FR2846019A1 - Solar panel fixing device comprises base in shape of plate carried by section receiving panel edge, base having boss and stop pin on upper surface and wedge with screw penetrates opening to come under section edges - Google Patents

Abstract

The fixing device comprises a base (1) carried by a section (PR) receiving a panel edge (PA). The base in the shape of a plate (2) has a boss (3) and a stop in the shape of a pin (4) on the upper face for receiving the section of the panel. A wedge (10) with a screw (7) penetrates in to the opening (IN) to come under the section edges (BR). The screw threaded shank passes through the boss to receive the locking nut (11). A cowl (12) is clamped by screwing against the top of the panel. An Independent claim is included for a section for the fixing device.

Description

Field of the invention

  The present invention relates to a device for fixing panels to a network of profiles installed on a construction such as a roof or a wall in a vertical or inclined position, in particular for receiving solar panels, comprising a base carried by a profile receiving a or two edges of neighboring panels, an element coming over the edge of the panel and connected to the profile with the base, the profile having a U-section with edges delimiting an opening for receiving a shim used to fix the assembly formed by the base and the support element io.

  PRIOR ART It is known to install solar panels (photovoltaic panels) on roofs above roofing elements such as tiles or the like or on the facade. For this, a mesh of support profiles receiving the elements above the cover is installed.

  profiles for mounting solar panels. These profiles, open upwards, receive fixing devices of the type defined above for clamping and serving as a stop at the edge of the solar panels. These devices must be relatively small so as not to obscure the photo20 sensitive surfaces of the solar panels. This is why these devices are installed at appropriate intervals, to come between the cells of the panels. In general, there is provided a fixing device at the fixing point at each corner of the panel and one or two devices on the long side, the panels being rectangular, with dimensions of the order of 120 x 60 centimeters.

  After the installation of the profiles receiving the panel fixing devices, the panels are installed after having, as the case may be, previously positioned the fixing devices in the places where they

  must hold the panels on the rails or profiles.

  These fastening devices must be strong enough to hold the solar panels in wind and weather resistant.

  A known fixing device consists of a lower plate forming a grooved wedge, provided with a spring and which slides in the profile under the turned-up edge of the profile. Above this plate, it

  is provided a base provided with lugs forming stops. This base is placed on top of the profile and receives the edge of the panel. Next, there is provided a plate-shaped cap corresponding to the shape of the base plate.

  key and the assembly is assembled by a screw, introduced from above, screwing into a thread provided in the wedge.

  The installation of this fixing device is relatively complicated or delicate. Indeed, the wedge is installed beforehand 5 in the profile and it is retained in place by the helical spring fixed against its underside and which bears against the bottom of the profile,

  so as to push the wedge against the turned edges of the profile.

  When the wedge is not in the right place, it is difficult to move it at least in one direction of movement due to the heli10 codal spring which hooks to the bottom of the profile. When the place where the fixing device is easy to access, the operation is feasible but when the panel is already in place in different fixing devices and one of them has to be moved so that its location corresponds to a planned location, the operation is delicate. After this positioning of the wedge at the precise location where the fixing device must be located, the following assembly operations are no less difficult. Indeed, the base has lugs which must come into the hat holes to reinforce each other and serve as a stop at the edge of the plate. However, if the plate installed is more or less strongly pressed against one or more of the lugs, these deform since the base is a plastic part and it is difficult then to engage the upper end of the lugs in the holes of the hat which must come on the top of the panel. Finally, the third assembly operation is not the least difficult because it is necessary, after having introduced the screw through the cap of so25 key, to manage to engage it in the tapping of the wedge. If the assembly is not precisely aligned, it will not be possible to screw. By assumption, the base and the hat occupying a precise position compared to the panels, it will be necessary to slide the shim to align it on the axis of the screw. We meet

  then the difficulties mentioned above.

  There is also another fastening device supposed to be

  simpler installation. This device is made up of several parts of a relatively complicated mechanical construction. It is first of all the base which comes to rest on the profile and must be able to be hung on it.

  This base receives the edge of the panel in combination with a cover 35 formed of a plate and then, after this installation, the assembly is

  assembled by a screw inserted from above.

  While the cover plate is of a simple embodiment, it is not the same for the base which is a relative part-

  ment complicated composed of different parts, namely first a wedge substantially hexagonal, connected to the base itself by elastic fixing lugs which pass through holes provided in the wedge. These legs are part of a stainless steel plate fixed against the in5 lower face of the actual plate forming the base. This brochure in

  stainless steel includes not only the tabs used to retain the wedge but also two lateral stops intended to come to bear against the external lateral faces of the profile.

  Finally, the top of the base receives a rubber seal on 1o which comes to rest the edge of the panel. On the top of the edge of the panel, comes another rubber seal supported by the plate forming the cover then the assembly is screwed by a screw introduced from above and which is housed in the wedge to tighten the wedge against the curved edges of the profile, from below to tighten the assembly formed by the base, the rubber washer, the panel, a rubber washer and the cover

against the profile.

  The wedge carried by the base is oriented along a diagonal of the base. It is the same for the lateral tabs of the plate in

  stainless steel which are also located on a diagonal.

  This construction of the base allows the base to be installed by

  a movement of introduction of the wedge by the opening of the profile then, by a pivoting of the whole of the base of 90, the wedge is placed under the re-entrant edges of the rail until the lateral tabs are in support.

  This corresponds to the position turned to 900.

