Patent ID: 8464496

Claim:
A method of assembling, on a roof-like substrate installation site, a collapsible panel support structure constituted by a bi-directional panel support array of intersecting lower support joists and upper panel rails and a substrate interface framework comprising at least two open channels, in each of which a lower support joist of said bi-directional panel support array is at least partially nested, said method comprising the steps of: a) identifying characteristics of a proposed installed configuration of said collapsible panel support structure in a desired installed configuration on said roof-like substrate; b) assembling said collapsible panel support structure in accordance with said characteristics of said proposed installed configuration at a staging site separate from said installation site; and, c) unitarily folding said collapsible panel support structure into a collapsed, interconnected, compact assembly appropriate for shipment on a motorized road transport vehicle, wherein nesting of individual lower support joists in said individual open channels is increased, and wherein said collapsed, interconnected, compact assembly is adapted for unitarily unfolding said bi-directional panel support array, and rotating said bi-directional panel support array upward as a single unit with respect to said substrate interface framework, thereby decreasing said nesting of said individual lower support joists in said individual open channels.