Patent ID: 9518596
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: F16B,F24S,H01L,H02S,Y02B,Y02E,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. An interlock for securing a first photovoltaic module to a second photovoltaic module, comprising: (a) a first module receiving portion that receives the first photovoltaic module therein, the first module receiving portion having a first top panel, a first bottom panel and a first rear stop extending upwardly from the first bottom panel to the first top panel, a first riser extending upwardly from the first bottom panel, wherein the first riser engages with a bottom surface of the first photovoltaic module, and a seat extending downwardly from the first bottom panel, the seat comprising a vertical portion with a horizontal portion extending therefrom, wherein the first bottom panel and the seat are formed from a continuous piece of material, and wherein the first bottom panel and the seat define a slot therebetween; and (b) a second module receiving portion that receives the second photovoltaic module therein, the second module receiving portion having a second top panel, a second bottom panel and a second rear stop extending upwardly from the second bottom panel to the second top panel, and a sliding flange extending therefrom, wherein the second top panel, second bottom panel, second rear stop and sliding flange are formed from a continuous piece of material, wherein the sliding flange on the second module receiving portion is slidable within the slot on the first module portion to vary the lateral distance between the first and second photovoltaic modules, such that the first and second module receiving portions interlock together, and wherein the first module receiving portion further comprises a lip extending vertically from the horizontal portion of the seat that prevents the sliding flange on the second module receiving portion from being fully removed from the slot.