Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
  • E04B1/38—Connections for building structures in general
  • E04B1/61—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other
  • E04B1/6108—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together
  • E04B1/612—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together by means between frontal surfaces
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
  • F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
  • F24S25/63—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements
  • F24S25/632—Side connectors; Base connectors
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
  • F24S25/20—Peripheral frames for modules
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
  • F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
  • F24S25/63—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements
  • F24S25/634—Clamps; Clips
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
  • F24S2025/01—Special support components; Methods of use
  • F24S2025/023—Means for preventing theft; Locking means
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
  • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
  • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking

Definitions

• Solar panels have recently become a very common product.
• the panels comprise photo-voltaic cells that receive sunlight and produce electricity.
• the panels are typically positioned on building roofs or in various fields on specialized support structures, to which they are attached by means of various types of clamping mechanisms.
• the high price of solar panels and their typically unavoidable positioning outside of houses and in remote or poorly guarded areas makes them an attractive target for thieves, who steal the panels for their own use or sell them as valuable electricity generating products.
• Typical mechanical clamping mechanisms for solar panel theft prevention include clamps (or fasteners) that are connected by means of Allen head screws (or bolts) to the support structure of the solar panels. Each Allen head is subsequently sealed with a small steel ball to prevent the possibility of introducing a hex (Allen) key into the head and unscrewing the screw.
• Allen head screws or bolts
• the locking mechanism (or lock) of the presently disclosed subject matter attaches at least one solar panel to a support structure by holding onto its frame and prevents it from being moved away from the support structure and/or the other solar panel.
• the locking mechanism fixes the solar panel to its support structure and/or the other solar panel. While, in another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the locking mechanism enables parallel movement of a panel, along one axis only, on the support structure or relative to a nearby panel, without enabling the panel to move away from the nearby panel, or removing it away from the structure.
• the locking mechanism when fixed to the support structure, cannot be simply bent to enable the solar panel to be removed or stolen, unlike the conventionally used clamps. In fact, one has to either break or pull the locking mechanism out of the support structure together with, or after tearing off or otherwise removing, the screw that attaches it to the support structure.
• the locking mechanism attaches at least two solar panels to each other and is not fixed or otherwise attached to the support structure, while the solar panels are attached to the support structure by means of clamps, the locking mechanism prevents the possibility of stealing one of the solar panels by simply bending the clamps that hold it at one side thereof and subsequently pulling on the solar panel to free it from the clamps at its other side.
• the locking member comprising an elongated portion for fastening to the support structure, and at least one clip defined on the elongated portion for securing the frame thereto.
• the at least one clip can include a first clip for securing the frame of a first panel, and a second clip, opposing said first clip, for securing the frame of a second panel.
• the locking member can further comprise a clamping member having at least one wing for clamping a top surface of the panel.
• the at least one wing can includes a first wing for clamping top surface of a first panel, and a second wing for clamping top surface of a second panel.
• the clamping member can further includes a top portion having fastening means for fastening to the support structure, the top portion is disposed between the frame of the first panel and the frame of the second panel.
• the clamping member includes one wing the top portion is disposed between the frame of the panel and a shielding wall provided thereto.
• the locking member further comprises a shield member mounted between the clamping member and the locking member, for protecting the screw.
• the position of the first clip of the clocking member is adjustable with respect to the second clip.
• a holder for holding a detecting cable the holder can be in a form of a channel provided substantially in parallel to the clip or in a form of a removable holder received in an opening provided on the elongated portion.
• At least one mounting shoulder extending from the side of the elongated portion, for engaging the support structure.
• Fastening means for fastening the locking member to the support structure can be a screw having an inner peripheral interface head portion.
• the screw can further include an outer peripheral head portion which is tapered or spherical.
• the screw can be further provided with a cap mountable inside the inner peripheral interface head portion.
• a locking mechanism for solar panels according to the disclosed subject matter can further comprise the bolt that attaches it to the support structure.
• the locking mechanism is configured for attachment to a portion of a solar panel's frame that faces the support structure, i.e. the rear or back side of a solar panel.
• the attachment of the locking mechanism and a corresponding attached portion thereof is thus positioned between the solar panel and the support structure.
• the locking mechanism thus prevents lateral movement, of the solar panel with respect to the support structure and/or another panel, at least along one axis.
• the screws or bolts can, for example, have hex (Allen) heads and these can be sealed by a cap such as a metal ball or a metal disk or a shaped part insertable into the heads of the screws.
