Reference is hereby made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/360,613, filed July 1, 2010 and entitled "SECURITY SYSTEM FOR SOLAR PANELS", and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/423,755, filed December 16, 2010 and entitled "ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FOR SOLAR PANELS", the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference and priority of which are hereby claimed pursuant to 37 CFR 1.78(a) (4) and (5)(i).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to anti-theft apparatus for use with photovoltaic panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following patent publications are believed to represent the current state of the art:

U.S. Published Patent Applications 2010/0206018 and 2010/01411424.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide improved anti-theft apparatus for use with photovoltaic panels.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention anti-theft apparatus for protecting solar electricity generating panels from theft including at least a first lockable element configured for engagement with a first solar electricity generating panel, at least a second lockable element configured for engagement with a second solar electricity generating panel and at least one locking element for securing the at least first and the at least second lockable elements together in a locking arrangement whereby the first and second solar electricity generating panels are at least locked together.

Preferably, the apparatus is also configured to be securable to a support upon which the first and the second solar electricity generating panels are mounted. Additionally or alternatively, each of the at least first and the at least second lockable elements are configured for engagement with a protective cable.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a theft-protected array of solar electricity generating panels, the theft-protected array including a multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels mounted on a support structure and locking apparatus for locking adjacent ones of the multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels to each other, but not locking each of the multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels to all of the panels adjacent thereto in the array.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the locking apparatus includes at least a first lockable element configured for engagement with a first solar electricity generating panel of the multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels, at least a second lockable element configured for engagement with a second solar electricity generating panel of the multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels and at least one locking element for securing the at least first and the at least second lockable elements together in a locking arrangement whereby the first and second solar electricity generating panels are at least locked together. Preferably, the locking apparatus is configured to be securable to the support structure. Additionally or alternatively, the theft-protected array of solar electricity generating panels also includes a tamper responsive protective cable extending through the locking apparatus, whereby tampering with the locking apparatus provides an alarm indication.

There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention a theft-protected array of solar electricity generating panels, the theft-protected array including a multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels mounted on a support structure, locking apparatus for locking adjacent ones of the multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels to each other and a tamper responsive protective cable extending through the locking apparatus, whereby tampering with the locking apparatus provides an alarm indication.

Preferably, the locking apparatus includes at least a first lockable element configured for engagement with a first solar electricity generating panel of the multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels, at least a second lockable element configured for engagement with a second solar electricity generating panel of the multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels and at least one locking element for securing the at least first and the at least second lockable elements together in a locking arrangement whereby the first and second solar electricity generating panels are at least locked together. Additionally or alternatively, the locking apparatus is configured to be securable to the support structure.

There is even further provided in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention anti-theft apparatus for protecting solar electricity generating panels from theft including a first lockable element configured for engagement with a first solar electricity generating panel, a second lockable element configured for engagement with a second solar electricity generating panel and a spacer element, the first and second lockable elements and the spacer element being lockable together in a locking arrangement whereby the first and second solar electricity generating panels are prevented by the spacer element from being brought closer together to each other.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the apparatus is also configured to be securable to a support upon which the first and the second solar electricity generating panels are mounted. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus is configured for engagement with a protective cable.

There is still further provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a theft-protected array of solar electricity generating panels, the theft-protected array including a multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels mounted in a mutually spaced arrangement in a plane on a support structure and locking apparatus for locking adjacent ones of the multiplicity of solar electricity generating panels to each other and including a spacer element operative to prevent the first and second solar electricity generating panels from being brought closer together to each other than in the mutually spaced arrangement in the plane.

