U.S. patent application number 14/054759 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-16 for solar panel rooftop mounting and grounding device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUNMODO CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is SUNMODO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Jun Liu.
Application Number | 20150102194 14/054759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52808857 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150102194 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Jun |
April 16, 2015 |
Solar Panel Rooftop Mounting and Grounding Device
Abstract
Disclosed is a device for securing, mounting, aligning, and
grounding solar panels to a roof mounted rail. The device in
combination with a t-bolt, a nut, and a solar panel end-clamp or
mid-clamp, secure, mount, align, and ground the solar panels to the
roof mounted rail. The device can be inserted into the top of the
rail anywhere along its length. After the device and t-bolt are
inserted in the rail, the t-bolt rotated so it inserts into a slot
at the bottom of the rail thereby securing the device to the rail,
assuring the proper orientation of the t-bolt, and preventing
further rotation of the t-bolt.
Inventors: |
Liu; Jun; (Camas,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SUNMODO CORPORATION |
Vancouver |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SUNMODO CORPORATION
Vancouver
WA
|
Family ID: |
52808857 |
Appl. No.: |
14/054759 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/316.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 25/35 20180501;
F24S 25/636 20180501; Y02E 10/47 20130101; Y02B 10/10 20130101;
Y02B 10/12 20130101; F24S 25/67 20180501; Y02B 10/20 20130101; Y02E
10/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/316.1 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/52 20060101
F24J002/52 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for mounting a solar panel to a rail, the apparatus
comprising: a t-bolt, the t-bolt includes a t-bolt body, and a
t-bolt head, the t-bolt head includes a t-bolt head length, a
t-bolt head width, and t-bolt head planar bottom surface, with the
threaded t-bolt body projecting perpendicularly from the t-bolt
planar bottom surface; a mounting device, comprising: (a) a base
portion, the base portion includes: (i) a base portion length; (ii)
a first and second base portion sides opposing and parallel to each
other and oriented along the base portion length, the distance
between the first and second base portion sides comprising a base
portion width, the base portion width is narrower than the t-bolt
head length; (iii) a base portion bottom surface including a base
portion slot transverse to the first and second base portion sides,
the base portion slot is wider than the t-bolt head width and
narrower than the t-bolt head length; (b) a rigid alignment portion
rigidly secured to the base portion, the rigid alignment portion
includes: (i) an aperture aligned over the base portion slot and
passing a portion of the t-bolt body therethrough; (ii) an
alignment portion length oriented along the base portion width and
an alignment portion width oriented along the base portion length,
the alignment portion length is wider than the base portion width,
the alignment portion width is narrower than the base portion
length; (iii) an a first and a second alignment portion sides
opposing and parallel to each other, projecting perpendicularly
upward from the base portion, oriented perpendicularly transverse
to the base portion first and second base portion sides, the
distance between the first and second alignment portion sides
comprising the alignment portion width; (iv) the rigid alignment
portion is positioned with respect to the base portion so that a
top surface of the base portion presents a planar top surface on
opposing sides of the first and the second alignment portion sides;
and a first position where the t-bolt head planar bottom surface
rests flush against the base portion bottom surface within the base
portion slot and the t-bolt is rotationally captive within the base
portion slot.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the base portion
including a base portion top surface; a first grounding pin and
second grounding pin each projecting through the base portion top
surface and the base portion bottom surface, the first grounding
pin and the second grounding pin positioned on the base portion on
opposing sides of the rigid alignment portion.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base portion and the rigid
alignment portion are integrally formed.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, where in the base portion and the
rigid alignment portion are each cuboid shaped.
