Solar panel installation system

Abstract

A clamp for coupling a solar panel to a frame includes a bolt extending along a longitudinal axis. The bolt has a head, an end, and a shaft extending between the head and the end. The clamp further includes a retainer portion extending at least partially between the head and the end along the shaft. The retainer portion is moveable between a first position with a first diameter and a second positioned with a second diameter. The first diameter and the second diameter are greater than a diameter of the shaft. The clamp further includes a nut threadedly coupled to the bolt proximate the end of the bolt such that rotation of at least one of the bolt or the nut cause the nut to move longitudinally along the shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clamp for coupling a solar panel to a frame comprising:
 a bolt extending along a longitudinal axis and having a head, an end, and a shaft extending between the head and the end;   a retainer portion extending at least partially between the head and the end along the shaft, wherein the retainer portion is moveable between a first position with a first diameter and a second positioned with a second diameter, the first diameter and the second diameter being greater than a diameter of the shaft; and   a nut threadedly coupled to the bolt proximate the end of the bolt such that rotation of at least one of the bolt or the nut cause the nut to move longitudinally along the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer portion is moveable between the first position and the second position by deforming under a compressive force along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The clamp of  claim 2 , wherein the retainer further comprises a substantially convex top. 
     
     
         4 . The clamp of  claim 3 , wherein in the second position under the compressive force the top deforms along the longitudinal axis and extends radially perpendicular to the axis such that the retainer portion expands from the first diameter to the second diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The clamp of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the nut and the head is greater in the first position than in the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The clamp of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange extending radially from the retainer portion. 
     
     
         7 . The clamp of  claim 6 , wherein the flange is configured to engage with a first frame member and a second frame member, and wherein in the first position a first compressive force exerted by the flange on the first frame member and the second frame member is less than a compressive exerted in the second position. 
     
     
         8 . The clamp of  claim 7 , further comprising a self-retaining clip extending perpendicularly away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the self-retaining clip comprises a trunk, a tip, and a deformable section between the trunk and the tip, wherein the clip has a maximum diameter at a point within the deformable section. 
     
     
         9 . The claim of  claim 8 , wherein the self-retaining clip is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         10 . The clamp of  claim 8 , wherein the self-retaining clip is positioned longitudinally between the end and the retainer portion. 
     
     
         11 . The clamp of  claim 10 , wherein the self-retaining clip is configured to engage with an aperture of one of a first frame member of a second frame member to secure the clamp to the one of the first frame member or the second frame member. 
     
     
         12 . The clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the bolt is composed of a metal and the retainer portion is composed of at least one of a rubber or a plastic. 
     
     
         13 . A clamp for coupling a solar panel to a frame comprising:
 a body comprising a top, a bottom, a first oblique surface and a second oblique surface, wherein the bottom, the first oblique surface, and the second oblique surface form a substantially concave engagement area configured to engage with corresponding sides of a first frame member;   a bolt extending through the body to couple the body to the frame member; and   a self-retaining clip extending perpendicularly to the bolt comprising a trunk, a tip, and a deformable section between the trunk and the tip, wherein the clip has a maximum diameter at a point within the deformable section.   
     
     
         14 . The clamp of  claim 13 , wherein the clip is laterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the bolt. 
     
     
         13 . p of  claim 13 , further comprising a flange extending radially from the retainer portion. 
     
     
         16 . The clamp of claim  15 , wherein the flange is configured to engage with a second frame member and a third frame member perpendicular to the first frame member to secure the first frame member to the second frame member and the third frame member. 
     
     
         17 . A clamp for coupling a solar panel to a frame comprising:
 a substantially v-shaped body comprising a first oblique side, a second oblique side, and a top;   a first tab extending parallel with the first oblique side and a second tab extending parallel with the second oblique side;   a first fastener extending between the first tab and the second tab above the top;   a second fastener extending between the first oblique side and the second oblique side opposite the top; and   an engagement area formed within the substantially v-shaped body configured to substantially surround a first frame member to couple the body to the frame member.   
     
     
         18 . The clamp of  claim 17 , wherein the body comprises a first half and a second half, and wherein the first half and the second half each form one half of the engagement area. 
     
     
         19 . The clamp of  claim 18 , wherein the first fastener comprises an at least partially threaded rod extending between the first tab and the second tab, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are configured to apply a compressive force to the frame member in the engagement area. 
     
     
         20 . The clamp of  claim 17 , wherein the frame member comprises a plurality of faces and the engagement area comprises corresponding surfaces for all but one of the plurality of faces.