U.S. patent application number 10/835737 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for easy-to-assemble building structure with a mountable frame for supporting solar panels.
Invention is credited to Kishore, Vineeta, Singh, Ajeya Prithipal, Sinha, Sunil Kumar.
Application Number | 20050241246 10/835737 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35185625 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050241246 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sinha, Sunil Kumar ; et
al. |
November 3, 2005 |
Easy-to-assemble building structure with a mountable frame for
supporting solar panels
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to an easy-to-assemble
building structure with a mountable frame for mounting solar
panels, solar water heating panels, fuel cells or any other
renewable energy device and more particularly relates to a gazebo
or a storage space or an overhang used for purposes of mounting
solar panels.
Inventors: |
Sinha, Sunil Kumar;
(Pleasanton, CA) ; Kishore, Vineeta; (Pleasanton,
CA) ; Singh, Ajeya Prithipal; (Milpitas, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Evergreen Valley Law Group
2670 S. White Road, Suite 275
San Jose
CA
95148
US
|
Family ID: |
35185625 |
Appl. No.: |
10/835737 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/173.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 25/30 20180501;
Y02B 10/10 20130101; Y02E 10/50 20130101; F24S 2025/801 20180501;
F24S 20/67 20180501; Y02E 10/47 20130101; H02S 20/10 20141201; Y02B
10/20 20130101; Y02E 10/44 20130101; H02S 20/23 20141201 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/173.3 |
International
Class: |
E04D 013/18 |
Claims
1. An easy-to-assemble structure for capturing solar energy
comprising; a. a mountable structure for mounting a renewable
energy device; and b. a renewable energy device.
2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said renewable
energy device is solar panels.
3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said renewable
energy device is photovoltaic cells.
4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said renewable
energy device is solar hot water systems.
5. An easy-to-assemble structure for supporting solar panels, said
structure comprising; a. a plurality of stanchions to support said
structure; b. a support frame resting on said stanchions; said
frame being fastened to said stanchions; c. an apex frame assembly
resting on top of said support frame, said assembly comprising of a
plurality of braces, said braces being connected to one another,
wherein said apex frame assembly is fastened to the support frame
to provide support to solar panels; d. an interlock assembly
comprising of two components, a first component and a second
component, wherein the first component is an apex cap with a
projection and the second component is an apex support element
containing a recess, wherein said second component receives the
projection extending from the apex cap and aligns the two
components together, wherein said interlock assembly passes through
the center of the apex frame assembly from front to back; e. said
first component having shelves in the form of winged flanges on the
sides to hold down solar panels and said second component having
shelves to support solar panels; f. a joint at the proximal end of
said interlock assembly, said joint connecting the interlock
assembly and braces on either side of the interlock assembly; g. a
joint at the distal end of said interlock assembly, said joint
connecting the interlock assembly and braces on either side of the
interlock assembly; h. horizontal braces mounted on top of the
support frame, said braces being on the two sides of the supported
structure and providing support to the solar panels; and i. an
inverter mounted in said supported structure.
6. The structure of claim 5, wherein the stanchions are made of
wood, aluminum or any other alloy.
7. The structure of claim 5, wherein the support frame is made of
wood, aluminum or any other alloy.
8. The structure of claim 5, wherein the support frame is fastened
to the stanchions with the help of a plurality of arms.
9. The structure of claim 8, wherein the arms are twelve in
number.
10. The structure of claim 5, wherein the apex frame assembly is
fastened to the support frame with the help of bolts.
11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the apex frame assembly is
fastened to the support frame with the help of twelve bolts.
12. The structure of claim 5, wherein the interlock assembly is
horizontal such that the solar panels supported by the interlock
assembly are slopingly mounted on the horizontal braces.
13. The structure of claim 5, wherein said first and second
components of the interlock assembly are made of wood, aluminum or
any other alloy.
14. The structure of claim 5, wherein said joint at the proximal
end of said interlock assembly that connects the interlock assembly
and the braces is a spider joint.
15. The structure of claim 5, wherein said joint at the distal end
of said interlock assembly that connects the interlock assembly and
the braces is a spider joint.
16. The structure of claim 5, wherein said braces are connected to
one another at each comer of the easy-to-assemble building
structure with the help of a square tube.
17. The structure of claim 5, wherein each said brace has an
insertable slot to support the solar panels.