5-6. (canceled)
7. An apparatus for mounting a solar panel comprising: a rail, the
rail includes a rail top surface, a rail slot oriented along a
length of the rail top surface, and a rail slot cavity, the rail
slot cavity includes a top inside surface that is cut
longitudinally by the rail slot; a t-bolt, including a t-bolt head
and a t-bolt body, the t-bolt head includes a planar bottom surface
with the t-bolt body projecting perpendicular therefrom; a mounting
device comprising: (a) a base portion, including a base portion
length, a base portion width, a base portion top surface, and a
base portion bottom surface; the base portion bottom surface
includes a base portion slot along the base portion width; (b) a
rigid alignment portion, the rigid alignment portion includes an
alignment portion length oriented along the base portion width, the
rigid alignment portion is rigidly secured to and projecting upward
from the base portion, the rigid alignment portion includes an
alignment portion bottom surface and an aperture aligned over the
base portion slot with a portion of the t-bolt body passing
therethrough; and the t-bolt, the mounting device, and the rail
configurable into a first position where: the t-bolt is vertically
and rotational captive within the rail slot and the base portion
slot, the planar bottom surface of the t-bolt head rests flush
against the base portion bottom surface within the base portion
slot and rests flush against the top inside surface of the rail
slot cavity, and the alignment portion bottom surface rests flush
against the rail top surface.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a first grounding
pin and second grounding pin each projecting through the base
portion top surface and the base portion bottom surface, the first
grounding pin and the second grounding pin positioned on the base
portion on opposing sides of the rigid alignment portion; and the
position further comprises the first grounding pin and the second
grounding pin making electrically conductive contact with the rail
and the solar panel.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the base portion and the rigid
alignment portion are integrally formed.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the base portion and the
rigid alignment portion are each rectangular cuboid shaped; the
rigid alignment portion including an alignment portion length; and
the base portion length is perpendicular to the rigid alignment
portion length.
11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the rigid alignment portion
includes an alignment portion width oriented along the base portion
length; and the rigid alignment portion length is wider than the
base portion width; and the rigid alignment portion width is
narrower than the base portion length.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the base portion length is
positioned longitudinally along the rail slot; and the base portion
top is within the rail slot and aligned at or below the rail top
surface.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for mounting
solar panels. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a
device for mounting solar panels, such as solar photovoltaic (PV)
or solar thermal panels, to rooftop mounted rails.
[0002] Solar panels can be mounted to various types of roof
structures, such as pitched shingle, tile, metal, or concrete roofs
with rails. For pitched roofs that are rectangular shaped, the
rails are often mounted along the length of the roof. The solar
panels are generally mounted to the rails along an edge
perpendicular to the rails. In addition, it is desirable, and often
required by local building codes, to electrically ground the solar
panels to the rails.
[0003] Aligning and mounting the solar panels to the rails and then
assuring that they are properly grounded can often be labor
intensive and time consuming. It is therefore desirable for a
device that secures, aligns, and grounds the solar panels to the
rails that is simple and efficient.
SUMMARY
[0004] Disclosed is a device for securing, aligning, and grounding
solar panels to roof mounted mounting rails that overcomes one or
more of the challenges presented in the Background Section. The
device in combination with a t-bolt, a nut, and a solar panel
end-clamp or mid-clamp, now secure, mount, align, and ground the
solar panels to each other and to the roof mounted rail. The device
can be inserted into the top of the rail anywhere along its length.
After the device and t-bolt are inserted in the rail, the t-bolt is
rotated so it inserts into a slot at the bottom of the rail thereby
securing the device to the rail and preventing further rotation of
the t-bolt.
[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for
mounting a solar panel to a rail includes a t-bolt in conjunction
with a mounting device. The mounting device includes a base portion
and an alignment portion. The alignment portion projects upward
from the base portion. The alignment portion is configured to align
at least one side of a solar panel perpendicular to the rail.
