WO2011015729A1

WO2011015729A1 - Device for fixing photovoltaic panels onto roof tiles, improved so as to be able to be positioned via the outside of the roofing

Info

Publication number: WO2011015729A1
Application number: PCT/FR2010/000561
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mathieu Rivot
Original assignee: Mathieu Rivot
Priority date: 2009-08-03
Filing date: 2010-07-30
Publication date: 2011-02-10
Also published as: FR2948710B1; FR2948710A1

Abstract

Device for fixing photovoltaic panels onto roof tiles, improved so as to allow the abovementioned device to be positioned without requiring any operation beneath the roofing of the building on which it is intended to be installed. This improvement relates to the electrical connection system (7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15) for the device, the improved shape of which enables the device to be connected via the outside of the roofing, and to the upper hook (5) independent of the device, the improved shape of which allows it to be inserted, via the outside, between two tiles of the roofing and then to be fastened beneath the roofing (of course, or depending on its embodiment, with the end of this hook being manually folded over). The device according to the invention is particularly intended for fitting onto the roofing of buildings.

Description

Device for fixing photovoltaic panels on roof tiles, improved so that it can be placed by the outside of the roof. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an improvement of the device for fixing photovoltaic panels on roof tiles as well as for interconnecting these panels in order to supply electrical power, having already been the subject of a patent application No. 07 06721 which was made public on March 27, 2009 under publication number 2 921 397; this improvement is intended to allow the installation of the aforementioned device without requiring any operation under the roof of the building on which it is intended to be installed.

Context of the invention

The installation of the device that was the subject of a patent application No. 07 06721 which was made public on March 27, 2009 under the publication number 2 921 397, and which we will call "basic device" in the following this text, requires the realization of two operations under the roof of the building on which the device must be installed. These two operations are the installation of the upper hook of the device and the electrical connection of the device to another identical device placed on the same roof or the system for recovering the electrical energy produced by all the devices installed. However, the passage under the roof of the building to perform these operations can be complicated. This may be the case, for example, when access under the eaves is difficult or delicate, that they are low ceiling or that thermal insulation installed under the roof obstruct access to the tiles. The installer of the device may also simply wish to avoid entering the building on which it must install the device, for convenience or to preserve the tranquility of the people occupying the building.

Summary of the invention

The improved device according to the invention makes it possible to remedy

disadvantages presented by the basic device stated above by performing the installation and electrical connection of the device without requiring any operation under the roof of the building. In fact, according to a first feature, it comprises, just like the basic device, a photovoltaic panel fixed on a support provided with a system of hooks enabling the set to be set individually on any "classical" tile model roof (flat or round as appropriate). This hook system is designed to allow easy mounting of the device on an existing roof without requiring the removal of the tiles: the upper hook, independent of the support, is slid between the tile to accommodate the device and the next tile superior. It is thus positioned under the upper edge of the tile to accommodate the device. This hook is provided with a tongue pierced with small cuts which is slipped into the rail located on the support of the photovoltaic panel. This rail is equipped with a "ratchet" device that prevents the tongue of the top hook from coming out of the rail as it is

introduced. The lower hook or brackets of the support then come to be positioned under the lower edge of the tile to accommodate the device. The dimensions of the support are variable so that the device, once installed, covers all or part of the visible surface of the roof tile on which it will be installed. The set, once positioned remains firmly fixed on the tile.

In improving the basic device, the shape and characteristics of the upper hook of the improved device allow the latter to be placed by the outside of the roof. Indeed, the upper part of this hook consists of a single element forming an angle less than 90 ° with the body of the hook when it is at rest. This element has sufficient elasticity to be temporarily folded along the body of the hook, so as to slide the assembly between the tile on which the device must be placed and the next tile immediately from the outside of the roof. Once inserted beyond the narrow space between the two tiles, this element unfolds naturally again and returns to the position it occupies at rest. It then comes to be positioned under the upper edge of the tile on which the device must be placed and under the frame members supporting the tile, blocking the removal of the upper hook which is thus placed and fixed in its final configuration.

