US 12,473,733 B1
Systems for forming a pitched roof section or wall with the use of solar panels
Kenneth R. McDonald, Sealy, TX (US)
Assigned to Practical Renewables Racking Inc., Sealy, TX (US)
Filed by Practical Renewables Racking Inc., Sealy, TX (US)
Filed on Nov. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/388,715.
Application 18/388,715 is a continuation of application No. 17/946,896, filed on Sep. 16, 2022, granted, now 11,814,846.
Application 17/946,896 is a continuation of application No. 16/891,894, filed on Jun. 3, 2020, granted, now 11,447,954, issued on Sep. 20, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/857,457, filed on Jun. 5, 2019.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E04D 3/36 (2006.01); E04B 7/08 (2006.01); E04D 3/366 (2006.01); E04D 12/00 (2006.01); H02S 20/23 (2014.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.01)
CPC E04D 3/366 (2013.01) [E04B 7/08 (2013.01); E04D 12/00 (2013.01); H02S 20/23 (2014.12); H02S 30/10 (2014.12)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for forming a pitched wall or roof section with a plurality of solar panels on an underlying subframe, the subframe having upper and lower ends and multiple spaced-apart subframe members with open spaces therebetween, each solar panel having a top face, front face at a front edge thereof and rear face at a rear edge thereof, the top face of each solar panel meeting the front face thereof at a transition, the system comprising:
a panel support framework extending angularly upwardly over at least some of the subframe members, the panel support framework including a plurality of spaced-apart support beams disposed at least partially over the subframe, at least a first support beam of the plurality of support beams being closer to the lower end of the subframe than at least a second support beam of the plurality of support beams and the second support beam being offset upwardly relative to the first support beam; and
a plurality of clamps including
at least a first clamp arranged and adapted to secure at least a first solar panel to the panel support framework closer to the lower end than the upper end of the subframe, and
at least a second clamp arranged and adapted to secure at least a second solar panel to the panel support framework at least partially adjacent, and offset upwardly relative, to the first solar panel and between the first solar panel and the upper end of the subframe without covering the transition of the second solar panel along more than 10% of the front edge thereof.