EP3231955B1 - Tile-fixing device for covering a sloped surface - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention generally relates to the field of tile fixing devices, and in particular the devices for fixing tiles intended to cover a sloping facade or roof.

State of the art

Façades and roofs have undergone modern developments and have been given new functions, such as the production of electrical energy. These functions generate new constraints, especially in installation and maintenance.

In addition, lower prices for photovoltaic cells and the growing unpopularity of fossil fuels have led households to turn to photovoltaic installations, especially solar panels, to provide all or part of their daily energy needs.

Solar panels are usually installed on the roofs of houses, so as to be in a clear place, in a proper orientation. The panels are then fixed above the existing roof elements. For this we use fastening systems, said superimposed, fixed on the roof supporting the frame of the solar panels.

These systems are very restrictive in terms of installation. In the case of a conventional tile roof, the superimposed fastening system is tied to the roof framing under the tiles. The mounting of the fastening system comprises steps of disassembling and mounting a portion of the roof.

The installation poses problems of distribution of forces. At the fastening zones, there are strong pressure peaks that can cause premature damage to the roof structure.

In addition, the superimposed installations are generally unattractive and can disfigure the silhouette of the roof. This aesthetic aspect is critical when it comes to covering historic buildings or architectural interest.

Other solutions for photovoltaic installations offer the integration of solar panels in the roof. For that part of the roof is removed to be replaced by solar panels in tight connection with the remaining elements of the roof.

The roof surface removed is then difficult to adapt to the size of the solar panels and vice versa. In addition the aesthetic defect is only partially resolved, because the panels remain visible between the tiles, for example, a traditional roof.

A replacement of a roof with a photovoltaic installation must meet at least the same constraints and keep the same essential characteristics as the original roof. The photovoltaic installation must allow an uninterrupted flow of water to the lower part of the roof, where it is collected by a possible gutter. The roof must withstand the forces exerted by the winds, and offer an adequate level of sealing. The roof must also allow regular and easy maintenance.

In existing solutions to replace a roof with solar tiles, the tiles are drilled to fit their attachment. These fixing system solutions weaken or even risk destroying the solar tiles. In addition, the tiles are not easily removable during maintenance operations of the roof that can only be performed by a specially trained workforce.

Moreover, adjoining tile fastening devices are known from the documents US 1850088 A , DE 4244131 This US 1532421 A .

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a façade and / or roof covering solution that meets the constraints of facades and / or modern roofs, and which makes it possible to overcome some of the disadvantages raised by photovoltaic devices, while retaining the essential functions of a traditional roof.

The object of the present invention is also to provide a method for easy assembly and disassembly of the covering elements.

General description of the invention

To achieve this objective, the invention proposes, in a first aspect, a device for fixing tiles, intended to cover a sloping surface, which comprises a rigid element, configured to be fixed by means of attachment to an element of support, of the surface to be covered, according to claim 1.

In the context of the invention, the term tile is used in a nonlimiting manner to designate any covering element for a sloping surface, such as, for example, a slate roof tile or comprising photovoltaic cells. In the following description, we use the terms support elements, frame member, or batten to indistinctly designate the same support element of the surface to be covered.

According to the invention, the device comprises means for holding four adjacent tiles, the holding means are passive and arranged to allow an arrangement of the tiles on three parallel superimposed planes.

The invention thus proposes a device for maintaining tiles by means of which the tiles themselves are held in the device without screwing or nailing, and therefore without drilling the tiles, solely by wedging in the holding means (passive holding). This device adapts to many types of tiles meeting the new modern functions of these elements, including solar tiles, rectangular or square. Thus, the invention allows to completely replace the tiles of a roof with solar tiles. This allows to imitate the aesthetic rendering of a conventional tiled roof, by solar tiles.

Preferably, the device is composed of a single folded rigid element. For example, the device is designed from a cut metal plate, then folded to obtain all the elements constituting the device. The device is thus simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

According to certain variants, the device comprises positioning means for positioning it on the support element. This also makes it possible to adjust the relative positioning of several devices.

According to the invention, the device comprises a plane support panel, parallel to the frame member, configured to position a bottom tile by wedging between the support panel, and the frame member.

Once the devices are attached to the framing members, the assembly and disassembly of all the tiles, for example the bottom tile at the support panel, can be done without the use of tools.

According to the invention, the device comprises at least one set of spacers secured to the support panel, intended to maintain a fixed gap between the support panel and the frame member.

In addition, the set of spacers avoids the deformation of the device during its attachment or when it is subjected to significant pressure forces by the wind or an outer body.

