Patent Description:
Rail-based solar racking systems typically use rails, clamps, and brackets to mount solar PV panels to roofs. Railless solar racking systems can secure solar PV panels to roofs without using rails. They typically use bracket assemblies to clamp and secure the solar PV panel onto roofs or other mounting structures.

A rail-based residential racking system with twenty-one solar PV panels might use twelve rails, forty-eight clamps, and forty-two brackets. A railless system with the same number of solar PV panels might use forty-four bracket assemblies. Some commercial installations could have one hundred times this many components.

<CIT> discloses a frame for mounting a solar panel, where an angle frame member has a generally L-shaped cross section.

<CIT> discloses a PV module framing and coupling system which enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array.

The invention relates to the device according to claim <NUM>. The inventors set out to create easier to install solar racking systems. They put their attention on railless solar racking systems, because these typically require fewer parts, and are easier to transport than rail-based systems. However, the inventors observed that some railless solar racking systems are difficult to install, and are structurally complex. The number of components in typical residential or commercial installations exasperates this problem. The inventor's solar racking system solves these problems. The inventor's system may include devices, such as railless mounting assemblies and solar panel frames. Detents and other clamping features built into the solar panel frame, simplifies installation and structural complexity. An installer or system designer can use the railless mounting assemblies and solar panel frames together or separately.

The following is an example of how the railless mounting assemblies and solar panel frames can work together. Railless mounting assemblies may include a roof attachment bracket and a panel attachment bracket. The panel attachment bracket secures the frame of the solar PV panel. A threaded fastener typically secures the panel attachment bracket with the roof attachment bracket. Roof fasteners secure the roof attachment bracket to the roof.

Railless mounting assemblies may optionally include two panel attachment brackets to secure two solar panels together. One or both panel attachment brackets can include a hinge arm and spring clip. The hinge arm and spring clip can flex. This allows the installer to rotate the solar panel frame into the attachment bracket. Once rotated, the spring clip, by spring tension, secures the solar panel frame to the panel attachment bracket.

The solar panel frame can include a frame face, a return flange, and detent riser. The frame face forms the outside perimeter of the solar panel frame. The return flange forms an inward facing lip at the bottom of the solar panel frame. It extends inward from the bottom of the frame face. The detent riser extends up from the end of the return flange. A detent located in the frame face, extends downward toward the detent riser. A second detent extends downward from the detent riser toward the frame face.

The attachment bracket may include a hook, shaped to catch and hold the detent in the frame face. The spring clip typically presses against the detent riser. Optionally, the spring clip can catch and hold the second detent.

This Summary discusses a selection of examples and concepts. These do not limit the inventive concept to the examples given. Additional features and advantages will be apparent from the Detailed Description, figures, and claims.

The Detailed Description and Claims may use ordinals such as "first," "second," or "third," to differentiate between similarly named parts. These ordinals do not imply order, preference, or importance. This disclosure uses "optional" to describe features or structures that are optional. Not using the word "optional" does not imply a feature or structure is not optional. In this disclosure, "or" is an "inclusive or," unless preceded by a qualifier, such as either, which signals an "exclusive or.

The Detailed Description includes the following sections: "Definitions," "System Overview," "General Principles and Examples," and "Conclusion and Variations.

Return Flange: As defined in this disclosure, a return flange is the lower lip of a solar panel frame that projects inward underneath the solar panel.

