Anti-theft solar end support

Abstract

The utility model provides a support which is constructed to fix a solar cell panel to the end portion of a solar cell panel installation track. The support comprises a rectangular bottom plate. An end wall extending vertically upward from a first end of the base plate, the top of the end wall terminating in an outwardly facing lip configured to receive and retain a side edge of a solar panel; a cover plate extending from a top of the end wall to an opposite end of the base plate; and means for securing the bracket to the solar panel mounting rail.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an end bracket for installing a solar cell panel, in particular to an anti-destruction end bracket. Background Art

[0002] The growing popularity of solar energy in residential and commercial areas to replace or supplement traditional electricity received from the national grid has created a black market for high-value solar panels. Solar panels are easy to steal and easy to transport without being detected. The panels are located outdoors and are generally easily accessible.

[0003] Various anti-theft measures, including alarms or tracking systems that detect if the panel has been tampered with or moved, can prevent theft and aid in recovery. Fences and barriers can also be installed to block access to the panels. However, in most cases, these systems are relatively expensive.

[0004] The end brackets or clamps used to mount solar panels are a critical component of the solar panel mounting system. They serve the purpose of securing the solar panel to the mounting track or frame, ensuring stability, and withstanding environmental forces such as wind and snow loads. The design of these brackets or clamps varies depending on the type of solar panel and the mounting structure used. The end brackets or clamps also prevent the panel from sliding off the mounting track.

[0005] The reliability and durability of these end brackets or clamps are critical to the long-term performance of the solar panel system. They contribute to the structural integrity of the installation, preventing potential damage caused by the panels shifting or moving. While they do provide a degree of physical security by securely attaching the panels to the mounting system, they are not specifically designed to prevent or deter theft, and thieves have been known to find ways to bypass simple clamping mechanisms. In fact, it is often very simple to pry off the brackets / clamps, which facilitates the removal of the solar panel by sliding it off the track.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an end bracket which can at least partially alleviate some of the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0007] According to the utility model, a bracket is provided, which is configured to fix a solar panel to the end of a solar panel mounting rail having an inwardly lipped side wall, and the bracket comprises:

[0008] Rectangular base plate;

[0009] an end wall extending vertically upward from the first end of the base plate, the top of the end wall terminating in an outwardly facing lip configured to receive and retain a side edge of the solar panel;

[0010] a cover plate extending downwardly from the top of the end wall to an opposite end of the base plate; and

[0011] Device for securing bracket to solar panel mounting rail.

[0012] The bracket further includes two opposing side walls extending between the bottom plate and the cover plate.

[0013] An access hole configured to facilitate access to the base plate is located in the cover plate.

[0014] A downwardly depending tongue extends from the bottom plate. Engagement formations extend laterally from both sides of the tongue.

[0015] The solar mounting track includes a U-shaped track having inwardly lipped side walls.

[0016] The device for securing a bracket to a solar mounting track includes a spring nut including a platform located on top of a compression spring, wherein the platform is shaped to fit between the walls of the track below the track lip and is biased to the bottom of the track lip by the spring. The bracket base plate can be secured to the top surface of the platform of the spring nut by a set screw or bolt that can be inserted through an access hole in the cover plate and aligned holes in the base plate and the spring nut platform.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixing screw or bolt is a one-way screw. The screw or bolt may include a button head or similar features to prevent the fixing device from being unscrewed once it is fixed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of an embodiment of the bracket of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the bracket of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 It is a front view of an embodiment of the bracket of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the bracket of the utility model in use;

[0023] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the utility model in use;

[0024] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the utility model in use;

[0025] Figure 7 is an end view of an embodiment of the present invention in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following description is provided as an authorized teaching of the present invention, illustrating the principles associated with the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The depicted and described embodiments may be modified, but the results of the present invention may still be achieved and / or without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that some results or advantages of the present invention may be achieved by selecting some features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that in some cases, it is possible and even desirable to modify and adjust the present invention, and may constitute a part of the present invention.

[0027] For ease of reference and understanding, Figures 1 to 7 In the present invention, the same features are represented by the same numerals.

[0028] The utility model provides an end bracket 10 for fixing a solar panel 30 to the end of a mounting rail 40. Figure 4 .