According to certain variants, the set of spacers may comprise bores arranged regularly on a fold line so as to predefine and facilitate the deformation of the spacers by folding along said fold line.

The deformation of the spacers along the fold lines defines the contact forms between the spacers and the support panel so as to further increase the rigidity of the assembly.

The support panel is advantageously configured to support two median tiles above the lower tile.

Preferably, the device comprises an upper support arm perpendicular to the support panel, intended to support an upper tile above the median tiles, which has a first end secured to the fixing device and a second free end.

The superposition of tiles allows the flow of water over the covered surface and prevents water infiltration under the tiles. The tiles are advantageously provided with seals to improve the protection against water infiltration. Preferably, a seal is installed on the edge of two contiguous sides of each tile.

In some embodiments, the device includes a first hook integral with the support panel, configured to maintain a first medial tile above the bottom tile and a second hook secured to the support panel, configured to maintain a second medial tile, in the same plane as the first middle tile, above the lower tile. Of preferably, the second free end of the upper support arm comprises two holding hooks of the upper tile.

Maintaining the tiles by passive holding means such as hooks makes it possible to adapt the device for different types of tiles and does not require drilling of the tiles, neither in the factory nor at the time of assembly. The dimensions of the hooks can engage the tiles effortlessly. Sizing at the hooks is preferably made to accommodate the thickness of the tile and a seal.

• positionnement et attache des dispositifs de fixation sur les éléments de charpente ;
• insertion d'une tuile au niveau des moyens de support sur un plan inférieur d'un dispositif de fixation supérieur, en haut dans le sens de pente ;
• engagement de la tuile dans les moyens de maintien de deux dispositifs de fixation médians ;
• engagement de la tuile dans les moyens de maintien d'un dispositif de fixation inférieur, en bas dans le sens de la pente.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of mounting a tile on framing members of a sloping surface to be covered, using at least four tile fasteners according to the invention. The method of mounting in which the attachment of the tiles to the fasteners does not require any tools (especially drilling, screwing or nailing), comprises at least the following steps:

• positioning and attaching fasteners to the structural members;
• inserting a tile at the support means on a lower plane of an upper fastening device, at the top in the slope direction;
• engagement of the tile in the holding means of two medial fasteners;
• engagement of the tile in the holding means of a lower fixing device, downwards in the direction of the slope.

For solar type tiles, a connection step of the electrical circuit must be performed while the connection elements of the tile are still accessible. This step is preferably performed after the step of inserting the tile at the support means, on a lower plane of an upper fastening device.

Mounting a tile on devices according to the invention does not require the use of tools, and its learning does not require any particular training. In addition, the assembly does not impose a particular mounting direction, and can adapt to any constraints of the environment of the surface to be covered.

Advantageously, the assembly is done starting at the highest level in the direction of the slope, towards the lowest level.

Commonly, the assembly of the tiles is done from the bottom of the slope of the roof up which is also called ridge. This assembly imposes a work position uncomfortable for the roofer, and the work team is required to stand in support above / on tiles mounted during the various laying operations. There is therefore a risk of damage to tiles already laid, especially in the case of solar tiles whose surface is sensitive. The preferred mounting direction allows, here, to provide a solution to this problem.

The mounting method is preferably suitable for square tiles and / or photovoltaic modules of small dimensions, a few tens of centimeters of side, such as for example thirty to fifty centimeters side.

• désengagement de la tuile des moyens de maintien dans le plan supérieur d'un dispositif de fixation inférieur ;
• désengagement de la tuile des moyens de maintien dans le plan médian de deux dispositifs de fixation médians ;
• retrait de la tuile au niveau des moyens de support dans un plan inférieur d'un dispositif de fixation supérieur, en haut dans le sens de pente.

According to some variants, the tiles (square or rectangular) are diamond-shaped, that is to say that one of their diagonals is oriented in the direction of the slope. In a third aspect, the invention also proposes a method of disassembling a tile of a fixing device according to the invention, attached to a sloping surface to be covered, the method comprising the following steps:

• disengaging the tile from the holding means in the upper plane of a lower fixing device;
• disengaging the tile from the holding means in the median plane of two medial fixing devices;
• removing the tile at the support means in a lower plane of an upper fastening device, at the top in the slope direction.

The method of dismounting a tile attached to devices according to the invention does not require the use of tools, and its learning does not require any particular training.

In addition, as for assembly, disassembly does not impose any particular sense of work. This is particularly advantageous during a maintenance operation. The defective tile can be disassembled freely, without imposing the disassembly of neighboring tiles.