Grounding pins go through both the top and bottom surface of the
base portion, the grounding pins have conical or pointed tips on
either end to penetrate the non-conductive oxide layer of the solar
panels frames and the mounting rail. When the solar panels are
secured to the mounting device base portion on either side of the
alignment portion, they are electrically bonded to each other as
well as the mounting rail. The apparatus can be configured so that
when t-bolt is engaged in a slot in the base portion, and the base
portion and t-bolt in combination are both engaged within a slot at
the top of the rail, the top surface of the base portion will be
parallel with and positioned at or below the top surface of the
rail slot. This provides a stable seating surface for the solar
panels. In addition, the alignment portion bottom surface will
include portions resting against the rail top surface on opposing
sides of the rail slot. This arrangement adds stability to the
apparatus. The t-bolt is vertically captive within the rail slot
and rotatively captive within the base portion slot. This
arrangement allows an installer to secure the solar panel to the
t-bolt with only a solar panel clamp and a single mounting nut.
[0006] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus
for mounting a solar panel to a rail the apparatus includes a
t-bolt and a mounting device. The mounting device includes a base
portion and an alignment portion that projects upward from the base
portion. The base portion and alignment portion are integrally
joined and can be integrally formed. The base portion includes a
pair of opposing and parallel sides. The bottom surface of the base
portion includes a transverse slot. The slot is wider than the
width of the t-bolt head and narrower than the t-bolt head length.
The alignment portion a pair of opposing sides that are parallel to
each other. The pair of opposing parallel sides project
perpendicularly upward from the base portion and are oriented
perpendicularly transverse with respect to the base portion sides.
The alignment portion is positioned with respect to the base
portion so that a top surface of the base portion presents a planar
top surface on the opposing parallel sides of the alignment
portion. The alignment portion also includes an aperture aligned
over the base portion slot for pass through a portion of the
t-bolt.
[0007] This Summary has introduced a selection of concepts in
simplified form that are described in greater detail in the
Description. The Summary's purpose is to aid in understanding the
Description. It is not intended to identify essential features or
limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 shows solar panels, a rail, and a device for
mounting, aligning, and grounding the solar panels to the rail, in
partially exploded perspective view.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a portion of the solar panels
mounted, aligned, secured, and grounded to the rail with the
mounting device with a mid-clamp.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a front view of an end portion of one of the
solar panels mounted, aligned, secured, and grounded to the rail
and to each other, with the mounting device with an end-clamp.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a portion of a solar panel mounted, aligned,
secured, and grounded to the rail and to each other, with the
mounting device and a mid-clamp in perspective view. The second
solar panel removed for clarity.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows, in exploded back perspective view, the
mounting device with the solar panel end-clamp, and t-bolt, and
nut.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows, in exploded front perspective view, the
mounting device with the solar panel end-clamp, t-bolt, and
nut.
[0014] FIG. 7 shows, in side-view, the t-bolt, and mounting device
mounted into the rail slot but not secured.
[0015] FIG. 8 shows the t-bolt, and mounting device secured to the
rail slot.
[0016] FIG. 9 shows an exploded bottom perspective view of the base
portion and the t-bolt where the t-bolt is aligned for insertion
into the rail slot.
[0017] FIG. 10 shows a bottom perspective view of the t-bolt
inserted into the mounting device where the t-bolt is aligned, as
in FIG. 9, for insertion into the rail slot.
[0018] FIG. 11 shows a bottom perspective view of the t-bolt 21
inserted into the mounting device 15 illustrated the relationship
between the t-bolt 21 and the mounting device 15 when they are
secured to the mounting rail.
[0019] FIG. 12 shows an exploded perspective view of the mounting
device and the grounding pins.
[0020] FIG. 13 shows an exploded perspective view of the mounting
device with the grounding pins secured in the base portion.
[0021] FIG. 14 shows a top view of the mounting device.
[0022] FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of the mounting device of
FIG. 14 taken along section lines 15-15.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a side view of the mounting device.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the mounting device.
DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following description is made with reference to figures,
where like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several
views, FIG. 1 shows, in partially exploded perspective view, a
solar panel racking system 10 including solar panels 11, rails 13,
and a mounting device 15 for mounting, aligning, and grounding the
solar panels 11 to the rails 13. The mounting devices 15 are shown
in a configuration where they are captive within the rail. The
solar panels 11 illustrated are solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.