  Then, the other parts of the device are put in place with the edge of the panel interposed. This device solves the problems of alignment of the screw with respect to the tapping made in the shim since the shim is connected, in a precise manner, to the base and that the base itself is positioned in pivoting orientation relative to the profile. Since the plate and the base both have an identical square shape, it is

  thus possible to touch to center the covered forming plate and, consequently, the screw relative to the base plate and thus relative to the wedge.

  However, this fixing device has the disadvantage of being unable to be temporarily held in place precisely in the profile before installation of the panel and fixing of the panel and of the device to the

  profile. Indeed, after having set up the base in the profile, this piece alone is not sufficiently held against the profile and can slide, all the more so as the profiles receiving the solar panels are, in general

  spoke, inclined. The base can therefore move relative to the position provided for the installation of the panel. At this point, slide the base until it leads to the position in relation to the panel, then

  install the upper gasket, plate and screw.

  Another serious drawback of this fastening device lies in its complexity and, consequently, its cost. It is, in fact, a set of parts, in particular the base, of a relatively complicated embodiment, requiring precise machining of different parts (the shim, the stainless steel plate and the base plate) as well as 'an assembly of these 1o different parts to form the base. Problem and Solution Provided by the Invention The aim of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of devices for fixing solar panels to a network of profiles installed on a construction, in particular on a roof or a wall in a vertical or inclined position. to make a device

  simple to manufacture, economical, and which above all installs easily in the profile and allows adjustments in a very simple and very quick way to facilitate the intervention of fitters in conditions, in general, relatively delicate on a roof.

  To this end, the invention relates to a fixing device of the type defined above, characterized in that it comprises - a base in the form of a plate having * a boss projecting from below and having a width corresponding to the opening of the profile * a stop in the form of a stud on its upper face to receive the edge of the panel, * a screw hole in the axis of the boss, * the stud releasing the screw hole leaving a housing for a locking nut and a nut tightening tool, * the height of the stop allowing the thickness of the panel to be received, - a shim provided with a screw, * the section of the shim allowing it to penetrate into the opening of the profile for come by pivoting under the edges of the profile, * the threaded rod of the screw passing through the boss of the base to receive the locking nut and block the base against the top of the profile, by pressing the wedge under the edges of the profile, - a cap, * provided with a bearing surface and a pitch orifice wise for the wedge screw, * to be tightened by screwing against the top of the panel, the

  edge is supported on the base and against its stud.

  The fixing device according to the invention is of a very simple embodiment and its installation with adjustment are very simple operations which are carried out very quickly even if the fixing device is far from the place where the fitter stands , the width or possibly the length of the panel. Indeed, the device according to the invention can be pre-installed and it retains its position. Indeed, the position can be known precisely on the profile since the panels have precise dimensions and their installation position is precise relative to markers. We can therefore, even before installing the panels, install the bases 15 of the fastening devices at the precise points of the different profiles and tighten

  the base and the shim against the profile, according to the final tightening.

  Then, we put in place the gasket then the panel and we install the cap on top of the panel. Then, put the hat in place and screw it on. It is not necessary to test by tapping the thread as receiving the screw as in the devices

  known since the threaded rod is already in place.

  According to another advantageous characteristic, the bearing surface of the cap is provided with a seal. This avoids having to set up a seal between the base and the cap to come against the top 25 of the panel. It is also possible to adapt the fixing device to the thickness of the panels while having a uniform device whatever the thickness of the panels. The compensation is then made by the thickness of the seal placed on the receiving surface of the base on which

leans on the panel.

  To prevent the hat from rotating relative to the base

  and with solar panels, the base comprises, on the top of the stop stud, at least one indexing lug and the bearing surface of the cap is provided with indexing orifices distributed on a circle centered on the axis of the screw passage hole to allow the cap to be locked in 35 different angular positions relative to the base, the cap being tightened against the panel by a tightening nut screwed onto the wedge screw.

  The cap will then be locked in different angular positions chosen according to the position of the fixing device relative to the panels (the fixing device can be located at

corner or edge of the panel).

  Depending on the case, the cap, which has a non-circular but square shape, will be arranged with sides parallel to the sides of the base or pivoted relative to the base, for example in a diamond arrangement. It is advantageous to protect the nut of the base from the weather and to give an excellent finish appearance to the fixing device by a cover closing the housing produced in the top of the

  cap to receive the tightening nut.

  It is also advantageous that the boss of the base is

  square section which makes it possible to position the base in two orientations at 9Q0 at the stop provided on the upper face of the base to lean against one side of the panel or against another side perpendicular to this side, the panels being rectangular.

  According to an advantageous characteristic, the cap incorporates a locking nut for screwing the cap onto the wedge screw and

  tightening the panel against the base.

  This cap may include either a locking nut integrated into the mass of the cap itself, generally made of plastic, at the time of molding the cap. But it can also be a thread made directly in the material of the cap.

  This hat can have a round shape but also polygonal and directly constitute a handle for its screwing. This screwing is possible on a base such as those defined above, provided with lugs and of which the lugs have not been sectioned if the underside of the cap has a circular groove corresponding to the position of the lugs. The pins can thus enter the groove and allow the screwing of the

  hat without interfering with this operation.

  This solution is particularly simple because it replaces the cap, the tightening nut with its washer and the cover with a single piece, the cap incorporating the nut or provided with an integrated thread, and

  not requiring an opening to screw a nut.

  The simplicity of this solution lies in the simplification of the manufacture, in the reduction of the number of parts and in the cited simpli35 of the installation of these parts for the tightening of the panel or panels.

