Mounting Clips for Panel Installation

Abstract

A photovoltaic panel mounting clip comprising a base, central indexing tabs, flanges, lateral indexing tabs, and vertical indexing tabs. The mounting clip removably attaches one or more panels to a beam or the like structure, both mechanically and electrically. It provides secure locking of the panels in all directions, while providing guidance in all directions for accurate installation of the panels to the beam or the like structure.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A second mounting clip for removably attaching one or more panels to a rail constructed of a sheet of material comprising:
 a base having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the base sized to fit on top of the rail wherein a plurality of spring bonding tabs are formed within the plane thereof, each of the plurality of spring bonding tabs formed at an angle upwardly away from the base and rising towards the trailing edge;   a top flange formed above and parallel to the base at the trailing edge forming a height, the height being configured to receive the one or more panels, the top flange being contiguously connected to the base, wherein the top flange prevents movement of the one or more panels in y-direction;   a side flange formed at each side of the base and angled downwardly away from the base, each of the two side flanges sized to fit along the rail providing connecting means to removably attach the base along each side of the rail;   a central indexing tab formed from the base uprightly, dividing the base in half lengthwise, the central indexing tab providing a z-direction guide for installing each of the one or more panels; and   a vertical indexing tab formed at each side of the base at the leading edge, the vertical indexing tab formed uprightly and sized to receive the one or more panels, wherein the vertical indexing tab provides a z-direction guide for installing each of the one or more panels in conjunction with the central indexing tab, preventing panel movement in z-direction.   
     
     
         8 . The second mounting clip of  claim 7  wherein one or more of the plurality of bonding tabs have a toothed edge, making multiple contacts with an inside of the one or more panels at each tip of the toothed edge. 
     
     
         9 . The second mounting clip of  claim 7  wherein the second mounting clip is made of conductive material, configured to provide a grounding path from the one or more panels through the rail. 
     
     
         10 . The second mounting clip of  claim 7  wherein the one or more panels are photovoltaic panels. 
     
     
         11 . The first mounting clip of  claim 7  wherein the rail is angled in the range between 0 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to a ground surface. 
     
     
         12 . A first lateral clip for removably attaching one or more photovoltaic panels around a ballast, constructed of a sheet of material, wherein the ballast has a slope, comprising:
 A base having a width, the width is sized to fit at one end of the ballast;   At least two flanges formed from the base, each of the two flanges extending along a circumference of the ballast towards an opposite end of the ballast;   A pair of slots having an opening, formed near the one end of the ballast, each of the pair of slots sized to receive one of the one or more photovoltaic panels, a part of each of the pair of slots having a toothed edge, the toothed edge configured to make contact with the one or more photovoltaic panels when attached;   A pair of bearing tabs formed contiguously from each of the two flanges, wherein each of the pair of bearing tabs is formed above the slot and extending outwardly away from the ballast; and   A pair of bonding teeth formed at a lower edge of each of the pair of bearing tabs, extending towards the base, wherein each of the pair of bonding   
     
     
         13 . The first lateral clip of  claim 12  wherein the at least two flanges further extends to wrap around circumference of the ballast, each of the at least two flanges mechanically bonding at the opposite end of the ballast, providing a secure mounting of the first lateral clip to the ballast. 
     
     
         14 . A second lateral clip for removably attaching one or more photovoltaic panels around ballast, constructed of a sheet of material, wherein the ballast has a slope, comprising:
 a second base having a second width, the second width is sized to fit at one end of the ballast;   At least two flanges formed from the second base, each of the two flanges extending along a circumference of the ballast towards an opposite end of the ballast;   A pair of second slots having an opening, formed near the one end of the ballast, each of the pair of second slots sized to receive one of the one or more photovoltaic panels, a part of each of the pair of second slots having a toothed edge, the toothed edge configured to make contact with the one or more photovoltaic panels when attached; and   A pair of second bearing tabs formed contiguously from each of the two second flanges, wherein each of the pair of second bearing tabs is formed above the slot and extending outwardly away from the ballast;   
     
     
         15 . The second lateral clip of  claim 14  wherein the at least two flanges further extends to wrap around circumference of the ballast, each of the at least two flanges mechanically bonding at the opposite end of the ballast, providing a secure mounting of the second lateral clip to the ballast.