Support structure for mounting a solar panel

Abstract

An arrangement for mounting a solar panel to a surface, the arrangement including a frame for supporting a solar panel, and at least one support structure and mounting structure for mounting the frame to a surface. The support structure is preferably a wing-like structure that may be pivoted outward from frame, and mounting structure is preferably a suction cup that can be attached to the wing-like structure to mount the solar panel to a surface.

1 . A mount for mounting a solar panel to a surface comprising: 
 a frame for supporting a solar panel;    at least one mounting structure for being removably affixed to the surface; and,    at least one support structure having a first end for supporting the at least one mounting structure, and having a second end opposite the first end for being adjustably coupled to the frame such that a spacing between the at least one support structure and the frame is variable.    
     
     
         2 . A mount according to  claim 1 , comprising a solar panel.  
     
     
         3 . A mount according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting structure comprises at least one suction cup.  
     
     
         4 . A mount according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one suction cup comprises a plurality of suction cups.  
     
     
         5 . A mount according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support member is pivotably coupled to the frame.  
     
     
         6 . A mount according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one support member is disposed for rotation in a plane coplanar with a solar panel supported by the frame.  
     
     
         7 . A mount according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least a support member is disposed for rotation in a plane other than coplanar with a solar panel supported by the frame.  
     
     
         8 . A mount according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting structure is fixed to the at least one support structure near the first end thereof.  
     
     
         9 . A mount according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support structure is fixedly coupled to the frame.  
     
     
         10 . A mount according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support structure is slidably coupled to the frame.  
     
     
         11 . A mount according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting structure is removably attached to the at least one support member near the first end thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A mount according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting structure comprises a clip for being disposed over a top portion of a car window, the clip for being secured in place by pressure when the car window is in a closed position.  
     
     
         13 . A mount according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support structure comprises two support structures mounted independently to the frame.  
     
     
         14 . A mount according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support structure comprises four support structures mounted independently to the frame.  
     
     
         15 . A mount for mounting a solar panel to a surface comprising: 
 a frame for supporting a solar panel; and,    support means coupled to the frame and comprising a plurality of support structures, each support structure comprising a mounting structure for being removably affixed to the surface, and each support structure being independently adjustable for supporting a variable spacing between the mounting structure that is supported thereon and the frame.    
     
     
         16 . A mount according to  claim 15 , wherein each support structure is independently adjustable for supporting a variable spacing between a mounting structure that is supported thereon and at least one other mounting structure.  
     
     
         17 . A method for mounting a solar panel to a surface comprising: 
 providing a solar panel supported by a frame;    determining a surface to which the solar panel is to be mounted;    adjusting an orientation of at least one support structure relative to the frame so as to position at least one mounting structure of the at least one support structure to a predetermined position relative to the frame, the predetermined position selected for making contact with the determined surface; and,    removabley affixing the at least one mounting structure to the determined surface.    
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein adjusting an orientation of at least one support structure relative to the frame comprises: 
 pivoting the at least one support structure in a plane coplanar with the solar panel supported by the frame, and about an axis perpendicular to the plane.    
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein adjusting an orientation of at least one support structure relative to the frame comprises: 
 pivoting the at least one support structure in a plane other than coplanar with the solar panel supported by the frame.    
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein adjusting an orientation of at least one support structure relative to the frame comprises: 
 slidably displacing the at least one support structure relative to the frame.