  Finally, it should be noted that for the various embodiments of the hat, a single type of base or a single form of base

  suitable without the base having to be adapted to the type of hat used.

  In a particularly advantageous manner, the base has a width greater than that of the profile and it is bordered, on its two sides corresponding to this width, by two lateral tabs descending from the underside of the base plate to be placed against the sides profile when the base is placed on the profile. Thus the base is not only held by its boss but also by two lateral tabs which are placed against the outer sides of the profile. These lateral tabs advantageously have a length equal to the opening or the width of the profile for accommodating themselves there and wedging when the base is mounted in an orientation turned to 900 and in this case it is advantageous that the base of the base is square as well as the boss and that the four sides are bordered by side tabs. Thus, whatever the orientation of the base, there will be two tabs housed in the opening of the profile and the other two tabs coming from the outer edge of the profile. Advantageously, the stop is constituted by two studs located on either side of the orifice for the passage of the screw in the base.

of the base.

  Advantageously, the bearing surface of the stop, that is to say the bearing surface of the two studs, is provided with a flexible lining. 20 This flexible lining is either an insert, for example made of an elastic material or a formation of tongues produced in the mass

from the surface of the stop.

  According to another advantageous characteristic, the stud comprises, near the corresponding side of the base, a groove forming an edge 25 for hooking a lateral covering profile, provided with a flange to be tightened against the stud by the cap coming from above. This solution allows a particularly interesting finish to the installation of panels so as to border all of the panels with a covering profile. Finally advantageously the stop is reversible and

  has two symmetrical bearing faces which makes it possible to have only one type of fixing device for all of the fixing points of the panels, that these fixing points are located at the edge of the panels and only tighten a single panel or in the interval of two panels35 or even at a corner at the junction of several panels.

  The device according to the invention is of a simple embodiment. It is preferably made of molded plastic and the wedge is either a plastic part incorporating a screw or a piece of drilled profile, in which is wedged the screw possibly fixed by a welding point. According to another advantageous characteristic, the fixing device receives an extension. This riser is constituted by a section segment whose length is equal to the height necessary for the riser to receive the plate and its section is U-shaped, the two branches of which are placed in the grooves of the stud, the bottom coming against

  the upper legs of the fixing device.

  Thus, the same device can effectively receive 0o panels of unusual thickness, for example panels surrounded by a profiled frame.

  This fixing device with such an extension is intended to be applied against the sides of the panels.

  According to another characteristic, an extension is also provided which adapts to a corner of the panel. Such a riser is formed of a profile segment whose length is equal to the height necessary for the riser and whose square section has a truncated top to come with two branches in the grooves of the stud and by the other branch bringing these two branches, against the upper legs of the fixing device 20, the truncated top of the riser covering the top of a

  panel placed in the fixing device.

  According to another characteristic, the invention relates to a method for such a fixing device. This method is characterized in that it consists of a head with a generally rectangular section delimiting a housing for the wedge and a body of I-section whose core is bordered at the top by the bottom of the head and at the bottom. by a sole to constitute on either side of the core a housing for the wedge, the head being formed from a bottom bordered on two sides with curved edges 30 towards the bottom by defining the passage interval of the wedge and constituting on the inner side a support for the wedge, - the body has its housings for the wedge, each formed by an outer rib projecting from the bottom and an outer rib projecting from

the sole.

  This profile is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to reduce the number of constituent elements of a structure for fastening devices such as those described above. This profile makes it possible not only to receive the fixing devices by the housing of the wedge but also to be fixed to the support such as a wall or a roofing frame, frame and the like, by simple angles fixed to this support and carrying each a wedge housed in one of the two other housings of the profile. According to an advantageous characteristic, this profile is reinforced by a reinforcement inside the middle of the bottom of the head and likewise, the core is provided, in the middle of its two faces, with a reinforcement. This reinforcement may include a longitudinal groove to receive the tip of a screw carrying the wedge and making it possible to complete the tightening in 1o pressing against the core or the bottom of the head which may be advantageous or imposed by the steep slope. given to the profile and, in particular, for a

  vertical profile used for example on the facade.

  Drawings The present invention will be described below in more detail using different embodiments of a fixing device shown in the attached drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a device of fixing according to the invention installed on a profile and carrying a covering profile 20 on one side, - Figure 2 is a sectional view, exploded of a device like that of Figure 1, - Figure 3A is a top view of two variants of the base of the device of FIG. 1, - FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the base of the device of FIG. 2, - FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the cap, - FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a base incorporating an alternative embodiment, - Figure 4B is a perspective view of another alternative base according to the invention, - Figure 5 is a perspective view of a base and his hat, - Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the placing the wedge in a profile, - Figure 7A is a schematic side view of a fastening device without the seal covering the base of the base, - Figure 7B shows another alternative embodiment according to a view similar to that of FIG. 7A, - FIG. 7C shows the device according to the invention placed on the edge of the panel with a lateral covering profile, - FIG. 8 schematically shows the installation of a device according to FIG. 1 in a profile, at a current point, - Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8, in the case of a fixing device installed at the end of a profile and receiving a trim profile perpendicular to the direction of the profile receiving the fixing device, Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 2 of an alternative embodiment of the fixing device, 10 - Figure 1OA is a top view of the round cap - Figure 11 shows schematically different layouts anation of a fixing device according to the invention, this figure not being to scale, the fixing devices and the profiles being of exaggerated dimensions compared to the dimensions of the solar panels, - Figure 12 is a perspective view of a variant of the base according to the invention, - Figures 13A, 13B and 13C are respectively a side view, a top view and a bottom view of the base of Figure 12, - Figures 14A, 14B are perspective views of two risers for bases, - Figure 15 is a section of a profile to receive a base, - Figure 16A is a partial view of an installation formed of profiles receiving fixing devices according to the invention , - Figure 16B is a partial top view corresponding to Figure 16A, - Figure 17A is a sectional view of a panel installation, - Figure 17B is a sectional view of a variant of Figure 17A , - Figure 18A shows another installation with profiles and positive fixing devices according to the invention, FIG. 18B is a partial view of a variant of FIG. 18A, - FIGS. 19A, 19B are sectional views corresponding to FIG. 18A for installation on a surface with an angle

concave and a convex angle.

