NL2008114A - FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM AND SOLAR PANELS ON FLAT ROOFS. - Google Patents

Description

Fall protection system and solar panels on flat roofs.

This invention relates to a fall protection system on a flat or (slightly) sloping roof of a building. The system provides a point-shaped or line-shaped anchor on the roof to which a person can hook on with a securing line.

Fall protection systems that provide a point-shaped anchorage (so-called personal anchor point) are known, for example, from EP-1803871 (07105360.1), NL1027728, US5287944 and US5687535. Such systems include a single fixture that carries an anchor point to which a person or object can be temporarily secured. As a rule, a number of such fixtures with respective anchor point with mutual spacing are used, so that the range of the secured person is increased by changing anchor point in the meantime.

GB2389386A discloses a line-shaped anchor in which an anchor line or profile is supported by means of a number of luminaires and follows a predetermined path (so-called line system). The securing line can move along the anchoring line, so that the secured person is not forced to change anchor point in the meantime to increase his reach.

Up to now, luminaires tailored to their task have been used for both point-shaped and line-shaped anchoring. The luminaire is permanently mounted on the roof in accordance with safety requirements. The known fixture performs no other task than providing fall protection.

The inventor has now come to the insight to give the luminaire a second function, namely for the assembly of a second function group, such as solar panels (solar panels). Until now, both function groups are mounted on the roof with their own luminaires.

Technical background for mounting solar panels on a flat roof of a building is formed for example by DE102009025946A1 (long profile screwed on roof and sealed with foil), EP1619727A2 (tubular, thin-walled support legs stand on substructure and protrude through insulation and foil above it roof), NL1016888 (solar panels mounted in loose roof-mounted tray with ballast), DE20215867U1 (support points between which tension lines to which solar panels are hooked).

When mounting fall protection and solar panels on a flat or sloping roof, one has to take into account, among other things, wind loads from all directions, shrinkage and expansion of the solar panels due to temperature changes, rainwater, frost. The roof covering / roof foil must be maintenance-free for at least 20 years, and the same applies to the installation of fall protection and solar panels. The fall protection sets high requirements for failure-free operation in the event of a fall and a favorable ergonomics for use with a view to high acceptance among the persons for whom the fall protection is intended.

According to the invention, provision is made on a flat or sloping roof of an assembly of spaced-apart elements fixedly mounted on the roof, of which at least a number of elements, for example all elements belonging to the assembly, each a fixture provides the point or line anchoring of a fall protection (working with one or more personal anchor points or forming a line system) working with a fuse cable located on the person to be protected, and at the same time providing a support point which has a second function group (or is structurally associated with it). The distance between the elements belonging to the assembly, measured parallel to the roof surface, is preferably at least 25 or 50 centimeters or 1 meter and possibly no more than 3 or 5 or 10 meters, which requirement is possibly limited to the distance between the elements with the two different function groups.

A number, preferably at least three, four, five or six of them, or all of these elements, thus carries two different function groups, one of these two function groups being fall protection. The one or the other or both function groups may also be supported / associated by non-assembly elements. It is thus conceivable that all elements belonging to the assembly carry all solar panels located on the roof (or are structurally associated with it), while a number of these elements carry the anchoring of the fall protection (or are structurally associated with it), while these anchoring of fall protection is also supported (or structurally associated with it) by a further group of (not belonging to the assembly of elements) fall protection fixtures that do not carry a further function group (or is structurally associated with this).

The invention includes a point foundation (or point anchoring) provided by the assembly of elements with which solar panels are supported (or is structurally associated therewith), which point foundation also provides luminaires that support the point or line-shaped anchorage of the fall protection (or is thereby structural) associated).

For anchoring the fall protection, preferably one or more of the following applies: is located at a distance above the roof surface; is an eye, line or profile that you can hook onto with the fuse line; the line or profile is supported by / is structurally associated with a plurality of elements of the assembly; the line-shaped anchorage is designed in such a way that a safety line hooked to it can move along the anchorage, thereby passing the relevant elements of the assembly, in the manner as is known per se from the already known line-shaped anchorage.

It is preferably ensured that the point foundation is easy to install on an existing flat roof, can be mounted permanently watertight, is insensitive to the orientation of the wind load, offers an easily controllable quality, especially for completeness, strength and watertightness.