Railless Mounting Assembly: As defined in this disclosure, a railless mounting assembly secures solar PV panels to a roof or building structure without rails.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a solar array <NUM> with examples of devices, conceived by the inventors, to mount solar PV panels to roofs and other mounting structures. The solar array <NUM> includes solar PV panel <NUM> and a solar PV panel <NUM>. A solar panel frame <NUM> surrounds and supports the active element <NUM> of the solar PV panel <NUM>. Similarly, a solar panel frame <NUM> surrounds and supports the active element <NUM> of the solar PV panel <NUM>. Railless mounting assembly <NUM> and railless mounting assembly <NUM> secure to the leading edge of solar panel frame <NUM>. <FIG> shows railless mounting assembly <NUM>, <NUM> securing the trailing edge of solar panel frame <NUM> and the leading edge of solar panel frame <NUM>. Railless mounting assembly <NUM> and railless mounting assembly <NUM> secure the trailing edge of solar panel frame <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show the railless mounting assemblies secured to a roof <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a section view of the solar array <NUM> taken along section lines <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>. <FIG> uses break lines to shorten solar PV panel <NUM> and the solar PV panel <NUM> so they fit on the drawing sheet. <FIG> illustrates how railless mounting assemblies secure the solar PV panel to the roof. The railless mounting assemblies include a roof attachment bracket and a panel attachment bracket. The panel attachment bracket secures the frame of the solar PV panel. The roof attachment bracket secures to the roof. As illustrated, railless mounting assembly <NUM> includes panel attachment bracket <NUM> secured with the roof attachment bracket <NUM>. Panel attachment bracket <NUM> secures solar panel frame <NUM> to the railless mounting assembly <NUM>. Railless mounting assembly <NUM> includes panel attachment bracket <NUM> and panel attachment bracket <NUM> secured to the roof attachment bracket <NUM>. Panel attachment bracket <NUM> secures solar panel frame <NUM> to the railless mounting assembly <NUM>. Panel attachment bracket <NUM> secures solar panel frame <NUM> to the railless mounting assembly <NUM>. Railless mounting assembly <NUM> includes panel attachment bracket <NUM> and the roof attachment bracket <NUM> secured together. Panel attachment bracket <NUM> secures solar panel frame <NUM> to railless mounting assembly <NUM>. Threaded roof fasteners secure the roof attachment brackets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to the roof <NUM>. For example, in <FIG> and <FIG>, threaded roof fasteners <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> secure roof attachment bracket <NUM> to roof <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show threaded roof fasteners <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> secure roof attachment bracket <NUM> to roof <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of <FIG> enlarged to show the railless mounting assembly <NUM>, solar panel frame <NUM> and solar panel frame <NUM> in greater detail. The roof attachment bracket <NUM> includes a bracket base 119a and a bracket riser 119b extending upward from the bracket base 119a. The panel attachment bracket <NUM> includes a vertical base 118a, a panel support 118b, a hook 118f, and a spring clip <NUM>. The vertical base 118a secures to the bracket riser 119b. The panel support 118b includes a hinged arm 118c and a panel platform 118d. The hinged arm 118c, extends obliquely away from the vertical base 118a. The panel platform 118d extends obliquely away from the hinged arm at an angle disposed to seat the solar panel frame <NUM> of the solar PV panel <NUM>. The hook 118f extends downward from an upper end of the vertical base toward the panel support 118b. The spring clip <NUM> extends upward away from a panel platform end (i.e., the panel support end) and towards the vertical base 118a.

The solar panel frame <NUM> includes a frame face 105a, a return flange 105b, and a detent riser 105c. The frame face 105a forms an outside perimeter of the solar panel frame <NUM>. The return flange 105b extends inward from a bottom end of the frame face 105a. The detent riser 105c extends upward from an end of the return flange 105b. A first detent 105d projects inward and downward into the frame face 105a toward the detent riser 105c. A second detent 105e extends downward from the detent riser 105c toward the frame face 105a. The hook 118f engages the first detent 105d. The spring clip <NUM> engages the detent riser 105c. Spring clip <NUM> uses spring tension to press the solar panel frame <NUM> against the hook 108f. This secures the solar PV panel <NUM> to the railless mounting assembly <NUM>. In some variations, the spring clip <NUM> extends upward until it overlaps the second detent 105e. This would allow the spring clip <NUM> to engage and secure to the second detent 105e.

<FIG> shows the first detent 105d and the second detent 105e positioned below a midline 105f of the frame face 105a. The midline 105f is equidistant between the frame top <NUM> and the return flange 105b. Positioning the first detent 105d and the second detent 105e below the midline 105f, allows them to engage with more compact clamps than would otherwise be possible. The frame top <NUM> extends inward from an upper end of the frame face 105a. Optionally, a panel shelf support 105i can extend upward from the return flange 105b and intersect the panel shelf <NUM> to help create greater structural rigidity.

The panel shelf <NUM> extends inwardly from the frame face 105a. The frame top <NUM> and the panel shelf <NUM> together form a cavity for receiving the active element 102a of the solar PV panel <NUM>. The panel shelf <NUM> can form a support for the active element 102a.

The bracket riser 119b includes a first bracket riser face 119c and a second bracket riser face 119d. <FIG> shows the panel attachment bracket <NUM> secured against and extending away from the first bracket riser face 119c. <FIG> also shows the panel attachment bracket <NUM> secured to and extending away from the second bracket riser face 119d. <FIG> shows panel attachment bracket <NUM> positioned above bracket base 119a. <FIG> also shows the panel attachment bracket <NUM> positioned away from the bracket base 119a. A threaded fastener <NUM> secures the panel attachment bracket <NUM> and panel attachment bracket <NUM> to the bracket riser 119b. The relative position of the panel attachment brackets <NUM>, <NUM> with respect to bracket riser 119b align the top of solar PV panel <NUM> and solar PV panel <NUM> in the same plane.

