IP Library Granted Patent US 11,286,114
Granted Patent B2
US 11,286,114 · App. 15/004,265 · Granted Mar 29, 2022

Solar module carrier

Inventors: Mark Spurgeon McCall (Santa Rosa, CA); Willard MacDonald (Sebastopol, CA); Kunio Hasebe (Santa Rosa, CA); Roger L. Jungerman (Petaluma, CA)
Assignee: Vivint Solar, Inc.
B65G7/12A45F3/10A45F5/10A45F2003/146A45F2005/1006
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,286,114
App. No.
15/004,265
Granted
Mar 29, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a carrier device. A device may include a handle and at least one attachment device coupled to the handle. The at least one attachment device may be configured to couple to a solar module, wherein each attachment device includes at least one of a channel for receiving a portion of a frame of the solar module and a clamp for securing the solar module.

Claims (25)

1. A solar module carrier device, comprising:

a handle;

at least one attachment device coupled to the handle and configured to couple to a solar module, wherein each attachment device includes a vertical channel extending from an opening of the vertical channel away from the handle in a first vertical direction and configured for receiving a portion of a frame of the solar module, the portion of the frame having a maximum thickness of 2.5 millimeters, the at least one attachment device comprising an engagement device within the vertical channel and configured to be displaced by the portion of the frame of the solar module in a horizontal direction upon the portion of the frame being positioned in the vertical channel, the engagement device configured to contact and create friction against the portion of the frame while the portion of the frame is positioned in the vertical channel and while the portion of the frame of the solar module is being removed from the vertical channel, a major axis surface of the solar module positioned external to and horizontally displaced from the vertical channel and extending in the first vertical direction beyond the at least one attachment device upon the portion of the frame being positioned in the vertical channel; and

an anti-slip device comprising a rod positioned within the vertical channel and in a fixed position relative to the channel, the anti-slip device configured to contact and create friction with a downward-facing edge of the portion of the frame of the solar module independent of the engagement device;

wherein the handle and the at least one attachment device are configured such that a lifting force applied to the handle while the solar module is being carried is in a second vertical direction opposite the first vertical direction and perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

2. The solar module carrier device of claim 1 , further comprising a securing apparatus for coupling to at least one of the handle and the at least one attachment device, the securing apparatus including at least one strap for securing the solar module carrier device to a user and enabling the user to move the module hands-free.

3. The solar module carrier device of claim 2 , wherein the securing apparatus comprise a harness configured to be worn by the user and position the module proximate a user's back.

4. The solar module carrier device of claim 1 , the at least one attachment device including a housing comprising plastic.

5. The solar module carrier device of claim 1 , further including a wind force abatement device.

6. The solar module carrier device of claim 5 , wherein the wind force abatement device is configured to align the solar module parallel to a direction of wind acting on the solar module.

7. The solar module carrier device of claim 5 , wherein the wind force abatement device includes a hinge configured to rotate the solar module to reduce a force of wind on the solar module.

8. The solar module carrier device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip device is configured to penetrate at least a portion of an edge of the frame of the solar module.

9. The solar module carrier device of claim 8 , wherein the anti-slip device includes a sharp edge for penetrating the at least a portion of an edge of the frame of the solar module.

10. The solar module carrier device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip device includes a clamp configured for clamping at least a portion of the frame of the solar module.

11. A device, comprising:

a handle; and

at least one attachment device coupled to the handle and configured to couple to a solar module,

wherein each attachment device includes:

at least one of a channel for receiving at least a portion of the solar module; and

a clamp including a base, the base including a spring configured to contact, pinch, and secure the solar module in the at least one channel in response to rotation of the handle about the base caused by a lifting force applied to the handle such that the handle rotates toward a vertical direction to contact, pinch, and secure the solar module in the at least one channel; and

a wind force abatement device configured to rotate the solar module to reduce a force of wind on the solar module.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the at least one attachment device is configured to couple to a solar module including a frame and a frameless solar module.

13. The device of claim 11 , wherein each attachment device includes an engagement device configured to be displaced by a portion of a frame of the solar module upon the frame being positioned within the channel.

14. The device of claim 13 , further including at least one arm for securing at least a portion of the solar module.

15. The device of claim 14 , further comprising at least one cover for covering at least a portion of a corner of the solar module.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2023
From: SOLMETRIC
To: FLUKE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 065881/0308 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jul 26, 2023
From: VIVINT SOLAR, INC.
To: VIVINT SOLAR OPERATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 064390/0075 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2022
From: VIVINT SOLAR OPERATIONS, LLC
To: SOLMETRIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059227/0451 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AT REEL/FRAME NO. 44860/0424 Recorded Dec 18, 2019
From: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: VIVINT SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 051367/0844 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2018
From: VIVINT SOLAR, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044860/0424 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 12, 2016
From: MCCALL, MARK SPURGEON; MACDONALD, WILLARD; HASEBE, KUNIO; JUNGERMAN, ROGER L.
To: VIVINT SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037720/0942 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62106850 · Jan 23, 2015
Related Publication 20160214798A1 · Jul 28, 2016