| CPC H02S 30/20 (2014.12) [B65D 88/121 (2013.01); B65D 90/02 (2013.01); H02S 20/30 (2014.12)] | 17 Claims |
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1. An apparatus for supporting solar panels, comprising:
first and second opposing end panels, the first end panel forming a first stationary track and the second end panel forming a second stationary track;
first and second rigid frames, each rigid frame being configured to secure a solar panel, wherein the second rigid frame has a first end secured to the first end panel and a second end secured to the second end panel;
first and second trolleys, wherein the first trolley is supported by the first stationary track and moveable along the first stationary track, wherein the second trolley is supported by the second stationary track and moveable along the second stationary track, and wherein the first rigid frame has a first end secured to the first trolley and a second end secured to the second trolley;
first and second arms, wherein the first arm forms a first deployable track and the second arm forms a second deployable track, wherein the first arm is selectively positionable in a first deployed position in which the first deployable track extends in a first lateral direction in alignment with the first stationary track, wherein the second arm is selectively positionable in a second deployed position in which the second deployable track extends in the first lateral direction in alignment with the second stationary track, and wherein positioning the first arm in the first deployed position and the second arm in the second deployed position enables the first trolley to be moved along the first stationary track to the first deployable track and the second trolley to be moved along the second stationary track to the second deployable track;
wherein each of the first and second end panels have first and second upright posts and first and second lateral rails extending between the first and second upright posts and connected to the first and second upright posts, wherein the first lateral rail of the first end panel forms the first stationary track and the first lateral rail of the second end panel forms the second stationary track, and wherein the first end of the second rigid frame is secured to the second lateral rail of the first end panel and the second end of the second rigid frame is secured to the second lateral rail of the second end panel;
wherein each of the first and second end panels has a third lateral rail that extends between the first and second upright posts and is connected to the first and second upright posts, and wherein the third lateral rail of the first end panel forms a third stationary track and the third lateral rail of the second end panel forms a fourth stationary track, the apparatus further comprising:
a third rigid frame configured to secure a solar panel;
third and fourth trolleys, wherein the third trolley is supported by the third stationary track and moveable along the third stationary track, wherein the fourth trolley is supported by the fourth stationary track and moveable along the fourth stationary track, and wherein the third rigid frame has a first end secured to the third trolley and a second end secured to the fourth trolley; and
third and fourth arms, wherein the third arm forms a third deployable track and the fourth arm forms a fourth deployable track, wherein the third arm is selectively positionable in a third deployed position in which the third deployable track extends in a second lateral direction in alignment with the third stationary track, wherein the fourth arm is selectively positionable in a fourth deployed position in which the fourth deployable track extends in the second lateral direction in alignment with the fourth stationary track, and wherein positioning the third arm in the third deployed position and the fourth arm in the fourth deployed position enables the third trolley to be moved along the third stationary track to the third deployable track and the fourth trolley to be moved along the fourth stationary track to the fourth deployable track.
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