# US 4,396,311 A · Carrier unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,396,311 A - Document ID: US4396311A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/196,331 - Filed: 1980-10-14 - Granted: 1983-08-02 - Earliest claimed: 1979-10-19 - Inventors: Sven K. Gerdman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4396311A ## CPC - E04B 2/7453: {with panels and support posts, extending from floor to ceiling} - E04C 3/06: with substantially solid, i.e. unapertured, web (E04C3/10, E04C3/11 take precedence {honeycomb girders E04C3/083}) - E04C 3/40: of metal (E04C3/46 takes precedence) - F16B 5/0614: {in angled relationship} - F24S 20/67: in the form of roof constructions (in the form of shingles or tiles F24S20/69) - F24S 25/30: using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the supporting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors (extending in directions away from the supporting surface F24S25/10; peripheral frames for modules F24S25/20) - F24S 25/63: for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements - F24S 25/67: for coupling adjacent modules or their peripheral frames (for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements F24S25/63) - E04C 2003/0413: {being built up from several parts} - E04C 2003/0417: {demountable} - E04C 2003/0434: {the open cross-section free of enclosed cavities} - E04C 2003/0452: {H- or I-shaped} - F16B 2200/20: Connections with hook-like parts gripping behind a blind side of an element to be connected - F24S 2025/6002: {by using hooks} - Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal - Y02E 10/44: Heat exchange systems - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The present invention relates to a carrier unit, comprising at least one carrier frame (1) having mountably arranged devices (3 or 29) provided with hook portions (4) for cooperation with the carrier frame and mounting portions (6) for cooperation with at least one plate element (18). In order to increase the carrying capacity without increasing the number and/or size of the members forming part of the carrier unit, as has been previously necessary, the invention is characterized in that the plate element (18) protrudes in between the mounting portions (6) of at least a pair of connecting devices (3 or 29) mounted on the carrier frame (1) and is secured to said mounting portions by means of at least one joint (22) extending through the mounting portions and the intermediate plate element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A carrier unit, comprising: at least one carrier frame having hook receiving surfaces; connecting devices provided with mounting portions, and hook portions for cooperation with the carrier frame hook receiving surfaces; at least one plate element mounted between the mounting portions of at least a pair of said connecting devices, said plate element being mounted on the carrier frame and secured to said mounting portions by at least one joint connecting the mounting portions and the plate element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said connecting devices is provided with an edge portion extending laterally from a mounting portion and from which a hook portion extends having an outer portion running substantially parallel to said mounting portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) A carrier unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said plate element protrudes into the carrier frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein said carrier frame has flanges and a web connecting said flanges, and said connecting devices comprise first connecting devices arranged at the flanges of the frame for mounting said at least one plate element protruding in one direction and, second connecting devices arranged at the web of the frame for mounting a second plate element protruding in the opposite direction and lying in an extension of the plane of said first plate element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A carrier unit according to claim 4, wherein one of said plate elements protruding from the carrier frame forms a connecting element between carrier frames running beside each other. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A carrier unit according to claim 5, wherein at least one of said carrier frames is provided with laterally directed connecting devices for mounting laterally extending plate elements. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the mounting portions of said pair of said connecting devices is less than the thickness of said at least one plate element positioned between the mounting portions whereby said plate element is clamped between the connecting devices when said joint is tightened. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein said carrier frame is arcuate and said at least one plate element extends along the frame for bracing thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein said carrier frame has two flanges and a web connecting said flanges, and said hook receiving surfaces are formed on each of said two flanges. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A carrier unit according to claim 1, wherein said plate element comprises insulating and/or heat resisting material, preferably wood material such as plywood.