For one or more elements of the assembly, for example for the or all elements associated with the same two function groups, one or more of the following preferably applies: is substantially identical in shape, size and / or construction to all others with the same two function groups associated elements or all other elements belonging to the assembly; comprises a member extending upwardly from the roof surface, for example a profile; extends from a level above the roof surface downwards to the roof surface or beyond the roof surface to a level below the roof surface; comprises a completely closed, thin-walled, upright tube, tube or similar pole-shaped element (hereafter "hollow pole") in radial circumferential direction; comprises on the underside a plate-shaped element or supporting plate, such as a flange projecting (e.g. from the hollow post), which with its underside, preferably substantially with its entire surface, on the substrate, such as the existing roofing film or a structure underneath the roof foil, supports; the hollow post connects radially completely watertight to the support plate; comprises a first and a second upwardly extending, mutually separate members, which are preferably placed one above the other and between which preferably there is a provision for the function group directed to the fall protection; is mounted mechanically and / or by adhesion to the roof, for example by one or more pins / bolts inside and / or outside the member (for example tube), for example protruding through a flange and / or the roof foil or exclusively by the adhesion of the rosette mounted on the existing roof covering.

For the place where one and the other function group is carried by or is structurally associated with an element belonging to the assembly and which is structurally associated with the two function groups, one or more of the following applies preferably: the function group aimed at fall protection is worn by / is constructively associated with the element at a remote level below the respective level regarding the other function group; the point or line system is supported by a lateral projection on the element or in a laterally-opening recess in the element; the other function group, such as the solar panel, is supported on top of the element.

In a preferred embodiment, an element associated with the two function groups is distinguished from the known fixture of a point or line system at which the mounting of the anchoring point or line at the top of the armature is realized at which latter mounting of the anchoring point or -line on top of the top of the fixture has been realized and therefore there is no possibility to have a solar panel supported on top of the fixture.

For the solar panels, one or more of the following preferably applies: - the solar panels are flat; - the solar panels are at an angle of preferably at least 20 degrees with respect to the roof surface; - a solar panel or an assembly of solar panels, optionally mounted in a frame, is supported directly or indirectly via the frame by a minimum of three or four roof-mounted support points of the point foundation; - the solar panels cover a, preferably continuous, roof area of at least 4 or 10 or 50 square meters.

For the roof, one or more of the following preferably applies: a load-bearing substructure, for example a concrete slab or a steel or wooden beam or a corrugated steel slab; a preferably thick, pressure-resistant layer of heat insulation; a relatively thin roof foil, for example based on bitumen or EPDM; under the roof foil heat insulation; a supporting substructure under heat insulation; the roof foil connects watertight to the elements of the assembly, for example by a separate rosette of roof foil attached to the roof foil and an element.

EXAMPLES

The drawing shows some examples of embodiments of the invention, although many more other embodiments belong to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fall protection system mounted on a flat roof, designed as a line system;

FIG. 2 shows in detail in perspective how the fuse line is mounted on the line system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a head view of a portion of FIG.

2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fixture of a pointed anchor;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flat roof bearing a frame in which solar panels are mounted;

FIG. 6 and 7 show in side view a detail of fig. 5, to which a line system and resp. point system has been added;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a detail of an alternative to the system shown in FIG.

1-5 show roof systems known from the prior art with which a single function group is associated. These have been used to clarify the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a person who is attached to the line system via a fuse line. The line system comprises a number of luminaires 2, 16, 18 projecting upwardly from the roof surface, which support the anchoring line 14 and keep it under tension. FIG. 2 and 3 show in more detail the sleeve 22 which can slide along the line 14. The sleeve 22 and the mounting 20 of the line 14 on the fixtures 2 are constructed so as to be adapted to each other such that the sleeve 22 can pass the fixtures 2 without hindrance while sliding along the line 14. The securing line is hooked to an eye 24 on the sleeve 22.

A point-shaped anchoring can use the armature 2 shown in Fig. 4, which is equipped at its upper end with an anchoring eye 7 to which the securing line can be hooked. The armature 2 comprises a thin-walled tube which is tapered upwards and is closed at the top by a transverse wall with a central hole in which a bolt is screwed with which the eye 7 is mounted.