18. The structure of claim 5, wherein the inverter has wires
connecting the inverter to a circuit breaker.
19. A method for installing solar panels on an easy-to-assemble
supported structure, said method comprising the steps of: a.
installing a plurality of stanchions to support said structure; b.
installing a support frame resting on said stanchions; said frame
being fastened to said stanchions; c. installing an apex frame
assembly resting on top of said support frame, said assembly
comprising of a plurality of braces, said braces being connected to
one another and being fastened to the support frame to provide
support to solar panels; d. installing an interlock assembly
comprising of two components, a first component and a second
component, wherein the first component is a apex cap with a
projection and the second component is an element containing a
recess, wherein said second component receives the projection
extending from the apex cap and aligns the two components together,
wherein said interlock assembly passes through the center of the
apex frame assembly from front to back, said first and second
components having shelves in the form of winged flanges and flat
areas respectively on the sides to support solar panels; e.
installing a joint at the proximal end of said interlock assembly,
said joint connecting the interlock assembly and braces on either
side of the interlock assembly; f. installing a joint at the distal
end of said interlock assembly, said joint connecting the interlock
assembly and a brace on either side of the interlock assembly; g.
installing horizontal braces mounted on top of the support frame,
said braces providing support to the solar panels; and h.
installing an inverter mounted in said supported structure.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the stanchions are made of
wood, aluminum or any other alloy.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the support frame is made of
wood, aluminum or any other alloy.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the support frame is fastened
to the stanchions with the help of a plurality of arms.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the arms are twelve in
number.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the apex frame assembly is
fastened to the support frame with the help of bolts.
25. The method of claim 19, wherein the apex frame assembly is
fastened to the support frame with the help of twelve bolts.
26. The method of claim 19, wherein the interlock assembly is
horizontal such that the solar panels supported by the interlock
assembly are slopingly mounted on the horizontal braces.
27. The method of claim 19, wherein said first and second
components of the interlock assembly are made of wood, aluminum or
any other alloy.
28. The structure of claim 19, wherein said joint at the proximal
end of said interlock assembly that connects the interlock assembly
and the first and second brace is a spider joint.
29. The structure of claim 19, wherein said joint at the distal end
of said interlock assembly that connects the interlock assembly and
the first and second brace is a spider joint.
30. The structure of claim 19, wherein said braces are connected to
one another at each comer of the easy-to-assemble building
structure with the help of a square tube.
31. The structure of claim 19, wherein said braces have insertable
slots to support the solar panels.
32. The structure of claim 19, wherein the inverter has wires
connecting the inverter to a circuit breaker.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an
easy-to-assemble building structure with a mountable frame for
mounting solar panels, photovoltaic or hot water or any other
renewable energy device, and more particularly relates to an
easy-to-assemble gazebo or a storage space or an overhang used for
purposes of mounting solar panels.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Solar technology is not only environment-friendly but is
also cost-effective in the long term. However, despite the distinct
advantages of solar power, solar technology has still not gained
wide-spread popularity largely due to the fact that the
conventional method of installation of solar panels is fraught with
complexities.
[0005] Traditionally, roof spaces of building establishments such
as houses and offices have been used for installing solar panels.
The conventional process of installing solar panels involves
installation of panels on the roofs of building establishments such
as houses and offices with the help of mounting brackets. Each
solar panel is typically made of solar cells also known in the art
as photovoltaic cells. Solar cells are generally very thin
rectangular or circular wafers that are made of silicon. As soon as
sunlight hits the solar cells, the electrons on the solar panels
are released. These electrons then freely flow through wires,
forming direct current (DC). This DC is the same kind of current
that flows through a regular battery. This DC may be used directly
for various uses like charging the battery, DC lighting, heating
the pool, running the DC motors for pumps, machinery, and
generating hydrogen by electrolysis. Charged batteries provide DC
electricity when sun is not shining. Usually, DC from photovoltaic
cells/panels or from chargeable batteries is sent to an electrical
inverter, which converts DC to an alternating current (AC) and
produces AC power to the standards of the local utility company.
The hydrogen can be used in fuel cells for power generation. Solar
hot water panels absorb thermal energy from solar radiation and
heat the water. The hot water is used for heating pools and for
consumer and industrial hot water use.
