US 12,381,509 B2
Frames for solar panels
John C. Patton, Roseville, CA (US); Eric L. Hafter, Sacramento, CA (US); and Tyler Hudson, Bend, OR (US)
Assigned to Origami Solar, Inc., Sacramento, CA (US)
Appl. No. 18/556,206
Filed by Origami Solar, Inc., Sacramento, CA (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 19, 2022, PCT No. PCT/US2022/025388
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 19, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/225961, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 27, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/288,556, filed on Dec. 11, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/176,824, filed on Apr. 19, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0186945 A1, Jun. 6, 2024
Int. Cl. H02S 30/10 (2014.01)
CPC H02S 30/10 (2014.12) 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A frame for at least partially enclosing or supporting a solar panel, the frame comprising at least a first frame section, the first frame section comprising:
a bottom flange provided at a base of the frame section;
a frame sidewall provided at an outer portion of the frame section, the frame sidewall characterized by a height extending from the bottom flange;
a panel containment structure at an upper portion of the frame sidewall, the panel containment structure comprising a lower shelf extending from the frame sidewall; and
a support wall provided at an inner portion of the frame section, the support wall extending: between the bottom flange and the frame sidewall, between the bottom flange and the lower shelf, or both between the bottom flange and the frame sidewall and between the bottom flange and the lower shelf;
wherein the bottom flange, frame sidewall, panel containment structure, and support wall are formed at least in part from folds provided in a single piece of framework material;
wherein the panel containment structure further comprises a top lip intersecting an upper portion of the frame sidewall, thereby forming a pocket region for receiving the solar panel, the pocket region defined by the lower shelf, part of the frame sidewall, and the top lip;
wherein the angle formed by the top lip and the frame sidewall is less than about 90°; and
wherein the angle formed by the lower shelf and the frame sidewall is less than about 90° so that an end of the lower shelf opposite of the frame sidewall is angled towards the top lip.