  Description of different embodiments The structure of profiles or mesh installed to receive the solar panels will only be shown for the interesting part

  it the invention, namely the profile or rail PR on which the device for mounting

  fixing receiving the PA solar panel (s).

  FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a fixing device intended to hold a panel PA by its edge, to a profile PR. This profile PR has a section U with turned edges BR to

  right and left, leaving an IN interval between them. The device consists of a base 1 formed by a plate 2, the lower face 2A of which is provided with a boss 3 intended to come into the interval IN from the curved edges BR of the profile PR. The top 2B of the plate 2 of the base 1 comprises a stop for the panel or panels PA, formed by two studs 4, symmetrical with respect to a median plane passing through the vertical axis ZZ.

  For this the pads 4 each have a face located in front of the plane of Figure 1 and forming a bearing surface serving as a stop for the edge of the PA panel. This bearing surface belongs to a flat surface i5 common to the two studs 4.

  In this embodiment, each stud has a bearing surface in front of and behind the plane of the sheet of the drawing and preferably symmetrically so that the fixing device can be used not only to hold an edge of a panel , for example the edge of a panel belonging to a set of panels but also coming between two panels or at the junction of four panels for

receive their neighboring corners.

  In the case of FIG. 1, the panel PA comes against the bearing surface of the studs 4, located behind the plane of FIG. 1.

  The stop formed by the studs 4 comprises a housing 5 and a

  orifice 6 centered on the ZZ axis to receive the threaded rod 8 with a screw 7.

  The screw 7 has a head 9 housed in a wedge 10 coming into the profile PR bearing under the folded edges BR to tighten the base 1 against the top of the profile PR using a locking nut 11. A cap 12 30, the bottom 13 of which is flat, bears in particular against the panel PA. This cap 12 is engaged on the threaded rod 8 through its orifice 14 and the assembly is tightened against the edge of the panel PA by a clamping nut 15 with possibly the insertion of a washer 16. The top of the cap 12 comprises in this example embodiment, a housing 17 35 for receiving the tightening nut 15 and the end of the threaded rod 8 of the screw 7. This housing 17 is closed by a cover 18 engaged by force or

clipped into the housing.

  The studs 4 also have a groove 41 near the outer side to form the hooking edge 42 making it possible to receive the folded edge BRR of a covering profile PH surrounding the panel PA or the

  assembly outline of several panels.

  According to FIG. 1, the panel PA is located at the edge of the assembly of panels and the stud 4 on the left receives the covering profile PH while the stud 5 on the right only serves to support the

PA panel.

  The edge 41 is of a height less than that of the stud 4 so that the upper face of the folded edge BRR does not protrude and can be blocked with the cap 12 at the same time as the latter blocks the panel PA. The general shape of the base in top view as will appear in the following figures, is rectangular and in particular square so as to be able to install the base 1 in the profile PR, according to the orientation represented in FIG. 1 or according to a turned orientation

of 900 around the ZZ axis.

  The various elements of the fixing device according to FIG. 1 will be detailed below using different embodiments

  of the device shown in Figures 2 to 10.

  First of all, FIG. 2 is an exploded section view, showing each of the parts separately.

  The profile PR is shown in section with its curved edges BR defining the interval IN. The wedge 10 is constituted by a piece of U-shaped profile, turned upside down, provided with an orifice 19 for the passage of the threaded rod 8 of the screw 7, the head 9 of this screw coming to bear inside the profile of the shim 10, the inner section of which is chosen so that the

  head 9 can engage without however turning there.

  The screw 7 can also be blocked by welding.

  The base lA represented corresponds to a variant, the studs

  having no groove and no hooking edge.

  The plate 2 has an orifice 6 for the passage of the screw 7. The boss 3 is shown as well as the studs 4A extended towards the

  bottom of the plate 2 by lateral tabs 21.

  The top of the studs 4, each comprises a lug 22, intended to cooperate with the cap 12. The base lA differs from the base 1 shown in FIG. 1 in that it does not have a lateral groove for receiving a

  side trim profile. This detail will be examined next.

  The upper face 2A of the plate 2 of the base lA receives a flat seal 23 having an H shape, the two branches of which come on either side of the studs 4, and the central part coming into the bottom of the housing 5 is provided with 'an orifice 24 for the passage of the screw 7. This central part 5 is placed at the bottom of the housing 5, which is at the same level as the side parts of the top 2A of the plate 2 on either side of the

studs 4.

  The tightening nut 11 is presented above the joint 23 since the nut 11 is placed in the cavity 6 to block the base lA and the shim 10 with the screw 7, on either side of the curved edges BR of the PR profile.

