WO2004033927A1

WO2004033927A1 - Securing element

Info

Publication number: WO2004033927A1
Application number: PCT/NL2003/000691
Authority: WO
Inventors: Willem Jan Koppen
Original assignee: Olfert B.V.
Priority date: 2002-10-11
Filing date: 2003-10-13
Publication date: 2004-04-22
Also published as: EP1549860A1; NL1021630C2; AU2003300567A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a securing element (10), suitable in particular for securing a plate or panel (20) to a frame (30), provided with a web (5) having a top side for receiving a plate or panel and an underside for positioning the se curing element against a frame, the web extending from a first end edge (1) to a second end edge (2), and the securing element comprising at least a first clam ping element (11), for engaging a first plate or panel (20) which has been placed on the top side of the securing element, said second clamping member being substantially directed toward the second end edge, and the securing element comprising securing means (25), such as a screw, which extend from the underside of t he web for the purpose of securing the securing element to a frame.

Description

03 000691

Securing element

The present invention relates to a securing element, suitable in particular for securing a plate or panel to a frame, provided with a web having a top side for receiving a plate or panel and an underside for positioning the securing element against a frame, the web extending from a first end edge to a second end edge, and the securing element being provided with at least a first clamping member for engaging a first plate or panel which has been placed onto the top side of the securing element, which first clamping member is directed substantially toward the first end edge of the web, and a second clamping member for engaging a second plate or panel which has been placed onto the top side of the securing element, which second clamping member is directed substantially toward the second end edge, and the securing element comprising securing means, such as a screw, for securing the securing element to the frame.

A securing element of this type is known from DE 9208252. This securing element can be used to secure panels, such as glass panels, to the outer side of a building. The securing element according to the invention can be used, for example, to secure solar cells to a roof of a building. The securing elements are intended on the one hand to be able to engage securely on the panels which are to be secured and on the other hand to be secured to an underlying structure, such as a frame, which comprises, for example, C-shaped profiled sections.

The securing element according to DE 9208252 has securing means which are readily accessible. The securing elements are located on the outer side of the building. Consequently, the securing elements can be removed unintentionally. Moreover, the securing elements project, which is esthetically undesirable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a securing element which makes unintended removal thereof more difficult.

According to the present invention, this object is achieved in that the web is provided with a central section and at least two channels or grooves which extend on either side of the central section from the first end edge to the second end edge of the web, and that the central section is recessed between said channels or grooves, and the securing means engage on the central section.

A first clamping member can be used to securely clamp a first panel to a frame. Then, a second panel, which has been positioned next to the first panel, can be engaged by means of the same securing element. This makes it possible, for example, for a frame which comprises profiled sections, such as U-shaped or C-shaped profiled sections, to be arranged, for example, in the longitudinal direction of a roof. After a first panel has been secured to the frame with the aid of the securing elements according to the present invention, then a second panel can be secured by first of all placing the second panel onto a first securing element and allowing it to make contact with the second clamping member thereof, and then arranging a second securing element on the underside of the panel, the first clamping member of which second securing element makes contact with said second panel.

On account of the fact that according to the invention the securing means are active in the central section of the web, which central section is recessed between the channels or grooves, the securing elements are covered by the plates or panels which can be received in the clamping members. The securing means are therefore not readily accessible, making unintended removal thereof more difficult.

It should be noted that the general prior art has disclosed further securing elements for securing panels, such as glass panels, to the outer side of a wall. Nuts and bolts are generally used to secure panels of this type. In this case, it is necessary to drill holes into the glass panels through which the bolts can be passed. What is known as a "blind technique", in which the securing means are secured to the rear side, i.e. the side which is not visible, of a panel, is often used to secure panels to an outside wall.

One significant drawback of these securing elements is the fact that they are expensive. Moreover, skilled workers are required to correctly fit the panels to the outer side of a building.

To ensure that the securing elements according to the present invention have been positioned correctly with respect to a frame below, it is advantageous that the underside of the web is provided with at least one channel or groove which extends from the first end edge to the second end edge of the web for receiving a frame part in the channel or groove, respectively.

Moreover, the presence of channels makes it possible to prevent rotation and the like of the securing element with respect, to the frame below.

To allow the securing elements according to the present invention to be secured to an underlying construction in a simple way, it is advantageous that the securing means, for securing the securing element to a frame, comprise a catch for engaging securely behind a frame part, the catch being connected to actuating means, such as a bolt, for securely clamping the catch onto a frame part.

