IP Library Granted Patent US 8,839,573
Granted Patent B2
US 8,839,573 · App. 13/367,553 · Granted Sep 23, 2014

Spring clip

Inventors: Paul R. Cusson (West Hartford, CT); Michael G. Greenamyer (Salem, OH); Joseph A. Nobile (Boardman, OH); Thomas P. Kilar, Jr. (Boardman, OH)
Assignee: Northern States Metals Company
F24J2/5232Y02E10/47H01L31/0422Y02E10/50H01L31/0482F24J2/5258F16B5/0635Y02B10/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,839,573
App. No.
13/367,553
Granted
Sep 23, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A panel array support assembly has lower support joists supporting varied panel rails, to which are connected panel holding device or clips. The panel clips are spring-based and configured so that the length of each clip extends in a direction along the length of the panel rails. The panels are supported well inside of the edges extending in the same direction as the panel rails.

Claims (23)

1. A bi-directional panel support array including a plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips holding at least one external panel to a plurality of upper panel rails, each rail having a single planar upper surface with a plurality of discrete apertures, each aperture is sized to accommodate a through connector, said plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips being spaced along a perimeter of said at least one panel, at least one said separate, individually attachable panel clip comprising:

a) a base structure having a horizontal support extending along a length of the upper surface of one of said upper panel rails, wherein said base structure further comprises a pair of substantially parallel legs, each leg extending across a width of said upper surface of said upper panel rail;

b) a first upright structure extending perpendicularly from said base structure and having a distal end;

c) a first perpendicular holding structure extending from said distal end of said upright structure holding the at least one panel;

d) a spring structure comprising at least a resilient bushing, the spring structure being positioned on and above said base structure to exert a force on the at least one panel when held by said panel clip; and, wherein

e) said horizontal support that extends along the upper surface of said upper panel rail contains a first single discrete aperture, and said resilient bushing comprising a second single discrete aperture arranged to complement said first single discrete aperture in said horizontal support and configured so that a first through connector is positioned through both said first and second discrete apertures holding said panel clip to said upper surface of said upper panel rail through a third single discrete aperture in said upper panel rail.

2. The array of claim 1 , wherein said at least one external panel is a solar panel.

3. The array of claim 2 , wherein said at least one panel clip secures the solar panel so that at least two corners of said at least one external panel extend beyond adjacent upper panel rails.

4. A bi-directional panel support array including a plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips holding at least one panel to a plurality of upper panel rails by using said plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips spaced along a perimeter of said at least one panel, at least one said individually attachable panel clip comprising:

a) a base structure having a horizontal support extending along a length of an upper surface of one of said upper panel rails, a pair of substantially parallel legs extending perpendicularly from said horizontal support and across a width of said upper surface of one of said upper panel rails;

b) at least one upright structure extending perpendicular from said horizontal support, said upright structure having a distal end opposite said horizontal support;

c) at least one perpendicular holding structure extending horizontally from said distal end of said upright structure applying a spring-generated pressure by a spring structure against said at least one panel when held by said at least one said individually attachable panel clip; and, wherein

d) said spring structure comprises a resilient portion arranged beneath said base structure, said spring structure extending along the length of one of said upper panel rails, interfacing with said base structure when the at least one said individually attachable panel clip is connected to the upper surface of one of said upper panel rails, said spring structure further comprising a flexible ridge across a width of said resilient portion, said flexible ridge applying pressure against said at least one panel, and two legs with each leg extending on an opposite side of one of said upper panel rails.

5. The array of claim 4 , further comprising a through connector with a spacer.

6. The array of claim 5 , further comprising a split lock washer around said connector.

7. A bi-directional panel support array including a plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips holding at least one solar panel to a plurality of upper panel rails by using said plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips spaced along a perimeter of said at least one solar panel, each said panel clip comprising:

a) a base structure having a horizontal support extending along an upper surface of one of said upper panel rails;

b) at least one upright structure extending perpendicular from said horizontal support, said upright structure having a distal end opposite said horizontal support;

c) at least one perpendicular holding structure extending from said distal end of said upright structure and applying a spring-generated pressure against said solar panel when held by said panel clip;

d) a spring component arranged in contact with said base structure, said spring component having a resilient bushing with aperture; and, wherein,

e) a pass-through connector includes a spacer extending through said aperture of the resilient bushing thereby holding the horizontal support and said spring component together when the panel clip is connected to said one of said upper panel rails via a single discrete aperture in said one of said upper panel rails.

8. The array of claim 7 , wherein said resilient bushing comprises a split lock washer.

9. The array of claim 7 , wherein said base structure further comprises two substantially parallel support legs extending perpendicular to said horizontal support and across a width of said upper surface of one of said upper panel rails.

Assignments (4)
CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION AND NAME CHANGE Recorded Jul 17, 2024
From: NORTHERN STATES METALS COMPANY
To: NORTHERN STATES METALS COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 068406/0598 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 17, 2024
From: NORTHERN STATES METALS COMPANY, LLC
To: SOLAR FLEXRACK LLC
Reel/Frame 068420/0299 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 17, 2024
From: SOLAR FLEXRACK LLC
To: FLEXRACK BY QCELLS LLC
Reel/Frame 068420/0302 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2012
From: CUSSON, PAUL R; GREENAMYER, MICHAEL G; NOBILE, JOSEPH A; KILAR, THOMAS P, JR
To: NORTHERN STATES METALS COMPANY
Reel/Frame 027663/0373 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61441830 · Feb 11, 2011
Related Publication 20120205508A1 · Aug 16, 2012