  The cap 12 shown above the base lA corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 1. This cap 12 is provided with an orifice 14 for the passage of the rod 8 of the screw 7. In the upper part it comprises a housing 17 with internal groove 171 to receive the cover 18. The lower face 13 of the cap 12 comprises housings or a series of indexed housings 25 for receiving the pins 22 of the upper face of the pads 4 as well as a groove 26, for example peripheral to receive an O-ring 27 embedded in this groove and intended to rest in particular on the upper face of the panel.

  The housing 17 receives the washer 16 and the clamping nut 15 then the assembly is capped by the cover 18 provided with a number of tabs 181, for example four tabs, allowing it to be clipped into the

slot 171 of housing 17.

  Figure 3A is a top view of a base lB with two studs combining three alternative embodiments of a stud 4, 4B, the second

stud 4B integrating two variants.

  The pad 4 corresponds to the pad 4 in Figure 1. It has two support surfaces S1, S2 against which comes to bear a pan30 neau PA as shown in broken lines pressing against the surface S2. This stud 4 is also provided with a groove 41 to receive the

  BRR edge of a PH side trim profile (Figure 1) not shown here.

  The stud 4B which is an alternative embodiment of the stud 4 has a similar basic shape except that it does not have a groove 51 35 to receive the edge of a lateral profile and that its surfaces S1, S2 are lined with seals 30 , 31 retained by raised parts 32, 33 engaged

  in housings of corresponding shape of the pad 4B.

  These housings have one, a section, the dovetail and the other, a round section.

  FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the base 1, 1A, 1B of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A showing the boss 3, preferably round or square to allow reversibility at 90, it is bordered laterally by lateral tabs 21, 28 each diametrically opposed and associated with

  four sides of the square plate of the base 1, lA, 1B.

  These tabs (21) or (28) are intended to cover laterally the curved edges RB of the profile PR according to the angular orientation according to which the base 1, 1A, 1B is installed on top of the profile PR.

  For this, the width (L) of the tabs 28 (dimension parallel to the respective side of the base plate 1, 1A, 1B) is less than or equal to the interval IN of the curved edges RB of the profile PR. It is the same for the sides of the boss 3 which are at most of length equal to the interval IN. In general, the sides are just this length to secure the base in relation to the profile PR.

  Thus, when the base is placed on the profile PR, the boss 3 comes into the interval IN and two lateral tabs for example the tabs 21 externally cover the profile PR while the other two tabs 28 come in the interval IN.

  The simplest and most effective solution both for manufacturing and for mounting is that of a square-shaped base, the boss 3 is square and the legs 21, 28 identical and symmetrical by rotation.

  FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the cap 1 showing the groove 26 receiving the seal 27 and four pairs of housings 25

  for positioning the cap 12 relative to the base 1.

  FIG. 4A shows a base 1C of which only the different parts of the preceding embodiments will bear references 30 supplemented by the suffix C. The stud has a shape identical to that of stud 4 of Figures 1 or 3A showing in particular the groove 41 made as well as lug 22 of

left stud.

  The straight stud 4C is slightly different from the stud 4 in that it has a groove 41C which descends to the level of the upper surface of the plate 2 forms an edge 42C descending to the plate 2.

  This stud 4C has a lug 22. The housing 5 surrounds the screw 7, shown here in combination with the base 1C (the shim does not appear,

  on the plate 2). It goes without saying that the base will generally have studs 4 of the same shape, symmetrical to maintain its reversibility around

of the ZZ axis.

  Figure 4A shows only two legs 21, 28, the other 5 legs being hidden. The legs 28 are surmounted by a leg

  upper 43 constituting a shape similar to the edges 42 of the pads 4 in the two versions shown here, to receive, in the necessary orientation of the base 1C, the upper edge of a lateral covering profile PH.

  These tabs 43 are breakable relative to the plate 2 and the 10 tabs. This detachment is facilitated here by a groove 44 constituting a

  initiation of rupture with respect to plate 2.

  This FIG. 4A also shows the bearing surfaces Si on one side of the pads 4, the other sides of these pads forming the other bearing surfaces S2.

  Figure 4B shows a 1D base which also combines different variants. The only modifications compared to FIG. 4A concern the upper legs 43D which are here split and separated by an interval. The base of the legs 43D joins the flat surface of the plate 2 of the base 1D by a 2D ramp-shaped surface facilitating the removal of the legs 43D on one side or on both sides of the studs 4, 4C (two variants of studs similar to those in Figure 4A). This ramp

  absorbs irregularities in the breaking of the studs.

  It is thus possible to remove one of the legs 43D of a pair to receive the corner of a panel against a pad 4 as indicated by the dotted line.

  Figure 5 is a view of the base 1D and its cap 12. The latter is square like the base and its upper surface is

  bulged. The cover closing the housing 17 is not shown.

  FIG. 6 is a top view of the profile PR and of the positioning of the wedge 10 of the base. In a first step, the nut 11 being loosened, the shim 10 is oriented so that it can pass in the interval IN of the edges BR of the profile PR. The base 1 is oriented so that the boss 3 shown in broken lines can be housed between the

BR edges.

  Then the wedge 10 is pivoted until it is in the position perpendicular to the axis of the profile PR. This position is a pivot end position if the edges 10-1 of the short sides of the shim are cut at an angle so that the distance (d) between the apex 10-2 of the pa-

  the rallelogram formed by the wedge 10 and the foot 10-3 of the perpendicular passing through the axis ZZ (or center of the parallelogram) is substantially equal to the interior half-width of the profile PR. The distance (1) between the center (ZZ) and the other vertex 10-4 is less than the interior half-width of the profile PR to allow pivoting. However, this distance (1) will be as large as possible within the limits indicated above so that the wedge 10 is in abutment against the folded edges BR over the entire width, so that this abutment is solid to stabilize the wedge 10 and

  tightening the fixing device to the PR profile.

