Leak Resistant Solar Panel Installation Clamp and Method of Use

Abstract

A solar panel mounting assembly having a rail having two opposing edges. An I-beam having a foot and a head separated by a spine is positioned such that the foot is within the rail and the head is outside of the channel. A gap is positioned between the head of the I-beam and the edges of the rail. One or more bolts is utilized that extends through the base of the rail and through the foot of the I-beam such that tightening the bolts causes the gap between the head of the I-beam and the edges of the rail to reduce in size. This causes the I-beam to tighten on a solar panel held in the gap, thus securing the I-beam in place.

1 . A solar panel mounting assembly for mounting a solar panel to a structure, said solar panel mounting assembly comprising:
 a rail having a base and two walls, with said base having a first side and a second side, and a pair of holes extending between said first side and said second side of said base;   each of said walls having a base edge and a free edge, with each of said base edges attached to said first side of said base and each of said walls extending away from said base such that said walls oppose each other to form a channel, with the space between said free edges defining an opening into said channel;   an I-beam having a foot, a spine, and a head, with said foot and said head each defining a flat, elongated member, said foot and said head positioned parallel to each other and joined by perpendicular attachment of said spine;   said I-beam positioned within said rail such that said foot is situated within said channel and said spine extends through said opening of said channel with said head outside of said channel to define a gap having a distance between said free edges and said head, said gap capable of accommodating the thickness of a solar panel; and   at least one bolt, wherein said bolt, wherein said bolts extends through said foot of said I-beam and through said base of said channel, wherein manipulation of said bolt changes the width of said gap between said head of said I-beam and said free edges of said walls of said channel;   wherein, when the edge of a solar panel is inserted into said gap, said bolt may be manipulated so as to shorten the distance between said adjuster and said pair of retaining flanges, thereby pulling said I-beam further into said channel and reducing the size of said gap until the solar panel is securely held between said free edges of said walls and said head of said I-beam.   
     
     
         2 . The solar panel mounting assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a protective layer attached to at least one of said free edges and said head to minimize damage to solar panel during installation and adjustment. 
     
     
         3 . The solar panel mounting assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a sealing layer between said head and said solar panel to minimize leakage of fluid between said head and said solar panel. 
     
     
         4 . The solar panel mounting assembly of  claim 1  wherein said at least one bolt comprises a pair of bolts, wherein said pair of bolts is inserted through said foot on opposing sides of said spine. 
     
     
         5 . The solar panel mounting assembly of  claim 1  wherein said bolt is first inserted through said base and second through said foot of said I-beam. 
     
     
         6 . The solar panel mounting assembly of  claim 1  wherein said bolt is first inserted through said head then through said foot then through said base. 
     
     
         7 . The solar panel mounting assembly of  claim 5  wherein said at least one bolt comprises a pair of bolts, wherein said pair of bolts is inserted through said foot on opposing sides of said spine. 
     
     
         8 . The solar panel mounting assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said spine comprises a series of threads positioned on opposing sides of said spine and each configured for threaded engagement with one of said bolts. 
     
     
         9 . The solar panel mounting assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a washer, wherein said bolts pass through said washer. 
     
     
         10 . The solar panel mounting assembly of  claim 5  further comprising a washer, wherein said washer is positioned between a head of said bolt and said base. 
     
     
         11 . The solar assembly of  claim 6  further comprising a washer, wherein said washer is positioned between a head of said bolt and said head of said I-beam. 
     
     
         12 . A method of mounting solar panels, comprising:
 providing a solar panel having one or more edges;   providing a rail comprising a base and two walls, with said base having a first side and a second side, and one or more holes connecting said first side and said second side;   each of said walls having a base edge and a free edge, with each of said base edges attached to said first side of said base and each of said walls extending away from said base such that said walls oppose each other to form a channel, with the space between said free edges defining an opening into said channel;   providing an I-beam having a foot, a spine, and a head, with said foot and said head each defining a flat, elongated member, said foot and said head positioned parallel to each other and joined by perpendicular attachment of said spine;   positioning said I-beam within said rail such that said foot is situated within said channel and said spine extends through said opening of said channel with said head outside of said channel to define a gap between said free edges and said head, said gap capable of accommodating the thickness of a solar panel;   providing a plurality of bolts, each bolt configured to extend from said I-beam to said base of said rail,   inserting said edge of said solar panel into said gap and manipulating installing said bolts through said base and said foot of said I beam such that tightening said bolts thereby pulling said I-beam further into said channel and reducing the size of said gap until the solar panel is securely held between said free edges and said spine side of said head.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said bolts are first inserted through said base and second through said foot of said I-beam. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said bolts are first inserted through said head then through said foot then through said base. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said bolts are inserted in opposing pairs with each bolt of said opposing pair inserted into said I-beam foot on opposing sides of said I-beam spine. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said method comprises the step of providing a washer, wherein said washer is positioned such that said bolt passes through said washer such that a head of said bolt contacts said washer.