[0006] Installation of solar panels on roof tops can be
prohibitively expensive owing to the fact that skilled labor is
required for mounting the solar panels. In addition, the process of
installing solar panels is labor-intensive in so far as roofs need
to be worked on very carefully to prevent damage to roofs causing
leakage after installation of solar panels. Yet another drawback of
roofing panels is their lack of aesthetic beauty. In addition,
cleaning of the roofing panels is also difficult, which in turn
renders maintenance of the roofing panels an arduous task. Also,
often times building establishments such as homes and offices lack
the appropriate roof space to allow installation of solar panels in
the first place. At other times, roof space might exist but the
orientation of the roof might render installation of solar panels
inappropriate for production of energy.
[0007] To overcome the disadvantages commonly associated with
mounting solar panels on roof tops of building establishments such
as homes and offices, what is needed is a portable and
easy-to-assemble structure on which solar panels can be easily
mounted without any professional help or skilled labor.
[0008] The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages
associated with mounting of solar panels on roof tops of building
establishments such as houses and offices by providing a cheaper
and more convenient alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an easy-to-assemble building structure such as a gazebo or
a storage space or an overhang with a mounting frame for mounting
solar panels, photovoltaic or hot water or any other renewable
energy device.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide an
easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar panels that
is economical as compared to mounting of solar panels on roofs of
building establishments.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar panels that
is not as labor-intensive as the traditional roofing panels in
terms of installation rather it is easy-to-assemble and does not
require any professional help.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar panels
that enhances the aesthetic beauty of the surroundings.
[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar panels
that is easy to clean.
[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar panels
such that lack of appropriate roof space in building establishments
is not a limiting factor for installation of solar panels any
more.
[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar panels
such that the orientation of the roof in building establishments is
not a limiting factor for installation of solar panels.
[0016] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to
provide an easy-to-assemble building structure such as a gazebo or
a storage space or an overhang with a mounting frame for mounting
solar panels.
[0017] It is another advantage of the invention to provide an
easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar panels that
is economical as compared to solar panels mounted on roofs of
building establishments.
[0018] It is another advantage of the present invention to provide
an easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar panels
that is not as labor-intensive as the traditional roofing panels in
terms of installation rather it is easy-to-assemble and does not
require any professional help.
[0019] It is yet another advantage of the present invention to
provide an easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar
panels that enhances the aesthetic beauty of the surroundings.
[0020] It is yet another advantage of the present invention to
provide an easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar
panels that is easy to clean.
[0021] It is yet another advantage of the present invention to
provide an easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar
panels such that lack of appropriate roof space in building
establishments is not a limiting factor for installation of solar
panels anymore.
[0022] It is yet another advantage of the present invention to
provide an easy-to-assemble building structure for mounting solar
panels such that the orientation of the roof in building
establishments is not a limiting factor for installation of solar
panels.
[0023] The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of
the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment which makes reference to
the several figures of the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the easy-to-assemble
building structure and illustrates the position of the solar panels
on the structure.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a 3-dimensional view of the shaft with projections
that form what looks like winged flanges.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a 3-dimensional view of the element containing a
recess which when used in conjunction with the shaft with
projections forms an interlock assembly to support solar
panels.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a 2-dimensional view of the inverted A-shaped
projection of the shaft of the interlock assembly.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a 2-dimensional view of the element containing a
recess in the interlock assembly.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interlock assembly
illustrating the supported solar panels.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a 3-dimensional view of a brace forming the apex
frame.
[0031] FIG. 8 is an end-view of a hook-shaped end of a brace.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a 3-dimensional view of a stanchion that supports
the easy-to-assemble building structure.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a 3-dimensional view of an apex cap of the
support frame that is fastened to the easy-to-assemble building
structure.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a 3-dimensional view of the spider joint that
forms the connection between the apex frame and the interlock
assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The present invention relates to an easy-to-assemble
building structure with a mountable frame for mounting solar
panels, photovoltaic or hot water or any other renewable energy
device and more particularly relates to an easy-to-assemble gazebo
or a storage space or an overhang used for purposes of mounting
solar panels. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the present invention comprises of a supported easy-to-assemble
structure on which solar panels, photovoltaic, solar hot water
systems or any other renewable energy system can me mounted. A
preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG.
