Patent Abstract:
A directional support structure for use with solar panels, flat satellite antennas, and the like items that are directed toward a point in space. The support structure includes a mounting plate with an extension tube extending outwardly therefrom, pivotally secured to a mounting bracket permitting rotational azimuth alignment of the mounting plate. At least one locking turnbuckle is attached between the extension tube and the mounting bracket to provide locking and vertical adjustable alignment of the mounting plate. The base member includes an attached first flange positioned along an upper end of the base member, an attached flaring positioned on the lower end of the mounting bracket, and an unattached second flange positioned over the flaring, securable to the first flange with fasteners.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a field of support structures and, more particularly, to a support structure for solar panel collectors, satellite antennas and other objects that need to be fixed toward a point in space. 
   BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
   Solar panels and satellite antennas are directed to a particular point in space to be effective. A solar panel collector must either be directed toward the sun where it will be most effective or made to track the sun as it moves across the sky. Solar panels are used to collect energy from the Sun and require optimum positioning whether the energy is for heating of water or providing electrical power. The weight of the panels is dependant upon the panel size but can be quite heavy if the solar panel includes circulating water. 
   Satellite antennas, both flat and parabolic, can be found throughout the world for communication purposes. These antennas must also be directed to a particular point in space to be effective. Solar panels and satellite antennas both require support structures capable of adjustment yet capable of inhibiting all movement even if presented with high winds. 
   One of the problems with the prior art support structures is their inability to both precisely hold large directional objects while allowing for ease of adjustment. For instance, if a solar panel is designed to be fixed, as opposed to tracking, a necessity for the safety of the installers is paramount. This need arises as conventional support structures place a burden upon the installer to prevent damage during directional positioning. Prior art devices have not disclosed the necessity for a support structure capable of withstanding extremely high winds from causes such as hurricanes. Such high winds can cause misadjustment if the panel moves even one inch. 
   Thus, what is lacking in the art is a heavy duty directional support structure capable of holding large heavy panels yet provide ease in directionally pointing by allowing the installer to rotate and tilt the directional panel as necessary. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Set forth is a directional support structure for use with solar panels, flat or raised satellite antennas, and the like structures required to be directionally facing a fixed point in space. The directional support structure includes an adjustable bracket that allows for pivoting of the mounting plate even when the mounting plate is loaded with solar panels or satellite panels, despite the weight of such devices. Rotational or azimuth movement is maintained by use of a mounting bracket secured to a base member that allows rotation with operator safety in mind by eliminating disengagement of the directional devices once they are secured to the mounting plate. Upon proper rotational placement, flanges are fastened together sandwiching a flaring located on the lower end of the mounting bracket thereby preventing further rotational movement. An adjustment bracket is provided to allow latitude adjustment of the mounting plate by use of turn buckles that provide precise adjustment and absolute rigidity upon locking of the turn buckles. A base member includes a hollow column that can be placed in the ground or bolted on a fixed structure. The column is hollow to provide a wire chase for concealment of pipes and/or electrical wiring. 
   Thus, an objective of the instant invention is to disclose a directional support structure capable of azimuth and latitude adjustment despite the weight of the devices to be directionally positioned. 
   Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a support structure that provides a safe structure for installers by creating a rigid mounting base that allows for positional adjustment. 
   Still another objective of the instant invention is to provide an industrial stand capable of withstanding weather extremes such as hurricane winds, without movement of the positioning elements. 
   Still another objective of the instant invention is to disclose the use of a universal mounting plate capable of holding a plurality of solar panel basins. 
   Still another objective of the instant invention is to disclose the use of solar panel basins that allow for the flush mount of solar panels to protect from side wind lifting. 
   Still another objective of the instant invention is to teach the use of a mounting plate that can be used for devices that require directional placement including satellite antenna panels. 
   The above-stated objectives as well as other objectives not specifically stated, are within the scope of the present invention, and will become apparent from the Derailed Description of the Invention, Drawings, and Claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side plane view of the Directional Support Structure; 
       FIG. 1   a  is a pictorial of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustrating a flaring attached to a lower end of the mounting bracket; 
       FIG. 2   a  is an exploded view illustrating a flaring attached to the upper end of the base member; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front perspective view of the Directional Support Structure within an attached basin for receipt of solar panels; 
       FIG. 3   a  is a pictorial of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side perspective of the Directional Support Structure with solar panels placed in a basin; 
       FIG. 4   a  is a pictorial of  FIG. 4 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the Directional Support Structure with a satellite antenna and collector. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate structure. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 1   a , set forth is a side view of the directional support structure  10  which consists of a mounting plate  12  having a front surface  14  and a rear surface  16 . The mounting plate includes mounting apertures, not shown, that can be pre drilled or the mounting plate can be modified for receipt of solar panels, antennas, solar panel basins, and the like type objects that need directional positioning toward a point in space. The mounting plate  12  is coupled to an extension tube  18  having a proximal end  20  secured to the rear surface  16  with a mounting plate. Securement of the extension tube  18  to the mounting plate  12  is preferably a weldment providing structural strength for carrying of heavy objects. The extension tube maintaining rigidity from heavy loads such as snow, or high winds arising from causes such as hurricanes. The extension tube  18  is preferably mounted perpendicular to the mounting plate and extending outwardly to a distal end  22  placed at a position that allows for proper pivoting as explained herein. The extension tube  18  is pivotally mounted to a mounting bracket  24  by pivot point fastener  26 . Preferably the pivot point is a fastener that extends from one side of the extension tube to the opposite side and coupling to a first mounting bracket  24  which may be of a single side or preferably includes a second bracket  27  forming a mirror image of the first mounting bracket. In this manner the mounting bracket  24  is positioned on each side of the extension tube with the pivot point fastener  26  extending through the extension tube and is tightened to prevent lateral movement of the extension tube but maintain pivoting by adjustment of turn buckle coupling  28 . The mounting bracket  24  permits latitude alignment of the mounting plate  12  by pivoting of the extension tube  18  along pivot point fastener  26 . A second end  30  of the mounting bracket is secured to base member  32 . 
