Clamp for securing solar panel frames to structural elements
A clamp for adjustably securing a frame of a solar panel to a structural member of a building, the clamp including a first body member comprising a distal end and a proximal end as well as an opening in the first body member disposed proximate the distal end. The clamp also includes a second body member disposed substantially orthogonal to the first body member at the proximal end of the first body member, the second body member further comprising at least one outwardly extending restraining member for either insertion into a slot within the frame or for placement atop the frame. The clamp also includes a multi-sided head with a shaft and an off-center hole disposed within the shaft, the shaft received within the opening in the first body member and the off-center hole operable to receive a threaded fastener for insertion into the structural member.
1 . A clamp for securing a frame of a solar panel to a structural member, the clamp comprising:
a first body member comprising a distal end and a proximal end;
an opening in the first body member disposed proximate the distal end;
a second body member contiguous with and extending substantially orthogonal to the first body member at the proximal end of the first body member, the second body member comprising a center member and at least one outwardly extending grounding tab for placement atop the frame of the solar panel, the at least one outwardly extending grounding tab further configured to restrain the frame in position against the structural member;
a head with a shaft and an off-center hole disposed within the shaft, the shaft received within the opening in the first body member and the off-center hole operable to receive a threaded fastener for securing the clamp to the structural member, wherein rotation of the head about the threaded fastener results in a translation of the clamp to restrain the frame in position against the structural member.
2 . The clamp of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the first body member merges with the center member of the second body member.
3 . The clamp of claim 2 , wherein the center member comprises opposed first and second ends, and wherein the at least one outwardly extending grounding tab comprises a grounding tab extending outwardly from each of the opposed first and second ends.
4 . The clamp of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a first and second side of the first body member comprise arcuate reinforcing tabs.
5 . The clamp of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the distal end of the first body member is roughly equivalent to the length of the shaft of said head.
6 . The clamp of claim 1 , wherein said head comprises at least three sides.
7 . The clamp of claim 1 , wherein the structural member is a purlin.
8 . The clamp of claim 1 , wherein the threaded fastener is a self-drilling fastener.
9 . The clamp of claim 1 , wherein the center member comprises opposed first and second ends.
10 . A clamp for securing a frame of a solar panel to a structural member of a building, the clamp comprising:
a first body member comprising a distal end and a proximal end;
an opening in the first body member disposed proximate the distal end;
a second body member contiguous with and extending substantially orthogonal to the first body member at the proximal end of the first body member, the second body member comprising a center member and at least one outwardly extending grounding tab for placement atop a frame of a solar panel, wherein the placement of the second body member atop the frame of the solar panel provides an electrical grounding path from the frame to the structural member and the at least one outwardly extending grounding tab further configured to restrain the frame in position against the structural member; and
a head with a shaft and an off-center hole disposed within the shaft, the shaft received within the opening in the first body member and the off-center hole operable to receive a threaded fastener for securing the clamp to the structural member, the shaft comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the shaft comprising knurling for engagement with the structural member to provide an electrically conductive path between the structural member and the frame of the solar panel, wherein rotation of the head about the threaded fastener results in a translation of the clamp to restrain the frame in position against the structural member.