US 12,018,862 B2
Integrated bonding mid clamp device, system, and method for solar panel mounting and grounding
Michael Zuritis, Ballston Lake, NY (US)
Assigned to SOLAR FOUNDATIONS USA, INC., New Castle, DE (US)
Filed by Solar Foundations USA, Inc., New Castle, DE (US)
Filed on Dec. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/556,028.
Prior Publication US 2023/0194126 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. F24S 25/636 (2018.01); F16B 39/10 (2006.01); F16B 43/00 (2006.01); H02S 20/20 (2014.01); F24S 25/60 (2018.01)
CPC F24S 25/636 (2018.05) [F16B 39/103 (2013.01); F16B 43/00 (2013.01); H02S 20/20 (2014.12); F16B 2200/93 (2023.08); F24S 2025/6003 (2018.05)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A clamping device for use with a solar panel array, comprising:
a mid clamp portion having a recessed area, the recessed area having a perimeter and a depth, wherein the mid clamp portion includes a mid clamp hole, and wherein the mid clamp portion further includes a raised portion surrounding the mid clamp hole;
a deformable toothed washer configured to fit within the perimeter of the recessed area, wherein the deformable toothed washer has projections that extend above the depth of the recessed area when the deformable toothed washer is in a non-deformed state, the deformable toothed washer includes a washer hole that is dimensioned to fit around the raised portion, wherein the raised portion is configured to retain the deformable toothed washer in a proper position with respect to the mid clamp portion prior to clamping; and
a tightening mechanism configured to clamp the mid clamp portion to a solar panel frame, wherein the deformable toothed washer is configured to deform into the recessed area when the tightening mechanism clamps the mid clamp portion to the solar panel frame, wherein the projections of the deformable toothed washer are configured to break an anodized layer of the solar panel frame when the tightening mechanism clamps the mid clamp portion to the solar panel frame.