EP2639380A1

EP2639380A1 - A bracket and method for mounting said bracket

Info

Publication number: EP2639380A1
Application number: EP13158899.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gert Gyldborg
Original assignee: Gamag ApS
Current assignee: Gamag ApS
Priority date: 2012-03-14
Filing date: 2013-03-13
Publication date: 2013-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-13
Also published as: DK177563B1; DK201270115A; EP2639380B1

Abstract

A bracket (1) for mounting on roofs, said bracket comprising a body (2) and a fastening means (3) at one end of the body (2) and a support part (6) at the other end of the body (2), said fastening means (3) comprising at least one sheet element (7) made in one continuous piece with the body (2) along a first side (8). The fastening means (3) comprises two sheet elements placed at each their side of the body and separated from this by a separation element when the surfaces of the body (2) and the sheet elements are at the same level and surface-parallel. The sheet elements (7) are adapted to form an angle V with the plane surface (14) of the body when the fastening means (3) abuts the roof part (5).

Description

The invention relates to a bracket for mounting on roofs, said bracket being made of sheeting and comprising a body comprising a fastening means at one end of the body for fastening the bracket to a roof part and a support part at the other end of the body, said fastening means comprising at least one sheet element made in one continuous piece with the body along a first side.
In connection with mounting of devices on roofs, various mounting techniques are used depending on the task to be performed. Typically, mounting of a roof ladder takes place by mounting of a roof rail across the roof ridge to which the ladder is secured. Alternatively, steps are secured directly in the roofing at the risk that the roof tiles break when the step is bolted to the roof plate.
In connection with mounting of solar cells on a roof, individual solutions are often constructed, typically in the form of a steel frame which is secured to the roof construction and to which the solar cell is mounted. This solution lacks flexibility and does not allow subsequent moving of the solar cell without great effort.
Likewise, there are various systems of mounting snow traps where the securing is normally also done by drilling in the roof construction itself in order to establish the mounting.
However, EP1201844 discloses a different method. It discloses a snow trap made in sheeting and comprising an oblong body with a hook at one end of the body gripping a roof plate and a support part at the opposite end of the oblong body for catching the snow. The construction in the patent in question has the disadvantage that the hook takes up a lot of space during transportation of the snow traps, and during mounting of the snow trap, it is necessary to lift a roof plate in order for the hook to be inserted underneath the overlying roof plate and to grip the upper edge of the roof plate lying below the lifted roof plate. Not only is this a difficult operation but only the roof plate, on which the snow trap is mounted, is being subjected to pressure when the snow is caught by the support part. Further, the support part is bent as an extension to the oblong body and will necessarily have to be bent upwards in a triangular shape, seen from the side, in order to have sufficient strength for the pressure of the snow.
JP 2560115 also discloses a snow trap comprising a long, narrow surface part with a part protruding from the oblong body. This plate part is used for positioning the snow trap in relation to the individual roof plate as said plate part grips the edge of the roof plate. Further, the snow trap comprises fastening means in the form of holes in the body so that the snow trap is screwed onto the roof plates through said holes. Thus, it is a requirement of the snow trap that holes are bored in the roof plates which is disadvantageous as it may cause leaks in connection with thawing of the snow and thus causing water to seep down below the roof. Further, the support part catching the snow is bent upwards in an L-shaped profile, seen from the side, and thus great strength is required of the chosen material or alternatively other strength-increasing measures in order for this upwards-bended edge to withstand the pressure from the snow. Likewise, only the roof plate, to which the snow trap is secured, is subjected to pressure.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a bracket without the disadvantages of the known products, and which constitutes an alternative to these and may be used for mounting of solar cells, roof ladders, snow traps or the like on roofs. Depending on the use, a suitable unit may be connected with the bracket.
Said object is achieved by a bracket of the initially mentioned type, where the fastening means comprises two sheet elements each comprising a longitudinal second and a third side extending from each their first side, that each sheet element comprises a fourth side placed opposite to the first side and connecting the second and third sides, and that the two sheet elements are placed at each their side of the body and are separated from this by a separation element when the surfaces of the body and the sheet elements are at the same level and surface-parallel, and that the sheet elements are adapted to form at least one angle V with the plane surface of the body when the fastening means abuts the roof part.
