US 11,949,369 B2
Clamp apparatuses and components thereof for mounting solar panel modules
Jonathan Neal, Albuquerque, NM (US); and Todd Ganshaw, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Assigned to UNIRAC INC., Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed by Unirac Inc., Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed on Jun. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/344,403.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/068,271, filed on Aug. 20, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0060143 A1, Feb. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. H02S 30/00 (2014.01); F16B 5/06 (2006.01); F16B 37/04 (2006.01); H01R 4/30 (2006.01)
CPC H02S 30/00 (2013.01) [F16B 5/0685 (2013.01); F16B 37/045 (2013.01); H01R 4/304 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A clamp assembly for mounting a solar panel module (“module”) on an intermediary member, the clamp assembly comprising:
a clamp including:
a lateral edge support portion that extends in a first direction to support against a lateral edge of the module, the lateral edge support portion having at least a first surface to face the module and a second surface opposite the first surface, and
a flange that extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction to clamp against an upper surface of the module in coordination with the lateral edge support portion;
a nut configured to align with the clamp, the nut having a first end to receive a fastener and a second end opposite the first end, the nut having an outer surface, wherein the second surface of the lateral edge support portion of the clamp and the outer surface of the nut extend in parallel such that the second surface and the outer surface engage planarly to prevent rotation of the nut; and
a connection member extending from the second end of the nut in a position that is fixed, a head of the connection member being shaped such that, in a first orientation, the head is accommodated passage through a slot in the intermediary member, and in a second orientation, the head is prevented from passage through the slot in the intermediary member.