This fixture 2 is placed on top of the roof foil, the flange of which rests on the roof foil like a foot flat. The flange contains four holes 9, three of which can be seen in the drawing, into each of which a bolt is inserted which is fixed through the insulation to the load-bearing substructure. The upright tube of the armature 2 connects to the flange. Flange and hollow tube are closed radially all the way around (apart from the four holes 9 through the flange) and connect watertight radially all around.

A rosette, with a central opening for the tight passage of the pipe, and furthermore seamless and holeless, is inserted with the central opening from above onto the pipe 2 and lies with the inner part radially all around on the flange and with the outer part radially completely around on the roof foil covering the entire roof and is adhered to both watertight with the underside. The shape of the rosette is free to choose.

Optionally, the luminaire of Fig. 4 is only attached to the roof foil by adhesion, for example with the rosette, or otherwise mechanically mounted to the roof, for example with a pin extending upwards inside the tube.

The frame shown in Fig. 5 is mounted on a point foundation formed by, for example, four support points 19 (one of which is visible in the drawing), for example one at each corner point of the frame. The frame holds the flat solar panels in the desired inclined position.

FIG. 5 shows from bottom to top the supporting substructure of the flat roof, for example a concrete slab or a steel or wooden beam or a corrugated steel slab. In addition, a thick, pressure-resistant layer of heat insulation, covered by a relatively thin roof foil, for example based on bitumen or EPDM.

FIG. 6 and 7 elaborate on fig. 5. From the roof foil 1 (see fig. 6) the fixture 2 (first member) rises. On top of the fixture 2, a support profile 3 (second member) supports the frame 6 in which the solar panels are included. A bracket is mounted between armature 2 and support profile 3, which supports the line anchorage 4 of the line system. This line anchor 4 is comparable to the mounting 20 of Fig. 1. The securing line 5 is hooked to the line system via the sleeve (see Fig. 1). Thus, in Fig. 6, the systems of Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 are combined.

Contrary to Fig. 6, the console carries a point anchor 7 of the point system of the fall protection in Fig. 7. The securing line is hooked to the point anchor 7. Thus, in Fig. 7, the systems of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are combined.

In both Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the fall protection function group (console and object 4 or 7) is carried at a level at a distance below the respective level (the top of support profile 3) where the solar panel function group is worn. Also in both Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the point or line system is supported by a lateral protrusion on the element comprising the objects 2 and 3. The object 4 resp.

7 is therefore located to the side of the armature 2.

In the alternative shown in fig. 8 for the one shown in fig.

6, the support profile 3 has a laterally-opening recess in which the object 4 of the function group directed to the fall protection is accommodated, so that the object 4 is above the luminaire 2 as is per se equal to the prior art (see, for example, fig. 4).

In the three embodiments of Figs. 6-8, the other function group, i.e., solar panel, is supported on top of the element (from objects 2 and 3).

Other embodiments are also conceivable, for example based on one or more of the embodiments shown in Figs. 6-8. The solar panels are preferably supported by a plurality of the elements shown in Figs. 6, 7 or 8 (formed from the objects 2 and 3), wherein these elements are each equipped with a console that supports the object 4 or 7.

Thus, according to the invention, provision is made for providing on a flat or sloping roof an assembly of spaced-apart luminaires fixedly mounted on the roof, which anchor the point or line of a person to the person to be secured fuse cable (falling fuse) (one or more personal anchor points or forming a line system) and at the same time provides a support point that carries a second function group, being one or more solar panels. The distance between the luminaires, measured parallel to the roof surface, is preferably at least 25 or 50 centimeters or 1 meter and possibly no more than 3 or 5 or 10 meters.

The luminaires thus carry two different function groups, namely fall protection and solar panels. Incidentally, one or both function groups may be supported by luminaires carrying both function groups and by luminaires carrying a single function group.

These luminaires that carry two different function groups form a point foundation (or point anchoring) with which solar panels are supported.

For anchoring the fall protection, preferably one or more of the following applies: is located at a distance above the roof surface; is an eye, line or profile that you can hook onto with the fuse line; the line or profile is supported by a plurality of fixtures; the line-shaped anchorage is designed in such a way that a safety line hooked to it can move along the anchorage, thereby passing the relevant luminaires, in the manner as is known per se from the already known line-shaped anchorage.