• the metal ball can be made, for example, of steel or of a soft metal such as aluminum which is pressed into the hole. Use of a soft metal ball pressed into the screw head enables the screw to be unscrewed after the soft metal is drilled out, for example, by a drill.
• non-conventional screw heads may be used (e.g. slotted, temper proof, one way screws), rendering it complicated or impossible to remove the screws/bolts without tampering.
• the locking mechanism can be combined with conventional or modified clamps.
• the same screw can be used to attach the clamp and the locking mechanism to the support structure.
• the clamp(s) can be combined by being connected to the locking mechanism(s) or be in contact with it.
• the locking mechanism can block an edge of the clamp thus making it more difficult to bend the clamp or tear it away.
• Fig. 1A is a perspective view of locking member constructed and operative in accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter
• Figs. IB is a side sectional view of two solar panels secured with the locking member of Fig. 1A;
• Fig. 2A is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example
• Fig. 2B is a side sectional view of the locking mechanism of Fig. 2 A;
• Figs. 2C is a side sectional view of a solar panel secured with the locking member of Fig. 2A;
• Fig. 3A is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example
• Figs. 3B is a side sectional view of two solar panels secured with the locking member of Fig. 3 A;
• Fig. 4A is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example
• Figs. 4B is a side sectional view of the locking member of Fig. 4A
• Figs. 4C is a side sectional view of a solar panel secured with the locking member of Fig. 4A;
• Figs. 5 is a side sectional view of two solar panels secured with the locking members of Figs. 3 A and 4A;
• Fig. 6A is an isometric view of the locking mechanism of Fig. 3A having an shield member
• Fig. 6B is an isometric view of the locking mechanism of Fig. 4A having an shield member
• Fig. 7A is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example.
• Figs. 7B is a side sectional view of the locking member of Fig. 7A;
• Fig. 7C is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example.
• Figs. 7D is a side sectional view of two solar panels secured with the locking members of Fig. 7C;
• Fig. 8A is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example.
• Fig. 8B is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example.
• Fig. 8C is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example.
• Figs. 8D is a side sectional view of two solar panels secured with the locking members of Fig. 8C;
• Fig. 9A is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example.
• Fig. 9B is an isometric view of the locking mechanism of Fig. 9A having an shield member, an clamping member, and fiber optic cable mounted thereon;
• Fig. 10A is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example
• Fig. 10B is an isometric view of the locking mechanism of Fig. 10A having an shield member, an clamping member, and fiber optic cable mounted thereon; and,
• Fig. IOC is an isometric view of a locking mechanism according to another example.
• Fig. 1A illustrates a locking member 12 having an elongated portion 14 and two opposing clips 16a and 16b, each defined at one side of the elongated portion 14.
• the elongated portion 14 is configured to be mounted on a support structure (not shown) holding of solar panels, and can include fastening means, here illustrated as a screw 18 for fastening the locking member 12 to the support structure.
• Each one of clips 16a and 16b is configured for attaching to a frame of a solar panel.
• locking member 12 locks two adjacent solar panels 20a and 20b one relative to the other.
• Clip 16a is attached to the frame 22a of the first solar panel 20a
• clip 16b is attached to the frame 22b of the second solar panel 20b. More particularly, the clips 16a and 16b are configured to grip the U section 23 defined at the periphery of each frame and facing the space below the panel.
• Elongated portion 14 is secured to support structure 30 of the solar panels 20a and 20b with screw 18. It is appreciated that the length of elongated portion 14 is determined in accordance with the desired distance between the solar panels 20a and 20b.
• the shape of clips 16a and 16b is determined in accordance with the frame, for example the width and thickness thereof.
• the locking member 12 can be secured to the support structure 30 by fastening the screw 18 therein, following which, the frame 22a of the first solar panel 20a is coupled to the locking member 12 by attaching the U section 23to clip 16a. Once the first panel 20a is in place, the second panel 20b can be coupled to the locking member 12 by attaching the U section 23 of frame 22b to the opposing clip 16b. Once the panels 20a and 20b are secured, removing thereof, requires first removing the locking member 12. Since screw 18, securing the locking member 12 to the support structure 30, is disposed in between the bottom portion of the frame 22a and the bottom portion of frame 22b, accessing the screw 18 can be carried out only by utilizing a screwdriver having an appropriate length.
• the screw can include an inner peripheral interface head portion 19 which can be unscrewed with a screwdriver having a corresponding interface portion.
