Clamp Assembly for Solar Panels

摘要

A clamp assembly for solar panels comprising a base and a clamp. The base has a baseplate and first and second spaced-apart struts connected to the baseplate to form a channel. Surfaces of the struts define slots adjacent to the channel. Beams are connected to the struts, and spacers are attached to the beams. Each spacer has an angled surface adjacent to the channel and a curved surface. The clamp includes a plate with fingers extending from the plate into the channel. The clamp further includes angled surfaces in contact with the spacer angled surfaces. Bolts extend through the plate so that most of the threaded portions are positioned between fingers. Corresponding nuts are positioned in the slots and inhibited from rotation during threading with the bolt by the slot surfaces. The clamp assembly is preferably made from a nonconductive material to inhibit arcing and the risk of electrical fire from incorrect or failed wiring.

主权项

1. A solar panel clamp assembly comprising:
a base comprising:
a baseplate;a first strut connected to said baseplate, said first strut having a first plurality of surfaces defining a first slot having an first slot endwall and a second slot having a second slot endwall;a second strut connected to said baseplate and spaced a first distance from said first strut forming a channel adjacent to said first slot and said second slot, said second strut including a third plurality of slot surface surfaces defining a third slot having a third slot endwall and a fourth plurality of slot surfaces defining a fourth slot endwall;a first beam connected to the first strut opposite the baseplate, said first beam including a first beam surface; anda second beam connected to the second strut opposite the baseplate and opposite the channel from the first beam, said second beam including a second beam surface coplanar with said first beam surface; a clamp comprising:
a plate having a first clamp surface, a second clamp surface parallel to said first clamp surface, a third clamp surface coplanar with said second clamp surface, a first cylindrical surface defining a hole having a first axis, and a second cylindrical surface defining a hole having a second axis;a fourth clamp surface adjacent to the second clamp surface and angled at a second angle relative to said second clamp surface;a fifth clamp surface adjacent to the third clamp surface and angled at a said second angle relative to said third clamp surface;a first finger and a second finger adjacent to said fourth clamp surface and said fifth clamp surface, said second finger spaced a second distance from said first finger, said first axis intersecting the space between said first finger and said second finger; anda third finger and a fourth finger adjacent to said fourth clamp surface and said fifth clamp surface, said fourth finger spaced said second distance from said third finger, said third finger spaced a third distance from said second finger, and said second axis intersecting the space between said third finger and said fourth finger.