It is preferably ensured that the point foundation is easy to install on an existing flat or sloping roof, can be mounted permanently watertight, is insensitive to the orientation of the wind load, an easily controllable quality, especially for completeness, strength and watertightness, offers.

For the luminaires, preferably one or more of the following applies: is substantially identical in shape, size and / or construction to all other luminaires associated with the same two function groups; comprises a member extending upwardly from the roof surface, for example a profile; extends from a level above the roof surface downwards to the roof surface or beyond the roof surface to a level below the roof surface; comprises a thin-walled, upright tube, tube or similar pole-shaped element (hereinafter "hollow pole") which is completely closed in radial circumferential direction, with a plate-shaped element or supporting plate at the bottom, such as a flange projecting from the hollow pole, supports substrate, such as the existing roof foil or a structure underneath the roof foil, and wherein the hollow pile preferably adjoins the supporting plate completely radially and completely watertight; comprises a first and a second upwardly extending, mutually separate members, which are preferably placed one above the other and between which preferably there is a provision for the function group aimed at the fall protection; is mounted mechanically and / or by adhesion to the roof, for example by one or more pins / bolts inside and / or outside the member (for example tube), for example protruding through a flange and / or the roof foil or exclusively by the adhesion of the rosette mounted on the existing roof covering.

For the place where one and other function group is supported by the luminaire, one or more of the following preferably applies: the function group aimed at fall protection is supported at a level at a distance below the respective level regarding the function group solar panel; the point or line system is supported by a lateral protrusion on the fixture or in a laterally-opening recess in the fixture (see e.g. fig. 8); the solar panel rests on top of the element.

In a preferred embodiment, a luminaire associated with the two function groups is distinguished from the known luminaire of a point or line system in which the mounting of the anchoring point or line on top of the top of the luminaire is realized and therefore there is no possibility of a solar panel on top of the fixture.

For the solar panels, one or more of the following preferably applies: - the solar panels are flat; - the solar panels are at an angle of preferably at least 20 degrees with respect to the roof surface; - a solar panel or an assembly of solar panels, optionally mounted in a frame, is supported directly or indirectly via the frame by a minimum of three or four roof-mounted support points of the point foundation; - the solar panels cover a, preferably continuous, roof area of at least 4 or 10 or 50 square meters.

For the roof, one or more of the following preferably applies: a load-bearing substructure, for example a concrete slab or a steel or wooden beam or a corrugated steel slab; a preferably thick, pressure-resistant layer of heat insulation; a relatively thin roof foil, for example based on bitumen or EPDM; under the roof foil heat insulation; a supporting substructure under heat insulation; the roof foil connects watertight to the elements of the assembly, for example by a separate rosette of roof foil attached to the roof foil and an element.

Claims (4)

A combination of a flat or sloping roof of a building and an assembly of at least six spaced-apart elements fixedly mounted on the roof, each of which provides a fixture that bears the point or line anchor of a fall protection and at the same time provides a support that carries a second function group. Combination according to claim 1, wherein the elements form a line system as fall protection. 3. Combination as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance between the elements belonging to the assembly, measured parallel to the roof surface, is at least 1 meter and no more than 10 meters and the elements carry solar panels at a distance above the roof and the elements provide a point foundation (or point anchoring) for the solar panels, which point foundation also provides luminaires that support the point or line anchoring of the fall protection at a distance above the roof surface, while the elements are substantially identical in shape, size and construction and each element has a profile extending upwardly from the roof surface with a thin-walled, upright hollow pole completely closed in radial circumferential direction, with a plate-shaped element or supporting plate on the underside, such as a flange projecting (e.g. from the hollow pole), , preferably substantially with its entire surface, leans on the existing roofing film while the hollow p fully connects radially all-round watertight to the support plate and the element watertightly connects to the roof foil by a separate rosette of roof foil adhered to the roof foil and an element, the roof comprising: a load-bearing substructure, above it a thick, pressure-resistant layer of heat insulation, above that a relatively thin roof foil. 4. Combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fall protection-oriented function group is carried by the element at a distance below the respective level with regard to the function group aimed at supporting the solar panels, wherein the point or line system is carried by a lateral protrusion on the element or in a laterally opening recess in the element and the solar panels support on top of the element.