The photovoltaic panels of the improved devices are equipped with two receptacles each having two terminals, and located on either side of the panel in its upper part. The device support has also an opening on each of its sides that coincide with the location of the sockets on the photovoltaic panel. Thus, it is possible to connect the various devices placed on the roof using a two-wire electrical cable and provided with two connectors, located at each end of this wire, each of which can be connected to one of the two devices placed on the same roof. The sockets of the device and the connectors of the wires are designed to be watertight and dustproof, to withstand the weather (IP44 protection rating) and to be able to clip on the solar panel sockets so that they can be unplugged only by pulling them with a large force and that they can not be disconnected under the effect of the wind or because of the presence of birds on the roof for example. The electrical cables connecting each of the devices may be of flattened shape and have an adhesive underside so as to adhere perfectly to the roof. The color of the outer insulation of these cables can also be chosen to approach the color of the tiles of the roof. It is possible to connect the different devices in series or in parallel (depending on the desired voltage output of the assembly) by crossing or not the two son of the cables connecting each of the devices.

According to the particular embodiments, and as the basic device:

- The lower part of the support can be provided with one or two hooks depending on whether it is to be mounted on a round tile or a flat tile respectively.

- In the case of mounting on a round tile, the support can be provided with two lateral elements, which come to rest on both sides of the tile, to enhance its stability.

the support may be provided with rubber pads, or equivalent material, fixed on its lower part, which make it possible to improve the adhesion with the tile.

- the dimensions of the support and the hooks must be adapted to those of the tile model on which the device is to be fixed;

thus, the device will be declined in a range of varied dimensions to fit on any tile model.

- The geometry of the support can be adapted so that the photovoltaic panel rests either flat but inclined at a certain angle; thus, it is possible to optimize the angle formed by the photovoltaic panel with the horizontal, once laid on the roof, so that it captures the maximum of solar energy throughout the year. - The support, as well as the hooks, can be made by cutting, bending and welding of sheet metal (alloys of steel or aluminum as non-exhaustive examples) or by molding plastic material (polymer type PVC as a non-exhaustive example) of material resistant to external climatic conditions.

In addition, according to the particular embodiments, and in improvement of the basic device:

- the upper hook may be provided with a wire attached to the lower end of the hook body and provided with a ring or other retainer at its other end and to hold the hook in tension down so that it does not move when the support of the device is fixed on the tile by insertion of the body of the upper hook in the support rail. This thread may also have a point of weakness (which may be for example at its point of attachment to the tongue of the body of the upper hook) so that, once the device attached to the tile, this thread can be detached from the upper hook by pulling it with a sharp blow, the latter then breaking at this point of weakness. In the case of a plastic molding, the wire and the ring may be molded with the body of the hook, the point of weakness then being a zone of the wire of smaller diameter.

an intermediate zone made of flexible material (of synthetic canvas type, by way of non-exhaustive example) can be inserted between the upper part of the upper hook and its main body (by linking these two parts together) so that the hook can be put down between two tiles that would be nested one in the other, the flexible portion can then marry the shape of the nested elements and thus not to disturb the correct positioning of the two tiles relative to each other.

- The upper hook may be provided with a rigid end of triangular shape of a thickness allowing it to be inserted between two tiles but sufficient to still come back on the upper edge of the tile on which must be fixed the device, so as to block the return of the upper hook in the opposite direction and to keep it fixed in its final position.

the upper part of the upper hook can be equipped with two movable elements connected to each other and to the body of the hook by means of

hinges. The end of the body of the upper hook is thus provided with a hinge; a little below this hinge, it is also provided with two small perpendicular edges extending from and other of the hook body, thus forming an enlarged area; still a little below this enlarged area the end of the body of the upper hook is finally provided with a small elastic tongue slightly protruding from the body of the hook when it is at rest. The first movable element has a hinge at each of its ends thus binding it by pivot connection, firstly to the hinge at the end of the body of the hook and secondly to the hinge at the end of the second movable element. The second movable member therefore also has a hinge at one of its ends (with which it is connected to the first movable member by pivot connection) and, at its other end, has an enlarged area in which is formed a slot. Inside this slot is inserted the body of the hook. The end of this second element can thus slip by translation along the body of the hook. The folded set has a flattened shape that can be inserted between two tiles. It is then possible to unfold the upper end of the hook, under the roof, with a small tool. This tool has a flat main body of a width slightly greater than that of the upper hook of the device and U-shaped so as to come to marry the body of the upper hook and can thus slide over the body of the hook. The lower end of this tool is folded perpendicular to its main body so as to push it. When laying the top hook, once it is inserted between the tile on which the device must be placed and the tile immediately higher,

