Photovoltaic module mounting assembly
The present disclosure provides a bracket assembly for securing a photovoltaic (PV) module. The bracket assembly may include a bracket having a top portion and a bottom surface and a clip coupled to the bracket. The clip may include a hooked portion, wherein the clip is configured to be displaced by a PV module from a first position to a second position. The clip may be biased toward the first position, and the hooked portion may be configured to engage an edge feature of the PV module.
1 . A bracket assembly for securing a photovoltaic (PV) module, the bracket assembly comprising:
a bracket including:
a top surface, and
a bottom surface;
a clip disposed within the bracket, the clip comprising a hooked portion; and
a biasing member including:
a first end attached to an edge of the bracket, and
a second end attached to the clip,
wherein the clip is configured to be displaced by a PV module from a first position to a second position,
wherein the clip is biased toward the first position, and
wherein the hooked portion is configured to engage an edge feature of the PV module.
2 . The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clip is coupled to a spring, and wherein the spring is configured to bias the clip toward the first position.
3 . The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hooked portion comprises a sloped upper portion.
4 . The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hooked portion comprises an undercut lower portion having a lip, wherein the lip is configured to engage the edge feature of the PV module.
5 . The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hooked portion is configured to engage the edge feature of the PV module when the clip returns from the second position to the first position.
6 . The bracket assembly of claim 2 , wherein the spring is coupled to a first end of the bracket and to an end of the clip.
7 . The bracket assembly of claim 6 , wherein the spring extends through an aperture in the end of the clip.
8 . The bracket assembly of claim 3 , wherein the sloped upper portion forms an oblique angle with respect to the top surface.
9 . The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clip is disposed in a channel of the bracket.
10 . The bracket assembly of claim 9 , wherein the clip is coupled to a spring disposed in the channel of the bracket.
11 . The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bracket further comprises a recess defined between a first ledge that forms the top surface and a second ledge spaced apart from the first ledge.
12 . The bracket assembly of claim 11 , wherein the clip comprises a clip base disposed in the recess.
13 . The bracket assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a slider flange extending into a channel in the bracket, wherein the stop slider flange is configured to engage the clip.