In <FIG>, a threaded bonding fastener <NUM>, electrically bonds the solar panel frame <NUM> to railless mounting assembly <NUM>. A threaded bonding fastener <NUM> electrically bonds the solar panel frame <NUM> to railless mounting assembly <NUM>. The threaded bonding fastener <NUM> extends through panel attachment bracket <NUM>. The panel attachment bracket <NUM> hides the threaded bonding fastener <NUM> in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates threaded bonding fastener <NUM>.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, panel attachment bracket <NUM> and panel attachment bracket <NUM> are structurally equivalent. The reader can apply the description that follows for panel attachment bracket <NUM> to panel attachment bracket <NUM>. In <FIG>, the panel attachment bracket <NUM> extends away from the bracket base 129a of the roof attachment bracket <NUM>. A threaded fastener <NUM> secures the panel attachment bracket <NUM> of the railless mounting assembly <NUM> to the bracket riser 129b. Note that in <FIG>, threaded fastener <NUM> secured both the panel attachment bracket <NUM> and panel attachment bracket <NUM> to the roof attachment bracket <NUM>. The threaded fastener <NUM>, in <FIG>, when fully tightened, can apply additional clamping pressure between the solar panel frame <NUM> and the panel attachment bracket <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the panel attachment bracket <NUM> includes a vertical base 114a extending downward from the clamping portion 114b of the panel attachment bracket <NUM>. The clamping portion 114b can include a clamp base 114c, a first clamp side 114d, and a second clamp side 114e. The clamp base 114c extends away from the vertical base 114a. The first clamp side 114d extends upward from the intersection of the clamp base 114c and the vertical base 114a. The second clamp side 114e extends upward from the end of the clamp base 114c. A first hook end 114f extends downward from an upper end of the first clamp side 114d. A second hook end <NUM> extends downward from an upper end of the second clamp side 114e. The first hook end 114f engages and secures the first detent 103d of the solar panel frame <NUM>. The second hook end <NUM> engages and secures the second detent 103e of the solar panel frame <NUM>. A threaded bonding fastener <NUM> engages the detent riser 103c of the solar panel frame <NUM>. The threaded bonding fastener <NUM> electrically bonds the solar panel frame <NUM> to railless mounting assembly <NUM>. The remaining structure of the solar panel frame <NUM> is the same as the structure of the solar panel frame <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates how an installer can attach the solar PV panel <NUM> to the railless mounting assembly <NUM>. <FIG> shows solar PV panel <NUM> secured to railless mounting assembly <NUM> and railless mounting assembly <NUM>. First, the installer secures solar PV panel <NUM> to the roof <NUM>. The installer then rotates the solar PV panel <NUM>, so the first detent 105d of the solar panel frame <NUM> engages and catches the hook 118f. As the installer rotates solar PV panel <NUM>, the solar panel frame <NUM> pivots against the hook 118f. The detent riser 105c presses against the inside of the spring clip <NUM>. This causes hinged arm 118c to hinge downward, allowing the solar panel frame to snap into place and rest against the panel platform 118d. The spring clip <NUM> engages the detent riser 105c by spring pressure, pressing the frame face 105a against the vertical base 118a. This secures the solar PV panel <NUM> to the panel attachment bracket <NUM>. An installer or system designer can extend this column of the solar array <NUM> of <FIG> by replacing railless mounting assembly <NUM> with an additional instance of railless mounting assembly <NUM>. The installer can rotate the next solar PV panel in the column, as described.