By such construction, the bracket may be placed at already laid roofs without having to lift the roof plates off and/or having to screw the bracket onto the roof plates, the latter causing leaks. As the sheet elements of the bracket are bent outwards in a suitable angle V of approx. 20-30 degrees, preferably approx. 25 degrees, in relation to the plane of the body and as the sheet elements are resiliently connected with the rest of the snow trap, the part of the bracket comprising the sheet elements may be pushed underneath a roof plate, whereby the sheet elements are pushed against the body so that they are substantially level with said body. As soon as the elements are pushed so far in so as to be free of the underlying roof plate, they slip into the pre-bent position. Now, the bracket is pulled in the opposite direction of the insertion direction, whereby the fourth side on the protruding sheet elements of the bracket grips a batten and sticks in it. Thereby, the bracket is tightly secured, and the force is distributed over the batten and not over the fragile roof plates. Various units may be attached to the bracket, which is now secured, said units being e.g. bars which are secured to the bracket and which may constitute steps. In this case, two brackets being at the same horizontal level and at least one bar are now secured to the now two brackets. Now, a bracket pair is subsequently mounted at a suitable step distance to the first brackets, and now a new step is established and so on until the required ladder is provided.
If the brackets are to be used as snow trap, brackets will be mounted along the entire roof edge in the same horizontal level with suitable distance between them and at least one bar to be secured to all the brackets, typically by going through holes in the bracket. Said bar will constitute the snow trapping part. Often, a plurality of bars will be used in order to obtain sufficient snow catching.
As the sheet elements are arranged symmetrically around the longitudinal axis of the body, it is achieved that the bracket abuts the batten in a very stable way as the two legs ensure that the bracket cannot tip. This makes the bracket very suitable for the above uses. The bracket may also be used for mounting other elements on a roof, such as signs, solar cells etc.
By resilient is meant that the sheet elements, when bent in the appropriate angle, can be pushed inwards substantially without being deformed plastically, so that they are substantially surface-coinciding with the body, from which they protrude, and that the elastic force is of such nature that the sheet elements flick out to the pre-bent angle when the sheet elements are free again. The elastic force is provided with a suitable force K so as to avoid the plastic deformation. The roof part is preferably a batten. The angle V is open in the direction of the support part.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the separation element comprises a slit or a slot.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the bracket comprises at least one bend line/imprint, said bend line/ imprint being provided perpendicular to the central axis of the body and in the area between the sheet elements and their connection to the rest of the bracket, and that an angle V1 is provided by bending at said imprint.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the bracket comprises a second bend line/imprint, said second bend line/imprint being provided on each sheet element perpendicular on the central axis of the body and at a distance Z from the first side, and that an angle V2 is provided by bending at said second bend line/imprint.
This is advantageous when the roof plate, beneath which the bracket is pushed, has a considerable thickness as it therefore necessary to provide space for said thickness.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the angle V2 is provided by bending in the opposite direction of the bending direction for providing the angle V1.
An advantageous embodiment comprises that the separation element comprises a slit or a slot having a width of 1-8 mm measured between the longitudinal delimiting sides of the body and the closest longitudinal sides of the respective sheet elements.
Thereby, an advantageous form is achieved, where the end of the slit in the area at the first side will not have notch effect due to the width of the slit thus reducing the risk of the sheet elements being torn up.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the separation element ends in a curvature radius of 1-4 mm in the area at the first side.
In case the separation element is just a cutting line between the body and the respective sheet elements, it is important that the area between the sheet elements and the rest of the bracket does not have notch effect. By ensuring that the area ends in a curvature and preferably with a curvature radius of 2mm, it is ensured that no tearing up of the sheet elements will take place in this area.
An advantageous embodiment of the snow trap comprises that the fourth side comprises retention elements.
