Flexible height-adjustable c-clip forclamping solar panels

Abstract

A flexible height-adjustable C-clip for securing solar panels to a support structure, including a clamp body with lower planar surface-engaging portion and a through hole, an upper planar horizontal clamping portion substantially parallel with the lower planar surface-engaging portion and also having a lower through hole, and a flexible arcuate portion disposed therebetween. The C-clip includes panel-engaging stops that engage the side of the solar panel, align the C-clip perpendicular to the support surface, and maintain the alignment during tightening.

1 . A flexible height-adjustable clamp for securing planar panels to a support surface,
 comprising:   a clamp body having a lower planar surface-engaging portion with a lower through hole, an upper planar horizontal clamping portion substantially parallel with said lower planar surface-engaging portion and having a lower through hole, and a flexible arcuate portion disposed therebetween; and   panel-engaging stops, wherein said panel-engaging stops engage a side of the planar panel to be secured, align said clamp body substantially perpendicular to the support surface prior to clamping, and maintain the substantially perpendicular alignment when tightening said clamp body.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said side stops comprise a planar edge on the outer end of said lower planar surface-engaging portion and a vertical flange depending downwardly from said upper planar horizontal clamping portion, wherein when said planar edge and said vertical flange are approximated to a substantially planar sides of a panel to be fastened to a generally planar surface and a fastener inserted through each of said upper and lower through holes, said clamp is maintained in a substantially perpendicular orientation in relation to the generally planar support surface during clamping. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said arcuate portion is pre-loaded prior to clamping. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said upper horizontal clamping portion comprises the underside of an upper leg. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said upper leg terminates in a beveled finger. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said side stops include a planar edge on an outer end of said lower planar surface-engaging portion and a vertical flange depending downwardly from said upper planar horizontal clamping portion, wherein when said planar edge and said vertical flange are approximated to a substantially planar side surface of the panel to be fastened to a generally planar surface and a fastener inserted through each of said upper and lower through holes, said clamp is placed into, and maintained in, a substantially perpendicular orientation during clamping. 
     
     
         7 . A flexible height clamping apparatus for installing and securing solar panels on support structures, comprising:
 a lower horizontal leg having a substantially planar underside, an outer edge, and a through hole;   an upper horizontal leg having a substantially planar underside and a through hole;   a flexible arcuate portion disposed between said upper and lower horizontal legs; and   a vertical flange disposed normal to and depending downwardly from said underside of said upper horizontal leg so as to form a corner angle in which to secure a panel at the edge formed by the junction of its side and upper surface.   
     
     
         8 . The clamping apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said upper horizontal leg includes a terminal finger extending outwardly from said vertical flange. 
     
     
         9 . The clamping apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said terminal finger is beveled. 
     
     
         10 . The clamping apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said terminal finger includes an underside having surface topography to increase gripping strength. 
     
     
         11 . The clamping apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said vertical flange has an exterior side generally co-planar with said outside edge of said lower horizontal leg, such that said vertical flange and said outside edge cooperate to function as panel stops, which, when approximated to the side of a solar panel module, will bring said C-clip into perpendicular alignment with the surface onto which the panel is being installed and will maintain engagement with the side of the panel and the perpendicular alignment during tightening during clamping.