  FIGS. 7A-7B are various views of a fixing device receiving one or two PA panels with or without the joint 23 and the profile

PH cover.

  In FIG. 7A, the fixing device is placed between two panels PA, the joint by which the panels bear against the top 15 of the base is not shown.

  Figure 7B is a view similar to that of Figure 7A showing the seal in place.

  Finally, FIG. 7D shows the fixing device receiving a panel as well as a covering profile PH.

  FIG. 8 is the view of a fixing device placed at the end of a profile PR, showing a base 1C like that of FIG. 4A, with above all the position of the complementary lugs 28 and of the

  upper tab 43. The cap 12 and the cover 18 are in place.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention placed at the end of the profile PR with positioning of the covering profile PH which comes to cover the upper tab located behind the base

  and the hat shown here as a transparent element.

  FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 which differs from it only in the shape of the cap 112. This cap 112 is of round shape and it integrates the tightening nut in its housing thus constituting the combination of the cap and of the clamping nut of the other embodiments, in particular that of FIGS. 1 and 2. The other parts are similar. There is a circular groove 123 for the pins 22 and a peripheral housing 126 for a seal, not shown. Finally, the top of the cap 112, preferably curved, in a spherical cap, has an imprint 128 for receiving a tool such as a screwdriver, making it possible to complete the tightening of the cap 112 on the end of the rod.

threaded 8 of screw 7.

  This simpler and more economical version than the previous ones has the advantage of using the same base as the previous versions.

  It is simpler because the tightening nut and the washer as well as the cap housing covers are eliminated and replaced by a single piece. Thanks to the groove 123 produced in the underside of this

  cap 112, the pins 22 can come into the circular groove centered on the axis of the screw, which allows the cap to be screwed without having to cut the pins.

  Finally, according to another variant, the tightening nut is realilO se not by a metal nut integrated in the cap at the time

  molding but a thread molded directly into the cap.

  Manufacturing is therefore simplified by reducing the parts constituting the cap of the accessory elements. The fitting of the cap is also simpler than in previous versions 15 since there is only one piece left to put on the screw for

tighten the panel (s).

  This hat preferably has a round shape. It can also be a polygonal shape and, in this case, the hat itself

  is the gripping element, screwing and tightening.

  Figure IOA is a top view of the round hat 112

and footprint 128.

  Figure 11 schematically shows a layout of panels. In this figure, the size of the panels has been greatly

  reduced compared to that of the fixing devices.

  Thus the first fastening devices 100, 101 are placed at the corners of a PAl panel and hold it by the stud 4, the edge 42 of

  the other pad receiving a PH covering profile.

  In fact, the studs 100, 101 receive two covering profiles which meet in a tab section.

  The fixing device 102, intermediate, receives the panel PA-1 its support against these two studs 4 (mounting clearance). In this case, the upper tab 43 serves to hold the lateral covering profile PH while

that the other tab 43 is broken.

  The fixing device 103 placed between the lower corners 35 of two adjacent panels PA-1, PA-2, receives the lower right and left corners of the panels PA- 1, PA-2 in abutment against the studs 4 and one leg

  upper 43 is used to receive the covering profile PH.

  The fixing device 104 placed in the gap between the panels PA-1, PA-2 receives the panels PA-1, PA-2 with its studs 4 coming in the gap with mounting clearance. In this example, the cover 12 is arranged in a diamond shape with respect to the base 1 and not in alignment with the latter as for the studs 100-103. The legs 43 are removed. The stud 105 at the junction of the panels PA-1, PA-2, PA-3 receives in support the corners of these panels and in this case we have chosen as

  for example a hat 112 of circular shape.

  Finally, the stud 106 represented above corresponds for its

mounting position on stud 102.

  This layout figure also shows that the bases can be oriented in one direction, for example the vertical direction for their

  pad 4 or the direction perpendicular thereto.

  It is also possible thanks to the indexing lugs and the housings associated with them, to place the cover in a position identical to that of the base or in a position offset to 450 to be in diamond shape. FIG. 12 shows another variant of the fixing device whose elements identical to the elements of the previous fixing device bear the same reference numbers supplemented here by the

  suffix E and their description will not be repeated.

  This variant is distinguished by two upper legs 43E bordered by a ramp 44E of the plate 2E of the base intended to prevent the excess thickness or the irregularity of the breaking surface between the legs 43E and the surface of the plate 2E when the two legs are broken to set up a panel against the corresponding side of the studs, does not protrude from the surface and does not constitute asperities damaging or likely to cause the rupture of the panel once tightened.

  These ramps 44E are of sufficient inclination to absorb

  the height of any irregularities in the rupture surface.

  The base lE of the fixing device according to this variant is also distinguished by the shape of the surface of the studs 4E bordering the groove 41E. This surface has vertical grooves interrupting its continuity. In this variant of the base, the grooves 41E reach the upper surface of the plate 2E. In the middle of the plate, around the hole 46E for the passage of the screw, there is an extra thickness 47E, which reinforces

plate 2E.