Advantageously, disassembly is done starting at the lowest level in the direction of the slope, towards the highest level. This gives the roofer a better working position and allows him to not have to stand above the installed tiles during disassembly.

Brief description of the drawings

• Figure 1 : une vue d'en haut en perspective d'un mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention ;
• Figure 2 : une vue d'en bas en perspective du dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 : une vue en projection orthogonale arrière de la figure 1 ;
• Figure 4 : une vue en projection orthogonale de dessus d'un autre mode de réalisation de la figure 1 ;
• Figure 5 : une vue en projection orthogonale de côté de la figure 4 ;
• Figure 6 : une vue perpendiculaire au sens d'une pente d'un montage de quatre tuiles contiguës sur un toit comportant des dispositifs selon la figure 1 ; et
• Figure 7 : une vue en projection orthogonale de côté de la figure 6.

Other features and characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of at least one advantageous embodiment presented below, by way of illustration, with reference to the appended figures. These show:

• Figure 1 : a perspective view from above of one embodiment of the device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 : a view from below in perspective of the device of the figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 : a rear orthogonal projection view of the figure 1 ;
• Figure 4 : an orthogonal projection view from above of another embodiment of the figure 1 ;
• Figure 5 : an orthogonal projection view of the side of the figure 4 ;
• Figure 6 : a view perpendicular to the direction of a slope of an assembly of four contiguous tiles on a roof with devices according to figure 1 ; and
• Figure 7 : an orthogonal projection view of the side of the figure 6 .

Description of a preferred execution

In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same reference sign.

In addition, in the following description, will be adopted by convention, without limitation, longitudinal, vertical, transverse directions indicated by the trihedron "L, V, T" of the figures. The transverse orientation is arbitrarily chosen parallel to the direction of the slope of the surface to be covered.

The tile fastener 10 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. Figures 1 and 2 in a first embodiment, not limiting. The device 10 is intended to be attached to a support element of the sloping surface to be covered, for example and without limitation, on the frame of a sloping roof. Here, the device 10 is intended to attach to a horizontal slat 11, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 .

The device 10 consists of a piece of rigid material, such as for example metal or rigid plastic. The part of the device 10 is preferably a single plate folded so as to constitute all the elements of the device 10.

The device 10 comprises an elongated plane support panel 12, which is fixed in a longitudinal-transverse orientation plane, substantially parallel to the plane of the slat 11.

The support panel 12 includes means for holding a tile on a lower face 14 facing the batten, and the support panel 12 has an upper face 16 directed in the opposite direction. The upper face 16 of the support panel 12 defines a first median support plane P1.

The lower face 14 of the support panel 12 is intended to hold a tile (optionally provided with a seal on its upper face) by wedging above the frame member.

The support panel 12 has two longitudinal ends 18.

The device 10 has a plane of symmetry S perpendicular to the longitudinal direction passing through the center of the distance between the two ends 18 of the support panel 12.

In the remainder of the description, we will limit ourselves to describing one half of the device, the other half will be understood by symmetry with respect to the plane S.

The support panel 12 also has a rear face 20 facing upwards of the slope of the surface to be covered and a front face 22 transversely opposite the rear face 20.

The rear face 20 of the support panel preferably has a longitudinal positioning notch 24, which allows the position to be controlled according to a longitudinal orientation of the device 10 with respect to a positioning mark on the support slat 11. Advantageously, to simplify positioning markings on the roof, the longitudinal positioning notch 24 is centered on the plane of symmetry S of the device 10.

The end 18 of the support panel 12 has an extension from the rear face 20 folded to form a set of spacers 26. The set of spacers 26 maintains a predefined distance and constant between the median plane P1 support panel 12 and the batten 11. The set of spacers 26 is entirely arranged below the median plane P1 of the support panel 12.

The spacer assembly 26 has a vertical rear spacer 28 bonded to the rear face 20 by a right-angled fold. For mounting on the batten 11, the rear spacer 28 may extend preferably vertically towards the batten 11 by a transverse positioning pin 30. The lug 30 is advantageously located at the end of the rear spacer 28 opposite the plane of symmetry S. This simplifies the unfolded shape of the plate of the device 10.

The lug 30 is intended to abut against a face of vertical orientation of the slat 11 so as to limit the displacement of the device in a transverse orientation, and in particular to stop the sliding of the device 10 in the direction of the slope of the roof.

At the slat 11, the rear spacer 28 is extended by a right-angle fold and a plane fastening panel 32, in a transverse-longitudinal orientation plane.

