Patent ID: 9718334
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: B60J,B60K,Y02T

Claim:
1. A solar panel support assembly for movably supporting a solar panel relative to a surface of a vehicle, the solar panel support assembly comprising: a fixed support member that is fixedly coupled to the surface; a movable support member that is configured to retain the solar panel, the movable support member being movably coupled to the fixed support member, the movable support member including a top edge, an opposed bottom edge, a first side edge, an opposed second side edge, and an inner support bracket that is coupled to and extends between the top edge and the bottom edge between the first side edge and the second side edge, wherein the inner support bracket includes a pair of spaced apart slotted apertures; a locking assembly that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the locking assembly is in the locked position, the movable support member is substantially inhibited from moving relative to the fixed support member, the locking assembly including (i) a first locking component that includes a locking bar that is coupled to the movable support member, the locking bar having a first end, a second end, a pair of side segments, and a middle segment that extend between and connects to each of the side segments, and (ii) a second locking component that includes a pair of locking apertures formed within the fixed support member, and wherein each of the first end and the second end of the locking bar extend through one of the locking apertures when the locking assembly is in the locked position; and a mover assembly that moves the movable support member relative to the fixed support member between a first position and a second position, wherein the mover assembly includes a mover having a first mover end that is coupled to the fixed support member, and a second mover end that is coupled to the inner support bracket, and wherein the second mover end is coupled to the middle segment of the locking bar between the slotted apertures.