the upper end of this tool then pushes the second movable member of the upper hook until it exceeds the flexible tongue and is in abutment on the enlarged portion at the end of the body of the upper hook. The tongue is then raised by resuming its rest position, thus preventing the second movable member from returning to its folded position. The set of two unfolded mobile elements then forms a hook which can bear on the upper edge of the tile on which the device is to be fixed and the frame members supporting this tile, blocking the removal of the upper hook which is located thus laid and fixed in its final configuration. In the case of a plastic manufacturing, the body of the hook and the two movable elements may optionally be molded in one piece, the two hinges connecting these elements then being formed by areas of lesser thickness.

- The upper part of the upper hook can be equipped with a single movable element connected to the body of the hook by a hinge. The end of the body of the upper hook is thus provided with a hinge; below of this hinge, it is also provided with a triangular piece over its entire width, having a face perpendicular to the body of the hook and another face forming an angle less than 90 ° with the hook body, this inclined face being itself provided with a small hook. The movable member has a hinge at its end thereby binding it by pivot connection to the hinge at the end of the body of the hook; a slot of rectangular shape is pierced in the lower part of this movable element. A wire is attached to the center of the movable member; the length of this wire is slightly greater than that of the hook body and a ring (or other restraining device) is attached to the end of this wire. The entire body of the hook and unfolded movable member have a sufficiently small thickness to easily fit between the tile on which the device is to be attached and the tile immediately superior. Once this operation is performed, it is then possible to rotate the movable element around its hinge by pulling on the ring connected to the wire which is attached to the center of this movable element and which passes itself between the two tiles . When it pivots, the movable element then abuts on the inclined face of the triangular piece located at the end of the upper hook. The hook located on this face then enters the slot on the movable member and is clipped on. The movable element can then no longer rotate in the opposite direction and remains thus folded in its position permanently. The assembly constituted by the body of the hook and the movable element and forms a hook that can bear against the upper edge of the tile on which the device is to be fixed and the frame members supporting the tile, blocking the withdrawal the upper hook which is thus laid and fixed in its final configuration. Once this operation is done, it is then possible to pull the wire connected to the center of the movable element by pulling it with a sharp blow, the latter then breaking at a point of weakness (which can be located, for example, at its point of connection with the movable element of the upper part of the hook). In the case of a plastic manufacturing, the body of the hook and the movable member may optionally be molded in one piece, the hinge between these two elements then being formed by a zone of lesser thickness. The wire and the ring connected to the center of the movable element may also be molded with the body of the hook, the weak point then consisting of a smaller diameter zone on the wire.

- The entire device can be adapted to be fixed on round tiles, and as the basic device. The support the device is then adapted to a base whose shape matches that of the tile; it is also provided with a single lower hook which may have a rounded shape adapted to that of the round tiles. The base of the support of the improved device may be provided with a small tab for guiding the connection wire of the device with another device placed on an adjacent tile.

Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

Figure 1 shows an exploded isometric view of the improved device of the invention, disassembled, before its installation.

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the improved device when mounted on a roof composed of flat tiles.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the upper hook of the improved device.

FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of the upper hook of the improved device on which a flexible strip has been integrated for laying on tiles interlocked with each other.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the upper hook of the improved device when placed on a roof composed of flat tiles; the upper part of the hook is seen by transparency through the row of tiles located above the tile on which the device must be placed.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the upper hook of the improved device when placed on a roof composed of flat tiles; it is a view from below the roof on which we see the upper element of the upper hook in its final position, such as it hangs under the tile on which the device must be placed and the structural elements supporting this tile.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the first variant of the upper hook of the improved device, provided with a rigid end of triangular shape.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the first variant of the upper hook of the improved device when placed on a roof composed of flat tiles; it is a view from below the roof on which we see the upper triangular element of the upper hook in its final position, as it comes to hang on the upper edge of the tile on which the device must be placed and the structural members supporting this tile. 9 shows a perspective view from above of the second variant of the upper hook of the improved device, provided with two movable elements, in its folded position.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view from below of the detail of the upper part of the second variant of the upper hook of the improved device, in its folded position.

