Abstract:
An apparatus for securing a panel to a substrate includes a base member, an attachment member for securing the substrate within an opening of the base member; a clip member comprising a U-shaped member and a curve-sided member, wherein the U-shaped member includes a central portion and first and second walls defining a generally U-shaped access region for accepting the curve-sided member, wherein at least one of the first and second walls includes a longitudinal flange extending laterally outwardly from an upper end thereof, wherein each of the U-shaped member and a curved area of the curve-sided member includes a corresponding hole for accepting the attachment member therethrough, and securing member for pressing the longitudinal flange against a top edge portion of the panel, thereby securing the panel to the substrate, wherein the securing member is positioned between the angle-sided member and a top end of the attachment member.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
         [0002]    Photovoltaic (PV) modules are typically configured to produce electricity most efficiently from direct sunlight. Mounting hardware for PV modules has been designed to reliably mount and expose PV modules to direct sunlight by attaching them to unobstructed buildings, vehicles, or structures. While there have been a number of recent developments in the field of building integrated PV systems, there are still issues with their installation, such as ease of orientation issues, PV module alignment issues, ventilation issues, servicing issues, and inability to work well in retrofit applications. 
         [0003]    Numerous systems have been devised to mitigate these issues, but most have resulted in costly and cumbersome mounting hardware. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,018 (&#39;018) to Shingleton. The &#39;018 patent discloses a solar collector array formed of a plurality of solar panels mounted on a frame made of support beams that may be sheet metal channel members. A butyl tape or other glazing material is applied between the back laminate of the solar panel and the beam. Clips are used to clamp the panels to the support beams. The clips have an upper portion that is generally T-shaped in profile and a retainer in the form of a channel nut or bar, with a threaded hole that receives a bolt or similar threaded fastener. The retainer biases against the inwardly directed flanges of the channel support beam. Electrical wires and mechanical fasteners are concealed within the support beams. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a definite need exists for a simple, cost-effective, attachment apparatus that provides the ability to secure at any angle panels to substrates while providing ease of installation, and removal from the substrates. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided for securing a panel, such as a PV panel, to a substrate. The apparatus includes a base member comprising a clamp, an attachment member for securing the substrate within an opening of the base member; a clip member comprising a U-shaped member and a curve-sided member, wherein the U-shaped member includes a central portion and first and second walls defining a generally U-shaped access region for accepting the curve-sided member, wherein at least one of the first and second walls includes a longitudinal flange extending laterally outwardly from an upper end thereof, wherein each of the U-shaped member and a curved area of the curve-sided member includes a corresponding hole for accepting the attachment member therethrough, and a securing member for pressing the longitudinal flange against a top edge portion of the panel, thereby securing the panel to the substrate, wherein the securing member is positioned between the angle-sided member and a top end of the attachment member, wherein while securing the panel to the substrate, the U-shaped member contacts the curved area of the curved-sided member with a leaning angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the attachment member that matches an incline angle at which the panel is secured to the substrate. 
         [0006]    These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. Further, it should be understood that the disclosure provided in this summary section and elsewhere in this document is intended to discuss the disclosure by way of example only and not by way of limitation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    To understand the present disclosure, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is an elevational side view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp assembly for securing a panel to a substrate; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded side view of the clamp assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded side view of another exemplary embodiment of a clamp assembly; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the clamp assembly of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the clamp assembly of  FIG. 2B ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3C  is an elevational side view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamp tip that receives a bottom end of an attachment member; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4A-4I  illustrate side views of a plurality of exemplary embodiments of side curved members of the clamp assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of panels secured to a plurality of benches via a plurality of the apparatuses of  FIG. 3B ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a partial perspective view of a plurality of panels secured to a plurality of benches via a plurality of apparatuses of  FIG. 3B ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a partial open perspective view of the plurality of panels secured to a plurality of benches via the plurality of apparatuses of  FIG. 3B ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a couple of panels to be secured to an arm chair via the clamp assembly of  FIG. 3B ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8A  illustrates a partial perspective view of the couple of panels secured to the arm chair of  FIG. 7  via the clamp assembly of  FIG. 3B ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a partial open perspective view of the couple of panels secured to the arm chair of  FIG. 7  via the clamp assembly of  FIG. 2B ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an elevational side view of an alternate embodiment of a clamp assembly for securing a panel to a substrate; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exploded side view of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a clip having only one wall extending upward; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a clip having a flange that includes teeth. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there will hereinafter be described some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0026]    In this application, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” and “an” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2A , there is shown an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus  100 , hereafter referred to as a clamp assembly  100 , for securing a panel, such as a PV panel, to a substrate. As shown, clamp assembly  100  includes a clip assembly  102  and a curved C-shaped body or frame  104   a,  coupled to each other through a screw or bolt  106 , i.e., an attachment member. Clip assembly  102  includes clip  102   a,  having a generally U-shaped structure, and a curve-sided member  103   a,  having a longitudinal half-cylinder shape. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , there is shown another exemplary embodiment of an apparatus  200 , hereafter referred to as a clamp assembly  200 , for securing a panel, such as a PV panel, to a substrate. As shown, clamp assembly  200  includes a clip assembly  102  and a right-angled U-shaped body or frame  104   b,  coupled to each other through a screw or bolt  106 . Clip assembly  102  includes clip  102   a  and a curve-sided member  103   b,  having a full cylinder shape. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , U-shaped clip  102   a  has a central portion  108 , and a pair of raised portions or walls  110 . Central portion  108  and raised walls  110  define an access region  114 . Access region  114  is accessible from two (2) longitudinal sides and from above to enable unobstructed access to curve-sided members  103   a - 103   b  and to bolt  106 . Raised walls  110  can be substantially perpendicular to central portion  108 . Alternately, raised walls  110  can extend inwardly or outwardly over central portion  108 . 
         [0030]    As shown, central portion  108  includes a hole  116  formed therein for receipt there-through of bolt  106 , and curve-sided member  103   a  includes a hole  118   a  for receipt there-through of bolt  106 , thus facilitating the coupling of clip assembly  102  to C-shaped frame  104   a  via bolt  106 . Raised walls  110  include longitudinal flanges  120  extending substantially laterally away from access region  114 . Alternatively, flange  120  may be configured to extend from wall  110  in a slight downward direction, instead of forming a substantially right angle with a direction of wall  110 . 
         [0031]    C-shaped frame  104   a  includes a top frame portion  124   a  and a bottom frame portion  126   a,  spanned by an intermediate frame portion  128   a.  Bottom frame portion  126   a  is terminated by a bottom clamp seat  130   a.  Top frame portion  124   a  carries at its end, distant from the frame portion  128   a,  a threaded hole or an internally threaded housing  132   a  having a generally cylindrical shape. Bottom clamp seat  130   a  and threaded housing  132   a  are separated by an opening  133   a,  whose size is selected to be at least slightly wider than a thickness of a substrate to which a panel is to be secured. 
         [0032]    A cross-handle  134  is slideably mounted in a transverse bore through the top end of bolt  106 , and a nut  136  is threaded on bolt  106  to be positioned between the curve-sided member  103   a,  positioned within access region  114  of U-shaped clip  102   a.  During operation, elongated bolt  106  can adjustably penetrate through internally threaded housing  132   a  to press an object, such as a substrate, via a bottom end of bolt  106  against bottom clamp seat  130 . In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, bottom end of bolt  106  may be fitted into a synthetic tip  106   b,  shown in  FIG. 3C , to enhance an effective securing of a substrate within C-shaped frame  104   a.    
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 3B , curve-sided member  103   b  includes a hole  118   b  for receipt there-through of bolt  106 , thus facilitating the coupling of clip assembly  102  to right-angled U-shaped frame  104   b  via bolt  106 . 
         [0034]    Right-angled U-shaped frame  104   b  includes a top frame portion  124   b  and a bottom frame portion  126   b,  spanned by an intermediate frame portion  128   b.  Top frame portion  124   b  includes near its end, distant from the frame portion  128   b,  a threaded through-hole  132   b.  A bottom end surface  127   b  of top frame portion  124   b  and a top end surface  125   b  of bottom frame portion  126   b  are separated by an opening  133   b,  whose size is selected to be at least slightly wider than a thickness of a substrate to which a panel is to be secured. 
         [0035]    During operation, elongated bolt  106  can adjustably penetrate through internally threaded housing  132   b  to press an object, such as a substrate, via a bottom end of bolt  106  against top end surface  125   b  of bottom frame portion  126   b.    