   The base member  32  is formed from a hollow upright column  34  defined by an upper end  36  spaced apart from a lower end  38  a distance to allow clearance of the mounting plate  12  from contacting an object when a solar panel or antenna is placed thereon. This is particularly helpful when the base member is mounted on the ground wherein the mounting plate extends up over the ground a distance which will handle most average snow falls, and allows shrubbery or other lawn items to be placed around the base without interfering with the solar panel and or satellite antenna reception. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2  the base member  32  is coupled to the mounting bracket  24  by use of flanges and a flare. In a preferred embodiment a flare  40  is mounted to the bottom  30  of the mounting bracket with a movable flange  42  positioned on said mounting bracket and available for attachment to a cooperating second flange  44  located on the upper end of the base member  32 . The first flange  42  includes fasteners  46  which are preferably threaded bolts for insertion in engagement with threaded apertures  48  located on the second flange  44 . During installation the first flange is loosely coupled to the second flange sandwiching the flaring  40  there between. The mounting bracket  24  can be rotated as necessary for directional alignment of the device to be pointed toward a point in space and upon proper alignment the first flange  42  is securely fastened to the second flange  44  by placement of threaded bolts  46  tightly into apertures  48  thereby sandwiching the flare in  40  there between. 
   In a preferred embodiment the first flange  42  includes a receptacle  50  sized to cooperate with the flare  40 , thereby capturing the flare in a fixed position. Alternatively, referring to  FIG. 2   a , the first flange  92 ′ is permanently secured to the mounting bracket  91 ′ wherein the flare  90 ′ is permanently attached to base member  82 ′. In this embodiment a second flange  94 ′ is coupled to the first flange  92 ′, sandwiching the flare  90 ′ there between. Similar to the first embodiment, fasteners  96 ′ engage threaded apertures  98 ′ to cause a tight sandwich between the first and second flange, thereby fixing the flare  90 ′ in between. Similarly in the second embodiment, the second flange  94 ′ may include a receptacle  99 ′ sized to receive the flare  90 ′, all of which are fixed to base member  82 ′. 
   Again referring  FIG. 1  the turn buckle  28  is adjustable having a left hand thread  60  and a right hand thread  62 . By rotation of the turn buckle body  64  the extension tube  18  can be tilted by causing the distal end  22  to be narrowed or spaced apart from the mounting bracket lower end  30 . The turn buckle is pivotally coupled to the extension tube by fastener  66  into the mounting bracket by fastener  68 . When the turn buckle is rotated to present the proper latitude alignment of the mounting plate  12  a locking nut  70  can be tightened against the body of the turn buckle  64  to prevent movement. For ease of simplicity, only a single turn buckle is described. A second turn buckle forms a mirror image of the first turn buckle. In addition, it should be noted that the left hand and right hand threads could be reversed and other devices may be employed for the purpose of extending or diminishing the distance between end  30  and the distal end  22  of the extension tube for purposes of causing latitude tilting of the mounting plate  12 . 
   Now referring to  FIG. 3 , set forth is a front perspective view of the directional support structure  10  depicting the base member  32  having a lower flange  38  secured to a rigid structure, not shown, by fasteners  39 . The upper end of the base member having secured to mounting bracket  24  by first flange  42  fastened to second flange  44  by fasteners  46 . The mounting bracket is pivotally secured to the mounting plate  12  by the pivot point fastener  26  and adjusted by use of turn buckles  28  and  28 ′. In the preferred embodiment the use of tie-rods, or in particular, turn buckles on each side of the mounting bracket  24  provides rigidity by using the extension tube which is preferably a square or rectangular rigid material providing absolute rigidity wherein the hollow column may include a wire chase. In this embodiment the use of a solar collector basin  102  is illustrated. The solar basin includes recessed cavities  104  and  106  that allow placement of the panels into the basin allowing the solar panels to remain flush to prevent loading of the panels by wind or other elements that would other wise structurally effect the strength and efficiency of the solar panels.  FIG. 4  depicts the solar panels  108  and  110  placed in the receptacles or tub basins. It should be noted that a single receptacle or multiple receptacles may be employed depending upon the type of solar panel utilized. Elements  10 ,  18 ,  24 ,  32  and  102  are identified in previous figures. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5  set forth is an illustrated example of an alternative embodiment for use with the directional support structure  10  wherein a flat antenna device  120  is employed having a signal collector  122  positioned over the satellite panel  120  for signal reception. Flat panels are known in the art as being by the instant inventor such as that set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,913 being a flat plate antenna, the contents of which are incorporated herein in by reference. 
   It should be understood that the foregoing relates to only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the embodiment of the invention herein used for the purposes of disclosure, which do not institute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8