• the outer periphery 17 of the screw head can be tapered or otherwise spherical, thus, the screw can not be gripped with a plier or a wrench.
• the inner peripheral interface portion 19 can be blocked with a cap 21 inserted therein.
• the cap 21 can be made, for example, of steel.
• the cap 21 can be made of a soft metal, such as for example aluminum, and deformed in the head of the screw thus blocking it entirely, while still enabling their removal by a drill. This way, the locking member 12 renders the removal of the solar panels difficult, to the extent that the panels can be stolen without causing damage thereto.
• Figs. 2A to 2C show a locking member 32 in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter.
• Locking member 32 is substantially the same as the locking member 12 of Fig. 1A, and includes an elongated portion 34 and a clip 36, and a fastening screw 38.
• the locking member includes only one clip 36, and is configured to secure one solar panel 20 to a support structure 30.
• Locking member 32 can be utilized when no other panel is mounted adjacent solar panel 20. For example in case the solar panel 20 is the last panel in a solar panel system.
• Figs. 3 A and 3B show a locking member 42 in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter.
• Locking member 42 includes an elongated portion 44 having a pair of clips 46 substantially the same as the one shown in Fig. 1 A.
• Locking member 42 is further provided with a clamping member 48 having two wings 50a and 50b and fastening element 52, here illustrated as screw 54 for securing to support structure 30.
• Each one of wings 50a and 50b is configured to clamp the top surface of a solar panel 20a and 20b, whereas the clips 46 are configured to hold the frame at the bottom of the solar panel.
• Fig. 3 A and 3B show a locking member 42 in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter.
• Locking member 42 includes an elongated portion 44 having a pair of clips 46 substantially the same as the one shown in Fig. 1 A.
• Locking member 42 is further provided with a clamping member 48 having two wings 50a and 50b and fastening element 52, here
• the screw 54 is substantially longer than the screw 18 of Fig. 1A, so as to allow the screw to fasten clamping member 48 which is disposed higher than the elongated portion 44.
• the screw 54 or any other fastening means can be received in an aperture (not shown) defined on a top portion 49 of the clamping member 48 in between the wings 50a and 50b.
• the top portion 49 can be formed lower than wings 50a and 50b, thus when mounted between the solar panels 20a and 20b, the screw is disposed in the space between the panels, thereby rendering the access thereto difficult.
• locking member 62 can be in the form of a one side locking member, for locking one panel as opposed to two panels, similar to the locking member described hereinabove in regards to Fig. 2A.
• Locking member 62 includes a clamping member 63 having one wing 64 for engaging the top surface of a solar panel 20, and one clip 65 for securing the frame 22 at the bottom of the solar panel.
• Clamping member 63 further includes a top portion 66a having fastening means, such as a screw.
• the top portion 66a is disposed lower than wing 64 and is further provided with a shielding wall 66b surrounding the screw, thus rendering the access thereto difficult.
• panel 20b can be secured to support structure 30 by utilizing the locking member 62 of Fig. 4 A on one side thereof, together with adjacent panel 20b, and the locking member 42 of Fig. 3 A on the other side thereof, for example, when there is no other panel mounted on that side.
• Figs. 6A and 6B show the clamping member 48 of Fig. 3A and the clamping member 63 of Fig. 4 A, respectively, both being coupled to a shield member 68.
• Shield member 68 can be mounted between the clamping member 48 and the locking member 42 as shown in Fig. 6A, or between the clamping member 63 and the locking member 62 of Fig. 6B.
• the shield member provides additional support when the screw of the clamping member is tightened.
• the clamping member can include one or more guides, such as guides 47 provided on clamping member 48 of Fig. 3 A, or guides 61 provided on the clamping member 63 of Fig. 4A.
• the guides can be configured to slide in corresponding channels 69 provided in the inner periphery of the shield member 68.
• Figs. 7A through 7D show a locking member 70 in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter.
• the position of the two opposing clips is adjustable with respect to one another.
• the locking member 70 includes two opposing clips 76a and 76b, each having an elongated portion 74a and 74b, respectively.
• Elongated portion 74a defines a depression 72a defined on the upper surface thereof
• elongated portion 74b defines a corresponding depression 72b defined on the bottom surface thereof.
• elongated portions 74b is placed on depression 72a of elongated portion 74a. This way, the position of the two clips 76a and 76b can be adjusted relative to one another.