[0029] The end bracket 10 includes a rectangular base plate 12 having an end wall 14 extending vertically upward from a first end of the base plate 12 , the top of the end wall terminating in an outwardly facing lip 16 configured to receive and retain the side edge of the solar panel 30 .

[0030] The cover plate 18 extends downwardly from the top of the end wall 14 to the opposite end of the base plate 12. The opposite side walls 20 extend between the base plate 12 and the cover plate 18.

[0031] The first hole 22 is located in the base plate 12 , and the second hole 24 is located in the cover plate 18 .

[0032] A downwardly depending tongue 26 extends from the base plate 12 and has engagement formations 28 extending laterally on either side thereof.

[0033] Reference Figure 4 The mounting rail 40 for mounting solar panels is generally U-shaped, having a side wall 44 with an inward lip 42. Spring nuts are generally used to secure a row of solar panels 30 to the mounting rail 40. The spring nut includes a platform 52 and a spring 54, wherein the platform 52 is adapted to be located below the lip 42 of the rail 40, and the spring 54 biases the top surface of the platform 52 to the bottom of the rail lip 42. A hole 56 extends through the platform 52 for receiving a screw or bolt 58.

[0034] Solar panels can be mounted on the ground, frame or roof. Solar panels 30 are usually mounted in a row on top of mounting rails, spring nuts are inserted into the rails between two solar panels with bolts and washers, and solar panels 30 are fixed in place.

[0035] Reference Figures 5 to 7 , the end bracket 10 of the present invention is used to secure the first and last solar panels to the track 40. The spring nut is inserted onto the track 40, and then the bracket 10 is slid into place so that it is positioned on top of the spring nut platform 52. The engagement formation 28 of the tongue 26 is held under the lip 42 of the track 40, and the base plate 12 is located on top of the platform 52 of the spring nut 50. The edge of the solar panel 30 is secured to the underside of the lip 16 of the bracket 10.

[0036] The bracket 10 is secured to the spring nut platform 52 by screws or bolts 58 inserted through the holes 24 in the cover plate 18 and through the aligned holes ( 22 , 56 ) in the base plate 12 and the platform of the spring nut 50 .

[0037] The cover plate 18 and the side wall 20 of the bracket 10 strengthen the bracket to prevent unauthorized operation, making it difficult to twist or pry the bracket and release the solar panel. The cover plate 18 and the side wall 20 also make it difficult to access the head of the bolt 58.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bolt or screw 58 is a one-way screw that is designed to rotate in only one direction, or includes a button head or similar feature to prevent the bolt or screw from being unscrewed once installed.

[0039] End brackets are constructed of strong weather-resistant materials such as stainless steel or hardened aluminum, ensuring durability and resistance to corrosion and adverse weather conditions.

[0040] The end brackets are designed for quick and straightforward installation and are designed to be compatible with a variety of solar panel mounting systems, including roof-mount systems, ground-mount systems, and pole-mount systems. They can be easily adapted to a variety of mounting configurations.

Claims

1. A bracket configured to secure a solar panel to an end of a solar panel mounting rail, the bracket comprising: Rectangular base plate; an end wall extending vertically upward from the first end of the base plate, the top of the end wall terminating in an outwardly facing lip configured to receive and retain a side edge of a solar panel; a cover plate extending from a top of the end wall to an opposite end of the bottom plate; as well as Means for securing said bracket to said solar panel mounting rail.

2. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein: The bracket further includes two opposing side walls extending between the bottom plate and the cover plate.

3. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: An access hole configured to facilitate access to the base plate is located in the cover plate.

4. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A downwardly depending tongue extends from the base plate.

5. The bracket according to claim 4, wherein: Engagement formations extend laterally from both sides of the tongue.

6. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein: The solar panel mounting track includes a U-shaped track having an inwardly lipped sidewall.

7. The bracket according to claim 6, wherein: The means for securing the bracket to the solar panel mounting rail comprises a spring nut including a platform located on top of a compression spring, wherein the platform is shaped to be located between the walls of the rail below the rail lip and is biased to the bottom of the rail lip by a spring, and further wherein the base plate of the bracket can be secured to the top surface of the platform by set screws or bolts, and the set screws or bolts can be received through aligned holes located in the base plate and the platform of the spring nut.

8. The bracket according to claim 7, wherein: The set screw or bolt is a one-way screw that includes features that prevent the screw from being unscrewed once secured.

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