Preferably, the locking apparatus is configured to be securable to the support structure. Additionally or alternatively, the theft-protected array of solar electricity generating panels also includes a tamper responsive protective cable extending through the locking apparatus, whereby tampering with the locking apparatus provides an alarm indication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figs. 1A and IB are simplified respective exploded view and assembled view illustrations of anti-theft apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E are simplified illustrations of a first element employed in the apparatus of Figs. 1A & IB;

Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are simplified illustrations of a second element employed in the apparatus of Figs. 1A & IB;

Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are simplified illustrations of various stages in the use of the apparatus of Figs. 1A & IB in preventing theft of an array of solar electricity generating panels;

Figs. 5A and 5B are simplified respective exploded view and assembled view illustrations of anti-theft apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

Figs. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D are simplified illustrations of various stages in the use of the apparatus of Figs. 5A & 5B in preventing theft of an array of solar electricity generating panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to Figs. 1A and IB, which are simplified respective exploded view and assembled view illustrations of anti-theft apparatus 100 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As seen in Figs. 1A & IB, the anti-theft apparatus 100 preferably includes a first lockable element 102 configured for engagement with a first solar electricity generating panel (not shown), a second lockable element 104, preferably identical to first locking element 102, configured for engagement with a second solar electricity generating panel (not shown) and an intermediate lockable element 106 configured for engagement with first and second solar electricity generating panels. At least one locking element, such as a threaded rod 108, preferably extends through elements 102, 104 and 106 and is engaged by a nut 110, for securing the first and second lockable elements 102 and 104 together in a locking arrangement whereby the first and second solar electricity generating panels are at least locked together.

A pair of hardened pins 120 is preferably provided for inserting into each of first lockable element 102 and second lockable element 104.

Reference is now made to Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E, which are simplified illustrations of a lockable element 200 preferably employed in the apparatus of Figs. 1A & IB as lockable elements 102 and 104.

As seen in Figs. 2A - 2E, lockable element 200 preferably is integrally formed in an assymetrical U-shape, from a suitable material, typically a plastic such as Nylon 66. In the sense shown in Figs. 2A - 2E, lockable element 200 includes an upper, shorter leg 202, a lower, longer leg 204, spaced from upper, shorter leg 202 by a slot 206, and a joining portion 208, integrally joining legs 202 and 204.

Upper, shorter leg 202 preferably is formed with three side-by-side recesses 210, 212 and 214, preferably having generally square cross-sections. Lower, longer leg 204 preferably is formed with three side-by-side throughgoing bores 220, 222 and 224, preferably having generally round cross-sections. Bore 222 is preferably formed with a broadened recess 226, preferably hexagonal shaped, at one end thereof. A pair of recesses 230 extend partially through joining portion 208 from a top surface 234 thereof. Hardened pins 120 (Fig. 1A), preferably formed of hardened metal, are preferably inserted in recesses 230 in elements 200 for resisting attempts to drill or cut therethrough. Alternatively, lockable element 200 may be formed with one or more hardened portions and recesses 230 and pins 120 may be obviated.

Shallow pin sockets 236 and 238 extend through lower, longer leg 204 from an end surface 240 thereof.

Reference is now made to Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, which are simplified illustrations of an element 300, preferably employed in the apparatus of Figs. 1A & IB as intermediate lockable element 106.

As seen in Figs. 3A - 3D, element 300 preferably is integrally formed from a suitable material, typically a plastic such as Nylon 66. In the sense shown in Figs. 3A - 3D, element 300 includes an upper portion 302 having an inclined edge surface 304 and generally rectangular recesses 306 and 308 formed on respective sides 316 and 318 of element 300. Element 300 also includes a lower portion 320, formed with three side-by-side throughgoing bores 322, 324 and 326, preferably having generally round cross-sections. Alignment pins 332 and 334 extend outwardly from lower portion 320 at side 316 of element 300 and alignment pins 336 and 338 extend outwardly from lower portion 320 at side 318 of element 300.

A bore 340 extends through most of lower portion 320, generally perpendicularly to and intersecting bores 322, 324 and 326 from a edge 342 of element 300 and terminates in a reduced size aperture 344 at an opposite facing edge 346 of element 300.