11 shows a perspective view from above of the second variant of the upper hook of the improved device, provided with two movable elements, in its folded position and the tool for folding this device once the hook inserted under the roof;

the tool is positioned in the axis of the hook, as it should be to then slide along the body of the hook and push the second movable member of the upper hook to unfold.

Figure 12 shows a perspective view from below of the detail of the upper part of the second variant of the upper hook of the improved device, in its unfolded position.

Figure 13 shows a side perspective view of the second variant of the upper hook of the improved device, provided with two movable elements, in its folded position during its insertion between two rows of tiles.

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the second variant of the upper hook of the improved device when placed on a roof composed of flat tiles; it is a view from below the roof on which we see the upper part of the upper hook and its two movable elements unfolded in their final position, such that the assembly is blocked under the upper edge of the tile on which the device must be laid and the structural members supporting this tile.

FIG. 15 represents a bottom perspective view of the third variant of the upper hook of the improved device, provided with a single movable element, in its unfolded position.

Figure 16 shows a bottom perspective view of the detail of the upper portion of the third variant of the upper hook of the improved device, in its unfolded position.

FIG. 17 represents a bottom perspective view of the third variant of the upper hook of the improved device, in its folded position.

Figure 18 is a bottom perspective view of the detail of the upper portion of the third variant of the upper hook of the improved device in its folded position. FIG. 19 represents a perspective view of the third variant of the upper hook of the improved device after its insertion between two rows of tiles of a roof composed of flat tiles, and once folded by traction on the wire attached to the center of the movable element using the ring attached to the other end of this wire from the top of the roof; this shows the upper part of the upper hook and its movable element folded in its final position, such that the assembly then comes to hang under the upper edge of the tile on which the device must be placed and the frame elements supporting this tile . It should be noted that the wire and the ring connected to the lower part of the hook body in order to bring it down and maintain it in this position have not been shown in this figure for the sake of clarity.

Figure 20 shows an isometric view of the improved device when mounted on a roof composed of round tiles.

With reference to these drawings, the device comprises, as the basic device, a support (1) of rectangular shape, provided with four edges (la, Ib, Ic, Id) intended to accommodate a photovoltaic panel

rectangular rigid (6) of the same dimensions by interlocking and fixing thereof in the support (1). This support (1) is provided with two hooks (2) located on either side of its lower part. These hooks extend under said support (1) so that the end of these hooks (2a) comes to slide under the edge of the tile on which the device will be fixed. The support (1) also has a rail (3) located below and in the center of said support (1). This rail (3) is provided with two U-shaped flanges (3a, 3b) and a "ratchet" device consisting of a tongue (4a) and a triangular notch (4b) at its end. upper, along the rim of said support (1). In improvement of the basic device, the improved device comprises an independent upper hook (5), the upper part of this hook consisting of a single element (5a) forming an angle less than 90 ° with the body of the hook when is at rest; this element has sufficient elasticity to be temporarily folded along the body of the hook (5b), so as to slide the assembly between the tile on which the device must be placed and the tile immediately higher, from the outside of the roofing; once inserted beyond the narrow space between the two tiles, this element (5a) unfolds naturally again and returns to the position it occupies at rest; the size of the upper element (5a) of the upper hook (5) allows it to be positioned under the upper edge of the tile to accommodate the device; the body of the upper hook consists of a straight portion (5b) of flat shape and provided with small slots, the width and thickness of which allow it to fit into the rail (3) and then to be there blocked by the ratchet system (4). On the support (1), is fixed a photovoltaic panel (6), provided with two terminals with two terminals (15) located laterally on either side of this panel (6), in its upper part. The photovoltaic panel can be fixed on the support by means of small lugs (9) which are folded on it. The support can also be equipped with rubber pads (10). The support structure is equipped with reinforcements (11) to stiffen it. The support (1) is provided with two lateral openings (12) located on either side of the support (1) in its upper part so as to coincide with the location of the connection terminals (15) of the photovoltaic panel (6). ). The device can thus be connected to another similar device using two connecting son (7) can have a flattened shape and provided with two-terminal connection plugs (8). When the connection plug (8) is connected to the connection socket of the photovoltaic panel (15), the assembly is designed to be watertight and dustproof (protection class IP 44) ; the support (1) is provided with two clipping systems installed laterally on either side of the latter at the lateral openings (12), these clipping systems consisting of a flexible tongue (13) extending laterally. and

perpendicularly to the lateral rim of the support (Ib, Id) along the lower part of each of the lateral openings (12) and a small hook (14) which can be folded behind the connection plug (8) when this is connected to the connection socket of the photovoltaic panel of the device (15). The length and the width of the support (1), as well as the depth of the hooks (2) and (5) are variable according to the dimensions and the thickness of the tiles intended to accommodate the device.