         [0036]      FIGS. 4A-4J  illustrate side views of a plurality of exemplary curve-sided members of the clamp assembly. In addition to full-circle and half-circle cross-sectional shapes shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the curve-sided member may have a less than half-circle cross-sectional shape, as shown in  FIG. 4A , a circular sectorial cross-sectional shape, as shown in  FIG. 4B , a stadium cross-sectional shape, as shown in  FIG. 4C , a general oval cross-sectional shape, as shown in  FIG. 4D , an ellipse cross-sectional shape, as shown in  FIG. 4E , an annulus cross-sectional shape, as shown in  FIG. 4F , an arch cross-sectional shape, as shown in  FIG. 4G , a lens cross-sectional shape, as shown in  FIG. 4H , and a crescent cross-sectional shape, as shown in  FIG. 4I . 
         [0037]    Now referring to  FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B , a plurality of clamp assemblies  200  are used to secure a plurality of panels  502  to a plurality of benches or seating substrates  504 . As best seen in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , right-angled U-shaped frames  104   b  and bolts  106  are used to securely affix the corresponding assemblies  200  to benches  504 . By tightening nuts  136 , clip assemblies  102  are biased, via flanges  120 , against top ends or edges of panels  502  while bottom surfaces of panels  502  are pressed against benches  504 . While securing a panel  502  to a bench  504  with clip assembly  102 , U-shaped clip  102   a  is configured to pivot around a longitudinal axis of bolt  106  while contacting a curved area of curve-sided member  103   a,  and stop pivoting along a tangent line that matches an incline angle of the bench  504  to which the assembly  200  is to be secured. 
         [0038]    Now referring to  FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B , assembly  200  is used to secure a couple of panels  502  to a couple of adjacent seats  704 . As best seen in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , right-angled U-shaped frame  104   b  and bolt  106  are used to securely affix assembly  200  to a seat arm  706  separating adjacent seats  704 . By tightening corresponding nuts  136 , clip assemblies  102  are biased, via flanges  120 , against top ends or edges of panels  502 , while bottom surfaces of panels  502  are pressed against both a forward edge  708  of seat arm  706  and a top end  710  of a seat back  712 . During the tightening of nuts  136 , curve-sided members  103   a  enable corresponding U-shaped clip  102   a  to pivot to an angle that matches a vertical angle formed by an oblique straight line connecting forward edges of arm  706  and top end  710  and a horizontal line sharing a vertical plane with the oblique straight line. 
         [0039]    Now referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , an embodiment of an alternate clamp assembly  900  is shown. Clamp assembly  900  is substantially assembly  200  augmented with an additional clip assembly  902 , and an additional nut  136   b.  When assembly  900  is used to securely affix a panel to a substrate, clip assemblies  102  and  902  are biased against top edges and bottom edges of the panel, respectively, via nuts  136  and  136   b,  respectively. In addition to the members of clip assembly  200 , clip assembly  902  includes a clip  102   b  and a curve-sided member  103   c.  In one alternate exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, curve-sided member  103   a  and curve-sided member  103   c  do not need to be similar members. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a clip having only one wall extending upward. As shown, unlike clip  102   a,  clip  1002   a  is configured to include only one raised wall  1104 . Clip  1002   a  is configured to be used to secure an end/last panel to a substrate. As such, clip  1002   a  includes only one flange  1102  to be in contact with the end panel. 
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a clip having a flange that includes teeth. Typically, a PV panel includes a circumferential frame (not shown), having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, that surrounds it preferably from all sides. To improve the securing of the panel, flanges  120  and  1200  of clips  102   a  and  1002   b,  respectively, may include teeth  1202  that point substantially downward. As such, during the securing of clamp assembly  200  or  900  to a substrate, flanges  120  or  1200  are engaged to the circumferential frame via teeth  1202 . 
         [0042]    In another embodiment, to ensure good grounding of a PV panel, for example, each element or member of assembly  200  is formed of conductive material or at least includes or is covered with a conductive outer surface. As such, teethed clip  102   a,  bolt  106  and U-shaped frame  104   b  provide an electrical connection between a PV panel and a conductive supporting substrate, to ensure good grounding of the PV panel. Alternately, if the supporting substrate is formed of a non-conductive material, assembly  200  may be equipped with a grounding electrical wire (not shown) that may extend to a grounding element. 
         [0043]    While certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it will be appreciated that changes and modifications can be made and that other embodiments may be devised without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.