U.S. patent application number 12/433746 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-04 for clips for connecting panels and cross members without visual reference.
This patent application is currently assigned to Roofscreen Manufacturing. Invention is credited to Ryan W. Bruce, Michael D. Hanson.
Application Number | 20100275549 12/433746 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43029345 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100275549 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bruce; Ryan W. ; et
al. |
November 4, 2010 |
CLIPS FOR CONNECTING PANELS AND CROSS MEMBERS WITHOUT VISUAL
REFERENCE
Abstract
Self aligned clips connecting panels, such as solar panels, and
cross members are disclosed. An upper clip portion has opposed
alignment legs extending downwardly from an upper portion surface
that are used to align an opening of the upper portion with a wall
fastener housing of the lower portion used with a fastener to
connect the upper and lower portions. Remaining fastener housings
of the lower portion are used with fasteners to connect the lower
portion of the clip to a support member. The lower portion has a
space in between a pair of arms receiving the support member. A
length between the opposed legs is slightly longer than a length of
the wall of the lower portion allowing a user to place the pair of
opposed legs just past opposed outer ends of the wall. In use, the
lower portion is first installed on the support member with
fastener housings and fasteners. The panel is butted against the
lower portion and clamped into place when the upper portion is
connected to the lower portion. The clip allows for connecting
panel and cross members in a "blind" manner as the clip is self
aligned.
Inventors: |
Bruce; Ryan W.; (Scotts
Valley, CA) ; Hanson; Michael D.; (Scotts Valley,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHNECK & SCHNECK
P.O. BOX 2-E
SAN JOSE
CA
95109-0005
US
|
Assignee: |
Roofscreen Manufacturing
Santa Cruz
CA
|
Family ID: |
43029345 |
Appl. No.: |
12/433746 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/698 ;
24/457 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 10/47 20130101;
F24S 25/33 20180501; Y10T 24/44017 20150115; F24S 2025/6004
20180501; F24S 25/636 20180501 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/698 ;
24/457 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/61 20060101
E04B001/61 |
Claims
1. A clip for connecting panels on a cross member, comprising: an
upper portion having a channel comprised of a flat bottom surface
and first and second opposed walls, a pair of opposed ledges, each
ledge extending outwardly from one of said walls and away from said
channel and forming a space with said one of said walls
positionable to receive a portion of a panel, a table of a
generally U-shape cross section having a flat upper surface
disposed on said flat bottom surface and a pair of opposed
alignment legs each extending downwardly from said flat upper
surface, and an opening disposed through both of said flat bottom
surface and said flat upper surface; a lower portion connectable to
said upper portion and to a cross member, the lower portion having
two pairs of opposed arms, each pair separated by a flat upper
surface having a length that spans a width of said cross member,
said arms of each pair extending downwardly from opposing ends of
said flat upper surface, a wall disposed atop said flat upper
surfaces between said arm pairs, said wall having opposed outer
ends and at least two fastener housings in a row, wherein said flat
upper surface of said table has a length longer than said wall
allowing said pair of opposed legs to extend just past said opposed
outer ends of said wall, and wherein vertical alignment of said
opening and one of said fastener housings occurs when said upper
portion engages said lower portion as opposed wall ends prevent
opposed alignment legs of said table from being laterally moved a
distance that positions said opening and said fastener housing out
of vertical alignment when the opposed alignment legs are
positioned outside of said opposed wall ends thereby self aligning
one of said fastener housings said opening; and at least two
fasteners, wherein one fastener is receivable within said opening
and an adjustable position in said fastener housing in vertical
alignment with said opening thereby connecting said upper portion
to said lower portion at an adjustable position, and wherein
another fastener is receivable within said other fastener housing,
said fastener receivable within said other fastener housing
positionable within said cross member thereby connecting said lower
portion to said cross member.
2. The clip of claim 1 wherein three fastener housings are disposed
in said row and three fasteners are receivable within said three
fastener housings and wherein said fastener housing disposed in
between said other two fastener housings is positionable into
vertical alignment with said opening.
