Collector stand

A collector stand for a solar collector, including a frame adapted to be secured to the solar collector, a cylindrical end cap secured to the frame and adapted to be sleeved over the upper end of a mounting post for the solar collector, and structure securing the frame to the post in a location in spaced relation to the end cap. In one embodiment, the stand is adjustable so that the angle which the solar collector makes with the mounting post may be varied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to stands for solar collectors, and refers more 
specifically to a frame adapted to be secured to a solar collector, an end 
cap secured to the frame which is adapted to be sleeved over one end of a 
post for supporting the solar collector, and means for securing the frame 
to the post in spaced relation to the end cap. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
In the past, stands for solar collectors and the like have sometimes 
included members adapted to be sleeved over a mounting post for securing 
the solar collectors in place. Such prior members have extended 
substantially the entire exposed length of the mounting post. Such 
structure has necessitated the lifting of the solar collectors 
substantially as high as the mounting post therefor before the cylindrical 
members of the collector stand are sleeved over the post. Such 
installation is extremely difficult or impossible without heavy equipment 
and/or a plurality of workmen when dealing with large solar collectors 
and/or during windy periods. At any time, such collector stands require 
the expending of more time and energy to install solar collectors on a 
mounting post than is necessary. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a stand for mounting a 
solar collector on a mounting post which includes a frame adapted to be 
secured to the solar collector, a cylindrical end cap secured to the frame 
centrally of the solar collector, and means secured to the frame in spaced 
relation to the solar collector for abutting the mounting post in spaced 
relation to the end cap. 
In one embodiment of the collector stand of the invention, the collector 
stand is adjustable so that the angle between the solar collector and the 
mounting post therefor may be varied. 
With the collector stand structure of the invention, the solar collector 
and stand need be raised during installation of the solar collector on the 
mounting post only high enough so that the end cap will fit over the upper 
end of the mounting post.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The collector stand 10 shown best in FIG. 2 is utilized to efficiently 
secure a solar collector 12 to a mounting post 14 therefor. 
The collector stand 10 includes a frame 16 adapted to be secured to the 
solar collector 12, an end cap 18 adapted to be secured to the frame 16 
and to be sleeved over the upper end 20 of the mounting post 14, and means 
22 for securing the frame 16 to the mounting post 14 in spaced relation to 
the end cap 18. 
More specifically, the frame 16 includes upper and lower parallel collector 
angle iron members 24 and 26, respectively, adapted to be secured by 
convenient means such as bolts or welding (not shown) to the solar 
collector structure 12. Frame 16 further includes the post angle iron 
member 28 extending adjacent to and in parallel relation with the post 14. 
An upper channel iron member 30, best shown in FIG. 5, is secured to the 
end cap 18 at one end thereof and to the upper collector angle iron member 
24 at the other end thereof by convenient means such as welding. Upper 
bracing angle iron members 32 and 34 are also secured to the end cap 18 at 
one end thereof and to the upper collector angle iron member 24 at the 
other end thereof in spaced relation to the other end of the upper channel 
iron member 30, as shown best in FIG. 4. A lower channel iron member 36 
extends from the semi-cylindrical abutment member 46 of the means 22 for 
securing the frame 16 to the post 14 at one end to the lower collector 
angle iron member 26 at the other end. The lower bracing angle iron 
members 38 and 40, as best shown in FIG. 6, extend from the 
semi-cylindrical abutment member 46 at one end to the lower angle iron 
member 26 at the other end thereof in spaced relation to the other end of 
the lower channel iron member 36. Again, the lower channel iron and 
bracing angle iron members are secured to the lower collector angle iron 
member 26 and to the abutment member 46 by convenient means such as 
welding. Central bracing angle iron members 42 and 44 extend from the post 
angle iron member at one end substantially centrally thereof to the lower 
collector angle iron member 26 at their other ends adjacent the other ends 
of the lower bracing angle iron members, as shown best in FIG. 6. 
The end cap 18 is a cylindrical member adapted to fit over the end 20 of 
the mounting post 14 and is closed at the upper end 21 thereof. The end 
cap 18 is rigidly secured to the adjacent ends of the upper channel iron 
and bracing angle iron members and to the upper end of the post angle iron 
member by convenient means such as welding. 
The means 22 for securing the frame 16 to the mounting post 14 in spaced 
relation to the end cap 18 includes the semi-cylindrical abutment member 
46 which again may be welded to the adjacent ends of the post angle iron 
member and the lower channel and bracing angle iron members. The means 22 
further includes the collar 48 which extends around the post 14 and the 
semi-cylindrical abutment member 46, as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3. The 
collar 48 is secured in position by convenient means such as bolt 50. 
In the modification of the collector stand 10, illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, 
wherein similar parts are provided with similar reference numerals, a 
pivot connection 52 is provided between the end cap 18 and the secured 
together ends of the post angle iron member 28 and the upper channel iron 
and bracing angle iron members 30, 32, 34, as shown in detail in FIGS. 7 
and 8. Further, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 
7-9, an adjustable connection is provided between the frame 16 at the 
bottom thereof and the semicylindrical abutment member 46 by means of a 
bracket 54 secured to the bottom of the frame 16 and an elongated arcuate 
bracket 56 secured to the semicylindrical abutment member 46 which 
brackets 54 and 56 may be connected in variable positions of the solar 
collector with respect to the mounting post by convenient means such as 
the bolt 58. 
With the collector stand of the invention, when it is desired to mount the 
solar collector 12 on the post 14, the frame 16 is produced with the end 
cap 18 and the abutment member 46 secured thereto, and is secured to the 
solar collector 12. It is then necessary to lift the solar collector 12 
with the frame attached thereto only high enough so that the cylindrical 
end portion of the end cap 18 is sleeved over the end 20 of the mounting 
post 14. At this time, the weight of the solar collector 12 will urge the 
abutment member 46 into engagement with the mounting post 14 at a point in 
spaced relation with end cap 18 due to the end cap being higher than the 
center of gravity of the solar collector. However, if it is desired to 
more securely fasten the frame 16 to the post 14, the collar 48 may be 
installed. 
If, as indicated above, it is considered desirable to vary the angle 
between the solar collector 12 and the mounting post 14 periodically, the 
modification of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 is installed in the 
same manner. In use, when it is desired to change the angle of the solar 
collector 12, the bolt 58 is removed and the solar collector is pivoted 
about the pivot connection 52 to align desired openings in the brackets 54 
and 56 and the bolt 58 is repositioned in the newly aligned openings. 
While one embodiment of the present invention has been considered in 
detail, together with a modification thereof, it will be understood that 
other embodiments and modifications of the invention are contemplated. It 
is the intention to include all the embodiments and modifications of the 
invention as are defined by the appended claims within the scope of the 
invention.