Thereby, it is achieved that the element fastens well to the underlying batten. The retention elements may be shaped as saw teeth sinking its sharp teeth into the soft wood. They may be shaped as a sharp edge, they may also be constituted by a speary shape or one or more awls boring into an underlying batten.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the separation element ends at a first and second area placed at each their side of the longitudinal sides of the body, said end having a curvature radius of 1-3 mm, preferably 2 mm.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the first sides are placed at a distance from the end of the separation element in the direction of the fourth side, said first sides comprising a bend imprint.
Thereby, an unambiguous bending of the element is achieved without any risk that the angle is insufficiently and/or unevenly bent along the first side. Further, it counteracts notch effect.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the support part is made in one piece with the body and in sheeting, said support part comprising at least one part protruding in relation to the longitudinal sides of the body, and that the bracket comprises a bend line between the body and the protruding part as well as at least one bore in the protruding part for reception of a unit.
Thereby, it is achieved that the surface of the support part facing the body in connection with the bending forms a substantially right angle with the surface of the body. The surface itself extends parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body, thus achieving great construction strength even when using a relatively weak sheet material like aluminium. This is due to the fact that a force on the bended part will have a line of application parallel with the bend line and not perpendicular to the bend line as in the initially mentioned constructions. As said, this renders it possible to choose a light material, such as aluminium, making the snow traps easy to transport, and at the same time, aluminium is a rust-resistant material. However, the protruding part may also be to wings placed opposite each other. A unit, e.g. in the form of one or more tubes, is mounted through the holes in the wings. The tubes run continuously through all the brackets mounted in the same horizontal level on the roof. Preferably, the support part and the body are made in one continuous piece, e.g. by stamping out the entire bracket in suitable sheeting.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the unit comprises at least one transverse bar for providing a roof ladder rung or a snow trap.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the support part and the surface of the body, when facing each other, form an angle Q, said angle Q being preferably 90-100 degrees, and that the angle V1 is set between a first surface of the body and the sheet elements, and that the angle Q is set between a second surface of the body, which is opposite the first surface, and the support part, said angles turning opposite of each other.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the sheeting comprises an aluminium alloy.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises the fastening means is tongue-shaped or corrugated.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the connection between the sheet elements and the body is resilient and with a spring force K.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the abutment against the roof part includes contact between the roof part and the fourth side.
The invention also comprises a method for mounting of a bracket (1) according to any of the preceding claims on a roof, where the sheet elements (7) of the bracket (1) are bent outwards along their first side (8) for providing an angle V1, and that its fourth sides are brought into abutment with the roof part.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that the support part/support parts are bent upwards in an angle Q in the opposite direction of the angle V1, that the body is inserted between an upper and a lower roof plate with the sheet elements pointing towards the lower roof plate, and that the bracket is pulled in the opposite direction of the insertion direction when the sheet elements are free of the roof plate, whereby the fourth side of the sheet elements grips a underlying batten.
The invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1A shows a bracket according to the invention ready to be inserted beneath a roof plate.
Fig. 1 B shows the bracket according to Fig. 1A stamped out in sheeting and before the bending for providing the protruding, resilient fastening means as well as the support part in upright position.
Fig. 2 shows the bracket according to Figs. 1A and 1 B inserted beneath a roof plate and in abutment against a batten, shown from the underside of the roof.
Fig. 3A shows the bracket according to Fig. 1A inserted beneath a roof plate and shown from the side.
Fig. 3B shows the bracket according to Fig. 3A in its end position and with the resilient sheet part in abutment against a batten.
Fig. 3C shows the bracket according to Fig. 3B and its connection with an amount of snow on the roof.
Figs. 4A and B show the bracket according to the invention used as a snow trap on a roof, with the roof plates in Fig. 4A being different from the roof plates in Fig. 4B.
Fig. 5A shows the bracket according to the invention for providing a step on a roof.
Fig. 5B shows the step according to Fig. 5A mounted on a roof.
Fig. 6 shows a roof ladder constructed by use of a bracket according to the invention.
Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of a bracket according to the invention.