Reference is now made to Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, which are simplified illustrations of various stages in the use of the apparatus of Figs. 1A & IB in preventing theft of an array of solar electricity generating panels.

Turning to Fig. 4A, it is seen that an array 400 of solar electricity generating panels 402 is mounted via elongate mounting supports 404 on a support surface 406, such as a roof. Each of solar electricity generating panels 402 is typically provided with an extruded peripheral aluminum rim 408 which includes an integrally formed planar back strip portion 410 from which extend, generally perpendicularly, three mutually spaced strips, here designated by reference numerals 412, 414 and 416. A planar electricity generating panel portion 418 is retained between respective strips 412 and 414, extending peripherally and circumferentially with respect thereto.

Fig. 4A illustrates an initial stage in mounting the apparatus of Figs. 1A & IB for preventing theft of panels 402. Intermediate lockable element 106 is secured onto an elongate mounting support 404, preferably by a self-boring screw 420, which is inserted via bore 340 and is seated against reduced size aperture 344 at an opposite facing edge 346 (Figs. 3A - 3D).

Elements 102 and 104 are aligned in mutually facing, spaced arrangement such that their upper, shorter legs 202 are arranged to be partially inserted between strips 414 and 416 of respective rims 408 of adjacent solar electricity generating panels 402. Slots 206 of respective elements 102 and 104 are arranged to receive respective strips 416 of adjacent solar electricity generating panels 402. Threaded rod 108 is shown extended through bore 222 of element 102.

It is appreciated -that hardened pins 120 (Fig. 1A) are preferably inserted in recesses 230 in elements 102 and 104 prior to mounting of elements 102 and 104 to panels 402.

Turning now to Fig. 4B, it is seen that elements 102 and 104 are locked together with intermediate element 106 by rod 108, which extends through bores 222 of elements 102 and 104 and bore 324 in element 106, in threaded engagement with nut 110. Access to nut 110 and to the end of rod 108 is preferably blocked by a plug of epoxy, indicated by reference numeral 422. Strips 416 are seated in slots 206 of respective elements 102 and 104. Rod 108 blocks access to screw 420 in bore 340.

Fig. 4C additionally shows a tamper responsive protective cable 430 extending through bore 224 of element 102, bore 322 of element 106 and bore 220 of element 104. Cable 430 is preferably sealed to bores 220 and 224 by an adhesive, such as epoxy, as indicated by reference numeral 432.

As seen further in Fig. 4C and in Fig. 4D, a plurality of protective cables 430, such as a solid strand size 30 hook-up wire, part number 2030, commercially available from WEICO Wire and Cable, Inc. of Edgewood, NY, USA, or an AWG 4x22 HFFR or PVC covered wire, commercially available from Reouel, LTD. of Moshav Yad-Rambam, Israel, each preferably extending through multiple locked assemblies of elements 102, 104 and 106, are preferably coupled to an alarm system 440, such as a PIMA Hunter Pro 33, commercially available from PIMA Electronic Systems, Ltd. of Holon, Israel, which provides an alarm indication of cutting of cables 430.

Reference is now made to Figs. 5A and 5B, which are simplified respective exploded view and assembled view illustrations of anti-theft apparatus 500 constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

As seen in Figs. 5A and 5B, the anti-theft apparatus 500 preferably includes an elongate element 502, preferably an extruded aluminum element, having four elongate corner portions 504 connected to an elongate inner core 506, having a square cross section, by four radially extending arms 508.

A pair of identical clamping assemblies 510 is provided for clamping first and second solar electricity generating panels (not shown) to elongate element 502. Each clamping assembly 510 includes a somewhat curved top plate 512, a spacer plate 514 and an inner plate 516, as well as screws 518 for extending through apertures 520 formed in top plate 512 and apertures 522 in spacer plate 514 into threaded engagement with threaded apertures 524 in inner plate 516.

An intermediate spacer assembly 530 preferably includes a cylindrical spacer element 532 having a square cross section and an inner intermediate plate 534 as well as a screw 536 for extending through an aperture 538 formed in one wall of spacer element 532 into threaded engagement with a threaded aperture 540 of inner intermediate plate 534.