<FIG> illustrate a portion of solar panel frame <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate the frame face 105a, return flange 105b, detent riser 105c, first detent 105d, second detent 105e, midline 105f, frame top <NUM>, panel shelf <NUM>, panel shelf support 105i in the structural relationship described for <FIG>. In <FIG>, the first detent 105d extends from the frame face 105a into a hollow cavity 105j. The hollow cavity extends between the panel shelf <NUM>, the return flange 105b, the frame face 105a, and the panel shelf support 105i. The first detent 105d includes a lower detent portion <NUM> and an upper detent portion <NUM>. The lower detent portion <NUM> extends downward and inward from the frame face 105a into the hollow cavity 105j. The upper detent portion <NUM> extends outward from the hollow cavity 105j to the frame face 105a. As shown, the lower detent portion <NUM> and the upper detent portion <NUM> can extend at different angles. This can help hold and seat a hook, such as hook 118f of <FIG> or first hook end 114f and second hook end <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG>, second detent 105e can include a first detent portion 105u and a second detent portion 105v. The first detent portion 105u extends downward from the detent riser upper end toward the panel shelf support 105i. The second detent portion 105v extends downward and outward toward the detent riser 105c. As shown, the second detent 105e can optionally be triangular shaped. The first detent portion 105u, the second detent portion 105v, and the detent riser 105c together form the triangular shape. The triangular shape increases rigidity, which prevents bending under stress, while optimizing material use.

The reader will note that solar panel frame <NUM> and solar panel frame <NUM> have the same structure. For this reason, the description above for solar panel frame <NUM> also applies to solar panel frame <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates variations in the cross-sectional profiles of the solar panel frame envisioned by the inventors. <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show these variations applied to solar array <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, solar PV panel <NUM> includes solar panel frame <NUM>. Solar panel frame <NUM> attaches and secures to panel attachment bracket <NUM> and panel attachment bracket <NUM>, as previously described for solar panel frame <NUM> in <FIG>. The solar PV panel <NUM> includes solar panel frame <NUM>. Solar panel frame <NUM> attaches to panel attachment bracket <NUM>, as previously described for solar panel frame <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>. To provide greater detail, <FIG> omits railless mounting assembly <NUM>. However, solar panel frame <NUM> from <FIG> attaches to railless mounting assembly <NUM> of <FIG> as previously described.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of the solar panel frame <NUM>. Solar panel frame <NUM> lacks the panel shelf support. Otherwise it shares the same structure as solar panel frame <NUM> of <FIG>. The panel shelf support 105i in <FIG> gives the solar panel frame <NUM> greater structural rigidity. However, in some circumstances, the lighter weight and lower material costs of solar panel frame <NUM> of <FIG> may outweigh the greater structural rigidity of the solar panel frame <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the frame face 135a, return flange 135b, detent riser 135c, first detent 135d, second detent 135e, midline 135f, frame top <NUM>, and panel shelf <NUM> in the structural relationship described for <FIG> for frame face 105a, return flange 105b, detent riser 105c, first detent 105d, second detent 105e, midline 105f, frame top <NUM>, and panel shelf <NUM>, respectively.

In <FIG>, solar PV panel <NUM> includes solar panel frame <NUM>. The solar panel frame <NUM> attaches to panel attachment bracket <NUM> and panel attachment bracket <NUM>, as previously described for solar panel frame <NUM> of <FIG>. Solar PV panel <NUM> includes solar panel frame <NUM>. The solar panel frame <NUM> attaches to panel attachment bracket <NUM>, as previously described for solar panel frame <NUM> of <FIG>. To provide greater detail, <FIG> omits railless mounting assembly <NUM>. However, solar panel frame <NUM> from <FIG> attaches to railless mounting assembly <NUM> of <FIG> as previously described.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of the solar panel frame <NUM>. Except for the addition of the frame slot 145n extending lengthwise along the bottom of the return flange 145b, solar panel frame <NUM> of <FIG> shares the same structure as solar panel frame <NUM> in <FIG>. In <FIG>, frame face 145a, return flange 145b, detent riser 145c, first detent 145d, second detent 145e, frame top <NUM>, and panel shelf <NUM> share the same structural relationship as described for solar panel frame <NUM> of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the frame slot 145n includes a frame slot opening 145p and a frame slot cavity 145o. The frame slot opening 145p extends lengthwise along the bottom of the return flange 145b. <FIG> shows the frame slot cavity 145o positioned above the frame slot opening 145p. The frame slot cavity 145o may be wider than the frame slot opening 145p to hold fasteners or other mounting hardware captive. For example, the frame slot cavity 145o can hold a mounting structure attachment, such as a bolt head, t-bolt, or tongue captive. Frame slot sides 145q, 145r and a frame slot top <NUM> enclose the frame slot cavity 145o. As illustrated in <FIG>, the frame slot sides 145q, 145r and frame slot top <NUM> add structural rigidity to the structure of the return flange 145b.

