FRAMES FOR SOLAR PANELS
Embodiments of the application may include frames and methods for making frames to at least partially enclose or support a solar panel including an elongated piece of framework material which has been folded to form a folded, framework having at least some portions of overlapped framework and a securement between some of the overlapped framework. Securements may include but are not limited to teeth, dimples, tab locks, adhesives, grip surfaces, or the like and may provide strength and even anti-twisting properties to a frame.
1 . A frame for at least partially enclosing or supporting a solar panel comprising: an elongated piece of framework material having a first end and a second end, said first and second end defining lengthwise dimension; wherein said elongated piece of framework material is folded along said lengthwise dimension to form a folded framework having a panel containment structure configured to support part of a solar panel; wherein said folded framework comprises an overlap of at least part of said elongated piece of framework creating an overlapped framework; and a securement configured to secure said overlapped framework.
2 . (canceled)
3 . The frame as described in claim 1 wherein said panel containment structure comprises a lower shelf, a pocket wall, a top lip, and a pocket region.
4 . The frame as described in claim 3 wherein said pocket region comprises said overlapped framework and wherein said securement is located between overlapped framework in said pocket region.
5 . The frame as described in claim 1 wherein said overlap of said at least part of said elongated piece of framework comprises an overlap of said first end with said second end of said elongated piece of framework material.
6 . The frame as described in claim 5 wherein said overlap of said first end with said second end of said at least part of said elongated piece of framework comprises a bend in said first end folded around a side edge of said second end.
7 . The frame as described in claim 6 and further comprising an upper layer of said first end of said framework, an inner layer of said second end of said framework, and a bottom layer of said wrapped first end of said framework.
8 . (canceled)
9 . The frame as described in claim 1 wherein said securement comprises teeth at one of said first or second ends configured to frictionally engage with said overlapped framework.
10 . (canceled)
11 . The frame as described in claim 10 wherein said bent teeth are bent at an angle selected from between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees; about 5 degrees; about 10 degrees;
about 15 degrees; and less than about 90 degrees.
12 . (canceled)
13 . (canceled)
14 . (canceled)
15 . (canceled)
16 . (canceled)
17 . The frame as described in claim 1 wherein said securement comprises a dimple feature in said overlapped framework.
18 . The frame as described in claim 17 wherein said dimple feature comprises a dimple formed in an inner layer of said overlapped framework, wherein said dimple is configured to lock said inner layer with an overlapped layer of framework.
19 . The frame as described in claim 17 wherein said dimple feature comprises a nesting dimple in each layer of said overlapped framework.
20 . (canceled)
21 . (canceled)
22 . (canceled)
23 . (canceled)
24 . (canceled)
25 . (canceled)
26 . (canceled)
27 . (canceled)
28 . (canceled)
29 . (canceled)
30 . (canceled)
31 . The frame as described in claim 1 wherein said securement comprises a tab lock.
32 . The frame as described in claim 31 wherein said tab lock comprises a hole in one of said overlapping layers and a tab in the other of said overlapping layers wherein said tab configured to lock into said hole.
33 . The frame as described in claim 32 wherein said tab lock comprises at least two tabs for each hole.
34 . The frame as described in claim 32 wherein said tabs comprise a bent tab at an angle selected from about 90 degrees, less than about 90 degrees, and more than about 90 degrees.
35 . (canceled)
36 . (canceled)
37 . The frame as described in claim 31 wherein said overlapped framework comprises a plurality of tab locks.
38 . (canceled)
39 . (canceled)
40 . (canceled)
41 . The frame as described in claim 1 wherein said securement comprises an adhesive between said overlapped framework.
42 . (canceled)
43 . (canceled)
44 . (canceled)
45 . (canceled)
46 . (canceled)
47 . (canceled)
48 . The frame as described in claim 1 wherein said securement comprises a grip surface on part of said framework.
49 . The frame as described in claim 48 wherein said grip surface is selected from a corrugated surface, a rough surface, a lacerated surface, a scored surface, hatched surface, double hatched surface, and irregular hatching surface.
50 . (canceled)
51 . (canceled)
52 . (canceled)
53 . The frame as described in claim 48 wherein said grip surface comprises protrusions and depressions.
54 . The frame as described in claim 48 wherein both surfaces of an overlapped framework comprise said grip surface and when overlapped said grip surfaces mate with each other.
55 . The frame as described in claim 51 wherein said grip surface on one of said surfaces is different than a grip surface on the overlapping surface.
56 . (canceled)
57 . (canceled)