screw (not shown) is tightened, to enhance the gripping power along a z
direction (e.g.,
length direction) of the member being clamped.
In this manner, clamping surface 280 may have a first number of teeth having a
first angular
profile (also referred to as the groove profile) and a second number of teeth
having a second
angular profile/groove profile. These groove profiles may enhance the gripping
power of
clamp 100 in multiple directions.
As described above, clamp 100 may be used to clamp structures having different
sizes. In one
implementation, the length of portion 112 from the nose portion to face 210
(labeled L1) may
range from 0.30 inches to 0.50 inches (e.g., 0.385 inches). In addition, the
height of portion 112
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(labeled H) from the left side of the clamping surface to top portion 110 may
range from
about 0.20 inches to 0.40 inches (e.g., 0.235 inches). Further, the lateral
length of tooth 1 from
the left side of portion 112 (labeled L2) may range from 0.50 inches to 0.70
inches (e.g., 0.60
inches) and the lateral length between tooth 1 and tooth 2 (represented by L3)
may range
from 0.40 to 0.60 inches (e.g., 0.50 inches). In one implementation, the
lateral length between
each of the other teeth (e.g., tooth 2 and 3, tooth 3 and 4, etc.) may be the
same or similar to
distance L3 (e.g., 0.50 inches).
The dimensions described above with respect to clamp 100 (e.g., lengths,
distances, angles,
angular profiles, etc.) are exemplary only. It should be understood that other
dimensions may be
used based on the particular implementation and devices/structures to which
clamp 100 is
intended to secure.
Fig. 3A is a top view of clamp 100. Referring to Fig. 3A, in an exemplary
implementation, the
width of top portion, labeled w1, may range from about 1.0 inches to about 3.0
inches and
mounting hole 116 may be centered with respect to the width dimension. That
is, the width
labeled W2 may be one half of Wl. In one implementation, W1 may be 1.50 inches
and W2 may
be approximately 0.75 inches. In addition, in exemplary implementations, the
diameter of
mounting hole 116 may range from 0.20 inches to 0.40 inches, depending on the
particular
clamp 100 and the diameter of the clamp bolt being used. For example, in one
implementation,
the diameter of mounting hole 116 may be 0.26 inches.
Fig. 3B is a cross-section of clamp 100 taken along line AA in Fig. 3A. As
illustrated, the lower
portion 140 of clamp 100 includes opening 142 that aligns in the axial
direction with mounting
hole 116. Opening 142 helps align a clamp screw that extends through mounting
hole 116 to a
clamp nut (not shown), as described in more detail below.
Fig. 3C is a bottom view of clamp 100. Referring to Fig. 3C, the inner most
one of teeth 114
located adjacent face 210 (i.e., tooth 7 illustrated in Fig. 2B) is aligned in
the lateral direction
very close to the outer edge of mounting hole 116. As described above,
locating through
hole 116 relatively close in the lateral direction to the clamping surface
aids in allowing
clamp 100 to be tightened/torqued to the adequate level while ensuring that
the clamping surface
(i.e., teeth 114) will not slip from the member being secured.
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As described above, clamp 100 may be used to clamp a panel or frame, such as a
solar panel, to a
support structure. For example, clamp 100 may be an end panel clamp used to
secure the end
portion of a panel to a support structure, as described in detail below.
Fig. 4 illustrates an isometric view of clamp 100 securing panel 400 to
support structure 420. In
this implementation, panel 400 may be a solar panel with a frame portion 410
made of metal and
support structure 420 may be a framing channel or strut channel (also referred
to herein as
strut 420) having a U-shape with an open end 422.
As illustrated, clamp 100 may include clamp bolt 160, lock washer 170 and flat
washer 180.
Clamp bolt 160 (also referred to as clamp screw 160) may be a threaded bolt
(e.g., a hex cap
bolt) or screw that extends through the center of openings 116 and 142 into
the open portion of
strut 420, where it is connected to a securing mechanism, such as a strut nut
(not shown) that
secures clamp 100 to strut 420. Lock washer 160 and flat washer 170 aid in
ensuring that clamp
bolt 160 does not loosen.
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the outer side of panel 400 abuts face 210 of clamp
100 and teeth 114
grip into frame 410. As described above, the more acute angular profile of
teeth 1-4 aid in
ensuring that panel 400 does not move in the direction labeled x in Fig. 4
(along the width of
panel 400) after clamp bolt 160 is tightened/torqued. The angular profile of
teeth 5-7 aid in
ensuring that panel 400 does not move in the direction labeled z in Fig. 4
(along the length of
panel 400) after clamp bolt 160 is tightened/torqued. In addition, the
location of mounting
hole 116 results in clamp bolt 160 being located very close in the lateral
direction to panel 400
and the head of clamp bolt 160 actually being located over a portion of frame
410. Locating
mounting hole 116 and clamp bolt 160 in this manner helps ensure that clamp
100 will not slip
while clamp bolt 160 is being tightened/torqued.
As described above, in an exemplary implementation, panel 400 may be a solar
panel that
includes frame 410, which may be made out of metal. In other implementations,
panel 400 may
be another type of panel and frame 410 may be made out of plastic or some
composite material.
In each case, teeth 114 may contact the upper surface of frame 410 to secure
panel 400 to
strut 420.