• a fastening screw 78 is provided in order to secure locking member 70 to the support member 30 (best seen in Fig. 7d). It is further appreciated that elongated portion 74a and 74b are provided with screw aperture. However, in order to allow adjusting the position of the clips relative to one another, the aperture of at least one of elongated portion 74a or 74b is in an elongated aperture (not shown), allowing tightening screw 78 in the desired position along the aperture.
• locking member 70 may be provided with a clamping member 73, substantially similar to clamping member 48 of Fig. 3A. As most clearly seen in Fig.
• the locking member 70 can be used for securing solar panels 20a and 20b.
• the locking member 70 is not objected to solar panels having a specific distance therebetween, since the position of the clips 76a and 76b relative to one another can be adjusted in accordance with the distance between the two panels. This arrangement allows tightening the panels to one another in accordance with the exact space therebetween.
• the locking member 70 can be adjusted so as tightly secure the panel two panels relative to one another.
• adjusting the position of the elongated portion 74a and 74b one relative to the other compensates for variations in the width of the U section 23 of the frame.
• Fig. 8A illustrates a locking member 80 in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter.
• Locking member 80 includes an elongated portion 82, having a pair clips 84a defined on one end thereof and another pair of opposing clips 84b, defined on the other end thereof.
• the locking member 80 can be mounted on a support structure by means of a screw 85 and a screw aperture (not shown) defined on the elongated portion 82.
• the locking member 80 may be provided with a mounting shoulder 87, extending downwardly from the side of the elongated portion 82, and configured for securing to support structure, by means of a screw 89 (as exemplified in Fig. 8D).
• the locking member 80 may be provided with two mounting shoulder 87a and 87b extending downwardly, each from one side of the elongated portion 82.
• Fig. 9A a locking member 90 in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter.
• the locking member 90 is configured to lock one panel to a support structure, and includes a clip 92, and an elongated portion 94 provided with an aperture 95 for receiving a screw, similar to the one of the previous examples.
• Locking member 90 is further provided with a holder, here illustrated as a channel 96, configured for receiving detection means, such as an optical fiber, or an electric cable.
• detection means such as an optical fiber, or an electric cable.
• the channel 96 may be provided on a locking member having two opposing clips, and/or any other arrangement as discussed hereinabove.
• the locking member can be mounted together with a clamping member and an shield member, as discussed herein above.
• a detecting cable such as a fiber optic cable 97 can be disposed through channel 96, and can be coupled to detection means configured to detect when the fiber optic cable 97 is torn or displaced.
• the fiber optic cable 97 can be extended through a plurality of channels each provided on a locking member locking a solar panel. This way, an arrangement of solar panels can be protected with one fiber optic cable, which serves as an additional protection means for the solar panels.
• the locking member 100 can be provided with an opening 102 defined on the elongated portion 104, configured for receiving a removable holder 106 (shown in Fig. 10b) for holding a detecting cable 112.
• the locking member 100 can further be provided with a clamping member 108 and an shield member 110.
• the removable holder 106 is configured to be inserted through opening 102, and is provided with a wide portion 114 which is wider than opening 102.
• the holder 106 can be inserted through opening 102, while the wide portion bears against the elongated portion.
• the holder can not be removed from the bottom side of the locking member, and a detecting cable 112 can be extended through the holder 106.
• the holder 106 can be inserted in parallel to the clips, that is to say, that detecting cable 112 can be extended for example, alongside the width of the panel. Otherwise, the holder can be inserted in perpendicular to the clip, in which case the detecting cable 112 is extended alongside the length of the panel.
• utilizing the locking member 100 with the holder 106 as opposed to using the locking member 90 with channel 96, allows choosing the desired direction through which the detecting cable is extended. This can be useful when the panel is a part of a panel arrangement which includes a plurality of panels, thus extending the detecting cable in a first direction can be easier than extending it in a second direction.
• the locking member can be provided with both; a channel for receiving a first detecting cable, and a holder for receiving a second detecting cable.
• the channel 118 and the holder 120 provided on the locking member 115 can be perpendicular disposed relative to one another, so as to allow extending cables in different directions relative to the solar panel.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Sustainable Energy (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Sustainable Development (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
• Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)
• Clamps And Clips (AREA)
• Connection Of Plates (AREA)

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• 2011
  • 2011-07-26 EP EP11749553.1A patent/EP2598812A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-07-26 WO PCT/IL2011/000602 patent/WO2012014203A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-07-26 US US13/811,994 patent/US20130125492A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-07-26 AU AU2011284311A patent/AU2011284311A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-07-26 CN CN2011800431651A patent/CN103119381A/zh active Pending

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