초록 ▼

A clamp includes an upper portion, lower portion, screw and nut. The upper portion may include first and second rectangular shaped members, a first projection extending from the first and second members, and a first central opening located between the first and second members. The lower portion may

A clamp includes an upper portion, lower portion, screw and nut. The upper portion may include first and second rectangular shaped members, a first projection extending from the first and second members, and a first central opening located between the first and second members. The lower portion may include third and fourth rectangular shaped members, a second projection extending from the third and fourth members, and a second central opening located between the third and fourth members. The screw may extend from the upper portion through the first and second central openings. The nut may be integrally connected to the lower portion and includes threads to receive corresponding threads from the screw. Lower surfaces of the first and second members and upper surfaces of the third and fourth members define an opening located adjacent the first and second projections in which a component to be clamped is placed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A clamp, comprising: an upper portion comprising first and second rectangular shaped members, a first rectangular shaped projection extending from the first and second rectangular shaped members, and a first central opening located between the first and second rectangular shaped members;a lower p

1. A clamp, comprising: an upper portion comprising first and second rectangular shaped members, a first rectangular shaped projection extending from the first and second rectangular shaped members, and a first central opening located between the first and second rectangular shaped members;a lower portion comprising third and fourth rectangular shaped members, a second rectangular shaped projection extending from the third and fourth rectangular shaped members, and a second central opening located between the third and fourth rectangular shaped members;a screw extending from an upper surface of the upper portion through the first and second central openings; anda nut integrally connected to the lower portion, the nut including threads to receive corresponding threads from the screw, wherein lower surfaces of the first and second members and upper surfaces of the third and fourth members define at least one opening, located adjacent the first and second projections, in which at least one component to be clamped is placed,wherein the lower portion further comprises a base portion including a plurality of structures extending in a first direction outwardly from a center of the base portion, wherein each of the plurality of structures includes a portion extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and toward the upper portion, wherein the nut and the plurality of structures provide a clamping force to secure the at least one component,wherein the base portion further includes third and fourth projections located on opposite sides of the base portion and extending in the second direction toward the upper portion, andwherein the upper portion includes first and second openings located on a lower surface of the upper portion and configured to receive the third and fourth projections, respectively, wherein the third and fourth projections and first and second openings prevent rotation of the clamp when the at least one component is clamped. 2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the nut includes a central portion having a threaded opening and two side portions located adjacent the central portion, wherein the central portion receives threads of the screw and the side portions are configured to fit below an open end of a strut or below a slot of a strut that provides support to the at least one component when the at least one component is clamped. 3. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the at least one component comprises a solar panel and wherein the at least one opening is sized to receive the solar panel. 4. The clamp of claim 1, wherein at least some of the surfaces of at least one of the first, second, third and fourth rectangular shaped members comprise cushioned surfaces. 5. The clamp of claim 1, wherein a combined height of the first and second projections define a minimum thickness of the at least one component that is to be clamped. 6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the upper portion includes a slot located on an upper surface of the upper portion and extending on either side of the first central opening to allow the upper portion to rotate or tilt with respect to the screw. 7. The clamp of claim 6, wherein the upper portion is configured to rotate or tilt in a first direction with respect to the screw, and rotate or tilt in a second direction with respect to the screw, the second direction being different than the first direction. 8. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises a first opening located between the lower surface of the first rectangular member and the upper surface of the third rectangular member, and a second opening located between the lower surface of the second rectangular member and the upper surface of the fourth rectangular member. 9. An assembly, comprising: a strut; anda clamp coupled to the strut and configured to secure a panel, the clamp comprising: a top portion having a substantially rectangular shape and having a first opening located in a center area of the top portion,a lower portion having a substantially rectangular shape and having a second opening located in a center area of the lower portion,a screw extending from an upper surface of the top portion through the first and second openings, anda nut integrally connected to the lower portion, the nut being threaded to receive corresponding threads from the screw, wherein a lower surface of the top portion and an upper surface of the lower portion define two areas in which two components are to be clamped,wherein the lower portion further comprises a base portion including at least one vertical extension integrally coupled to the nut and at least one horizontal extension, wherein each of the at least one horizontal extension is coupled to one of the at least one vertical extension, the horizontal extension extending away from a center of the base portion and the vertical extension extending toward the top portion,wherein the nut, the at least one vertical extension and the at least one horizontal extension provide an upward clamping force to secure the two components when the screw is tightened, andwherein the base portion further comprises first and second projections located on opposite sides of the center of the base portion, wherein the top portion includes first and second slots located on a lower surface of the top portion and configured to receive the first and second projections, respectively, and wherein the first and second projections and first and second slots prevent rotation of the clamp. 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the nut includes a central portion having a threaded opening and two side portions located adjacent the central portion, wherein the central portion receives threads of the screw and the side portions are located below an open end of the strut and abut rims of the strut, or located below a side of the strut and abut a slot in the side of the strut, wherein the strut provides support to the two components when the two components are clamped. 11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the two components comprise two solar panels, wherein a first one of the two areas is located on a first side of the clamp and a second one of the two areas is located on a second side of the clamp opposite the first side. 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the top portion includes a first rectangular shaped member and a second rectangular shaped member connected by a middle portion, and the lower portion includes a third rectangular shaped member and a fourth rectangular shaped member, and wherein the first area is located between the first and third rectangular shaped members and the second area is located between the second and fourth rectangular shaped members. 13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein surfaces of at least a portion of the first, second, third and fourth rectangular shaped members are cushioned. 14. The clamp of claim 9, wherein the top portion is rotatable or tiltable with respect to the screw. 15. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the clamp is coupled to the strut via side portions of the nut that contact rims of the strut, or via side portions of the nut that contact a side of the strut adjacent a slot in the side of the strut. 16. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one horizontal extension comprises four horizontal extensions. 17. A method, comprising: installing a clamp onto a strut, the clamp including an upper portion, a lower portion, a screw and a nut, wherein the upper portion includes a central opening through which the screw passes and a first slot extending on both sides of the screw, wherein the first slot allows the upper portion to tilt in a first direction with respect to the screw and tilt in a second direction with respect to the screw, and wherein the clamp is coupled to the strut via side portions of the nut that contact rims of the strut, or via side portions of the nut that contact a side of the strut adjacent a second slot in the side of the strut;tilting the upper portion of the clamp in the first direction with respect to the screw prior to placing a first panel onto a first surface of the lower portion;placing the first panel onto the first surface of the lower portion;tilting the upper portion of the clamp in the second direction with respect to the screw prior to placing a second panel onto a second surface, the second direction being different from the first direction;placing the second panel onto the second surface of the lower portion; andtightening the screw to clamp the first and second panels.