Figs. 1A, 1 B and Fig. 2 show an embodiment of a bracket 1 according to the invention made in sheeting with a thickness of typically 4-5 mm and e.g. in an aluminium alloy. The bracket 1 comprises an oblong body 2 shaped in sheeting. At one end 4, said body is shaped slightly curved. At a distance from the delimiting surface of the one end 4, a fastening means 3 is provided in the form of sheet elements 7 shaped substantially as a tongue-like part made in one continuous piece with the body 2, and so that two slits 12 are cut/stamped so that the slit 12 delimits the body 2 at two sides. The sheet elements are resiliently connected with the elongated body 2 at each their first side 8, where a bend imprint 17 in the form of a groove is typically arranged, and the sheet elements 7 are placed symmetrically around the longitudinal axis of the body. From each first side 8, two parallel or converging sides extend, i.e. the second 9 and third sides 10, which end and are connected at the fourth side 11, said fourth side 11 typically comprising retention elements 15, e.g. in the form that the edge of the fourth side is shaped with saw teeth.
Thus, the sheet elements 7 are partly stamped out parts of the actual body 2, and which, prior to use, are bent outwards in an angle so that the surfaces 13 of the sheet elements 7 form an angle V of 20-30 degrees, preferably 25 degrees, with the one surface 14 of the actual body 2; the first surface 28. The slits 12 have an extent corresponding to the longitudinal extent of the third side and are delimited by this. Thus, the slits end in a first area 30 and in a second area 31 at each their side of the body 2 and at a distance of 2-4 mm from the bend imprint 17. The bend imprint 17 ensures that there is no deformation/off-centre bending of the sheet element 7 when bending the sheet elements 7, but that this is done precisely at the bend imprint/groove and without the actual body 2 getting cracks. This is due to the extent of the slit and that said slit ends with a radius of curvature 16, said radius of curvature being typically 1-4 mm, preferably 2 mm. The actual slit width is 1-8 mm, preferably 2 mm.
A support part 6 for reception of a unit is provided at the second end 24 of the body 2 opposite the sheet elements 7. The support part 6 is shaped as a protruding part 18 and as said, is stamped out of the sheeting. Subsequently, the protruding part is bent upwards so that an angle of 90-100 degrees is provided between the plane surface of the protruding part an and the second plane surface 14 of the body 2, i.e. its second surface 29. As the sheet, the protruding part, is bent so that its surface runs parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body 2, great construction strength is achieved as a force on the protruding part 18 will run parallel to the bend line 19 of said protruding part 18. The force is generated in connection with the abutment of the bracket against a roof and when it is used for securing the unit 22.
The actual protruding part 18 comprises 1-2 bores 23, potentially more, for reception of the holding unit 22, typically in the form of tubes. Thus, the longitudinal axis of said tubes forms an angle of approx. 90 degrees with the longitudinal axis of the body 2.
Figs. 3A-3C show the brackets during mounting in that the resilient sheet elements 7 are bent outwards at the above-mentioned angle of approx. 25 degrees, and that the protruding part 18 is also bent upwards in the opposite direction of the bending of the resilient parts and at an angle of 90-100 degrees. Now, one end of the bracket 1 is inserted below a roof plate, and the underlying roof plate will push the resilient part upwards in the direction of the overlying roof plate and in principle lift it, thus facilitating insertion. The angle between the body and the sheet element is open in the direction opposite the insertion direction.
Fig. 3B shows the bracket having been brought to its final position as the sheet elements 7 flick outwards as soon as they are free of the underlying roof plate 26. Now, the bracket is being pulled in the opposite direction of the insertion direction, whereby the fourth sides 11 of the sheet elements 7 bore into the underlying batten 5, said fourth sides 11 preferably comprising the above-mentioned retention elements 15. Thereby, a good placement of the bracket is ensured as well as a good distribution of force.