In <FIG>, solar PV panel <NUM> includes solar panel frame <NUM>. The solar panel frame <NUM> secures to the panel attachment bracket <NUM> and panel attachment bracket <NUM>. Solar panel frame <NUM> includes a pair of detents, first detent 153d and second detent 153e, that are structurally the same as first detent 103d in <FIG>. First hook end 114f and second hook end <NUM> of panel attachment bracket <NUM> engage and secure first detent 153d and second detent 153e, respectively. The solar PV panel <NUM> includes solar panel frame <NUM>. Solar panel frame <NUM> attaches to panel attachment bracket <NUM> as previously described for solar panel frame <NUM> securing to panel attachment bracket <NUM> in <FIG>. To provide greater detail, <FIG> omits railless mounting assembly <NUM>. However, solar panel frame <NUM> from <FIG> attaches to railless mounting assembly <NUM> of <FIG> as described above.

In <FIG>, the solar panel frame <NUM> includes an L-shaped cavity 155j. The frame face 155a, return flange 155b, detent riser 155c, panel shelf base 155t, panel shelf support 155i, and panel shelf <NUM>, together enclose the L-shaped cavity 155j. The return flange 155b extends inward from the bottom of the frame face 155a. The detent riser 155c extends upward from the return flange end. Panel shelf base 155t extends inward from the detent riser top. The panel shelf support 155i extends upward from the panel shelf base 155t. Panel shelf <NUM> extends inward from the panel shelf support 155i and intersects the frame face 155a. The first detent 155d and the second detent 155e extend into the L-shaped cavity 155j. The first detent 155d extends into the surface of the frame face 155a. The second detent 155e extends into the surface of detent riser 155c. In <FIG>, the first detent 155d includes lower detent portion <NUM> and upper detent portion <NUM>. The second detent 155e includes lower detent 155w and upper detent portion 155x. The lower detents and upper detents can extend away at different angles, as described in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the frame top <NUM> extends inward from the top of the frame face 155a. The frame top <NUM> and the panel shelf <NUM> form a cavity for receiving the active element of the solar PV panel. The panel shelf <NUM> seats the active element of the solar PV panel.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded isometric view of the railless mounting assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates panel attachment bracket <NUM>, panel attachment bracket <NUM>, roof attachment bracket <NUM>, threaded fastener <NUM>, threaded fastener <NUM>, threaded bonding fastener <NUM>, and threaded bonding fastener <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates these components in exploded view to reveal their features and structure. The threaded fastener <NUM> screws into threaded aperture 117i by extending through a washer <NUM>, an aperture in the vertical base 118a, slot-shaped aperture 119e, and aperture <NUM>. Slot-shaped aperture 119e extends through the bracket riser 119b. Aperture <NUM> extends through the first clamp side 117d of the panel attachment bracket <NUM>. The threaded aperture 117i extends through the second clamp side 117e of the panel attachment bracket <NUM>. The panel support 118b hides the aperture in the vertical base 118a. The threaded fastener <NUM> screws into threaded aperture 117j by extending through washer <NUM>, aperture <NUM>, and slot-shaped aperture 119e. Threaded aperture 117j extends through the first clamp side 117d. Aperture <NUM> extends through the vertical base 118a. The threaded bonding fastener <NUM> extends through aperture <NUM> in the second clamp side 117e. The threaded bonding fastener <NUM> extends through aperture 118i in the upper portion of the vertical base 118a.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded isometric view of the railless mounting assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates panel attachment bracket <NUM>, roof attachment bracket <NUM>, threaded fastener <NUM>, and threaded bonding fastener <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates these components in exploded view to reveal their features and structure. The threaded fastener <NUM> screws into threaded aperture 114i by extending through a washer <NUM>, slot-shaped aperture 129e, and aperture <NUM>. The slot-shaped aperture 129e extends through the bracket riser 129b. Aperture <NUM> extends through the first clamp side 114d of the panel attachment bracket <NUM>. The threaded bonding fastener <NUM> extends through aperture <NUM> in the second clamp side 114e. Threaded aperture 114i extends through the second clamp side 114e of panel attachment bracket <NUM>.

The Summary, Detailed Description, and figures described devices for mounting solar PV panels to roofs and other mounting structures. This disclosure provides examples of devices, components, and configurations to help the reader understand the described general principles. The following are examples of variations and combinations of different components, structures, and features that still adhere to the general principles.

<FIG> illustrates a solar array <NUM> with two solar PV panels, solar PV panel <NUM> and solar PV panel <NUM> for simplicity. The solar array is scalable in depth and width. An installer or system designer can use the principles discussed in <FIG> to extend the depth of the solar array column. For example, they can replace railless mounting assembly <NUM> and railless mounting assembly <NUM> with railless mounting assembly <NUM> and railless mounting assembly <NUM>, respectively. An installer can extend the array widthwise by adding more columns next to the installed columns.

