Hinged clip to eliminate rail

Abstract

A panel array support assembly has a lower support joist to which are directly connected panel holding devices or clips. The panel clips are configured so that the length of each clip extends along the length of the lower support joist. The panel clips are preferable configured to have a sliding top arm, which holds the upper edge of the panel, and slides back so that they panel can be placed on a lower holding arm.

1 . A bi-directional panel array support assembly having at least two lower support joists and at least two upper panel holding structures rotatably attached to said lower support joists, said upper panel holding structure comprising:
 a. at least one slidable upper arm arranged to extend over a first external panel; and,   b. an integral wiring channel.   
     
     
         2 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said upper panel holding structure further comprises at least one fixed lower arm opposite and parallel to said slidable upper arm, said slidable upper arm and said fixed lower arm being spaced to receive said first external panel. 
     
     
         3 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said upper panel holding structure further comprises a second set of parallel arms arranged to receive a second external panel. 
     
     
         4 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said second set of parallel arms are fixed and extend perpendicularly to a longitudinal dimension of said upper panel holding structure and opposite said slidable upper arm. 
     
     
         5 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said upper panel holding structure further comprises a tubular structure supporting said upper and lower parallel arms. 
     
     
         6 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said slidable upper arm is connected to said tubular support structure by a slot extending over the length of said upper panel holding structure. 
     
     
         7 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 6 , said slidable upper arm interfaces with said slot by a closely fitted protrusion on a lower end of said sliding arm. 
     
     
         8 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said tubular support structure comprises an upper wall having a thickened area. 
     
     
         9 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said tubular support structure comprises a bottom wall, said bottom wall comprising a T-slot. 
     
     
         10 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 5 , wherein a lower one of said second set of parallel arms comprises an upper wall of said integral wiring channel. 
     
     
         11 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising an elongated bead on said upper wall of said integral wiring channel, said bead running an entire length of said integral wiring channel. 
     
     
         12 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said integral wiring channel comprises a lower wall. 
     
     
         13 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said upper wall and said lower wall of said integral wiring channel comprises substantially perpendicular projections. 
     
     
         14 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said upper panel holding structure further comprises a T-slot arranged beneath said tubular structure, wherein an upper wall of said T-slot is comprised by a lower wall of said tubular structure. 
     
     
         15 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said upper panel holding structure further comprises a plurality of fixed lower arms opposite and parallel to said slidable upper arm. 
     
     
         16 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 15 , comprising a plurality of slidable arms extended along a length of each said upper panel holding structure. 
     
     
         17 . The bi-directional panel array support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said panel array support assembly is foldable from a fully deployed position to a collapsed position. 
     
     
         18 . A method of installing panels onto a panel array support assembly from above said assembly, said steps comprising:
 a. deploying said panel array support assembly to receive said panels;   b. placing one end of a panel into two fixed arms of one side of a support structure of said panel array support assembly;   c. placing an opposite end of said panel on at least one lower arm of a second side of an opposite one of said support structure facing said first support structure; and,   d. sliding upper arms along a slot in said second support structure above said panel.   
     
     
         19 . A method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
 e. screwing said upper arms to said panel.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising repeating steps b through d.