Flexible clamp

Abstract

A flexible clamp for clamping and spacing solar panel modules, including a captive flange forming a top portion, which includes a top face, a bottom face, a right side, a left side, a front side, a back side, a substantially planar underside to engage the modules upper surface. It also includes a longitudinal axis and an aperture disposed generally along that axis. First, second, and third horizontal members are disposed under the captive flange and include substantially planar surfaces generally parallel to the underside of the captive flange. Each horizontal member includes a right side, a left side, a front side, a back side, a width slightly less than the width of the captive flange, and an aperture coaxial with the aperture in the captive flange. A first vertical member connects the right side of the first horizontal member with the captive flange at a point slight right of the longitudinal axis and left of the right side, thus forming a right overhang for engaging a first solar panel. A second vertical member connects the left sides of the second and third horizontal members in such manner that a left overhang is formed, and this is adapted for engaging a second solar panel adjacent to the first panel. A third vertical member coplanar with the first vertical member connects the right sides of the second and third horizontal members. When a bolt is passed through the coaxial apertures and tightened, the clamp flexes and bows slightly outwardly.

1 . A flexible clamp for clamping and spacing first and second objects, each having a generally planar surface portion, said clamp comprising:
 a captive flange for use in engaging an object to be clamped and having a top face, a bottom face, a right side, a left side, a front side, a back side, a substantially planar underside to engage the object's surface portion, a width extending from said right and left sides, a longitudinal axis, and an aperture disposed generally along said longitudinal axis;   first, second, and third horizontal members having substantially planar surfaces generally parallel to said bottom face of said captive flange, wherein each of said horizontal members includes a right side, a left side, a front side, a back side, a width slightly less than the width of said captive flange, and an aperture coaxial with the aperture of said captive flange;   a first vertical member interposed between said captive flange and said first horizontal member, said first vertical member disposed at the right side of said first horizontal member and between said right side and said longitudinal axis of said captive flange, thereby forming a right overhang of said captive flange, said right overhang having an underside for engaging the first object's planar surface portion;   a second vertical member interposed between said left sides of said second and third horizontal members, wherein said left side of said captive flange overhangs said second vertical member thereby forming a left overhang having an underside for engaging the second object's generally planar surface portion; and   a third vertical member interposed between said right sides of said second and third horizontal members, said third vertical member being substantially coplanar with said first vertical member.   
   
   
       2 . The clamp of  claim 1 , wherein each of said vertical members is oriented substantially perpendicular to each of said horizontal members and to said captive flange. 
   
   
       3 . The clamp of  claim 1 , wherein each of said horizontal members is similarly dimensioned, and wherein each of said vertical members is similarly dimensioned. 
   
   
       4 . The clamp of  claim 1 , wherein when a bolt is inserted through each of the apertures and tightened, said clamp flexes and bows outwardly right and left.