IP Library Granted Patent US 7,156,088
Granted Patent B2
US 7,156,088 · App. 11/144,995 · Granted Jan 2, 2007

Solar collector mounting array

Assignee: Energy Innovations, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,156,088
App. No.
11/144,995
Granted
Jan 2, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A solar collector structural support system that affixes to a mounting surface without penetrating the mounting surface is disclosed. The invention in the preferred embodiment includes a junction element adapted to receive: a plurality of leg members; at least one footing adapted to engage frictionally a mounting surface; and a structural support member; wherein a first junction element of the plurality of junction elements receives: a proximal end of a first leg member and a first structural support member. In addition, the junction element may be adapted to receive a ballast element and the ballast element may be adapted to engage a leg member.

Claims (27)

1. A solar collector support system for mounting a solar collector to a mounting surface, the support system comprising:

a first plurality of leg members, each leg member comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and

a first junction element configured to receive: the proximal end of each of the first plurality of leg members; a first footing adapted to engage frictionally the mounting surface; and a first structural support member connected to the solar collector;

wherein the first plurality of leg members are pivotally connected to the first junction element; the plurality of leg members being configured to pivot between:

a deployed configuration in which the plurality of leg members reside in a common plane at the mounting surface, and

a stowed configuration in which the plurality of leg members are substantially parallel;

wherein the plurality of leg members in the deployed configuration are configured to hold the solar collector upright;

wherein the support system further comprises a plurality additional junction elements, each of the additional junction elements being configured to receive the distal end of one of said plurality of leg members; and wherein the first junction element and additional junction elements are substantially identical.

2. The solar collector support system of claim 1 wherein the first structural support member is connected to the first footing.

3. The solar collector support system of claim 1 wherein the first structural support member is adapted to support a wind shield.

4. The solar collector support system of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the one of the first plurality of leg members receives a ballast element.

5. The solar collector support system of claim 1 further comprising a second junction element that receives the distal end of one of the first plurality of leg members.

6. The solar collector support system of claim 1 further comprising:

a ballast element;

a second plurality of leg members;

a second footing adapted to engage frictionally the mounting surface;

a second junction element substantially identical to the first junction element;

wherein the second junction element receives: the distal end of a first leg member of the first plurality of leg members, the ballast element, the second plurality of leg members, and the second footing.

7. The solar collector support system of claim 6 wherein the first leg member is detachably attached to both the first junction element and the second junction element.

8. The solar collector support system of claim 6 wherein the first leg member is rotatably attached to at least one of the first junction element and the second junction element.

9. The solar collector support system of claim 6 wherein the second junction element receives the distal end of the first leg member and is adapted to receive a wind shield structural support member.

10. The solar collector support system of claim 1 wherein one or more of the first plurality of leg members is adapted to house an electrical line.

11. The solar collector support system of claim 1 wherein a distal end of one or more of the first plurality of leg members is adapted to abut a structure extending from the mounting surface.

12. The solar collector support system of claim 1 wherein a distal end of the one or more of the first plurality of leg members is adapted to extend beyond and about a mounting surface boundary.

13. The solar collector support system of claim 1 wherein the first plurality of leg members in the stowed configuration extend outwardly away from a bottom side of the first junction element.

14. The solar collector support system of claim 1 wherein the first plurality of leg members comprise three leg members that extend radially from the first junction element when in the deployed configuration.

15. The solar collector support system of claim 14 wherein the three extended leg members are 120 degrees apart in the deployed configuration.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2012
From: EI (ASSIGNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREDITORS), LLC
To: CYRIUM SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 028776/0626 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 21, 2012
From: ENERGY INNOVATIONS, INC.
To: EI (ASSIGNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREDITORS), LLC
Reel/Frame 028421/0990 →
LIEN Recorded Sep 29, 2011
From: ENERGY INNOVATIONS, INC.
To: IDEALAB HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 026993/0760 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2005
From: LUCONI, GREGG FREDERICK
To: ENERGY INNOVATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 016518/0077 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation In Part 1104203100 · Jan 24, 2005
Provisional Application 6061259200 · Sep 22, 2004
Provisional Application 6057677000 · Jun 2, 2004
Provisional Application 6055773800 · Mar 30, 2004
Related Publication 20050217665A1 · Oct 6, 2005