The fixing panel 32 is positioned vertically under the support panel 12. The fixing panel 32 has a so-called lower contact face 34 which is in contact with the batten. The contact face 34 defines a lower support plane P2 which corresponds to the upper plane of the slat.

The fastening panel 32 also has a fixing hole 36, passing through. The fixing hole 36 allows the passage of attachment means, not shown, which provide the fixed connection between the device 10 and the roof support member, for example the batten. These attachment means are, for example, a screw, a nail, etc.

The fixing panel 32 is, for example, substantially trapezoidal in shape, the large base of which is connected to the rear spacer 28.

The small base of the fastening panel 32 is extended by a right angle fold which continues towards a front spacer 38. The front spacer 38 is a flat panel in a vertical-longitudinal orientation plane, parallel to the rear spacer 28 between the fixing panel 32 and the support panel 12.

The front spacer 38 has a first vertical end that extends the attachment panel 32, and a second free end 40. The free end 40 is in contact with the underside 14 of the support panel 12 so as to support the panel 12 .

The fixing panel 32 has an inner face 42 opposite the plane of symmetry S, that is to say towards the center of the support panel 12. The inner face 42 is extended by an angled fold continued straight by an inner spacer 44. The inner spacer 44 is a panel disposed between the fastening panel 32 and the support panel 12, in contact with the support panel 12.

The fixing panel 32 has an outer face 46 opposite the inner face 42. The outer face 46 is extended by a right-angled fold, continued by an outer spacer 48. The outer spacer 48 is a panel disposed between the panel 32 and the support panel 12, in contact with the support panel 12.

The spacers, inner 44, and outer 48, allow to provide more rigidity to the set of spacers 26 which provides a fixed distance between the support panel 12 and the batten.

The front spacers 38, rear 28, inner 44, and outer 48 are sized to have the same height in the vertical orientation. In this way, the support panel 12 is kept parallel and at a fixed distance from the batten by the spacer assembly 26.

Advantageously, the fixed distance between the median plane P1 of the support panel 12 and the lower plane P2 of the fixing panel 32 allows the insertion of a solar panel tile surmounted by a flexible seal.

The end 40 of the front spacer preferably comprises a spacer pin 50, intended to be housed in the support panel 12.

The end 18 of the support panel 12 also has an oblong through hole 52 which opens into the lower face 14 of the panel 12 facing the spacer pin 50 so as to form a housing for the spacer pin 50. The spacer pin 50 is inserted into the oblong hole 52.

In this way, the front spacer 38 is locked in rotation about an axis of longitudinal and / or transverse orientation. This new constraint increases the rigidity of the spacer assembly 26, for example when it is subjected to pressure forces, torsion and / or shear due to the movement of the tiles under the action of the wind or a person resting on the roof.

The end 18 of the support panel 12 also has a through hole 54 which opens into the lower face 14 of the panel 12 opposite, along an axis of vertical orientation, the fixing hole 36. In this way, the means of fasteners are insertable through the support panel 12 and the fastening panel 32.

The through hole 54 is preferably of smaller diameter than the fixing hole 36. The through hole 54 thus provides a guiding function for a screw, a nail, or other fastening means, while the larger diameter of the hole 36 facilitates fixation, even if the screw or the nail is not perfectly perpendicularly inserted plane of the support panel 12. For example, the through hole 54 is 6 mm in diameter and the fixing hole 36 is 8 in diameter mm.

The rigidity of the spacer assembly is important in the case of attachment of the device 10 by a screw held at the level of the support panel 12 and capable of crushing the spacer assembly 26.

The end 18 of the support panel 12 also comprises a median support arm 56 formed in extension of the support panel 12 in the median plane P1.

The medial support arm 56 has a first end in an extension of the front face 22 of the support panel 12, in a transverse orientation, and a second free end terminated by a holding means, said medial hook 58, for positioning a tile above the median plane P1 in a vertical orientation.

By symmetry, the two middle hooks 58 allow the maintenance of two tiles arranged side by side in the median plane P1.

The hook 58 has three successive functional portions. A first orientation portion 60 which defines the orientation of the hook in the median plane P1. The orientation portion 60 extends the medial support arm 56 in a direction different from the transverse orientation of the arm 56.

Advantageously, the orientation portion 60 deflects the hook by an angle of 45 ° with respect to the transverse orientation, towards the plane of symmetry S of the device. This angle corresponds to a preferential arrangement of tiles (square or rectangular) rhombus, that is to say, a diagonal is oriented in the direction of the slope.

The orientation portion 60 is extended by a right-angle fold and a second support portion 62. The support portion 62 is a panel in a vertical-longitudinal orientation plane complementary to the edge of a tile to ensure the support. The support portion 62 is fixed above the median plane P1 of the support panel 12.