These can alternatively be solar thermal panels. Also illustrated
are solar panel end-clamps 17 and solar panel mid-clamps 19. The
solar panel end-clamps 17 and solar panel mid-clamps 19 are secured
to the mounting devices 15 and rails 13 by a combination of t-bolts
21 and nuts 23.
[0026] FIGS. 2-4 show portions of the metal frame of the solar
panels 11 of FIG. 1 mounted, aligned, secured, and grounded to the
rail 13. FIG. 2 shows a front view of a portion of the metal frames
of two of the solar panels 11 mounted, aligned, secured, and
grounded to the rail 13 with the mounting device 15 and a solar
panel mid-clamp 19. FIG. 3 shows a front view of an end portion of
the metal frame of one of the solar panels 11 mounted, aligned,
secured, and grounded to the rail 13 with the mounting device 15
and the solar panel end-clamp 17. FIG. 4 shows, in perspective
view, a portion of a solar panel 11 mounted, aligned, secured, and
grounded to the rail 13 with the mounting device 15 and the solar
panel mid-clamp 19. In FIGS. 2-3, a base portion 25 of the mounting
device 15 is shown in hidden within the rail 13. This is
represented by broken lines. The top surface of the base portion 25
is approximately level or in the same plane as the top of the rail
to present a level or even surface to the bottom of the solar panel
11. Alternatively, the top surface of the base portion 25 can be
below the level or plane of the top of the rail 13. The rail 13
would then present a stable mounting surface on either side of the
base portion 25.
[0027] In FIGS. 2 and 4, the solar panel 11 is secured and mounted
to rail 13 and the base portion 25 of the mounting device 15 by
securing the solar panel mid-clamp 19 by the t-bolt 21 and the nut
23. In FIG. 3, the solar panel 11 is secured and mounted to rail 13
and the base portion 25 of the mounting device 15 by securing the
solar panel end-clamp 17 by the t-bolt 21 and the nut 23. In FIGS.
2-4, the solar panels 11 are aligned perpendicular to the rails 13
by an alignment portion 27 of the mounting device 15. The alignment
portion 27 shown is a rectangular block projecting perpendicularly
upward from base portion. In FIG. 4, the alignment portion also has
two parallel opposing sides that are aligned perpendicular to the
length of the base portion 25. This in turn, causes the two
parallel opposing sides to be aligned perpendicular to the length
of the rail 13. When the solar panels 11 are lined up against the
two opposing sides of the alignment portion 27 that are
perpendicular to the base portion 25, the solar panels are
automatically aligned perpendicularly to the length of the rail
13.
[0028] In FIGS. 2-4, the metal frames of solar panels 11 are
electrically connected to each other and grounded to the rails 13
by grounding pins 29 in the top of the base portion 25 of the
mounting device 15. The grounding pins 29 under the frame of the
solar panels 11 in FIGS. 2-3 are hidden from view, but shown for
illustrative purposes. The frames of the solar panel 11 and the
rails 13 are typically made of aluminum, but other metals can be
used. Aluminum typically is anodized and forms a non-conductive
oxide coating. The grounding pins 29 typically have a sharp top or
pointed top surface the pierces the oxide coating of the aluminum,
when the panel is tightened down by the nut 23 and either solar
panel end-clamp 17 or solar panel mid-clamp 19 in order to complete
the electrical connection. The top surface of the base portion 25
height is such that, when the base portion 25 is tightened down by
the nut 23, the grounding pins 29 protrude with sufficient height
to make electrical conductive contact with the metal frame of the
solar panels 11.