In this case, it is possible that the web is provided with a first channel or groove and a second channel or groove, which extend from the first end edge to the second end edge of the web, a catch being arranged on the underside of the web, between the first channel or groove and the second channel or groove, respectively, on the underside of the web, with the ends of the catch extending into at least one of the channels. Furthermore, according to the invention it is possible that the securing element is provided with a lip, which Up substantially bears against one of the side walls of the catch, so as to limit the rotation of the catch with respect to the web.

The presence of the lip prevents the catch from being able to rotate with respect to the securing element.

Furthermore, according to the invention the securing element comprises a third clamping member, which third clamping member, corresponding to the first clamping member, is directed substantially toward the first end edge of the web. In this case, it is possible that the first clamping member, the third clamping member and the second clamping member lie substantially on a line, which line extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the web, which longitudinal axis extends between the first end edge and the second end edge of the web. According to the invention, it is possible that the securing element has a center line which extends from the first end edge to the second end edge. The first and second clamping members may, for example, be arranged at equal distances from this center line. In that case, the second clamping member can be arranged on the center line. This gives rise to a symmetrical distribution of the clamping members with respect to the center line of the securing element.

According to the invention, it is advantageous that the securing means for securing the securing element to a frame are arranged in the vicinity of one of the end edges of the web. This measure effects that the securing means for securing the securing element according to the present invention are covered by a plate or panel being positioned on the securing element. When a plurality of panels are being fitted behind one another, only the securing means for the securing element which was fitted last will be uncovered. If this is then covered up, for example with the aid of a lock, unintended removal of a securing element is made impossible, i.e. the securing element according to the present invention helps to prevent theft.

Furthermore, according to the invention it is advantageous that the securing element is formed substantially from a single piece, wherein the respective clamping members are produced by punching and flanging material out of said piece. In this case, it is possible that the channels in the web are formed by means of flanging.

These measures allow the securing element according to the present invention to be produced in a simple way. A flat web is converted into its final shape with the aid of punching and flanging, i.e. the securing element according to the present invention can easily be made as a standard product. This means that the costs per securing element will be relatively low.

Furthermore, according to the invention it is provided that the top side of the securing elements are covered with a resilient material, such as rubber. The presence of the resilient material firstly prevents damage to the plates which have been placed onto the securing element. Furthermore, the resilient material will increase the clamping force of the various securing elements on panels which are to be fitted. Furthermore, according to the invention it is possible that a resilient element is arranged substantially at the first clamping member and/or the second clamping member, which resilient element bears with a certain spring force against the ends of the plate or panel which has been placed beneath a clamping member. The presence of the resilient lip achieves that the securing element according to the present invention can be adjusted to any changes in dimensions of plates or panels which are fixed using the securing element. These changes in dimensions arise, for example, as a result of temperature changes. Furthermore, the resilient element will exert a certain clamping force on the end edge of a plate or panel which has been fixed using the securing element, i.e. this plate or panel is prevented from sliding sideways.

Furthermore, according to the invention it is possible that the first clamping member is positioned at a first height with respect to the web, and wherein the second clamping member is arranged at a greater distance from the web, in such a manner that the longitudinal direction of a plate or panel which has been placed in successive clamping members is positioned at an angle with respect to the frame below.

This measure makes it possible to position panels or plates in slightly imbricated fashion on a support.

Furthermore, according to the invention it is possible that a lip or stop, which extends between substantially the second and third clamping members, is arranged substantially on the center part of the securing element, which lip or stop is adapted for receiving side walls of plates against its two sides, so that plates which have been positioned next to one another are spaced apart from one another by the lip or stop.

The presence of the centrally positioned lip or stop makes it possible to receive four plates on the top side of the securing element. In that case, each of the plates which has been positioned on the securing element is engaged by at least one clamping member, arranged on the top side of the securing element.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a securing element according to the present invention and a frame which can be positioned or has been positioned on a building. Furthermore, according to the invention it is possible that an opening or a passage is formed in the securing element, wherein an opening or passage is also formed in the frame part, for fitting a theftproofing feature through the respective openings or passages. Furthermore, the invention relates to a building which is provided with said assembly.

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a securing element according to the invention, with the aid of which a plate is fixed to a frame.

Figure 2 shows a plan view, in perspective, of the securing element according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view from the underside of the securing element according to Figure 2.

