US-12627126-B2 - Solar cable retention clips with resilient hooks for structure mounting

US12627126B2US 12627126 B2US12627126 B2US 12627126B2US-12627126-B2

Abstract

A cable retention clip can include at least one clip body region defining at least two cable retention channels that are arranged to have parallel channel axes. Each cable retention channel has an inlet opening extending a length of the respective cable retention channel so that each cable retention channel forms a C-shape. Each cable retention channel can be separated from an adjacent cable retention channel by a cable separator member. The cable retention clip can also include at least two elongate resilient pillars that are spaced apart with a gap therebetween. The elongate resilient pillars extend from the clip body region that has the cable retention channels. Each elongate pillar includes a hook at an end that is opposite of the clip body region. Each hook can be oriented away from the other hook, such that both hooks point away from each other.

Inventors

Dorothy MICHAEL
Steve Ferguson
Joaquin PEREDA
Dean Solon

Assignees

SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220505

Claims (17)

1 . A cable retention clip comprising: at least one clip body region defining at least two cable retention channels that are arranged to have parallel channel axes, each cable retention channel has an inlet opening extending a length of the respective cable retention channel so that each cable retention channel forms a C-shape, each cable retention channel being separated from an adjacent cable retention channel by a cable separator; and two elongate resilient pillars that are spaced apart with a gap therebetween and that extend from the at least one clip body region, each elongate pillar including a hook at an end opposite of the at least one clip body region, each hook being oriented and extending away from the other hook, wherein: the hooks of the elongate pillars are located in their entireties to one side of a reference plane that intersects each of the elongate pillars and that is parallel to lengths of the cable retention channels; the at least one clip body region and the at least two cable retention channels are located in their entireties to an opposite side of the reference plane from the hooks; the inlet openings of the at least two cable retention channels open towards the elongate resilient pillars; and a diameter of each inlet opening is less than an internal diameter of the corresponding cable retention channel.
2 . The cable retention clip of claim 1 , wherein the at least two cable retention channels have the same size.
3 . The cable retention clip of claim 1 , wherein there are four cable retention channels having the same size.
4 . The cable retention clip of claim 1 , wherein there are six cable retention channels having the same size.
5 . The cable retention clip of claim 1 , wherein the at least one clip body defines at least a pair of the cable retention channels forming a ω-shape.
6 . The cable retention clip of claim 1 , wherein the pillars are a same material as the at least one clip body region and integrated therewith.
7 . The cable retention clip of claim 1 , wherein the hook of each pillar includes a first hook body portion with a first retention surface extending from a pillar end of the respective pillar, and a second hook body portion with a second retention surface extending from an end of the first hook body portion.
8 . The cable retention clip of claim 7 , wherein the first retention surface is at an angle with respect to a pillar surface, and the second retention surface is at an angle with respect to the first retention surface.
9 . The cable retention clip of claim 7 , wherein the first retention surface is orthogonal with respect to a pillar surface, and the second retention surface is orthogonal with respect to the first retention surface so as to be parallel with the pillar surface.
10 . The cable retention clip of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the hooks has a tapered second hook body portion that tapers from the end of the first hook body portion to a second hook tip.
11 . The cable retention clip of claim 1 , wherein each pillar includes: a hook head having the hook; a lower pillar body extending from the at least one clip body region; and a recessed pillar body having a recessed surface between the hook head and lower pillar body.
12 . A cable arrangement comprising: the cable retention clip of claim 1 ; and at least two solar cables, each solar cable being located in the respective cable retention channel of the cable retention clip.
13 . The cable arrangement of claim 12 , further comprising a second cable retention clip having a second body defining at least two second cable retention channels that are arranged to have parallel channel axes, each second cable retention channel has an inlet opening extending a length of the respective second cable retention channel so that each second cable retention channel forms a C-shape, each second cable retention channel being separated from an adjacent second cable retention channel by a second cable separator, wherein the second body defines at least a pair of the second cable retention channels forming a ω-shape.
14 . The cable arrangement of claim 13 , wherein: the second body defines at least four second cable retention channels with at least two pairs of the at least four second cable retention channels being separated by a branched cable separator, the branched cable separator having a first branch that forms a first arm of a first pair of second cable retention channels forming the ω-shape and having a second branch that forms a second arm of a second pair of second cable retention channels forming the ω-shape, wherein the at least four cable retention channels are arranged to have the parallel channel axes.
15 . The cable arrangement of claim 13 , wherein: the second body defines at least four second cable retention channels with each second cable retention channel being separated by a second cable separator, two second cable separators have a pair of curved arms and form a first pair of second cable retention channels with one second cable separator having a stubbed central protrusion thereby forming the ω-shape, wherein the at least four second cable retention channels are arranged to have the parallel channel axes, wherein at least one of the second cable retention channels includes a larger size than at least three of the second cable retention channels that have a same smaller size, wherein outer second cable retention channels form hook shapes that hook toward each other.
16 . A solar installation comprising: a cable arrangement comprising a cable retention clip and at least two solar cables, each solar cable being located in a respective cable retention channel of the cable retention clip, the cable retention clip comprising: at least one clip body region defining at least two cable retention channels that are arranged to have parallel channel axes, each cable retention channel has an inlet opening extending a length of the respective cable retention channel so that each cable retention channel forms a C-shape, each cable retention channel being separated from an adjacent cable retention channel by a cable separator; and two elongate resilient pillars that are spaced apart with a gap therebetween and that extend from the at least one clip body region, each elongate pillar including a hook at an end opposite of the at least one clip body region, each hook being oriented and extending away from the other hook, the elongate pillars integrally formed with the at least one clip body region as a single component; and at least one solar panel operably coupled with at least one of the two solar cables; wherein: the elongate resilient pillars couple the cable retention clip to structure that supports the at least one solar panel to suspend the at least two solar cables beneath the at least one solar panel from the structure; the at least two cable retention channels are aligned side-by-side in a line that is orthogonal to lengths of the at least two cable retention channels; the line and the lengths of the at least two cable retention channels define a cable retention plane; the elongate pillars extend away from and beyond the at least one clip body region, including beyond the at least two cable retention channels, in a direction orthogonal to the cable retention plane; and in a region of the cable retention clip beyond the clip body region, the cable retention clip is devoid of any structure in the gap between the elongate pillars and is devoid of any structure to directly retain any cables.