[0029] In FIG. 2, the base portion 25 and a t-bolt head 31 are
shown mounted inside a rail slot 33, all in hidden lines
represented by broken or dashed lines. The base portion 25 includes
a base portion slot 37 that is runs transverse to the length of the
base portion 25 and is shown transverse to the rail 13. The t-bolt
head 31 is shown resting in the base portion slot 37. The bottom of
the grounding pins 29, also shown in hidden lines, and are shown
engaged with the bottom of the rail slot 33. The t-bolt head 31 is
so positioned in the base portion slot 37 and the bottom of the
grounding pins 29 so positioned in relation to the base portion 25,
so that there is sufficient tension between the grounding pins 29
and rail 13 for the grounding pins 29 to penetrate the oxide layer
of the rail 13 when the nut 23 is tightened so that the solar panel
mid-clamp 19 engages the solar panel 11 against the base portion
25.
[0030] FIGS. 5-8 shows, in several views, detail of how the
mounting device 15 is secured to the rail 13. FIG. 5 shows, in
exploded back perspective view, the mounting device 15 with the
solar panel end-clamp 17, and t-bolt 21, and nut 23. FIG. 6 shows,
in exploded front perspective view, the mounting device 15 with the
solar panel end-clamp 17, t-bolt 21, and nut 23. In FIG. 7, the
t-bolt 21 and mounting device 15 are mounted into the rail 13 but
not secured. FIG. 8 shows the t-bolt 21 and mounting device 15
secured to the rail 13. In FIGS. 5 and 7, the t-bolt head is
positioned lengthwise with respect to the rail. In FIG. 7, the
t-bolt is inserted 21 into the rail 13. In this position, the
alignment portion 27 and the base portion 25 are shown above the
rail 13 surface; the t-bolt head 31 is free to move either
vertically or horizontally. The bottom of the grounding pins 29 are
suspended above the bottom of the rail slots 33. Rotating the
t-bolt 21, approximately 90-degrees either clockwise or
counterclockwise as indicated by the rotational arrow in FIGS. 5
and 7 will lock the mounting device 15 into a rail slot 33 and
secure the t-bolt 21 in an upright position. FIGS. 6 and 8 shows
the t-bolt head 31 rotated approximately 90-degrees from its
position in FIGS. 5 and 7, so that it is vertically captive within
the rail slot 33. The base portion 25 of the mounting device 15 is
fully within the rail slot 33 and the alignment portion is resting
securely against the top of the rail 13. The top of the base
portion 25 is approximately level with the top of the rail 13 and
the alignment portion 27, resting on the top of the rail 13. The
alignment portion 27 is shown having two sides parallel and two
sides perpendicular to the length of the rail 13. The grounding
pins 29 are engaged with the bottom of the rail slot with
sufficient force or pressure to penetrate the oxide layer of the
rail slot 33 to make an electrically conductive connection.
[0031] FIGS. 9-11 further illustrates how the t-bolt is locked into
place within the mounting device 15. In addition, FIGS. 9-11 show
the grounding pins 29 mounted through the bottom of the base
portion 25. FIG. 9 shows an exploded bottom perspective view of the
mounting device 15 and the t-bolt 21 where the t-bolt is aligned
for insertion into the rail slot. FIG. 10 shows a bottom
perspective view of the t-bolt 21 inserted into the mounting device
15 where the t-bolt 21 is aligned, as in FIG. 9, for insertion into
the rail slot 33. FIG. 11 shows a bottom perspective view of the
t-bolt 21 inserted into the mounting device 15 illustrated the
relationship between the t-bolt 21 and the mounting device 15 when
they are secured to the mounting rail.