Figure 2 shows the final external appearance of the device of Figure 1 when mounted on a roof composed of flat tiles. The numbering of visible elements is similar to that of Figure 1.

3 shows an overall perspective view of the upper hook (5) of the improved device: the hook body consists of a straight portion (5b) of flat shape and provided with small slots; the upper part of the hook consists of a single flexible element (5a) forming an angle less than 90 ° with the body of the hook (5b) when he is at rest; a wire (5c) is attached to the lower end of the hook body (5b); this wire (5c) is provided with a ring or other restraining device (5d) at its other end to hold the hook (5) down so that it does not move during the laying of the device.

FIG. 4 represents an overall perspective view of the upper hook (5) of the improved device on which a flexible strip (5d) connects the upper part of the hook (5a) to the body of the hook (5b) so as to allow the laying the device on tiles nested between them; the numbering of the other elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the upper hook of the improved device (5) when placed on a roof composed of flat tiles. The numbering of the elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view, from below the roof, of the upper hook of the improved device (5) when placed on a roof composed of flat tiles; we see the upper element of this hook (5a) in its final position.

FIG. 7 represents a perspective view of the first variant of the upper hook (5) of the improved device, provided with a triangular rigid end (5f). The numbering of the other elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view from below the roof of the first variant of the upper hook of the improved device when placed on a roof composed of flat tiles; we see the upper element (5f) of this first variant of the upper hook in its final position. FIG. 9 represents a perspective view from above of the second variant of the upper hook (5) of the improved device, in its folded position; the upper part of the upper hook is equipped with two movable elements (5g, 5i) connected to each other and to the body of the hook by hinges (5h, 5j). The end of the body (5b) of the upper hook is thus provided with a hinge (5j) and, slightly below this hinge (5j), two small perpendicular flanges (5k) extending on either side of the hook body (5b), thereby forming an enlarged area; still a little below this enlarged area the end of the body (5b) of the upper hook is finally provided with a small elastic tongue (51) slightly protruding from the body of the hook when it is at rest. The first movable element (5i) has a hinge (5h, 5j) at each of its ends thus binding it by pivot connection, on the one hand to the hinge (5j) located at the end of the body (5b) of the hook and on the other hand at the hinge (5h) located at the end of the second movable element (5g). The second movable element (5g) thus also has a hinge (5h) at one of its ends (with which it is connected to the first movable element by pivot connection) and, at its other end, has an enlarged zone in which There is a slot (5m) of the width of the hook body and inside which is inserted the body (5b) of the hook. The end of this second element (5g) can thus slide by translation along the body (5b) of the hook. The numbering of the other elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view from below of the detail of the upper part of the second variant of the upper hook of the improved device, in its folded position. The numbering of the elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG.

FIG. 11 represents a perspective view from above of the second variant of the upper hook (5) of the improved device, in its folded position and from the tool (16) for unfolding the two movable elements (5g, 5i) of the upper part of this hook (5) once it inserted under the roof. This tool has a flat U-shaped main body (16) of slightly greater width than the body of the upper hook (5b) of the device and provided with two lateral flanges (16b) of the thickness of the hook body. upper (5b), so as to slide the tool (16) along the body of the upper hook (5). The lower end of this tool (16c) is folded perpendicular to its main body (16) so as to slide along the body of the upper hook (5b) and to push the second movable member (5g) of the part upper hook (5) to unfold it.

FIG. 12 represents a perspective view from below of the detail of the upper part of the second variant of the upper hook (5) of the improved device in its unfolded position. The numbering of the elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG.