17 . A kit comprising: a cable retention clip comprising: at least one clip body region defining at least two cable retention channels that are arranged to have parallel channel axes, each cable retention channel has an inlet opening extending a length of the respective cable retention channel so that each cable retention channel forms a C-shape, each cable retention channel being separated from an adjacent cable retention channel by a cable separator; and two elongate resilient pillars that are spaced apart with a gap therebetween and that extend from the at least one clip body region, each elongate pillar including a hook at an end opposite of the at least one clip body region, each hook being oriented and extending away from the other hook, each of the elongate pillars extending a shorter distance longitudinally than each of the at least two cable retention channels; and at least one second cable retention clip, wherein the second cable retention clip consists of a plurality of cable channel conduits; wherein: the at least two cable retention channels are aligned side-by-side in a line that is orthogonal to lengths of the at least two cable retention channels; the line and the lengths of the at least two cable retention channels define a cable retention plane; each pillar includes a hook head having the hook, a lower pillar body that extends from the at least one clip body region in a direction orthogonal to the cable retention plane, and a recessed pillar body that extends between the lower pillar body and the hook head in the direction orthogonal to the cable retention plane; the recessed pillar body of each pillar includes a recessed surface that is recessed relative to a surface of the lower pillar body of the corresponding pillar; the hook of each pillar includes a first hook body portion with a first planar retention surface extending from a pillar end of the respective pillar, and a second hook body portion with a second planar retention surface extending from an end of the first hook body portion; and the first planar retention surface is orthogonal with respect to a pillar surface, and the second planar retention surface is orthogonal with respect to the first planar retention surface so as to be parallel with the pillar surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/201,587 filed May 5, 2021 and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/262,848 filed Oct. 21, 2021, which provisional applications are incorporated herein by specific reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND Field The present disclosure relates solar panel cable clips with resilient hooks for mounting to support structures and cable channels for receiving, securing and organizing solar panel cables in solar panel installations. Description of Related Art Solar power has long been considered a niche utility. It is considered desirable from an environmental and political standpoint, but perhaps not economically feasible for generating enough power to make a meaningful contribution to the grid. However, as the problems associated with our dependence on fossil fuels have become better understood, more attention has been paid to so-called alternative energy such as solar power. This attention has led to significant technological and policy advances, such that solar power is now quite prevalent, and more economically feasible. Technological advances in the generation of solar energy have occurred in multiple areas, including collector material and structure, and wiring infrastructure. Wiring infrastructure, however, continues to present challenges, particularly in large scale solar photovoltaic (PV) panel array installations. Proper wire management is vital to the health of the PV system. Damaged wire insulation can lead to ground-faults, system downtime and fire. Moreover, PV systems are installed in various geographic locations, and experience extreme weather and environmental conditions. The wiring infrastructure must defy wind and weather conditions for many years and must reliably safeguard various electricity yields. The sheer number of cables associated with a typical PV array installation adds to the difficulty in providing efficient and effective wire management. In addition, PV modules are often mounted to solar tracking systems and the like via bracket or clamp systems. The PV modules are moved to maximize sun exposure. Thus, it is desirable to orient the cables in a manner that accommodates movement of respective PV modules, and in a manner that avoids entanglement or damage to the cables themselves. To date, there are inadequate tools available to organize and manage the large number of cables often found within a typical PV array installation. Often, installers are left to using zip ties or the like, which, at best, groups cables in a haphazard manner. Such approaches make it difficult to organize cables with respect to the panels and the panel support structures. Moreover, for purposes of repair and maintenance, this approach requires ties to be cut, and then re-established with new ties, which is time consuming, and can lead to damage to the cables/wires when a zip tie is cut. The claimed subject matter is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. This background is only provided to illustrate examples of where the present disclosure may be utilized. SUMMARY In some embodiments, a cable retention clip is provided. The cable retention clip can include at least one clip body region defining at least two cable retention channels that are arranged to have parallel channel axes. Each cable retention channel has an inlet opening extending a length of the respective cable retention channel so that each cable retention channel forms a C-shape. Each cable retention channel can be separated from an adjacent cable retention channel by a cable separator member. The cable retention clip can also include at least two elongate resilient pillars that are spaced apart with a gap therebetween. The elongate resilient pillars extend from the clip body region that has the cable retention channels. Each elongate pillar includes a hook at an end that is opposite of the clip body region. Each hook can be oriented away from the other hook, such that both hooks point away from each other (e.g., outwardly or lateral to the longitudinal axis of each channel). In some aspects, each cable retention channel has the same size. In some aspects, there are four cable retention channels that have the same size. In some aspects, there are six cable retention channels that have the same size. In some embodiments, the cable retention clip includes the clip body that defines at least a pair of the cable retention channels forming a ω-shape. In some aspects, the inlet openings of the cable retention channels can open towards the elongate resilient pillars. In other aspects, the inlet openings of the cable retention channels open away from elongate resilient pillars. In some embodiments, the pillars are a same material as the retention clip body and are integrated therewith. The hook of each pillar can include a first hook body portion with a f