  Figures 13A, 13B, 13C respectively show a side view, a top view and a bottom view of the base lE. The bottom view shows in particular the reinforcement 48E surrounding the screw passage orifice 46E and comprising a peripheral surround 46E-1 circular cir5 bordered by a square surround 48E-2, these two belts being connected by spacers 48E-3.

  Figures 14A, 14B show an extension for a base according to the invention. This extension is intended to allow the mounting in the fixing device described above, of panels of thickness greater than the usual thickness for which the fittings are normally designed.

  bases and especially the height of the studs.

  Thus, FIG. 14A shows an extension 300 constituted by

  a profile segment corresponding to the height that the riser must have installed in a base such as for example the base lE.

  This extension 300 is a U-shaped piece with rectangular section, with two branches 301, 302 and a bottom 303. The extension 300 is placed in the base for example 1 - lE according to the dotted line drawn on the surface of the plate 2E. The extension 300 is housed with its two branches 301, 302 in the grooves 41E and its bottom 303 20 comes to bear against the upper legs 43E. In this position of

  mounting, the panel not shown intended to come into the fixing device, is placed against the front edge of the two branches 301, 302 once the riser installed in the base lE. The assembly is then capped by a cap such as the cap 12 shown in FIG. 2 or a skin cha25 constituted by a plate or by a segment of angle iron.

  The screw 7 will be of appropriate length to allow the excess thickness created by the extension 300 to be absorbed.

  FIG. 14B shows another variant of riser 400. This also is formed by a segment of profile of length corres30 corresponding to the height H that the riser must have. This riser does not have a U-shaped section like the riser 300 but it corresponds to a profile of rectangular or preferably square section, the top 401 of which has been truncated to leave two side parts 402,

  403 and two complete sides 404, 405.

  The extension 400 is placed like the previous one in a 1 - lE base. It is intended to receive the corner of a panel, the edges of the truncated sides 401, 402 coming to bear against the adjacent sides of the

  top of the panel which fits into the extension 400; the whole is then closed with a hat.

  Figure 15 shows a particularly interesting profile for forming a structure receiving panels using fastening devices such as those described above.

  This profile 500 shown in section in Figure 15 consists of a head 510 and a body 520. The head has a generally rectangular section defining a housing for receiving a wedge 10 simply shown by a dotted line. The body is of section I, the core 521 io of which is bordered on each side by a housing capable of also receiving a wedge 10, the outline of which is represented by a dotted line.

  The head 510 is formed by a bottom 511 bordered on two sides 512 terminated by a curved edge 513 whose inner branches 514 are spaced apart by the distance IN corresponding to the interval 15 necessary for the passage of the wedge 10 or for setting place legs of a base. The lower edge of the returns 514 serves as a support surface for the wedge 10. This support surface is completed by two ribs 515 and each side 512 is provided with a support reinforcement 516 at the level of the rib 515. Finally the middle of the bottom 511 includes a reinforcement 517 with a groove 518. This groove can be used to receive a screw tip as

this will be seen later.

  The body consists of the bottom 511 of the head 510 carrying a core 521 situated in the plane of symmetry of the profile and provided in the lower part with a sole 522. The housings on either side of the core 521 for receiving the wedge 10 is bordered by an outer rib 523 projecting from the bottom 511 and a lower outer rib 524

carried by the sole 522.

  The middle of the core 521 carries on either side a strong ren30 525 with a central groove 526 also to receive the tip

  a locking screw as will be seen later.

  FIG. 16A is a partial plan view of an installation made with extensions. This installation shows the PA panel bordered by a frame not specially referenced and which comes in fastening devices 35 formed for example of pedestals lE receiving extensions 300, 400, the cap not being shown.

  This plan view shows in particular the positioning of the corner of the PA panel in the truncated top of the extension 400, the top

  puts coming to rest more particularly against one of the studs of the base 1E.

  FIG. 16B shows the fixing of the assembly using a piece of angle iron 700 covering the extension 300, this angle 600 rem5 placing the cap in the case where a covering of edges is put in place.

  FIG. 17A shows in section the installation of a framework with profiles 500 like that of FIG. 15. These profiles are fixed to a support S such as a slab or a wall by angles 601 bolted to the support S. The profile 500 is fixed to the angle 601 by ca1o the 10 and screws 602 whose nut 603 comes into the wedge 10 and the assembly is tightened by an external nut 604. The screw 610 ends with a point 611 which allows an additional block in the groove 526 of

the core 520 of the profile 500.

  The other elements correspond to means already described above. This sectional view shows in particular the shape of a panel provided with a frame.

  FIG. 17B shows the covering of an installation by an external profile 710 clamped against the extension 300 (400), by a piece

  angle 700 such as that shown in Figure 16B.

  The other means are already described in the previous figures.

  FIG. 18A shows another embodiment of an assembly with another form of edge covering profile 720 and the tightening of the panel PA between the cap 12 and an elastic seal 800 placed on the plate 2 of the base.

  FIG. 18B shows an alternative embodiment in which the cap is constituted by a plate 12-1 allowing it to overflow

the device tightening nut.