Figure 13 shows a side perspective view of the second variant of the upper hook (5) of the improved device, in its folded position, during its insertion between two rows of tiles. The numbering of the elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG. 9. FIG. 14 represents a perspective view from below the roof of the second variant of the upper hook (5) of the improved device when placed on a roof composed of flat tiles. The numbering of the elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG. 9. FIG. 15 represents a bottom perspective view of the third variant of the upper hook (5) of the improved device, in its unfolded position; the upper part of the upper hook (5) is equipped with a single movable element (5u) connected to the body of the hook (5b) by a hinge (5s) located at the end of the body of the upper hook; under this hinge (5s), is installed a triangular piece (5q) of the width of the body of the hook (5b), having a face perpendicular to the body of the hook (5b) and another face forming an angle less than 90 ° (about 45 ° in the figure) with the body of the hook (5b), this inclined face itself being provided with a small hook (5r). The movable element (5u) is connected at its end, by pivot connection, to the hinge

(5s) at the end of the body of the hook (5b); a slot (5t) of rectangular shape and a width slightly greater than that of the small hook (5r) is pierced in the lower part of this movable element, above the hinge (5s). A wire (5p) is attached to the center of the movable member (5u); the length of this wire is slightly greater than that of the hook body (5b) and a ring (5o) is attached to the end of this wire. The unfolded hook (5) can be inserted between two tiles and it is then possible to pivot the movable member (5u) around its hinge (5s) by pulling on the ring (5o) connected to the wire (5p) which is attached to the center of this movable element (5u) and which passes itself between the two tiles. When it pivots, the movable element (5u) then abuts on the inclined face of the triangular piece (5q) located at the end of the upper hook (5); the small hook (5r) situated on this face then penetrates into the slot (5t) located on the movable element (5u) and is clipped on it so that the movable element can not rotate in the opposite direction and rest folded thus permanently. The numbering of the other elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG.

Figure 16 shows a bottom perspective view of the detail of the upper portion of the third variant of the upper hook of the improved device, in its unfolded position. The numbering of the elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG.

FIG. 17 represents a bottom perspective view of the third variant of the upper hook of the improved device, in its folded position. The numbering of the elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG.

Figure 18 is a bottom perspective view of the detail of the upper portion of the third variant of the upper hook of the improved device in its folded position. The numbering of the elements of this figure is identical to that of FIG.

FIG. 19 represents a perspective view of the third variant of the upper hook (5) of the improved device after its insertion between two rows of tiles of a roof composed of flat tiles, and once folded by traction on the wire (5p) attached to the center of the movable member (5u) using the ring (5o) attached to the other end of this wire (5p) from the top of the roof. The assembly constituted by the body of the hook (5b) and the movable element (5u) then forms a hook (5) which can bear against the upper edge of the tile on which the device is to be fixed and the elements frame supporting this tile, blocking the removal of the upper hook (5) which is thus laid and fixed in its final configuration. It is then possible to pull the wire (5p) connected to the center of the movable element (5u) by pulling it with a sharp blow, the latter then coming to break at a point of weakness (which can for example be its point of attachment to the movable element (5u) of the upper hook). In the case of a

manufacturing plastic material, the body of the hook (5b) and the movable member (5u) may optionally be molded in one piece, the hinge (5s) between these two elements then being formed by a zone of lesser thickness. The wire (5p) and the ring (5o) connected to the center of the movable element (5u) may also be molded with the body of the hook (5b), the point of weakness then being constituted of a zone of smaller diameter on the wire (5p). Numbering other elements of this figure is identical to that of Figure 15.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 20, which represents an isometric view of the entire improved device adapted so as to be fixed on round tiles, the support (1) of the device is fitted on a base (17) of which the shape matches that of the tile, and this support (1) is provided with a single lower hook (2) having a rounded shape adapted to that of the round tiles. The base (17) of the support of the improved device can be equipped with two small tabs (18) located at its base, at the height of each of the connection jacks (15) of the device, and for guiding the connection wire (7). ) of the device with another device placed on an adjacent tile so that it rests on the surface of the roof. The end of the upper hook (5) may also have a rounded shape. The upper part of the support (12) is raised relative to its lower part so that, once installed, the photovoltaic panel (6) forms the most appropriate angle with respect to the horizontal in order to capture the maximum of solar energy throughout the year (this feature may also be valid for the shape of the device suitable for laying on flat tiles and shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2). The numbering of the other visible elements is similar to that of figure 1. Like the basic devices, the improved devices can be connected to each other so as to obtain the desired DC voltage at the input of the inverter, battery charger or any other device powered by the device. For this purpose, it is possible to connect N devices in series or in parallel by using parallel connection wires (7) for parallel connection and cross-connect wires for series connection. The assembly is then connected by two conducting wires to the apparatus receiving the electrical energy produced. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for laying roofing buildings on the face or faces most exposed to the sun.

Claims

claims

1. Improved device for fixing photovoltaic panels on "traditional" flat roof tiles of a building, new or old, as well as interconnecting these panels to provide electrical power, comprising a support (1) of rectangular shape, provided with four edges (la, Ib, Ic, Id) intended to accommodate a rigid rectangular photovoltaic panel (6) of the same dimensions by interlocking and fixing it in the support (I) / said photovoltaic panel being connected two-wire

connection (7) provided with connection plugs (8);

said support (1) is provided with two hooks (2), located on either side of its lower part, extending under said support (1) so that the end of these hooks (2a) comes slip under the edge of the tile on which the device will be fixed;

a rail (3) is located below and in the center of said support (1), said rail being provided with two U-shaped flanges (3a, 3b) and a "ratchet" device consisting of a tongue (4a) and a triangular notch (4b), located at its upper end along the flange (1a) of said support (1);

the device is fixed by means of an independent upper hook (5), slid under the upper edge of the tile to accommodate the device, and having a straight portion (5b) of flat shape and provided with small slots, the width and the thickness allow it to fit into the rail (3) and then be blocked by the ratchet system (4);

the photovoltaic panel (6) is preferably fixed on the support (1) by means of small lugs (9) which have been folded over the latter;

characterized in that this device can be installed without requiring any operation under the roof of the building on which it is intended to be installed, its independent upper hook (5) having an upper part consisting of a single element (5a) forming an angle less than 90 ° with the body of the hook (5b) when at rest, this element (5a) having sufficient elasticity to be temporarily folded along the body of the hook (5b), so as to be able to slide together between the tile on which the device is to be laid and the tile immediately superior from the outside of the roof and, once inserted beyond the narrow space between the two tiles, this element (5a) unfolding again naturally in order to take up the position he occupies at rest, the size of this element (5a) then allowing it to be positioned under the upper edge of the tile to accommodate the device; a wire (5c) fixed to the lower end of the body of the hook (5b) and provided with a ring or any other retaining device (5d) at its other end then makes it possible to keep the hook (5) in tension towards the bottom so that it does not move during the installation of the device.

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that its photovoltaic panel (6) is provided with two terminals with two terminals (15) located laterally on either side of this panel (6), in its upper part.

3. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that, in

improvement of the basic device, the support (1) is provided with two lateral openings (12) located on either side of the support (1) in its upper part so as to coincide with the location of the connection jacks (15). ) of the photovoltaic panel (6) allowing the device to be connected to another similar device by means of two connecting wires (7) which can have a flattened shape and provided with two-terminal connection plugs (8) which, when they come to connect to the panel connection socket

photovoltaic (15) are designed so that the assembly is waterproof and dustproof (protection class IP 44).

4. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that, in

improvement of the basic device, the support (1) is provided with two clipping system installed laterally on both sides of the latter at the level of the lateral openings (12), this clipping system consisting of a flexible tongue ( 13) extending laterally and perpendicularly to the side edge of the support (Ib, Id) along the lower part of each of the lateral openings (12) and a small hook (14) which can be folded behind the connection plug ( 8) when it is connected to the connection socket of the photovoltaic panel of the device (15).

5. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that, in

improvement of the basic device, the upper hook (5) of the improved device can be provided with a flexible band (5d) connecting the upper part of the hook (5a) to the body of the hook (5b) of so as to allow the installation of the device on tiles nested together.

6. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that, in

improvement of the basic device, a first variant of the upper hook (5) may be provided with a triangular rigid end (5f) of a thickness allowing it to fit between two tiles but sufficient to still be able to return resting on the upper edge of the tile on which the device must be fixed, so as to block the return of the upper hook (5) in the opposite direction and to keep it fixed in its final position.

7. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that, in

improvement of the basic device, a second variant of the upper hook (5) may have an upper portion equipped with two movable elements (5g, 5i) connected to each other and to the body of the hook (5b) by hinges (5h, 5j), the end of the body (5b) of the upper hook is thus provided with a hinge (5j), two small perpendicular flanges (5k) extending on either side of the body of the hook (5b) and located a little below this hinge (5j) thus forming an enlarged zone, and, slightly below this enlarged zone, a small elastic tongue (51) slightly protruding from the body of the hook when it is at rest; the first movable element (5i) also having a hinge (5h, 5j) at each of its ends thus binding it by pivot connection, on the one hand to the hinge (5j) located at the end of the body (5b) of the hook and secondly to the hinge (5h) located at the end of the second movable member (5g), the second movable member (5g) therefore also having a hinge (5h) at one of its ends, with which it is connected to the first movable member (5i) by pivot connection, and at its other end, having an enlarged area in which is formed a slot (5m) of the width of the body of the hook (5b) and to the inside which is inserted the body (5b) of the hook, the end of the second element (5g) can thus slide by translation along the body (5b) of the hook, the entire hook

(5) may, in the case of a plastic manufacturing, be molded in one piece, the hinges (5h, 5j) between the body of the hook (5b) and the movable elements (5g, 5i) then being formed by areas of lesser thickness.

8. Device according to claim 7 characterized in that the second variant of the upper hook (5), which, in its folded position, has a flattened shape allowing it to be inserted between two tiles from the outside of the roof on which the device must be placed, can be unfolded using a tool (16) to change position of the two movable elements (5g, 5i) of the upper part of this hook (5) once it inserted under the roof, this tool having a flat U-shaped main body (16) with a width slightly greater than that of the body of the upper hook (5b) of the device and provided with two lateral flanges (16b) of the thickness the body of the upper hook (5b), so as to slide this tool (16) along the body of the upper hook (5), the lower end of this tool (16c) being folded back

perpendicularly to its main body (16) so as to be able to slide it along the body of the upper hook (5b) and to push the second movable element (5g) of the upper part of the upper hook (5) until it exceeds the flexible tongue (51) and abuts on the two small flanges (5k) forming an enlarged part located at the end of the body of the upper hook (5), this tongue (51) then rising naturally to resume its rest position, thus preventing the second movable member (5g) from returning to its folded position, the set of two unfolded movable elements (5i, 5g) then forming a hook which can bear on the upper edge of the tile on which the device must be fixed and the structural members supporting the tile, blocking the removal of the upper hook (5) which is thus laid and fixed in its final configuration.

9. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that, in

improvement of the basic device, a third variant of the upper hook (5) may have an upper portion equipped with a single movable member (5u) connected to the body of the hook (5b) by a hinge (5s) located at the end of the body of the upper hook and, under this hinge (5s), a triangular piece (5q) of the width of the body of the hook (5b) having a face perpendicular to the body of the hook (5b) and another face forming an angle less than 90 With the body of the hook (5b), this inclined face itself being provided with a small hook (5r) so that the movable element (5u), linked at its end, by pivot connection, to the hinge (5s) located at the end of the body of the hook (5b), which movable element (5u) has a slot (5t) of rectangular shape and a very wide width slightly greater than that of the small hook (5r), pierced in the lower part of this movable element, above the hinge (5s), and a wire (5p) attached to the center of this movable element (5u) the length of this wire being slightly greater than that of the hook body (5b) and this wire having a ring (5o) attached to its end, can, when the hook is unfolded (5) allow the assembly to be inserted between two tiles and then by pivoting said movable element (5u) around its hinge (5s) by pulling on the ring (5o) connected to the wire (5p) and passing itself between the two tiles, allowing the movable element (5u) ) to abut on the inclined face of the triangular piece (5q) located at the end of the upper hook (5), the small hook (5r) situated on this face then penetrating into the slot (5t) lying on the mobile element (5u) and coming to clip on it so that this movable element (5u) can no longer pivot in the opposite direction and remains folded thus permanently, the assembly of the hook (5) thus forming a hook that can bear on the upper edge of the tile on which the device must be fixed and the elements of frame supporting this tile, blocking the removal of the upper hook (5) which is thus laid and fixed in its final configuration.

10. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that, in

improvement of the basic device, the base (17) on which the support (1) of the device is fitted to allow the installation of the device on round tiles, can be equipped with two small tabs (18) at the base of this base (18), at the height of each of the jacks (15) of the photovoltaic panel (6) of the device, these two tabs (18) for guiding the connection wire (7) of the device with another device placed on a adjacent tile, so that the wire (7) rests on the surface of the roof.