The support portion 62 has a support face 63 intended to be in contact with the edge of a tile. The support face 63 is oriented towards the orientation portion 60.

The support portion 62 is extended by a right-angle fold and a third blocking portion 64. The blocking portion 64 is a panel in a transverse-longitudinal orientation plane parallel to P1, facing the orientation portion. 60. The locking portion 64 allows the locking of a tile provided with a seal in contact with the median plane P1 by prohibiting its displacement in a vertical direction.

Advantageously, the support portion 62 at a height in a vertical direction slightly less than the height of a tile surmounted by a seal, so as to block the assembly sealingly and preventing vibrations.

The device 10 also includes an upper support assembly 66. The upper support assembly 66 is centered on the plane of symmetry S of the device 10.

The upper support assembly 66 comprises a level panel 68 integral, in an extension, with the support panel 12, centered on the plane of symmetry S. The level panel 68 is connected at one end to the front face 22 of the support panel 12 by a fold at right angles, and continues above the median plane P1 in a vertical orientation.

The level panel 68 has a second end extended by a right angle fold and then an upper support arm 70. The upper support arm 70 is a flat panel in a transverse-longitudinal orientation plane. An upper face of the upper support arm 72 defines an upper support plane P3. The upper plane P3 is parallel to the median plane P1.

Advantageously, the level panel 68 at a height in a vertical orientation, at least equal to that of the support portion 62 of the median support arm 56

The upper support arm 70 is here oriented in a transverse direction so as to deviate from the support panel 12.

The upper support arm 70 is extended in two holding means, said upper hooks 74. The two upper hooks 74 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the plane of symmetry S.

The two upper hooks 74 are intended to position the same tile in the upper plane P3.

The upper hook 74 has three successive functional portions. A first upper orientation portion 76 which defines the orientation of the upper hook 74 in the upper plane P3. The upper orientation portion 76 extends the upper support arm 74 in a direction different from the transverse orientation of the arm 74.

Advantageously, the upper orientation portion 76 deflects the upper hook 74 by an angle of 45 ° with respect to the transverse orientation, so as to distance longitudinally the hook of the plane of symmetry S of the device.

The upper orientation portion 76 is extended by a right angle fold and a second upper support portion 78. The upper support portion 78 is a panel in a vertical-longitudinal orientation plane complementary to the edge of a tile to support it. The upper support portion 78 is fixed above the upper plane P3 of the upper support arm 70.

The upper support portion 78 has an upper support surface 79 intended to be in contact with the edge of a tile.

The upper support surface 79 is oriented longitudinally opposite the plane of symmetry S of the device 10. In this way, the two symmetrical upper support surfaces 79 form a housing adapted to receive a corner of a tile.

The upper support portion 78 is extended by a right-angle fold and a third upper blocking portion 80. The upper blocking portion 80 is a panel in a transverse-longitudinal orientation plane parallel to P3, opposite the portion The upper locking portion 80 allows the locking of a tile provided with a seal in contact with the upper plane P3 by prohibiting its movement in a vertical direction.

Advantageously, the upper support portion 78 at a height in a vertical direction less than the height of a tile surmounted by a seal.

The hooks 58, 74 and the support panel 12 constitute holding means of the fastening device 10 arranged to allow an arrangement of four adjacent tiles on three parallel superimposed planes P1, P2, P3. The four overlapping three-level tiles have overlapping surfaces to uniformly cover a roof surface.

In the rest of the description, the assembly, also called laying, of the tile 82 on a surface comprising tile fixing devices 10 according to the teachings of the invention will be described with reference to the Figures 6 and 7 .

The assembly will be described, in a nonlimiting manner, for a roof sloping along a slope plane Pp. The roof is here mounted on horizontal slats 11 of a frame, not shown. In a nonlimiting manner, the tiles are square solar tiles 82 which are mounted in rhombus, that is to say with one of their diagonals oriented in the direction of the slope.

The installation of the fasteners 10 of the tiles is made by fastening means, not shown, conventionally screws.

The tiles 82 comprise an upper face 84 oriented in a direction opposite to the slats 11. Advantageously, the upper face comprises at least one flexible seal 86.

Advantageously, the seal 86 is placed parallel to two consecutive edges, and along these two consecutive edges of the upper face 84 of the tile 82. The seal 86 is contained in the overlap zone of two tiles 82.

The seal 86 makes it possible, on the one hand, to seal the overlap zone between two superposed tiles 82, and on the other hand to prevent the tiles from vibrating under the effect of the wind.