Solar panel mounting clamp assemblies of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are typical. An installer or system designer can use the frames of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> with other railless mounting assemblies that can clamp and secure the frames while meeting local, regional, or national regulatory rules.

The solar panel frames and the railless mounting assemblies discussed in this disclosure are typically aluminum extrusions. Extruded aluminum is durable, electrically conductive, and can have enough strength for typical solar panel installations. The inventors conceive of extruding the solar panel frames or the railless mounting assemblies from other electrically conductive materials or non-electrically conductive materials. They also conceive of using other manufacturing processes such as molding, 3D printing, or casting. Suitable materials could include steel or electrically conductive plastics, non-electrically conductive thermal plastic, or thermoset polyurethane.

It is within the scope of this disclosure to combine features from one example or variation with another. A hybrid variation of the solar panel frame could include the solar panel frame <NUM> of <FIG> with the panel shelf support 105i of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the panel shelf support could extend between the frame slot top <NUM> and panel shelf <NUM>. A second hybrid variation of the solar panel frame could include the solar panel frame <NUM> of <FIG> combined with the frame slot 145n of <FIG>. This combination combines the structural strength and rigidity of the solar panel frame <NUM> with the versatility of using t-bolts or other captive mounting hardware to secure the frame bottom.

The solar panel frames illustrated and discussed throughout this disclosure are suitable for a variety of installations. This includes the illustrated roof mount railless solar panel installations. It also includes installation on any suitable mounting structures, such as rooftops, carports, shade structures, or ground mount installations.

The threaded roof fasteners illustrated throughout this disclosure suggest what an installer could use. The threaded roof fasteners as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are hex-head decking screws. This screw head style is compatible with common power or hand tools. The installer could choose threaded roof fasteners with other head styles that suits either power tools or hand tools. For example, the installer could use a hex-head cap screw or a hex-head decking screw with a hexagonal socket. Other examples include pan-head, button-head, or round head screws. These can include hexagonal sockets, Phillips head sockets, slotted sockets, hi-torque sockets, square sockets, Robertson head sockets, or Torx head sockets. They can also include various custom or off-the-shelf security head screws. The threaded roof fasteners illustrated are deck screws with built-in seals. They could alternatively be lag bolts with sealing washers. An installer can substitute screws or bolts that can perform the specified function, provide a watertight seal, and provide enough holding strength to meet environmental and regulatory conditions expected for their installation.

Similarly, <FIG> illustrates threaded fastener <NUM> and threaded fastener <NUM> as cap head screws with hexagonal socket. <FIG> also illustrates threaded fastener <NUM> with a hex-head cap screw (i.e., a cap screw with a hexagonal socket). The installer or system designer can substitute screws or bolts with other screw heads and sockets that provide enough holding strength to meet environmental and regulatory conditions expected for their installation.

<FIG> illustrates washer <NUM> and washer <NUM> as internal tooth metal washers. <FIG> also illustrates washer <NUM> as an internal tooth washer. An installer can choose other washer types according to their requirements. For example, an internal tooth metal washer, external tooth metal washer, and split metal washer are suitable for creating an electrical bonding between the threaded fastener, roof attachment bracket, and panel attachment bracket. An installer can choose these washers or other washers suitable for electrical bonding. For installations without electrical bonding through railless mounting assemblies, an installer can choose any suitable washer that helps to hold the threaded fastener in place under environmental and regulatory conditions expected for their installation.

Claim 1:
A device, comprising:
a solar panel frame (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) forming a closed perimeter that is capable of surrounding and supporting an active element of a solar PV panel (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),the solar panel frame comprises a frame face (105a, 135a, 145a, 155a) that forms an outside perimeter of the solar panel frame, a return flange (105b, 135b, 145b, 155b) extending inward from a bottom end of the frame face, a detent riser (103c, 105c, 135c, 145c, 155c) extending upward from an end of the return flange,
characterised by a first detent (103d, 105d, 135d, 145d, 153d, 155d) extending inward and downward into the frame face toward the detent riser, and a second detent (103e, 105e, 135e, 145e, 153e, 155e) that extends downward from the detent riser toward the frame face, wherein the first detent is suitable for being engaged and secured by a first hook end (114f) of a panel attachment bracket (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and the second detent is suitable for being engaged and secured by a second hook end (<NUM>) of a panel attachment bracket.