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As described above, support structure 420 may be a strut channel that includes
a number of U-
shaped members that support one or more panels 400. The U-shaped structures
include an open
end 422. The open end 422 aids in installing a strut nut to clamp bolt 160.
That is, a clamp bolt
may thread onto a strut nut (not shown in Fig. 4), which contacts the side
surfaces of strut 420, as
described in detail below.
Fig. 5 illustrates two end panel clamps 100 securing panel 400. As
illustrated, one clamp
labeled 1 00- 1 may be located on one side of panel 400 and a second clamp
labeled 100-2 may be
located on an opposite side. In some implementations, clamp 100-2 may be a mid-
panel clamp,
as opposed to an end panel clamp. That is, clamp 100-2 may clamp a panel on
each side of
clamp 100-2. In this implementation, the top portion 110 of clamp 100-2 may
include two
clamping surfaces (e.g., teeth 114 forming a clamping surface 280) configured
as described
above with respect to Fig. 2A-3C. In addition, the top portion 110 of the mid-
panel clamp may
include two mounting holes for the clamp bolts/screws. Each mounting
hole/clamp bolt or screw
may be located in a similar manner as that described above with respect to
mounting hole 116.
In other implementations, the mid-panel clamp 100 may include a single
mounting hole located
in a similar manner with respect to each panel being clamped, as described
above with respect to
mounting hole 116.
As further illustrated in Fig. 5, strut nut 510 is installed in the open end
of strut 420. Strut
nut 510 includes a threaded opening that mates with the threads from clamp
bolt 160. As also
illustrated, the side members of strut 420 include J-shaped rims 430 and 432
at the upper portion
of strut 420. The upper surface of strut nut 510 may abut the lower surfaces
of rims 430 and 432
and the side surface of strut nut 510 may abut the sides of strut 420 to
ensure that strut nut 510
does not move in vertical direction (the y direction illustrated in Fig. 4).
In this manner,
clamp 100 may be secured to strut 420 via strut nut 510.
Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of another exemplary clamp 600 securing panel
400 to framing
structure 420 in accordance with another exemplary implementation. In this
implementation,
clamp 600 may include top portion 610 having angled portion 612, side portion
620 having
angled portion 622, and lower portion 640. Portions 610, 612, 620, 622 and 640
of clamp 600
may be similar to top portion 110, angled portion 112, side portions 120 and
122 and lower
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portion 140, respectively, of clamp 100 described above. Clamp 600 may also
include side
member 630. In this implementation, side member 630 may extend from top
portion 610 at a 90
degree angle. Side portion 630, however, may not join lower portion 640, as
illustrated in Fig. 6.
Side portion 630 and side portion 620 provide structural rigidity and strength
for clamp 600.
Clamp 600 also includes clamp bolt 660, lock washer 670 and flat washer 680.
These elements
may function similar to clamp bolt 160, lock washer 170 and flat washer 180
described above.
As illustrated, upper portion 610 may also be beveled (similar to clamp 100)
to include an angled
portion 612. The lower surface of angled portion 612 may include
teeth/clamping surface 614.
Teeth 614 may include a number of teeth similar to teeth 114. That is, teeth
614 may include a
first number of teeth having a first angular profile similar to teeth 1-4 and
a second number of
teeth having a second angular profile similar to teeth 5-7 described above
with respect to Fig. 2B.
The clamping surface associated with teeth 614 may also be angled in a similar
manner as
clamping surface 114 described above with respect to Fig. 2B.
Fig. 7 is a cut-away or cross-sectional view of clamp 600 securing panel 400
to strut 420 via strut
nut 510. As illustrated, clamp screw 660 is threaded into mating threads of
strut nut 510. Strut
nut 510 abuts the sides of strut 420 to secure strut nut 510. In addition, the
upper surface of strut
nut 510 abuts the underside of strut 420 (e.g., the lower surfaces of rims 430
and 432) and the
side surfaces of strut nut 510 about the sides of strut 420 to further secure
strut nut 510 within
strut 420, as described above with respect to Fig. 5. As also illustrated,
clamp screw 660 is
located very close in the lateral direction to panel 400 and a portion of the
head of clamp
bolt 660 is located over a portion of frame 410. Locating mounting hole 116
and clamp bolt 660
in this manner helps ensure that clamp 600 will not slip while clamp bolt 660
is being
tightened/torqued.
Implementations described herein provide a clamp that that may be used in
combination with
structural members, such as struts, to secure devices having various sizes,
thicknesses, etc., to the
structural members. The clamp may include a clamping surface made up of teeth
having
different angular profiles to enhance the gripping power of the clamp in
various directions with
respect to the member being clamped. In addition, the location of the clamp
bolt/screw with
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,
respect to the member being clamped may help ensure that the clamp does not
slip while it is
being tightened/torqued, or after the clamp is installed.
The foregoing description of exemplary implementations provides illustration
and description,
but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described
herein to the precise
form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the
above teachings or may
be acquired from practice of the embodiments.
For example, as described above, clamp 100 or 600 may secure a device, such as
a solar panel
frame, to a framing channel or strut channel. In an exemplary implementation,
strut 420 may be
one of a large number of struts used to support a solar table assembly that
includes a number of
solar panels. It should be understood, however, that clamp 100/600 may be used
to secure any
type of device with any type of structural member.
No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present
application should be
construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly
described as such. Also, as
used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more items.
Further, the phrase "based
on" is intended to mean "based, at least in part, on" unless explicitly stated
otherwise.
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