Elongate element 502 preferably includes at least one transverse bore 550 extending through inner core 506, from a first side wall 552 thereof and terminating in a reduced size aperture 554 (Fig. 6A) at a second side wall 556 thereof, opposite first side wall 552.

Reference is now made to Figs. 6A, 6B, 6C & 6D, which are simplified illustrations of various stages in the use of the apparatus of Figs. 5 A & 5B in preventing theft of an array of solar electricity generating panels. It is seen that an array 600 of solar electricity generating panels 602 is mounted via elongate mounting supports 604 on a support surface 606, such as a roof. Each of solar electricity generating panels 602 is typically provided with an extruded peripheral aluminum rim 608 which includes an integrally formed planar back strip portion 610 from which extend, generally perpendicularly, three mutually spaced strips, here designated by reference numerals 612, 614 and 616. A planar electricity generating panel portion 618 is retained between respective strips 612 and 614, extending peripherally and circumferentially with respect thereto.

Fig. 6A illustrates an initial stage in mounting the apparatus of Figs. 5A

& 5B for preventing theft of panels 602. Elongate element 502 is secured onto elongate mounting support 604, preferably by self-boring screws 620, which are inserted via transverse bores 550 and are seated against reduced size apertures 554.

It is appreciated that intermediate spacer assembly 530 is preferably attached to element 502, by positioning inner intermediate plate 534 underlying elongate corner portions 504 and overlying inner core 506 of elongate element 502 and by extending screw 536 through aperture 538 of spacer element 532 into threaded engagement with threaded aperture 540 of inner intermediate plate 534, prior to mounting of element 502 to panels 602.

As seen in Fig. 6B & 6C, which respectively illustrate untightened and tightened states of the apparatus of Figs. 5A & 5B in engagement with a pair of adjacent panels 602, individual ones of the pair of identical clamping assemblies 510 are each arranged underlying a corresponding edge of an adjacent solar electricity generating panel 602. Each top plate 512 and underlying spacer plate 514 are arranged as shown, with part of top plate 512 overlying strip 616 of rim 608 and inner plate 516 underlying most of the portion of top plate 512 which does not overlie plate 616. Screws 518 extend through apertures 520 formed in top plate 512 and apertures 522 in spacer plate 514 into threaded engagement with threaded apertures 524 in inner plate 516 which is located so as to bridge and partially underlie adjacent elongate corner portions 504 and overlie inner core 506 of elongate element 502.

Intermediate spacer element 532 is seen separating respective back strip portions 610 of adjacent rims 608. As seen in Fig. 6D, screw 536 extends through aperture 538 formed in one wall of spacer element 532 and is in threaded engagement with threaded aperture 538 of inner intermediate plate 534. Inner intermediate plate 534 is located so as to bridge and partially underlie respective back strip portions 610 and plates 616 of adjacent rims and also to partially underlie elongate corner portions 504 and overlie inner core 506 of elongate element 502. Access to screws 518 is preferably blocked by a plug of epoxy, indicated by reference numeral 626.

Fig. 6D additionally shows a tamper responsive protective cable 630 extending through inner core 506 of elongate element 502. As seen in Fig. 6D, a plurality of protective cables 630, such as a solid strand size 30 hook-up wire, part number 2030, commercially available from WEICO Wire and Cable, Inc. of Edgewood, NY, USA, or an AWG 4x22 HFFR or PVC covered wire, commercially available from Reouel, LTD. of Moshav Yad-Rambam, Israel, are preferably coupled to an alarm system 640, such as a PIMA Hunter Pro 33, commercially available from PIMA Electronic Systems, Ltd. of Holon, Israel, which provides an alarm indication of cutting of cables 630.

Cables 630 are preferably sealed to inner cores 506 by an adhesive, such as epoxy, as indicated by reference numeral 642.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.