Fig. 3C shows the bracket in use as a snow trap, where the snow traps holds back the snow in that a holding unit 22 in the form of tubes is provided in the bores 23 of the protruding part 18.
Figs. 4A and 4B show a perspective view of a set snow traps mounted on a roof, where the roof plates 26 shown in Fig. 4A differ from the roof plates 26 shown in Fig. 4B. This is in order to demonstrate that the snow trap may be used regardless of the type of roof plates as the essential thing is that there are transverse battens underneath the roof plates into which the sheet elements may bore and ensure fixation of the snow trap. Naturally, the snow trap is placed so that it is mounted in the same row of roof plates so that the holding unit 22 in the form of tubes may be continuously inserted through all the bores 23 in the protruding part of the show trap. The snow trap is shown with just one protruding part 18, but may comprise to protruding parts placed opposite each other which would typically be the case in connection with the snow traps which are to be placed at the end of the roof, i.e. along the right and left edges of the roof.
Fig. 5A shows the bracket according to the invention for providing steps on a roof, and Fig. 5B shows the step shown in Fig. 5A mounted on a roof. Two brackets 1 are placed at the same horizontal level on a roof 25 and spaced with a distance being suitable for a foot step, i.e. approx. 30-40 cm between them. A holding unit 22 in the form of two parallel tubes is pushed through the two bores 23 of the two upwards-bended protruding parts 18. Thereby, a ladder rung is provided which is mounted on the roof 25 as shown in Fig. 5B. The fourth side of the sheet elements 7 of the brackets 1 bore into the same batten with the retention elements 15 belonging to the fourth side. Thus, the body 2 is placed on the top surface of the roof plate 25 and helps divide the pressure, while the retention elements 15 ensure that the ladder rung does not slide in relation to the sloping roof part.
Fig. 7 shows a bracket according to the invention differing from the previously shown bracket in that the two sheet elements comprise an additional bend imprint, i.e. a second bend line/imprint 32. The second bend line/imprint 32 is provided on each sheet element 7 perpendicular to the central axis of the body 2 and at a distance Z to the first side 8. An angle V2 is provided by bending at second imprint/bend line 32. The bending at this line is in the opposite direction of the previously described bend imprint/groove 17. Thereby, a Z-shaped/step-like distance is achieved between the one end 4 of the bracket and the fourth side 11 so that there is room for a relatively thick roof plate.
In addition, it is also shown that the support part 6 comprises three bores 23 so that it is possible to insert three parallel bars into the support part. This is advantageous when large amounts of snow/ice are released simultaneously e.g. when snow/ice is released from the surface of solar cells.
By the way, the reference numerals in this Fig. 7 are the same as in previously shown figures.
Fig. 6 shows steps constructed as described in Figs. 5A and B, and where the steps 22 in the form of tubes are placed at the same vertical level, whereby a roof ladder 20 is provided. The distance between the steps is approx. 20-40 cm depending on the inclination of the roof and on the distance between the underlying battens. The more weight on the brackets, the more they bore into the underlying batten.
Typically, the mounting takes place in that the sheet elements 7, which thereby constitute the fixation part, are bent upwards to the angle of approx. 25 degrees in the pre-imprinted grooves/bend imprints 17 which have a length of 15-30 mm depending on the roof type. The bracket is led up through the roof plates and clicks down due to its resilient construction and locks around the batten. One or two of the longitudinal tubes are mounted, said tubes constituting holdings units 22 and which are secured by the protruding part/the tube holders. If the bracket is used as snow trap, the double tube holders are mounted at each side of the snow trap bracket in end joints, whereas tube holders are mounted left/right in middle brackets in order to prevent sliding to the side.
The actual tubes are fixated to the snow trap bracket by means of machine screws. Due to the chosen dimension, preferably 5 mm machine screws are used.
Preferably, the bracket is made by stamping out the form in stainless sheeting with a thickness of 2 mm.