The seal 86 is advantageously a substantially circular seal, hollow or solid, of weather-resistant polymer material.

The arrangement of tiles with the gasket 86 limits the introduction of water or air under the tiles 82.

The tightness of the arrangement makes it possible, in the case of solar tiles, to limit an introduction of water that could come into contact with the electrical circuit of the solar panels and disturb their operation.

The seal 86 also makes it possible to damp any shocks or vibrations between the tiles 82, due to the action of the wind on the tiles 82.

Once the devices 10 fixed on the frame along the slats 11, the tiles 82 are brought to the level of the roof structure. When laying tiles 82, they are above slats 11.

In the remainder of the description, the installation of a solar tile 82 ₁ to be mounted on the sloped roof will be described more particularly.

The solar tile 82 ₁ is taken in hand by the roofer. Advantageously, the solar tile 82 ₁ is smaller than a conventional solar panel, so as to be easily manipulated, at arm's length by the roofer.

Once mounted, the tile 82 ₁ will be in contact with: a first upper fastening device 10 ₁ of the upper batten 11 ₁ , arranged at the top in the direction of the slope of the roof; two median fastening devices 10 _2a , 10 _2b , a median batten 11 ₂ disposed under the upper batten 11 ₁ in the direction of the slope of the roof; and a lower device 10 ₃ of a lower batten 11 ₃ disposed under the median batten 11 ₂ in the direction of the slope of the roof.

The roofer lifts the tile 82 ₁ and places a first corner of the tile 82 ₁ on the lower plane P2 ₁ of the fastener 10 ₁ of the upper batten 11 ₁ In this way, the tile 82 ₁ is inserted between the upper batten 11 ₁ and the lower face 14 ₁ of the support panel 12 ₁ of the upper fastening device 10 ₁ . The insertion of the tile 82 ₁ between the upper lath 11 ₁ and the lower face 14 ₁ of the support panel 12 ₁ of the upper fastening device 10 ₁ is made in the upward direction of the slope, said mesage 88, from a zone in bottom of upper batten 11 ₁ .

When inserting the tile 82 ₁ , the deformation of the gasket 86 is a game that allows the lack of parallelism between the tile 82 ₁ and the support panel 12 ₁ .

The roofer then pushes the tile 82 ₁ between the upper batten 11 ₁ , and a support panel 12 ₁ of the upper fastening device 10 ₁ , and deposits the tile 82 ₁ simultaneously on the support panels 12 _2a , 12 _2b , devices _2a , 10 _2b of medial lath 11 ₂ , and on the upper orientation portion 76 ₃ of the lower fastening device 10 ₃ of the lower lath 11 ₃ .

Advantageously, to avoid applying a shearing force on the tiles, the slats 11 ₁ , 11 ₂ , 11 ₃ , as well as the devices 10 ₁ , 10 _2a , 10 _2b , 10 ₃ , which bear the same tile 82 ₁ , are previously arranged so that the lower plane P2 ₁ of the upper device 10 ₁ , the median plane P1 _2a of the median device 10 _2a , the median plane P1 _2b of the median device 10 _2b , and the upper plane P3 ₃ of the lower device 10 ₃ , are confused in one and the same plane.

Once the tile 82 ₁ placed on the devices 10 _2a , 10 _2b and 10 ₃ , the roofer slides the tile 82 ₁ in the opposite direction to the fact 88, in the direction of the slope. The tile 82 ₁ is housed simultaneously in a median hook 58 _2a of the median device 10 _2a , in a median hook 58 _2b of the medial device 10 _2b , and in two upper hooks 74 ₃ of the lower device 10 ₃ .

The tile 82 ₁ thus housed remains inserted between the upper batten 11 ₁ and the support panel 12 ₁ of the upper fixing device 10 ₁ .

In the case of a solar tile, the roofer must also connect the tile to an electrical circuit. The electrical connection step is advantageously done before the installation of the tile, and is facilitated by an adequate length of the connection cables.

Advantageously, the roofer works from the top of the roof, down. This allows it to never have to rest on the tiles already laid and avoids a risk of damage to the tiles during installation.

The roofer thus places a tile 82 ₁ and then continues with another tile 82 on four devices 10. The mounting method does not impose any particular working direction, a tile is placed independently of the presence of other tiles on the sides, below or below in the direction of the slope.

In the following description, the disassembly of the tile 82 ₁ from a roof covered with tiles 82 on fastening devices 10 according to the invention will be explained in connection with the Figures 6 and 7 .