[0032] In FIG. 9, the t-bolt 21 is inserted through an aperture 35
in the alignment portion 27. The aperture is sized to receive the
t-bolt and typically not threaded so that the t-bolt 21 can freely
move through the aperture 35. The base portion 25 includes the base
portion slot 37 shown aligned transversely across the length of the
base portion 25. The aperture 35 is aligned over the base portion
slot 37. The base portion slot 37 is approximately as wide as the
width of the t-bolt head 31. This arrangement provides for the
length of the t-bolt head 31 can be held transverse to the length
of the base portion 25 with little or no rotation movement
rotational or vertical movement. While the base portion slot 37 is
shown aligned perpendicularly across the length of the base portion
25, any transverse angle can be used between 45-degrees and
135-degrees which allows the t-bolt 21 sufficient holding strength
to withstand the rotational forces of the solar panels and other
components. A perpendicular or 90-degree angle provides for the
t-bolt head 31 of shortest length.
[0033] In FIG. 10, the t-bolt 21 is shown inserted into the
mounting device 15, so that the length of the t-bolt head 31 is
aligned with the length of the base portion 25. This allows the
t-bolt 21 and base portion 25 to be inserted into the rail slot 33
as shown in FIG. 5, resulting in the configuration of FIG. 7. In
FIG. 10, the t-bolt head 31 cannot be inserted into the base
portion slot 37 when positioned along the length of the base
portion 25.
[0034] In FIG. 11, the t-bolt 21 is shown rotated approximately 90
degrees about its vertical axis, as depicted by the rotational
arrow in FIG. 10. The t-bolt head 31 now is in the base portion
slot 37. The mounting device 15 is now configured as shown in FIG.
8 with the bottom surface of the alignment portion 27 resting
against the top surface of the rail 13. In FIGS. 8 and 10, the
opposing ends along the length of the t-bolt head 31 extend beyond
the width of the base portion 25. This causes the t-bolt head 31 to
be held captive within the cavity of the rail slot 33 as shown in
FIG. 8, and the base portion slot 37 prevents the t-bolt head 31
from rotating. This configuration creates a secure base for
mounting the solar panel 11 and either solar panel end-clamp 17 or
solar panel mid-clamp 19 of FIG. 1. In addition, this configuration
allows the mounting device 15 and t-bolt 21, which can be held
captive within the rail by simply rotating the t-bolt into the base
portion slot 37 thereby locking the t-bolt in place. At the same
time, allowing the mounting device 15 and t-bolt 21 to be inserted
anywhere along the rail 13. This is in contrast to many other
captive solar panel rail-mount devices that can be only inserted at
the ends of the slots.
[0035] FIGS. 12-17 show the mounting device in several views. FIG.
12 shows an exploded perspective view of the mounting device 15 and
the grounding pins 29. FIG. 13 shows an exploded perspective view
of the mounting device 15 with the grounding pins 29 secured in the
base portion 25. FIG. 14 shows a top view of the mounting device
15. FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of the mounting device of FIG.
14 taken along section lines 15-15. FIG. 16 is a side view of the
mounting device 15. FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the mounting device
15.
[0036] In FIG. 12, the grounding pins 29 can be inserted through
apertures 39 on the top surface of the base portion 25 so that the
bottom of the grounding pin 29 is positioned below the bottom of
the base portion 25 so that the tip of the bottom of the grounding
pins 29 can exert sufficient force to break the oxide layer of the
rail 13 when the t-bolt head 31 is inserted into the rail slot 33
and tightened down with the nut 23 as described for FIGS. The top
of the grounding pins 29 rest slightly above the top surface of the
base portion 25 so that the tip of the grounding pins 29 can
penetrate the oxide layer of the solar panel frames but are also
mounted sufficiently close to the top surface of the base portion
25 so that the solar panel frames can seat flush against the top
surface of the rail 13. In FIGS. 13-17, the grounding pins 29 are
shown mounted to the base portion 25 in various views.
