IP Library Granted Patent US 8,376,298
Granted Patent B2
US 8,376,298 · App. 13/196,183 · Granted Feb 19, 2013

Universal end clamp

Inventor: Greg McPheeters (Santa Clara, CA)
Assignee: Mainstream Energy Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,376,298
App. No.
13/196,183
Granted
Feb 19, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A clamp has a body, a wedged channel nut, and a bolt. The body has a first component extending from the body and configured to engage a module and a second component having a tapered body surface. A flange of the first component engages a first slot of the rail. The nut has a nut extension extending from the nut and away from the module. The nut extension includes a flange configured to engage a second slot of the rail. The nut also includes a tapered nut surface having an angle substantially identical to the angle of the tapered body surface of the second component. The tapered nut surface engages the tapered body surface. A bolt extends through the nut and the body. When the bolt is tightened, the nut and the body secure the module and rail together.

Claims (27)

1. A clamp comprising:

a body including:

a first component extending from the body and configured to engage a module;

a second component extending from the first component and configured to engage a first slot in a rail; and

a third component having a tapered body surface;

a nut including:

a tapered nut surface having an angle substantially identical to the angle of the tapered body surface of the third component, wherein the tapered nut surface engages the tapered body surface; and

a nut extension extending away from the body and having a nut flange configured to engage a second slot of the rail; and

a bolt extending through the nut and configured to engage a threaded aperture of the body, wherein tightening of the bolt causes the third component of the body to slide against the tapered nut surface thus moving the first component towards the nut.

2. The clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the nut flange comprises a second nut flange configured to engage a recess of the second slot of the rail.

3. The clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the tightening of the bolt causes the nut flange to exert a force on the second slot of the rail in a direction toward the module.

4. A system comprising:

a module;

a rail comprising:

a first slot formed in a first side of the rail proximate the module; and

a second slot formed in a second side of the rail extending perpendicularly from the module; and

a clamp comprising:

a body comprising:

a first component configured to engage the module;

a second component extending from the first component and configured to engage the first slot; and

a third component comprising a tapered body surface;

a nut comprising:

a tapered nut surface comprising an angle substantially identical to the angle of the tapered body surface of the third component, wherein the tapered nut surface engages the tapered body surface; and

a nut extension comprising a nut flange configured to engage the second slot; and

a bolt extending through the nut and configured to engage a threaded aperture of the body, wherein tightening of the bolt causes the third component of the body to slide against the tapered nut surface thus clamping the first component onto the module.

5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the nut flange comprises a second nut flange configured to engage a recess of the second slot of the rail.

6. The clamp according to claim 4 , wherein the tightening of the bolt causes the nut flange to exert a force on the second slot of the rail in a direction toward the module.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 11, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: MAINSTREAM ENERGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 061740/0204 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE STREET ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 032549 FRAME: 0245. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Mar 6, 2015
From: MS ENERGY SURVIVING LLC
To: SUNRUN SOUTH LLC
Reel/Frame 035136/0409 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 27, 2014
From: MS ENERGY SURVIVING LLC
To: SUNRUN SOUTH LLC
Reel/Frame 032549/0245 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 26, 2014
From: MAINSTREAM ENERGY CORPORATION
To: MS ENERGY SURVIVING LLC
Reel/Frame 032531/0943 →
MEMORANDUM AND NOTICE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Aug 16, 2012
From: MAINSTREAM ENERGY, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 028801/0407 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 2, 2011
From: GREG MCPHEETERS
To: MAINSTREAM ENERGY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026686/0471 →
Continuity (3)
Division 12470682 · May 22, 2009
Provisional Application 61071891 · May 22, 2008
Related Publication 20110284708A1 · Nov 24, 2011