3. The clip of claim 1 wherein said fastener housings comprise
through holes and wherein said fasteners are self drilling screws
or self tapping screws.
4. The clip of claim 1 wherein said fastener housings are
cylindrical.
5. The clip of claim 1 wherein said fasteners are nuts and
bolts.
6. The clip of claim 1 wherein said opposed outer ends of said wall
extend outwardly and perpendicularly from said wall such that said
wall has a generally H shape in cross section.
7. The clip of claim 1 wherein when said opening and one of said
fastener housings are in vertical alignment each of said table legs
abuts against opposed ends of said wall.
8. The clip of claim 1 wherein said table is separable from said
channel.
9. The clip of claim 1 wherein said table is attached to said
channel.
10. The clip of claim 1 wherein said wall is disposed along said
flat upper surface and in between said pairs of opposed arms.
11. The clip of claim 1 wherein each arm is contoured so as to
extend over a top surface of the cross member to cross member side
surfaces.
12. A clip for connecting panels, comprising: an upper portion
having a channel with an opening extending therethrough and first
and second elongated ledges, one ledge extending outwardly from
said channel and positioned to form an angle slightly less than a
right angle with a first side of said channel, and another ledge
extending outwardly from said channel and positioned to form an
angle slightly less than a right angle with a second side of said
channel opposing said first side, and a pair of opposed alignment
legs, each alignment leg extending downwardly and perpendicularly
from said channel; and a lower portion having a pair of arms with a
length in between said arms allowing said arms to extend past a top
surface of a cross member and to contact side surfaces of said
cross member, said lower portion having a wall of fastener housings
disposed atop said length between said pair of arms, wherein one of
said fastener housings of said wall is vertically alignable to said
fastener opening of said channel and wherein said length between
said opposed alignment legs is such that when said lower portion is
fastened to said upper portion each of said opposed alignment legs
abut one of two opposed outer ends of said wall.
13. The clip of claim 12 wherein said opposed outer ends of said
wall extend outwardly and perpendicularly from said wall such that
said wall has a generally H shape in cross section.
14. The clip of claim 12 further comprising fasteners, wherein one
fastener is receivable within said opening and said fastener
housing in vertical alignment with said opening and another
fastener is receivable within said other fastener housing.
15. The clip of claim 14 wherein said fasteners are screws.
16. The clip of claim 14 wherein said fasteners are nuts and
bolts.
17. The clip of claim 14 wherein one of said fasteners is secured
at a desired position by a floating nut.
18. The clip of claim 12 wherein there are three fastener housings
extending through said wall and wherein said fastener housing in
vertical alignment with said opening is disposed in between the
other two fastener housings.
19. The clip of claim 12 wherein said fastener openings extend
through an entire width of said wall.
20. The clip of claim 12 wherein said lower portion includes a
grounding burr disposed on a surface between said pair of arms.
21. A clip for connecting panels, comprising: an upper portion
having opposed spaces at either end of said upper portion shaped to
receive a panel, said upper portion also having a channel comprised
of a bottom surface with an opening therethrough and alignment legs
each extending perpendicularly and downwardly from said bottom
surface; a lower portion having a space shaped to receive a cross
member and a having a central wall of fastener housings, wherein
one fastener housing is in vertical alignment with said opening
when said upper portion is connected to said lower portion; and
fastening means, wherein one fastening means is receivable within
one fastener housing and said cross member and another fastening
means is receivable within said opening and a variable position in
another fastener housing positionable into vertical alignment with
said opening, and wherein said alignment legs are positionable
outside of and in an abutting relationship with outer ends of said
wall whereby in said position said opening is aligned with said
fastener housing positionable into vertical alignment with said
opening.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to devices for connecting panels and
cross members and, in particular, to clips for connecting panels
and cross bars.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Solar energy systems are an environmentally friendly way of
generating electricity. To provide such solar energy, typically
there are solar panels which comprise a plurality of solar modules.
The solar panels are typically coupled together and secured to a
roof of a building, ground, or other structure via supporting cross
members using clips or other securing mechanisms.