The disassembly of the tile 82 ₁ is substantially following the reverse stages of the assembly. The roofer begins by pushing the tile towards the frame 88. In this way, the tile 82 ₁ slides on the plane P2 ₁ , between the upper batten 11 ₁ , and the support panel 12 ₁ of the upper fixing device 10 ₁ . The tile 82 ₁ simultaneously exits the housing of the hook of the median device 10 _2a , the median hook 58 _2b of the median device 10 _2b , and the two upper hooks 74 ₃ of the lower device 10 ₃ .

The tile 82 ₁ is then free to pivot out of the median plane P1 _2a of the median device 10 _2a , the median plane P1 _2b of the median device 10 _2b , and the upper plane P3 ₃ of the lower device 10 ₃ . The roofer then carries the tile 82 ₁ at arm's length and rotates it.

The deformation of the gasket 86 is a game that allows the lack of parallelism between the tile 82 ₁ and the support panel 12 ₁ , and also between the tile 82 ₁ and any tiles 82 neighbors.

Advantageously, the roofer can from this step, proceed to disconnect the solar tile from its electrical circuit.

The roofer then pulls the tile 82 _{1 away} from the seam 88, in the direction of the slope above the middle hooks 58 _2a , 58 _2b of the medial devices 10 _2a , 10 _2b and above the two upper hooks 74 ₃ of the lower device 10 ₃ so as to extract the tile 82 ₁ from the upper fastening device 10 ₁ .

The disassembly method does not impose any particular working direction, a tile is placed regardless of the presence of other tiles on the sides, below or below in the direction of the slope.

As part of a maintenance operation on a defective tile, the roofer can easily disassemble said defective tile without having to remove a set of tiles. It can also remove the tiles below the defective tile in the direction of the slope, so as to access the defective tile without having to rely on the other tiles.

In addition, the assembly and disassembly of a tile do not require tools and can be mastered by the roofer after a short training. This saves time and training costs.

Another embodiment of the invention will be described by comparison with the preceding embodiment and with reference to Figures 4 and 5 .

In this embodiment, the fixing device comprises the same elements as in the preceding embodiment.

The spacer panels, interior 44 and exterior 48, are tall, in a vertical orientation, greater than that of the spacer panels, front 38 and rear 28.

In addition, the panels of the spacers, 44 inner and outer 48, have holes 90 of small diameter, for example 2 mm in diameter.

These bores 90 are regularly arranged on a line bending, vertical orientation which divides into two substantially equal portions the inner spacer 44, and the outer spacer 48. Advantageously, the distance between two bores is 3.5 mm .

The holes 90 make it possible to predefine the deformation of the spacers by folding along the fold line 92.

In this way, the inner 44 and outer 48 spacers are no longer connected to the fastening panel 32 by a right angle as in the previous embodiment, but are folded toward each other. In addition, the inner 44 and outer 48 spacers are folded along their respective fold line 92.

The contact surface between the spacers 44 and 48, and the support panel 12 then takes the form of a V. This particular shape allows a greater rigidity of the spacer assembly 26 than in the mode of previous realization.

This embodiment therefore allows a better resistance of the fastening device 10 against a crushing vertical orientation.

Legend:

