System for mounting a photovoltaic module to a surface
View Patent ↗A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object is provided. The system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object, according to the present invention, includes an apparatus and method useful for removably and adjustably mounting one or more photovoltaic modules on an object such as a pole or roof, and includes one or more triple track rails. Also included are one or more connector brackets that are demountably attachable to the one or more triple track rails and to the object.
1. A photovoltaic module mounting system, comprising:
a rail, wherein the rail includes an elongated body with opposing shoulders and opposing sides, wherein a first track is defined by a one of the opposing shoulders, and wherein a second track is defined by a one of the opposing sides;
a clamp, wherein, in an operative configuration, the clamp is engaged with the first track and a photovoltaic module is mountable on the rail by the clamp; and
a keeper, wherein, in an operative configuration, the keeper is engaged with the second track;
wherein the clamp includes a plate and monolithic opposing side walls extending substantially in a same direction at substantially right angles from the plate.
2. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 1 , wherein the opposing side walls include a lower inner edge and an upper face, and a fin extending from the upper face.
3. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 1 , wherein the plate defines a hole.
4. A photovoltaic module mounting system, comprising:
a rail, wherein the rail includes an elongated body with opposing shoulders and opposing sides, wherein a first track is defined by a one of the opposing shoulders, and wherein a second track is defined by a one of the opposing sides;
a clamp, wherein, in an operative configuration, the clamp is engaged with the first track and a photovoltaic module is mountable on the rail by the clamp; and
a keeper, wherein, in an operative configuration, the keeper is engaged with the second track;
wherein the clamp includes a base, a descending member monolithically extending from the base, and an ascending member monolithically extending from the base in a direction substantially opposite a direction of the descending member.
5. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 4 , wherein the ascending member further includes a fin.
6. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 4 , wherein the base defines a hole.
7. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 6 , further comprising a threaded fastener, wherein in the operative configuration, the threaded fastener is disposed through the hole and in the first track.
8. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 4 , wherein in the operative configuration, a longitudinal axis of the clamp is disposed perpendicular to a length of the rail.
9. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 4 , wherein in the operative configuration, a plurality of discrete clamps are positioned along a length of the rail.
10. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 4 , wherein a vertical plane along a length of the rail extends through the first track and the second track.
11. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 4 , wherein the keeper is L-shaped.
12. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 4 , wherein a height of the elongated body is substantially greater than a width of the elongated body.
13. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 4 , wherein the elongated body of the rail has a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow chamber therebetween.
14. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 4 , wherein a hollow space is disposed between the first track and the second track.
15. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 14 , wherein the hollow space is a hollow chamber.
16. A photovoltaic module mounting system, comprising:
a rail, wherein the rail includes an elongated body with opposing shoulders and opposing sides, wherein a first track is defined by a one of the opposing shoulders, and wherein a second track is defined by a one of the opposing sides;
a clamp, wherein, in an operative configuration, the clamp is engaged with the first track and a photovoltaic module is mountable on the rail by the clamp; and
a keeper, wherein, in an operative configuration, the keeper is engaged with the second track;
wherein in the operative configuration, a bottom-most portion of the clamp is positioned in contact with a top surface of the rail and an entirety of a remaining portion of the clamp extends above the top surface of the rail.
17. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 16 , wherein in the operative configuration, a longitudinal axis of the clamp is disposed perpendicular to a length of the rail.
18. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 16 , wherein in the operative configuration, a plurality of discrete clamps are positioned along a length of the rail.
19. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 16 , wherein a vertical plane along a length of the rail extends through the first track and the second track.
20. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 16 , wherein the keeper is L-shaped.
21. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 16 , wherein a height of the elongated body is substantially greater than a width of the elongated body.
22. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 16 , wherein the elongated body of the rail has a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow chamber therebetween.
23. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 16 , wherein a hollow space is disposed between the first track and the second track.
24. The photovoltaic module mounting system according to claim 23 , wherein the hollow space is a hollow chamber.