[0003] Since solar panel output is dependent on the amount of
sunlight exposure, it is critical that solar panels are positioned
properly. Thus installation of the solar system can be difficult.
Typically, the solar panels are connected to each other as well as
to supporting cross members which generally are supported on a roof
or other surface. Alignment of the solar panels to each other and
to the supporting cross members is time consuming and tedious.
[0004] Examples of panel clips or other securing mechanisms are
described below. U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,631 to Matlin et al. describes
cushioned load springing attachments securing photovoltaic modules
to spanning members. U.S. Publication No. 2006/0086382 to Plaisted
describes a mounting system for solar modules with a compressible
retention structure for solar modules. U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,018 to
Shingleton describes clips used to clamp solar panels to support
members having a generally T-shaped profile and a retainer in the
form of a channel nut or bar with a threaded hole that receives a
bolt or similar threaded fastener. U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,450 to Bader
et al. describes a spring grounding clip for a computer peripheral
card. U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,569 to Bohnsack describes locking members
for a plurality of panels in a partition wall construction. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,827,539 to Kiziah describes an adjustable closet floor
flange.
[0005] Though many different types of securing mechanisms,
including clips for securing panels, are known in the art it is an
object of this invention to provide an improved clip that would
assist in the alignment of panels, such as solar panels, and thus
with panel installation.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
clips for connecting panels and cross members.
[0007] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide a self aligned clip.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
self aligned clip that can be installed relatively easily without
visual reference or in a "blind" fastening manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A self aligned clip connecting panels, such as solar panels,
and cross members is disclosed. An upper portion of the clip has a
space on either side shaped to receive and align with a portion of
a panel. The upper portion also has a channel formed from a flat
bottom surface and first and second opposed walls perpendicular to
the flat bottom surface, and a pair of opposed ledges, each ledge
extending perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly from one
of the perpendicular walls and away from the channel to form the
panel receiving spaces. The upper portion also has a pair of
opposed alignment legs extending downwardly from the upper portion
that are used to align an opening of the upper portion with a
fastener housing of a wall of the lower portion used to connect the
upper and lower portions at a desired height to accommodate panels
of varying heights. A fastener, such as a screw or a bolt, inserted
within the opening/through hole and fastened at a desired location
within the fastener housing (for example, with a floating nut)
connects the upper and lower portions. Remaining fastener
housing(s) of the lower portion are used in conjunction with
fasteners, such as self drilling/tapping screws to connect the
lower portion of the clip to the support member. The lower portion
has at least one pair of opposed arms extending downwardly from an
upper surface that spans a width of the support member. A space in
between the arms receives a portion of the support member. A length
between the opposed legs of the upper portion is slightly longer
than a length of the wall of the lower portion allowing the pair of
opposed legs to extend just past opposed outer ends of the wall
when a user engages the upper portion with the lower portion.
Typically, the opposed legs contact or abut against opposed outer
ends of the wall when the upper portion engages the lower portion.
Thus vertical alignment of the opening and one of said fastener
housings occurs when the upper portion engages the lower portion as
opposed wall ends prevent opposed alignment legs from being
laterally moved a distance that positions the opening and the
fastener housing out of vertical alignment when the opposed
alignment legs are positioned outside of the opposed wall ends
thereby vertically self-aligning one of the fastener housings and
the opening. The self alignment features or "blind" fastening
mechanism of the clip of the present invention allow for panel
installation that is less time consuming than the prior art as the
clip of the present invention allows alignment of the panels and
support members to occur easily.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A is a clip of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the clip of FIG.
1A.
[0012] FIG. 1C is a side perspective view of the clip of FIG.
1A.
[0013] FIG. 1D is a top view of an upper portion of the clip of
FIG. 1A.
[0014] FIG. 1E is a top view of a lower portion of the clip of FIG.
1A.