  FIGS. 19A, 19B show variants of installation corresponding to FIG. 18A for a base support with a re-entrant corner (FIG. 19A) and an exiting corner (FIG. 19B). In this case the angle variations are absorbed by seals 800, 801 coming from both sides and

  on the other side of the edge of the PA panels between the base 2 and the cap 12.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS) Device for fixing panels on a network of profiles installed on a construction such as a roof or a vertical or inclined wall, to receive in particular solar panels, comprising s - a base carried by a profile receiving one or two edges of neighboring PA panels, - an element coming over the edge of the panel and connected to the profile with the base, * the PR profile having a U-shaped section with BR edges delimiting an opening IN to receive a wedge used to fix the assembly formed by the base and the support element, characterized in that it comprises - a base (1) in the form of a plate (2) having * a boss (3) projecting from below (2A) and having a width corresponding to the opening IN of the profile PR, * a stop in the form of a stud (4) on its upper face (2B) for receiving the edge of the panel PA, * a screw hole (6) in the axis ZZ of the boss (3), * the stud (4) clearing the screw hole, leaving a housing (5) for a locking nut (11) and a tool for tightening the nut, - a shim (10) provided with a screw (7), * the section of the shim (10) allowing it to enter the opening IN of the PR profile to come by pivoting under the re25 edges BR of the PR profile, * the threaded rod (7) of the screw passing through the boss (3) of the base (1) to receive the locking nut (11) and block the base against the top of the profile PR, by pressing the shim (10) under the edges BR of the profile, - a cap (12), * provided with a bearing surface (13) and a passage orifice ( 14) for the screw (7) of the wedge (10), * to be tightened by screwing against the top of the panel PA whose edge is in abutment on the base (1) and against its stud (4).   20) A fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that   the bearing surface (13) of the cap (12) is provided with a seal (27).   ) A fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (1) comprises, on the top of the abutment stud, at least one indexing lug (22) and the bearing surface (13) of the cap ( 12) is provided with indexing orifices (25) distributed over a circle centered on the axis of the passage orifice 5 (14) of the screw (7) to allow the cap (12) to be locked in different positions angular with respect to the base (1),   the cap (12) being tightened against the panel PA by a tightening nut (15) screwed on the screw (7) of the wedge (10).   lo 40) fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the top of the cap (12) has a housing (17) for receiving the nut   clamp (15) and a cover (18) closing the housing (17).   50) Fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that   the boss (3) of the base (1) is of square or round section to allow the positioning of the base according to two orientations at 900 in the profile PR, to give the stop, two orientations at 900 to receive the edge of the panel.   6) A fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (1) has a width greater than that of the profile and it is bordered, on its 25 sides corresponding to this width, by two lateral legs (21) descending from the underside (2A) of the plate (2) of the base (1) to be placed against the sides of the profile PR when the base (1) is put in place on the PR profile.   70) A fixing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the lateral tabs (21) have a length (L) equal to the opening IN of the profile PR to lodge there and wedge when the base (1) is mounted with a orientation turned to 90.   8) A fixing device according to claims 1, 6 and 7,   characterized in that the base plate (2) (1) has a square shape as does its boss (3)   and the four sides are bordered by lateral tabs (21, 28).   ) Fastening device according to claim 1, - characterized in that   it comprises two studs (4) located on either side of the passage orifice (14) of the screw (7) in the plate (2) of the base (1).    ) A fixing device according to claim 1, 1o characterized in that the bearing face Si S2 of the stud (4B) is provided with a flexible lining (30, 31). ) A fixing device according to claim 10, 15 characterized in that the flexible lining (30, 31) is an insert or a formation of   tabs made in the mass of the stud (4B).   12) A fixing device according to claim 1, 20 characterized in that the stud (4) comprises, near the corresponding side of the base (1), a groove (41) forming an edge (42) for the attachment of a PH side profile, fitted with a BRR flange to be tightened against the stud (4) by the cap (12) coming from above. 25 13) Fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that   the stud (4) has two support surfaces Si S2, symmetrical with respect to the screw (7) of the wedge (10), to be interposed between two panels PA and simultaneously serve the edges.   ) Fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (112) incorporates a locking nut or a thread for screwing the cap 35 onto the screw (7) of the wedge (10) and tightening the PA panel against the base (1).    ) Fastening device according to claim 14, characterized in that the cap (112) has, in its lower face, a circular groove (123) receiving the lugs (22) of the stud (1) and allowing the cap   to be screwed without being bothered by the pins.   ) Fastening device according to claim 14, characterized in that   the cap (112) has a circular or polygonal shape.   lo 170) Panel fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that   it includes an extension (300) constituted by a profile segment whose length is equal to the height (H) necessary for the extension and its section is U-shaped, the two branches (301, 302) of which are placed in the two grooves (41E) of the stud (lE) and the bottom (303) against the upper legs (43E).   ) A panel fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an extension (400) formed by a section segment whose   length is equal to the height (H) necessary for the extension and whose square section has a truncated top (401), to come with two branches (402, 404) in the grooves (41E) of the stud (lE) and by l 'other branch (403) against the upper legs (43E), the truncated top (401) 25 covering the top of a panel placed in the fixing device.   19) Profile for a panel fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16,   characterized in that it consists of a head (510) with a generally rectangular section delimiting a housing for the wedge (10) and a body (520) of I-section whose core (521) is bordered at the top by the bottom (511) of the head and below by a sole (522) to constitute on either side of the core a housing for the wedge (10), - the head (510) being formed of a bottom (511) bordered on two sides (512) with edges (513, 514) curved towards the bottom defining the gap (IN) for passage of the wedge (10) and constituting on the inner side a support for the wedge (10) , - the body (520) has its housings for the wedge (10), each formed by an outer rib (524) projecting from the bottom (511) and a rib   outer (523) projecting from the sole (522).   20) Profile according to claim 19, characterized in that   the head has a reinforcement (517) inside the middle of the bottom (511) and the core (521) is provided on its two faces in the middle, with a reinforcement (525).