Fig. 1 shows a securing element 10 according to the present invention, with the aid of which a plate 20 is secured to a frame 30. Panel 20 is, for example, a glass panel which is to be secured to the outer side of a building. The panel 20 may also be a solar cell which is to be positioned on the roof of a building. The frame 30 is fixedly connected to a base. This base is formed, for example, by the outside wall or the roof of a building or another construction.

The securing element 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in perspective in Fig. 2. It can be seen from Fig. 2 that the securing element 10 extends from a first end edge 1 to a second end edge 2. A web 5 extends between the two end edges 1 and 2. The securing element 10 is formed substantially by flanging material, i.e. the web 5 comprises parts and surfaces which adjoin one another via bending lines. The web 5 has a central section 6 which is of substantially planar design. A first clamping member 11 extends out of the central section 6. This clamping member 11 is formed in such a way that a plate or panel can be received beneath the clamping member 11. The opening of the clamping member 11 is directed toward the first end edge 1 of the web 5. A resilient element 12 is arranged next to the clamping member 11. This element 12 is intended to absorb any changes in the length of the panels which have been clamped in place. Changes in length of this nature may occur as a result of temperature fluctuations.

From the central section 6 of the web 5, the securing element 10 runs slightly upward and, after a second flat section, downward again. In this way, two respective channels or grooves 40, 41 are formed on either side of the central section. The two side walls of the securing element 10 are formed by respective side walls 7 and 8. The side walls 7 and 8 are formed in such a way that space is present beneath the web 6 and between the walls 7 and 8. As shown in Fig. 1, a frame 30 can be received in this space, i.e. this ensures that the securing element 10 cannot rotate with respect to a frame below in the mounted position. Flat sections 17 and 18 are present at the top side of the walls 7 and 8. A further, second clamping member 14 is present on the flat section 17. In the same way, a further clamping member 13 is arranged on the flat section 18. The clamping members 13 and 14 are arranged in such a way that their openings are directed toward the second end edge 2 of the web 5. This design makes it possible that a first panel is pushed under the first clamping member 11 from a first side. It is then possible for a second panel to be pushed under the clamping members 13 and 14 from a second side. In this way, a first end edge of a first panel and a second end edge of a second panel can be clamped securely beneath each securing element 10.

To prevent damage to the panels which are to be clamped in place by means of the clamping member, members 19 are arranged on the top side of the parts 17 and 18. These members 19 consist of a substantially resilient material, such as for example rubber.

Furthermore, a lip 16, which is directed downward in the position of use, is present on the section 6. This lip 16 interacts with a catch 15 (cf. Fig. 1 and Fig. 3). The presence of the lip 16 means that the catch 15 cannot rotate with respect to the web 5.

To position the securing element 10 on a frame 30, the following has to be carried out: the web 5 is positioned substantially at right angles onto a longitudinal opening which is arranged on the top side of the frame 30 (cf. Fig. 1). On account of the fact that the web 5 is at right angles to this longitudinal opening, it is possible to introduce the catch 15 into the opening. The securing element is then rotated with respect to the frame. The presence of the lip 16 causes the catch 15 to rotate with the web 5, i.e. the catch 15 moves to a position transversely to the longitudinal opening in the frame 30. Then, the bolt 25 is tightened. This effects that the top side of the frame 30 is clamped between on the one hand the flat section 6 and on the other hand the material of the catch 15. This results in reliable securing of the securing element 10 to the frame. When the securing element 10 has been fixed to the frame 30 and when panels have been received in the two clamping members 11, 13 and 14, the top side of the bolt 25 is covered, i.e. unintended removal of the bolt 25 is made more difficult. If the last ones of an entire series of panels or plates are provided with special theftproofing securing means, an entire row cannot be removed without intent.

Finally, Fig. 3 shows a view of the securing element 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 from below. Fig. 3 primarily reveals the positioning of the catch 15 and the way in which it interacts with the lip 16.

Claims

1. A securing element, suitable in particular for securing a plate or panel (20) to a frame (30), provided with a web (5) having a top side for receiving a plate or panel (20) and an underside for positioning the securing element against a frame (30), the web (5) extending from a first end edge (1) to a second end edge (2), and the securing element (10) being provided with at least a first clamping member (11) for engaging a first plate or panel (20) which has been placed onto the top side of the securing element (10), which first clamping member (11) is directed substantially toward the first end edge (1) of the web (5), and a second clamping member (14) for engaging a second plate or panel which has been placed onto the top side of the securing element (10), which second clamping member (14) is directed substantially toward the second end edge (2), and the securing element comprising securing means (25), such as a screw, for securing the securing element to the frame (30), characterized in that the web (5) is provided with a central section (6) and at least two channels or grooves (40, 41) which extend on either side of the central section (6) from the first end edge (1) to the second end edge (2) of the web (5), and in that the central section (6) is recessed between said channels or grooves (40, 41), and the securing means engage on the central section (6).