Referencel iste

1.	bracket
2.	body
3.	fastening means
4.	one end of the body
5.	roof part/batten
6.	support part
7.	sheet element
8.	first side
9.	second side
10.	third side
11.	fourth side
12.	slit
13.	plane surface of the sheet element
14.	plane surface of the body
15.	retention elements
16.	radius of curvature
17.	bend imprint/groove
18.	protruding part
19.	bend line
20.	roof ladder
21.
22.	holding unit
23.	bore in 18
24.	second end of the body
25.	roof
26.	roof plate
27.	snow
28.	first surface
29.	second surface
30.	first area
31.	second area
32	second bend imprint

Claims

A bracket (1) for mounting on roofs, said bracket being made of sheeting and comprising a body (2) comprising a fastening means (3) at one end of the body (2) for fastening the bracket to a roof part (5) and a support part (6) at the other end of the body (2), said fastening means (3) comprising at least one sheet element (7) made in one continuous piece with the body (2) along a first side (8), characterised in that the fastening means (3) comprises two sheet elements each comprising a longitudinal second (9) and a third (10) side extending from each their first side (8), that each sheet element (7) comprises a fourth side (11) placed opposite to the first side (8) and connecting the second (9) and third (10) sides, and that the two sheet elements are placed at each their side of the body and are separated from this by a separation element (12) when the surfaces of the body (2) and the sheet elements are at the same level and surface-parallel, and that the sheet elements (7) are adapted to form at least one angle V with the plane surface (14) of the body when the fastening means (3) abuts the roof part (5).
A bracket according to claim 1, characterised in that the separation element (12) comprises a slit or a slot.
A bracket according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bracket comprises at least one bend line/imprint (17), said bend line/imprint (17) being provided perpendicular to the central axis of the body (2) and in the area between the sheet elements (7) and their connection to the rest of the bracket (1), and that an angle V1 is provided by bending at said imprint.
A bracket according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bracket comprises a second bend line/imprint, said second bend line/imprint being provided on each sheet element perpendicular on the central axis of the body (2) and at a distance Z from the first side (8), and that an angle V2 is provided by bending at said second bend line/imprint.
A bracket according to claim 4, characterised in that the angle V2 is provided by bending in the opposite direction of the bending direction for providing the angle V1.
A bracket according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the separation element (12) comprises a slit or a slot having a width of 1-8 mm measured between the longitudinal delimiting sides of the body and the closest longitudinal sides of the respective sheet elements.
A bracket according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the separation element ends in a curvature radius of 1-4 mm in the area at the first side.
A bracket according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fourth side (11) comprises retention elements (15).
A bracket according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the separation element (12) ends at a first (30) and second (31) area placed at each their side of the longitudinal sides of the body, said end having a curvature radius of 1-3 mm, preferably 2 mm.
A bracket according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first sides (8) are placed at a distance from the end of the separation element (12) in the direction of the fourth side (11), said first sides (8) comprising a bend imprint (17).
A bracket according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support part (6) is made in one piece with the body (2) and in sheeting, said support part (6) comprising at least one part (18) protruding in relation to the longitudinal sides of the body, and that the bracket (1) comprises a bend line (19) between the body (2) and the protruding part (18) as well as at least one bore (23) in the protruding part for reception of a unit (22).
A bracket according to claim 11, characterised in that the unit (22) comprises at least one transverse bar for providing a roof ladder rung or a snow trap.
A bracket (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the support part (6) and the surface of the body, when facing each other, form an angle Q, said angle Q being preferably 90-100 degrees, and that the angle V1 is set between a first surface (28) of the body and the sheet elements (7), and that the angle Q is set between a second surface (29) of the body, which is opposite the first surface (28), and the support part (6), said angles turning opposite of each other.
Method for mounting of a bracket (1) according to any of the preceding claims on a roof, characterised in that the sheet elements (7) of the bracket (1) are bent outwards along their first side (8) for providing an angle V1, and that its fourth sides are brought into abutment with the roof part.
Method according to claim 14, characterised in that the support part/support parts (6) are bent upwards in an angle Q in the opposite direction of the angle V1, that the body (2) is inserted between an upper and a lower roof plate (26) with the sheet elements (7) pointing towards the lower roof plate, and that the bracket (1) is pulled in the opposite direction of the insertion direction when the sheet elements (7) are free of the roof plate (26), whereby the fourth side (11) of the sheet elements grips a underlying batten (5).