1.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the easy-to-assemble
building structure and illustrates the position of the solar panels
on the structure 10. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, six stanchions 40 of the easy-to-assemble building
structure provide support to the whole building structure 10. A
support frame 35 (not shown) is mounted on top of the stanchions 40
and is fastened to the stanchions 40 by means of fastening
elements. The support frame 35 provides support to the apex frame
assembly 30 (not shown) that rests on top of the support frame 35.
The apex frame assembly 30 in the preferred embodiment of the
present invention is composed of elements 45. Each element 45 is
connected to the other element 45 so as to form apex frame assembly
30. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a rod-like
horizontal interlock assembly 25 composed of elements 70 and 75 and
with winged flanges 20 passes through the center of the apex frame
assembly 30 along its entire length and provides support to the
solar panels 15. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the apex cap 70 embodies a projection 95 which embeds
itself into the recess of apex support element 75 to form an
interlock assembly 25. The solar panels 15 are supported by the
shelves 85a and 85b and held down by the winged flanges 20 of the
interlock assembly 25 on one side and the slotted portion 55 of
each element 45 of the apex frame assembly 30 on the other side.
The figure also illustrates a spider joint 60 that connects the
interlock assembly 25 to four elements 45 to make the apex frame
assembly 30. An inverter 65 is mounted on apex support element 75
of the horizontal interlock assembly 25.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the apex cap 70 with a
projection 95 that forms a cap in the form of winged flanges
20.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of the apex support
element 75 containing a recess 90 that together with the projection
95 (not shown) of the apex cap 70 (not shown) forms an interlock
assembly 25 (not shown) to support solar panels 15 (not shown). The
shelves 85a and 85b provides an angled flat section to support the
solar panels.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a 2-dimensional view of the inverted A-shaped
projection 95 of the apex cap 70 (not shown) of the interlock
assembly 25 (not shown) with a shelf or a flange.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a 2-dimensional view of the apex support element
75 containing a recess 90 in the interlock assembly 25 (not shown).
The figure also illustrates shelves 85a and 85b and winged flanges
on the apex support element 75 containing a recess 90 into which
projection 95(not shown) of apex cap 70 (not shown) of the
interlock assembly 25 (not shown) fits.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interlock assembly 25
illustrating an inverted-A shaped projection 95 of the apex cap 70
that embeds itself in the recess 90 of the apex support element 75
of the interlock assembly 25. The figure also illustrates the solar
panels 15 held down by the winged flanges 20 on the shelves 85a and
85b of the interlock assembly 25.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional view of a brace 45 forming the
apex frame assembly 30 (not shown). In the preferred embodiment of
the present invention there are eight braces that are connected
together to form the apex frame assembly 30. The braces have a hook
or a slot-shaped opening 55 to support and hold solar panels 15
(not shown) and together they form the apex frame assembly 30.
[0043] FIG. 8 is an end-view of a hook-shaped brace 45 of the apex
frame assembly 30. The figure also illustrates the slotted portion
55 of brace 45 that supports solar panels.
[0044] FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional view of a stanchion 40. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, six such stanchions
support the easy-to-assemble building structure 10 (not shown).
[0045] FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional view of a rod-like component
120 of the support frame 35. In a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, there are four such rod-like components that
constitute the support frame 35 and they are fastened on top of the
stanchions 40. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the support frame 35 is made of aluminum, wood or alloys and the
like.
[0046] FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional view of the spider joint 60
that forms the connection between the apex frame assembly 30 (not
shown) and the interlock assembly 25 (not shown). In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the spider joint 60 has two
sets of arms 110 and 115 intersecting with one another. The ends of
arms 110a and 110b are fitted into the slotted portion 125 (not
shown) of braces 45 (not shown) of the apex frame on either end and
115a is fastened together with the apex support element 75 of the
interlock assembly 25. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there are two spider joints 60 at the proximal and
distal ends of the interlock assembly 25 respectively.
[0047] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the
easy-to-assemble building structure might encompass a solar water
heating system that can be employed to heat swimming pools and the
like.
[0048] Although the present invention has been particularly shown
and described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is
anticipated that alterations and modifications thereof will no
doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore
intended that the following claims be interpreted as covering all
such alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit
and scope of the invention.
* * * * *