2. The securing element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at the lateral ends of the web (5) the channels or grooves (40, 41) each have a side wall (7, 8) which projects with respect to the underside of the central section (6), so as to form a receiving space between said underside of the central section (6) and said side walls (7, 8) to receive the frame (30).

3. The securing element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second clamping member (14) is arranged on the top side of the first channel or groove (41).

4. The securing element as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element comprises a third clamping member (13), which third clamping member (13), corresponding to the second clamping member (14), is directed substantially toward the second end edge (2) of the web (5).

5. The securing element as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the third clamping member (13) is arranged on the top side of the second channel or groove (40).

6. The securing element as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the first clamping member (11), the third clamping member (13) and the second clamping member (14) lie substantially on a line, which line extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the web (15), which longitudinal axis extends between the first end edge (1) and the second end edge (2) of the web (5).

7. The securing element as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing means, for securing the securing elements to a frame, comprise a catch (15) for engaging securely behind a frame part, the catch (15) being connected to actuating means, such as a bolt (25), for securely clamping the catch onto a frame part.

8. The securing element as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the catch (15) is arranged on the underside of the web (5), between the first channel or groove and the second channel or groove, respectively, on the underside of the web (5), the ends of the catch extending into at least one of the channels.

9. The securing element as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the securing element is provided with a lip (16), which lip (16) substantially bears against one of the side walls of the catch (15), in order to limit the rotation of the catch (15) with respect to the web (5).

10. The securing element as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing means, for securing the securing element to a frame, are arranged in the vicinity of one of the end edges of the web.

11. The securing element as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element is substantially formed from a single piece, with the respective clamping members being produced by punching and flanging material out of said piece.

12. The securing element as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the channels (40, 41) are formed in the web by flanging.

13. The securing element as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top side of the securing element is covered with a resilient material, such as rubber (19).

14. The securing element as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a resilient element is arranged substantially at the first clamping member and/or the second clamping member, which resilient element bears with a certain spring force against the ends of the plate or panel which has been placed beneath a clamping member.

15. The securing element as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first clamping member (11) is positioned at a first height with respect to the web (5), the second clamping member (12) being arranged at a greater distance from the web (5), in such a manner that the longitudinal direction of a plate or panel which has been placed in successive clamping members is positioned at an angle with respect to the frame below.

16. The securing element as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lip or stop, which extends between substantially the second and third clamping members, is arranged substantially on the center part of the securing element, which lip or stop is adapted for receiving side walls of plates against its two sides, so that plates which have been positioned next to one another are spaced apart from one another by the lip or stop.

17. An assembly of a securing element as claimed in one of the preceding claims and a frame part which is to be secured or has been secured to the outer side of a building.

18. The assembly as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that an opening or passage is arranged in the securing element, an opening or passage also being arranged in the frame part, so that a theftproofing feature can be fitted through the respective openings or passages.

19. A building provided with the assembly as claimed in claim 17 or 18.

20. A securing element, suitable in particular for securing a plate or panel (20) to a frame (30), provided with a web (5) having a top side for receiving a plate or panel (20) and an underside for positioning the securing element against a frame (30), the web (5) extending from a first end edge (1) to a second end edge (2), and the securing element (10) being provided with at least a first clamping member (11) for engaging a first plate or panel (20) which has been placed onto the top side of the securing element (10), which first clamping member (11) is directed substantially toward the first end edge (1) of the web (5), and a second clamping member (14) for engaging a second plate or panel which has been placed onto the top side of the securing element (10), which second clamping member (14) is directed substantially toward the second end edge (2), and the securing element comprising securing means (25), such as a screw, for securing the securing element to the frame (30), the securing means, for securing the securing element to the frame, comprising a catch (15) for engaging securely behind a frame part, the catch (15) being connected to actuating means, such as a bolt (25), for securely clamping the catch onto a frame part, characterized in that the securing element is provided with a lip (16), which lip (16) substantially bears against one of the side walls of the catch (15), for the purpose of limiting the rotation of the catch (15) with respect to the web (5).