Metal building roof mount for solar array

Abstract

A solar panel mounting system forming an opening for holding solar panels therein for easy installation and removal and replacement. The system includes a plurality of support members adapted for positioning on a support surface. A roof panel is positioned on a top surface of adjacent support members and compressibly held in place by an astragal which is fastened to the support member sandwiching the roof panel between the astragal and the support member. A solar panel opening is formed between projecting portions on opposing sides of the roof panel which extend at an angle substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the support member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for securing a solar panel perimeter edge to an exterior side of an underlying structure, comprising:
 an astragal, comprising:
 a linear center portion; 
 two generally parallel ribs projecting from an underside of the center portion at an angle substantially normal to the center portion, the ribs having a gap therebetween; and 
 opposing ledges aligned with the linear center portion and projecting in opposite directions on opposing sides of the center portion; and 
   a screw engaged through the center portion such that a shaft of the screw extends between the parallel ribs and into an element coupled to the underlying structure, thus holding the astragal to the underlying structure, whereby when the system is coupled to the underlying structure with one solar panel perimeter edge interposed between the underlying structure and one ledge such that the astragal is in operative compressive engagement with the solar panel perimeter edge resulting in force being imparted to a bottom side of the solar panel perimeter edge against the underlying structure, the solar panel perimeter edge is secured to the underlying structure.   
     
     
         2 . The system for securing adjacent solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the downward projection of the ribs and a width of the gap are such that when an exterior panel is installed on the underlying structure prior to securing the solar panel perimeter edge to the underlying structure, an edge of the exterior panel is received between the ribs when the astragal is in operative compressive engagement with the solar panel perimeter edge. 
     
     
         3 . The system for securing adjacent solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 2 , wherein the underlying structure is a roof structure and the exterior panel is a roof panel. 
     
     
         4 . The system for securing adjacent solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 1 , wherein an exterior panel is installed on the underlying structure, and wherein when the astragal is in operative compressive engagement with the solar panel perimeter edge, the exterior panel is sandwiched between the underlying structure and the bottom side of the solar panel perimeter edge. 
     
     
         5 . The system for securing adjacent solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 1 , further comprising an engageable cap which has side edges which are configured to engage the opposing ledges. 
     
     
         6 . The system for securing adjacent solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 5 , wherein each opposing ledge has a recess configured to receive a side edge of the engageable cap. 
     
     
         7 . The system for securing adjacent solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 5 , wherein the engageable cap is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         8 . The system for securing adjacent solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 1 , wherein each ledge has a lower edge including projecting contact points. 
     
     
         9 . A system for securing solar panel perimeter edges to an exterior side of an underlying structure, comprising:
 an astragal, comprising:
 a linear center portion; 
 two generally parallel ribs projecting from an underside of the center portion at an angle substantially normal to the center portion, the ribs having a gap therebetween; and 
 opposing ledges aligned with the linear center portion and projecting in opposite directions on opposing sides of the center portion; and 
   a screw engaged through the center portion such that a shaft of the screw extends between the parallel ribs and into an element coupled to the underlying structure, thus holding the astragal to the underlying structure, whereby when the system is coupled to the underlying structure with a perimeter edge of a first solar panel interposed between the underlying structure and one ledge and a perimeter edge of a second solar panel interposed between the underlying structure and the opposing ledge such that the astragal is in operative compressive engagement with each solar panel perimeter edge resulting in force being imparted to a bottom side of each solar panel perimeter edge against the underlying structure, each solar panel perimeter edge is secured to the underlying structure.   
     
     
         10 . The system for securing solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 9 , wherein a length of the downward projection of the ribs and a width of the gap are such that when an exterior panel is installed on the underlying structure prior to securing one solar panel perimeter edge to the underlying structure, an edge of the exterior panel is received between the ribs when the astragal is in operative compressive engagement with the secured solar panel perimeter edge. 
     
     
         11 . The system for securing solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 10 , wherein the underlying structure is a roof structure and the exterior panel is a roof panel. 
     
     
         12 . The system for securing solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 9 , wherein an exterior panel is installed on the underlying structure, and wherein when the astragal is in operative compressive engagement with one solar panel perimeter edge, the exterior panel is sandwiched between the underlying structure and the bottom side of the engaged solar panel perimeter edge. 
     
     
         13 . The system for securing solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 9 , further comprising an engageable cap which has side edges which are configured to engage the opposing ledges. 
     
     
         14 . The system for securing solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 13 , wherein each opposing ledge has a recess configured to receive a side edge of the engageable cap. 
     
     
         15 . The system for securing solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 13 , wherein the engageable cap is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         16 . The system for securing solar panel perimeter edges to the exterior side of the underlying structure of  claim 9 , wherein each ledge has a lower edge including projecting contact points.