10

tile support device

10 ₁

upper tile support device

10 _2a

median tile support device

10 _2b

median tile support device

10 ₃

lower tile support device

11

horizontal batten

11 ₁

upper horizontal batten

11 ₂

median horizontal batten

11 ₃

lower horizontal slat

12

support panel

12 ₁

support panel of the upper tile support device 101

12 _2a

support panel of the middle tile support device 10 _2a

12 _2b

support panel of the middle tile support device 10 _2b

14

underside of the support panel

16

upper side of the support panel

18

longitudinal end of the support panel

20

back side of the support panel

22

front panel of the support panel

24

positioning notch

26

set of spacers

28

rear spacer

30

positioning pin

32

fixing panel

34

lower contact surface of the fixing panel

36

fixing hole

38

front spacer

40

free end of the front spacer

42

inner side of the fixing panel

44

inner spacer

46

outer side of the fixing panel

48

outer spacer

50

spacer spigot

52

oblong hole

54

through hole of the support panel

56

median support arm

58

median hook of the support panel

58 _2a

median hook of support panel 12 _2a

58 _2b

median hook of support panel 12 _2b

60

Orientation portion of the median support arm

62

support portion of the median support arm

63

support side of the support portion of the median support arm

64

blocking portion of the median support arm

66

upper support assembly

68

level panel

70

upper support arm

72

upper side of the upper support arm

74

top hook

74 ₃

upper hook of the lower tile support device 10 ₃

76

upper portion of orientation of the upper support arm

76 ₃

upper orientation portion of the lower tile support device 10 ₃

78

upper support portion of the upper support arm

79

upper support surface of the upper support portion of the upper support arm

80

blocking portion of the upper support arm

82

tile

82 ₁

solar tile to mount

84

upper face of the tile

86

joint

88

ridge

90

spacer drilling

92

strut folding line

P1

median plane of the tile support device 10

P1 _2a

median plane of the middle tile support device 10 _2a

P1 _2b

median plane of the middle tile support device 10 _2b

P2

lower plane of the tile support device 10

P2 ₁

lower plane of upper tile support device 10 ₁

P3

top plane of the tile support device 10

P3 ₃

upper plane of the lower tile support device 10 ₃

pp

slope plan

S

plane of symmetry of the device

Claims (14)

1. A device (10) for fixing tiles (82) intended to cover a sloping surface, which comprises a rigid element, capable of being fixed by fastening means to a supporting element (11), denoted framework element, for the surface to be covered, such that the device (10) comprises holding means (14, 58, 74) for four adjacent tiles, and such that the holding means (14, 58, 74) are arranged to allow tiles to be arranged on three parallel, superposed planes (P1, P2, P3), such that the device (10) comprises a flat supporting panel (12), parallel to the framework element in use, configured to position a lower tile by wedging between the supporting panel (12) and the framework element (11) and characterised in that the device comprises at least one set of spacers (26) integral with the supporting panel (12) and intended to maintain a fixed spacing between the supporting panel (12) and the framework element (11).
2. The device for fixing tiles according to claim 1, characterised in that the device (10) is composed of a single folded rigid element.
3. The device for fixing tiles according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the set of spacers (26) comprises holes (90) disposed regularly along a fold line (92) so as to predefine the deformation of the spacers by folding along the fold line (92).
4. The device for fixing tiles according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the supporting panel (12) is configured to support two median tiles above the lower tile.
5. The device for fixing tiles according to claim 4, characterised in that the device comprises a first hook (58) integral with the supporting panel (12) and configured to hold a first median tile above the lower tile.
6. The device for fixing tiles according to claim 5, characterised in that the device comprises a second hook (58) integral with the supporting panel (12) and configured to hold a second median tile above the lower tile.
7. The device for fixing tiles according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the device comprises an upper supporting arm (70) perpendicular to the supporting panel, which is intended to support an upper tile above the other, median tiles and comprises a first end integral with the fixing device and a second, free end, the second, free end of the upper supporting arm preferably comprising two hooks (58) for holding the upper tile.
8. The device for fixing tiles according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises positioning means (24, 30), for positioning it on the supporting element (11).
9. A method for mounting a tile (82), preferably a solar tile, on supporting elements (11), denoted framework elements, of a sloping surface to be covered, using four fixing devices (10₁, 10_2a, 10_2b, 10₃) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the method comprises the following steps:

   a. positioning and fastening fixing devices (10) to the framework elements (11₁, 11₂, 11₃);

   b. inserting a lower tile (82₁) at the level of the supporting means (14₁) on a lower plane (P2₁) of an upper fixing device (10₁), at the top in the direction of slope;

   c. engaging the lower tile (82₁) in the holding means (58_2a, 58_2b) of two median fixing devices (10_2a, 10_2b);

   d. engaging the tile (82₁) in the holding means (74₃) of a lower fixing device (10₃), at the bottom in the direction of slope.
10. The method for mounting a tile according to claim 9, characterised in that mounting is performed by starting at the highest level (84) in the direction of slope, towards the lowest level.
11. The method of mounting a tile according to either one of claims 9 to 10, characterised in that the tile (82₁) is square.
12. The method of mounting a tile according to either one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the tile (82₁) is mounted rhomboidally.
13. A method for demounting a tile (82₁), preferably a solar tile, using a fixing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 fastened to a sloping surface, characterised in that the method comprises the following steps:

    a. disengaging a tile (82₁) from the holding means (74₃) in the upper plane (P3₃) of a lower fixing device (10₃), at the bottom in the direction of slope;

    b. disengaging the tile (82₁) from the holding means (58_2a, 58_2b) in the median plane (P1_2a, P1_2b) of two median fixing devices (10_2a, 10_2b);

    c. withdrawing the tile at the level of the supporting means (12₁) in a lower plane P2₁ of an upper fixing device (10₁), at the top in the direction of slope.
14. The method of demounting roofing tiles according to claim 13, characterised in that demounting starts at the lowest level in the direction of slope, towards the highest level.

Images