[0015] FIG. 1F is an exploded view of the clip of FIG. 1A.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of clips shown
in FIG. 1A connecting panels and cross bars.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a magnified view of a section of FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a view of another embodiment of the lower portion
of the clip of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a view of a different embodiment of the lower
portion of the clip of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1A-1C there is seen a clip 10a of
the present invention shown in a clip engaged position and having
an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 14. Various types and
combinations of materials may be used to construct the clip. For
example, the upper and lower portions of the clip may be
constructed from stainless steel or cold rolled steel. Also, each
portion may be coated for rust protection. The upper portion 12
comprises a channel 16 formed by a flat bottom surface 18 and first
and second opposed walls 20, 22 perpendicular or substantially
perpendicular to the flat bottom surface 18. Ledge 24 extends
substantially perpendicularly or perpendicularly from wall 20 and
away from the channel 16. Ledge 26 opposes ledge 24 and extends
substantially perpendicularly or perpendicularly from wall 22 and
away from the channel 16. For example, when extending substantially
perpendicularly each ledge may form an angle slightly less than
90.degree. (for example, no more than 10.degree. less than
90.degree.) with its corresponding wall. Spaces 28, 30 (FIG. 1B)
are formed by the ledges and walls and are positionable to receive
a portion of a panel. Table 34 with, for example, a generally
U-shaped cross section, has a flat upper surface 36 and first and
second alignment legs 38, 40 each extending downwardly from the
flat upper surface 36. The alignment legs may be perpendicular or
substantially perpendicular to flat upper surface 36. Flat upper
surface 36 is disposed upon flat bottom surface 18. Table 34 may be
attached to or separable from flat bottom surface 18. Opening 42
(FIG. 1F) is disposed through both the flat bottom surface 18 and
the flat upper surface 36. In another embodiment, the flat upper
surface 36 of the table is not present and legs 38, 40 may extend
directly from flat bottom surface 18.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1D-1F, lower portion 14 of the clip 10a
is connectable to the upper portion 12 and to a cross member 44a
(FIG. 2) at an adjustable height dependent upon the height of the
panel to be engaged. Lower portion 14 has opposed pairs of arms 46,
48 each separated by a flat upper surface 50 and 52, respectively.
Each flat upper surface has a length that spans the width of the
cross member 44a (FIG. 2) which is, for example, a cross bar or a
cross beam. The arms extend downwardly from upper surface 58a to
sides 54a, 56a respectively of member 44a (FIGS. 2-3). A wall 60 is
disposed above arm pairs 46, 48 and flat upper surfaces 50, 52.
Wall 60 is typically disposed in between flat upper surfaces 50,
52. Wall 60 may be integral with or attachable to flat upper
surfaces 50, 52. The wall has opposed outer ends 62 and 64. In the
example shown, opposed outer ends 62, 64 extend in both directions
perpendicularly past a central portion 65 (FIG. 4) of the wall to
form a wall having an H-shaped cross section.
[0022] In another embodiment as seen in FIG. 4, a lower portion of
the clip includes only one pair of arms 49 with a flat upper
surface 51 separating the arms. Wall 61 having fastener housings
63, 65, 67 is disposed atop and generally in the middle of upper
surface 51. Wall 61 may be integral with or attachable to upper
surface 51.
[0023] In another embodiment as seen in FIG. 5, surface 50 of lower
portion 14 of the chip includes a grounding burr 76.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1E-1F, wall 60 is shown to have three
fastener housings 66, 68, 70 in a row but may include a greater or
lesser number. Fastener housings extend through wall 60. Typically,
at least two fastener housings are required, one fastener housing
to connect the upper portion of the clip to the lower portion and
one fastener housing used to connect the lower portion of the clip
to the cross member. In this example, three fastener housings are
shown. The fastener housings 66, 68, 70 each comprise a through
hole. Referring to FIG. 1F, fastener housing 68 is used to connect
the upper portion 12 of the clip 10 to the lower portion 14. A
fastener, such as a screw or a bolt, is secured at variable
positions within the fastener housing thus allowing for an
adjustable height of the upper portion when secured to the lower
portion dictated by the thickness of the panel. The desired height
is typically achieved with various fastener lengths. The fastener
housing used to connect the lower portion of the clip to the upper
portion of the clip, in this example, fastener housing 68, is
placed into vertical alignment with opening 42 when the upper
portion of the clip engages the lower portion. Floating nut 69
(FIGS. 1A-1C) is an attachment mechanism on lower portion of the
clip to which fastener 72 fastens. Floating nut 69 has threads used
to secure a position of fastener 72. Floating nut 69 is held within
an opening (not shown) within vertical wall 60 and typically
remains within the same vertical position. The opening extends
slightly beyond housing 68 into vertical wall 60. Remaining
fastener housings 66, 70 are used to fasten the lower portion of
the clip 14 to the cross member 44a. Fastener housings may be of a
cylindrical shape or other shape.
