Abstract:
An arrangement for attaching PV panels together and to a roofing clamp includes an electrical insulating provision between the attaching arrangement and the roofing clamp.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Photovoltaic (PV) cells and panel assemblies are currently attached to roof seams for receiving solar energy and converting the solar energy to electricity for home use. On such PV panel assembly is a Mage Solar Unit manufactured by Mage Solar Inc. 
     In order to attach the PV panels to the roof seams, roofing clamps such as the AceClamp® manufactured by PMCI of Bristol Conn. for attaching snow guards and the like, can be modified for attaching the PV panels. 
     Another arrangement for attaching PV panels to roof seams is the type described within U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,011 entitled “Adjustable Mounting Assembly for Standing Seam Panels”. 
     Such forms of attaching PV panels to roof seams mainly consist of an arrangement of metal components which insures electrical connection between adjoining panels that are attached by a common clamp for grounding purposes. 
     When such PV panels are to be attached to metal roofs, it is important that the panels remain electrically interconnected without becoming electrically connected with the clamp and/or the metal roof. 
     One purpose of the instant invention is to describe a PV panel clamp for attaching a PV panel to a roof without electrical conduction between the clamp and roof while insuring electrical connection between adjoining PV panels, per se. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An arrangement for attaching PV panels together and to a roofing clamp includes an electrical insulating provision between the attaching arrangement and the roofing clamp to insure electrical connection between adjoining panels while preventing electrical contact with the roof and attaching arrangement. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a an exploded top perspective view of the PV kit according to the invention, prior to assembly with the associated PV panel and associated roofing clamp; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the PV kit of  FIG. 1  shown attached to the PV panel and with a roofing seam via the associated roofing clamp. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As now shown in  FIG. 1  the PV kit  10  according to the invention includes an upper insulating plate  11  of a plastic material, such as polyphthalamide, which includes a thru-hole  11 A for receiving one end of a threaded rod  13  and opposing tabs  11 B and  11 C extending downwards therefrom along with a circular rim  11 D for purposes to be described below in greater detail. 
     A lower insulating plate  14  of similar material and structure is depicted at the opposite end of the threaded rod  13  with a thru-hole  14 A for receiving the opposite end of the threaded rod  13  and opposing tabs  14 B and  14 C extending upwards therefrom along with a circular rim  14 D. 
     Intermediate the upper and lower insulating plates  11 ,  14 , are a pair of top and bottom wing-shaped metal connector plates  12 ,  15 . The top connector plate  12  includes a thru-hole  12 A for receiving the top end of the threaded rod  13  along with a pair of parallel elongated slots  12 B,  12 C for receiving the opposing tabs  11 B and  11 C extending downwards from the upper insulating plate  11  when the upper insulating plate is positioned within the top wing-shaped metal connector plate  12  upon receiving the top part of the threaded rod  13  within the thru-hole  11 A. 
     The bottom connector plate  15  includes a thru-hole  15 A for receiving the bottom end of the threaded rod  13  along with a pair of parallel elongated slots  15 B,  15 C for receiving the opposing tabs  14 B and  14 C extending upwards from the lower insulating plate  14  when the lower insulating plate  14  becomes positioned within the bottom wing-shaped metal connector plate  15  upon receiving the bottom part of the threaded rod  13  within the thru-hole  14 A. 
     To insure separation between the top and bottom connector plates  12 ,  15  and the threaded rod  13 , the circular rim  11 D, extends from the upper insulating plate  11  to within the thru-hole  12 A within the top connector plate  12  when the upper insulating plate  11  is inserted within the top connector plate  12 , and the circular rim  14 D extends from the lower insulating plate  14  to within the thru-hole  15 A within the bottom connector plate  15  when the lower insulating plate  14  is inserted within the bottom connector plate  15 . The prevention of contact between the top and bottom connector plates  12 , 14 , and the threaded rod  13  is an important feature of the instant invention. 
     After inserting the top end of the threaded rod  13  within thru-holes  11 A,  12 A, and the lower end of the threaded rod within thru-holes  15 A,  14 A, within the threaded opening  21  formed on the top part of the roofing clamp  17 , the side wall  23 A of the associated PV panel  23  is then inserted between the serrated end  12 E of the top connector plate  12  and the end serrated  15 E of the bottom connector plate  15 , while a rectangular insulating side plate  16  of a plastic material is positioned intermediate the serrated end  12 D of the top connector plate  12  and the serrated end  15 D of the bottom connector plate  15 . The serrated ends of the connector plates insure firm mechanical and electrical contact between the PV panel  23  and the top connector plate. The rectangular insulating side plate  16  prevents the PV kit assembly  10  from becoming unstable under severe atmospheric conditions. 
     Although not shown for purposes of clarity, a similar PV panel  23  could be installed between the end  12 D of the top connector plate  12  and the end  15 D of the bottom connector plate  15  in place of the rectangular insulating side plate  16 , if so desired. The PV kit assembly  10  is shown in  FIG. 2  with the PV panel  23  captured between one side of the top metal plate  12  and one side of the bottom metal plate  15  and with the plastic side piece  16  captured between an opposite side of the top metal plate and an opposite side of the bottom metal plate. 
     The upper insulating plate  11  and the lower insulating plate  14  captured within the top and bottom metal plates  12 ,  15 , prevent electrical connection between the top and bottom metal plates, the rod  13 , as well as between the roofing clamp  17  when the roofing seam  24  is captured within the roofing clamp via nut  25  and the PV kit assembly  10  is attached to the roofing clamp via rod  13  and nut  22 , as shown. 
     A PV assembly kit for attaching solar panels and the like to roofing seams has herein been described along with means for allowing electrical contact between adjoining panels without allowing electrical connection between the panels and the associated roof.