[0037] In FIGS. 12-13, the alignment portion 27 is shown projecting
upward from the base portion 25. The base portion 25 and alignment
portion 27 are both illustrated as rectangular cuboids where the
lengths of each of the rectangular cuboids are at right angles to
each other. The base portion 25 and the alignment portion 27 can be
cast, stamped, milled, or otherwise integrally formed from a single
piece of metal. Alternatively the base portion 25 and the alignment
portion can be cast, formed, stamped, extruded, or milled from two
separate pieces of metal and then rigidly joined together as a
joined integral unit. For example, the base portion 25 and
alignment portion can be joined by welding. While both the base
portion 25 and the alignment portion 27 are illustrated as
rectangular cuboids, the base portion 25 can be other shapes, for
example, a truncated pyramid. The base portion 25 can be shaped so
that its top surface is planar to the top surface of the rail, the
top surface including a pair of opposing sides parallel to the
length of the rail slot 33, the depth of the base portion 25 is no
deeper than the depth of the rail slot 33 and its width is no wider
than the width of the rail slot 33. The alignment portion 27 can be
shaped so that the top and bottom surfaces are parallel and planar
with the top surface of the base portion 25 and the top of the rail
13. The length of the alignment portion 27 along the rail slot 33
is narrower than the length of the base portion 25. The width of
the alignment portion 27 is wider than the width of the base
portion 25 so that a portion of the alignment portion 27 extends
beyond the rail slot 33 and over laps the rail 13 on each side of
the rail slot 33. Two of the opposing sides are parallel to each
and project perpendicularly upward from the top surface of the top
of the base portion 25.
[0038] In FIG. 14, the aperture 35 in the alignment portion 27 is
shown centered in the alignment portion 27 and centered over the
base portion 25. The grounding pins 29 are shown on the top surface
of the base portion 25. FIG. 14 illustrates the base portion 25 and
the alignment portion 27 having a rectangular shaped top surface
where the respective lengths of the base portion 25 and alignment
portion 27 are perpendicular to each other. While shown as having
rectangular shaped top surfaces, the base portion 25 and alignment
portion can each have a trapezoid shape. The parallel sides of the
base portion run along its length. The parallel sides of the
alignment portion 27 run along its width and are perpendicular to
the parallel sides of the base portion 25.
[0039] In FIG. 15 the grounding pins 29, aperture 35 in the
alignment portion 27, the base portion slot 37 as well as the slot
support base 41 are shown in cross-sectional relation with the base
portion 25 and the alignment portion 27. In FIG. 16, the grounding
pins 29, the aperture 35, the base portion slot 37, and the slot
support base 41 are shown in relation with the base portion 25 and
the alignment portion 27 in side-view. Referring to FIGS. 8, and
15-16, the slot support base of FIGS. 15-16 in combination with the
base portion 25 is of a depth where when combined with the t-bolt
of FIG. 8, holds the bottom of the t-bolt at a distance at or above
the bottom of the rail slot 33 so that the t-bolt cannot rotate out
of the rail slot 33.
[0040] In FIG. 17, the aperture 35 in the alignment portion 27, the
alignment portion 27, and the base portion 25 are shown in
relationship to each other in bottom view. Here the slot support
base 41 can be view from within the base portion slot 37 and
surrounding the aperture 35.
[0041] A device for mounting, aligning and grounding solar panels
to roof mounted rails has been described. It is not the intent of
this disclosure to limit the claimed invention to the examples,
variations, and exemplary embodiments described in the
specification. Those skilled in the art will recognize that
variations will occur when embodying the claimed invention in
specific implementations and environments. It is possible to
implement certain features described in separate embodiments in
combination within a single embodiment. Similarly, it is possible
to implement certain features described in single embodiments
either separately or in combination in multiple embodiments. For
example, FIGS. 5-6 illustrated the mounting device 15, t-bolt 21,
and nut 23 combined with a solar panel end-clamp 17, a solar panel
mid-clamp can also be used, as illustrated in FIG. 1. It is the
intent of the inventor that these variations fall within the scope
of the claimed invention. While the examples, exemplary
embodiments, and variations are helpful to those skilled in the art
in understanding the claimed invention, it should be understood
that, the scope of the claimed invention is defined solely by the
following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *