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US 9,435,568 B2Granted
Device and method for fixing objects, in particular solar panels, to a roof
AssigneeEsdec B.V.
InventorsTheo Jacob Smidt, Jeroen de Vogel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for fixing objects, in particular solar panels, to a roof, the device comprising at least one base element connectable to the roof and a top structure connectable to the base element for fixing to an object, wherein the base element and the top structure can be mutually coupled by means of a snap connection. A process for assembling such devices.
Claims22
A device for fixing objects, such as solar panels, to a roof, the device comprising:
- a) at least one base element including
- (i) a generally straight first portion having a first end and a second end, the first portion having a plurality of teeth forming a sawtooth profile,
- (ii) a second portion connected to the second end of the first portion,
- (iii) a third portion having a first end connected to the second portion and having a second end including a coupling comprising a coupling finger, a locking element, and a tongue, wherein the finger, locking element and tongue form a first coupling, and wherein the at least one base element is connected to a tile batten of the roof;
- and
- b) a mounting rail connected to the base element, the mounting rail comprising an elongated rail member having a first space defining a first channel adapted to receive the tongue, a second space defining a second channel adapted to receive the coupling finger, a third space defining a groove adapted to receive the locking element, wherein the groove is provided with an opening in a direction transverse to the roof to secure a locking element in the groove in a direction transverse to the roof and, a fourth space adapted to receive a portion of the object,
- wherein the device is adapted to connect by means of a second coupling to the tile batten on a roof such that the plurality of teeth are configured to grip one edge or side of a tile batten.
4 more elements
A device for fixing objects, such as solar panels, to a roof, the device comprising:
- a) at least one base element including
- (i) a first portion having a first end and a second end and having a plurality of projections associated therewith, the plurality of projections forming a first coupling comprising a coupling finger, a locking element, and a tongue,
- (ii) a second portion associated with the second end of the first portion, and
- (iii) a third portion having a first end associated with the second portion and having a second end including a second coupling, wherein the at least one base element is connected by means of the second coupling to a tile batten of the roof;
- and
- b) a mounting rail comprising a structure separate from the solar panel and connected by the first coupling to the base element, the mounting rail comprising an elongated rail member having a plurality of spaces, each space defined by a channel, at least one channel defining a receiving space for receiving a mechanical fixing means.
3 more elements
A device for fixing objects, such as solar panels, to a roof, the device comprising:
- a) at least one base element including
- (i) a first portion having a first end and a second end and having a plurality of projections associated therewith, the plurality of projections forming a first coupling,
- (ii) a second portion associated with the second end of the first portion, and
- (iii) a third portion having a first end associated with the second portion and having a second end including a second coupling, wherein the at least one base element is connected by means of the second coupling to a tile batten of the roof;
- and
- b) a mounting rail comprising a structure separate from the solar panel and connected by the first coupling to the base element, the mounting rail comprising
- (i) an elongated rail member having a plurality of spaces, each space defined by a channel,
- (ii) at least one channel defining a receiving space for receiving a mechanical fixing means including a tongue, and,
- (iii) a first channel adapted to receive the tongue,
- (iv) a second channel adapted to receive a coupling finger,
- (v) a third space defining a groove adapted to receive a locking element, and
- (vi) a fourth space adapted to receive a portion of the object.
9 more elements
A device for fixing objects, such as solar panels, to a roof, the device comprising:
- a) at least one base element including
- (i) a first portion having a first end and a second end and having a plurality of projections associated therewith, the plurality of projections forming a first coupling comprising a first member and a second member, each member having a barb, the first coupling is received within a space in the mounting rail,
- (ii) a second portion associated with the second end of the first portion, and
- (iii) a third portion having a first end associated with the second portion and having a second end including a second coupling, wherein the at least one base element is connected by means of the second coupling to a tile batten of the roof;
- and
- b) a mounting rail comprising a structure separate from the solar panel and connected by the first coupling to the base element, the mounting rail comprising an elongated rail member having a plurality of spaces, each space defined by a channel, at least one channel defining a receiving space for receiving a mechanical fixing means.
3 more elements
A device for fixing objects, such as solar panels, to a roof, the device comprising:
- a) a hook comprising:
- (i) a first section including a first portion having a plurality of teeth forming a sawtooth profile, a second portion generally parallel to the first section, and a third portion connecting the first and second portions such that the first section forms a generally U-shaped hook, and
- (ii) a second section connected to the first section, the second section including a coupling mechanism comprising a coupling finger having a notch, a locking element and a tongue, the tongue terminating in a tooth;
- b) an elongated mounting rail connectable to the hook and comprising:
- (i) a wall extending generally the length of the rail, the wall having a first side and a second side,
- (ii) a hook attachment section associated with the first side of the wall and adapted to connect to the hook, the hook attachment section including
- (A) a generally C-shaped receiving space defined in the hook attachment section and having a first lip adapted to receive and retain the coupling finger notch,
- (B) a groove for receiving the locking element, and
- (C) the wall second side engages the tongue tooth, and
- (iii) a panel attachment section associated with the second side of the wall and adapted to connect to a panel, the panel attachment section including:
- (A) at least one mounting surface to which the panel can be mounted, and
- (B) a receiving space defined therein,
- wherein a panel can be attached to the mounting rail second section by a mechanical fixing means and the hook is adapted to attach to the mounting rail first section by snap fit, and
- wherein the device is adapted to connect to tile batten on a roof.
11 more elements
A device for fixing objects, such as solar panels, to a roof, the device comprising:
- a) at least one base element is connected to a tile batten of the roof, the at least one base element comprising a coupling mechanism comprising a coupling finger having a notch, a locking element and a tongue, the tongue terminating in a tooth;
- and
- b) an elongated mounting rail adapted to connect to a hook and comprising
- (i) a wall extending generally over the length of a rail, the wall having a first side and a second side,
- (ii) a hook attachment section associated with the wall and adapted to connect to the hook, the hook attachment section including:
- (A) a generally C-shaped receiving space defined in the hook attachment section associated with the first side of the wall adapted to receive and retain the coupling finger notch, and
- (B) the wall second side engages the tongue tooth, and
- (iii) a panel attachment section adapted to connect to a panel, the panel attachment section including at least one mounting surface to which the panel can be mounted,
- wherein a panel is attached to the mounting rail panel attachment section by a mechanical fixing means and the hook is adapted to attach to the mounting rail hook attachment section by snap fit.
6 more elements
A device for fixing objects, such as solar panels, to a roof, the device comprising:
- a) at least one base element connected to the roof by means of a hook, comprising, a coupling mechanism comprising a coupling finger having a notch, a locking element and a tongue, the tongue terminating in a tooth,
- b) an elongated mounting rail connected to the hook and comprising
- (i) a wall extending generally the length of the rail, the wall having a first side and a second side,
- (ii) a hook attachment section adapted to connect to the hook, the hook attachment section including
- (A) a generally C-shaped receiving space defined in the hook attachment section associated with the first side of the wall adapted to receive and retain the coupling finger notch,
- (B) the wall second side engages the tongue tooth and
- (iii) a panel attachment section adapted to connect to a panel, the panel attachment section including at least one mounting surface mounted to the panel,
- wherein a panel attached to the mounting rail panel attachment section by a mechanical fixing means and the hook is adapted to attach to the mounting rail hook attachment section by snap fit.
5 more elements
A device for fixing solar panels to a roof, the device comprising:
- a) at least one aluminum base element having a hook-shaped first base element portion shaped for coupling to a roof batten and a second base element portion comprising means for releasably coupling the aluminum base element to a mounting rail;
- and
- b) a mounting rail comprising a first mounting rail portion releasably connected to the second base element portion of the base element, wherein the mounting rail includes a first channel shaped receiving space for fixing a solar panel to the mounting rail, and
- wherein the base element means for releasably coupling the base element to the mounting rail comprises a snap connection releasable by deforming a portion of the base element.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.