[0025] Fasteners, such as self drilling or self tapping screws, in
conjunction with the fastener housings 66, 68, 70 are used to
connect the upper portion 12 of the clip 10 to the lower portion 14
and the lower portion to the cross member 44a. In one example, a
screw 72 (FIG. 1F) is variably positionable through the opening 42
and is inserted through fastener housing 68 to connect the upper
portion 12 to the lower portion 14. Arrangements of nuts and bolts
or self drilling or self tapping screws 74a, 74b (FIG. 3) may be
used to connect the lower portion 14 to the cross member 58a via
remaining fastener housings 66, 70, respectively. Other types of
fasteners may also be used.
[0026] In using clips to secure panel 32a (FIG. 2) to cross members
44a, 44b, and to another panel 32b, lower portion of one clip 10a
is secured at a desired position to cross member 44a using fastener
housings 66, 70 and fasteners. Arms 46, 48 of lower portion 14 are
sufficiently spaced apart and may be contoured or bent so as to
extend over top surface 58a to contact side surfaces 54a, 56a of
member 44a. In this way, the lower portion of the clip is aligned
and fastened to the member 44a. Panel 32a is then "butted" up
against the mounted lower portion of clip 10a. Opposed outer ends
62 and 64 space panels 32a, 32b apart the appropriate distance.
Panel 32a can now be clamped in place using upper portion 12 of the
clip. Upper portion 12 of clip 10a is self-aligned with the secured
lower portion. The flat upper surface 36 of the table has a length
slightly longer than the length of the wall 60 allowing the user to
place the opposed table alignment legs 38, 40 in a position that
extends just past opposed outer ends 62, 64 of the wall,
respectively, as seen in FIG. 3. When placing upper portion 12 over
lower portion 14, vertical alignment of opening 42 (FIG. 1F) and
fastener housing 68 is easily achieved as opposed wall ends 62, 64
prevent opposed alignment legs 38, 40 from being laterally moved a
distance that positions the opening 42 and fastener housing 68 out
of vertical alignment when the user positions the opposed alignment
legs outside of the opposed wall ends thereby self aligning
fastener housing 68 to the opening 42. Typically, when the user
positions the opposed legs outside of the opposed outer ends of the
wall, the opposed legs abut the outer ends as seen in FIG. 3.
Although, in one embodiment, a small amount of lateral movement of
the legs may be allowed to occur without positioning the opening
outside of vertical alignment with fastener housing 68. Upper
portion 12 of the clip is fastened to the lower portion 14 and
panel 32a is received within space 28 (FIG. 1B) as shown in FIGS. 2
and 3. As described previously, the panel may be clamped into place
using a fastener (for example a screw or a large machine threaded
bolt) inserted through the through hole of fastener housing/boss
68. Also, as stated previously, spaces 28, 30 are shaped to receive
a desired panel. Thus, the clip may be used for clamping almost any
thickness of panel and can be installed without visual reference or
in a "blind" fastening manner.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, several clips 10a-10f may be used to
secure panels to cross members and to other panels. Clips 10c and
10d are shown receiving both panels 32a, 32b and connecting panels
32a, 32b and support members 44a, 44b. Clips 10a, 10b, 10e, 10f,
each have a space available to receive a panel. Various
arrangements of clips, panels, and cross members may be used to
connect panels and cross beams. For instance, a desired number of
support beams, clips and panels may be used in a desired
configuration.
* * * * *