MOUNTING CLAMP

Description

[0001] The subject of the invention is a fastening clamp for fastening an elongated, rigid object, such as a support profile, a panel, such as a photovoltaic module, a component therefor or the like, to a substructure typically formed from several supports.

[0002] There are numerous applications in which panels, such as elongated, flexible objects, need to be attached to a support. One of these applications is the attachment of photovoltaic modules or solar panels to a support structure made up of multiple supports. Photovoltaic modules are attached to such supports using fastening clamps. These are arranged laterally to the panel to be attached and serve the purpose of bracing such a panel to the support. For this purpose, such a fastening clamp has a connecting part. The connecting part carries one or more connecting elements for connecting the connecting part and thus the fastening clamp to such a support. The connecting elements can be designed to enclose the upper end of a support on the outside, for example the upper chord of an I-beam.According to another embodiment, the connecting elements are designed so that they can be inserted into a groove following the longitudinal extension of the beam. In both cases, the connecting elements are designed to engage behind the beam with their connecting elements in a claw-like manner. If the connecting part of such a fastening clamp is connected to a beam, the claw-like engagement behind it provides a beam-side clamping abutment.

[0003] In addition to the connecting part, such a fastening clamp has a clamping element. This can be aligned relative to the connecting part in the clamping direction of the fastening clamp and is therefore adjustable. The clamping element comprises a clamping leg with a molded-on clamping extension. The clamping extension is used to engage over the upper lateral edge of a panel placed on the support of the substructure and thus forms the panel-side clamping abutment, which interacts with the support-side clamping abutment for fastening such a panel to the support. To provide the panel-side abutment with the clamping extension, a flat contact is desired. If such a fastening clamp is intended as a side clamp, so that it is only intended to clamp the edge of a panel, the fastening clamp also has a supporting leg. This is typically molded onto the clamping leg of the clamping element.This extends in the clamping direction and forms an angle piece with the clamping leg. The support leg serves to support the clamping element against a support abutment of the connecting part, preventing the clamping leg and its clamping extension from tilting when the clamping element is clamped against the connecting part with the clamping extension supported on the top of the panel.

[0004] The clamping device in such a fastening clamp is usually a clamping bolt that interacts with a clamping nut. The clamping bolt penetrates the clamping leg of the clamping element, is supported by its head on the upper side of the clamping leg, and meshes with an internal thread assigned to the connecting part, which forms the clamping nut.

[0005] A fastening clamp as described above is known, for example, from DE 20 2011 107 843 U1 or EP 3 040 640 B1. In both cases, the support abutment of the connecting part is provided by a row of teeth into which engages a complementary row of teeth formed on the inside of the support leg of the clamping element. By providing such a support abutment and the corresponding support of the support leg thereon, it is possible to adjust the distance between the clamping extension of the clamping element and the connecting part. With such a fastening clamp, photovoltaic modules of different heights (thicknesses), for example, can be attached to a support, wherein the adjustability between the clamping element and the connecting part ensures that the desired spatial position of the clamping element with its clamping extension relative to the top side of the photovoltaic module, as an example, remains in its intended spatial position.As a result of the clamping element being supported by its support leg on the support of the connecting part, tilting of the clamping element is prevented.

[0006] EP 3 153 793 B1 discloses a fastening clamp that can be clamped eccentrically to the profile of the substructure. This requires that the support of the substructure, formed onto a side wall that defines its contact surface, has an undercut web. This represents the support-side clamping abutment. This web has a claw-like cross-section, with the claw opening facing away from the contact surface. As a connecting element, the connecting part has a claw with a complementary geometry. This claw engages in the undercut of the support-side profile. To secure the claw-like engagement points between the claw of the connecting part and the web of the support, an additional locking mechanism is required, either by defining the claw of the connecting part with a web or by providing a locking latch that can be clipped into engagement with another web of the profile.To shift the tensioning axis as far into the beam as possible, the tensioning arm of the connecting part is inclined at an acute angle. The tensioning arm acts like a tension rod to spread the tensioning abutment on the beam side.

[0007] The fastening clamps described above can only be connected to supports of a substructure that either has an undercut mounting groove on both sides running the length of the support, or grooves or other undercuts on the outside of the two side walls adjacent to the support surface, also running the length of the support. These supports are typically extruded hollow-chamber profiles made of a suitable aluminum material. Such profiles are expensive. For substructures used to support elongated, rigid objects, such as photovoltaic modules or solar panels, it would be desirable if more cost-effective supports could also be used to form the substructure. These are typically not designed as hollow-chamber profiles, but rather have, for example, a C-shaped cross-sectional geometry.Such profiles can be sheet steel profiles with an appropriate coating, such as hot-dip galvanized. The fastening clamps known from the prior art are not suitable for connection to such a profile.

[0008] US 2022 / 0216823 A1 discloses a fastening arrangement for attaching solar panels to C-shaped support profiles. This fastening arrangement comprises a profile rail extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the support profiles over several support profiles. The profile rail has a hat-shaped cross-sectional geometry. In addition to this profile rail, the fastening arrangement comprises several fasteners designed like a fastening clamp. These fasteners penetrate the profile rail with a clamping bolt. A head projecting over the hole in the profile rail provided for the clamping bolt to penetrate forms one clamping abutment. The other clamping abutment is provided by a connecting part, the abutment of which is supported by its abutment on the free end face of a rear edge of the support profile. The connecting part has a support surface that is located approximately in the same plane as the contact surface of the support profile.A solar panel is supported on the support surface, secured by the profile rail. The profile rails themselves are held in position by spacers arranged on the contact surface of the support profiles and secured to them by screw connections. This type of fastening arrangement is not universally applicable. Furthermore, it would be desirable if the clamping force could be applied independently of the abutment arrangement.

[0009] Against this background, there is a need for an improved fastening clamp for fastening an elongated, rigid object to a base formed from at least two spaced-apart supports of the aforementioned type. The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing such a fastening clamp.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by a fastening clamp having the features of claim 1.

[0011] This fastening clamp has a connecting part which is designed to be connected to a support laterally, i.e. from a direction transverse to its longitudinal extent. For this purpose, the connecting element of the connecting part is designed to engage underneath that part of the support whose upper side forms the contact surface for the object to be fastened and to be supported on this side, which faces in the opposite direction to the contact surface of the support, in the clamping position of the fastening clamp. In this respect, the connecting element, like the support of the base support, has complementary abutments. The connecting part also has a support surface arranged adjacent to its connecting element and adjacent to the support.In the clamping position of the fastening clamp, the support surface serves to support an object to be fastened to the beam and / or, in the case of a fastening clamp designed as a side clamp, the support leg of the clamping element. In this respect, the part of the profile providing the contact surface is clamped between the abutment of the connecting element and the object to be fastened to the contact surface, as well as, if applicable, the support leg of the clamping element, in a screw-clamp-like manner. The simultaneous support of the object to be fastened and / or the support leg on the support surface of the connecting part ensures that the connecting element remains in its intended abutment position despite eccentric clamping.

[0012] The connecting element of the connecting part is designed in the manner of a hook element. This not only improves the introduction of the clamping force, but such a connecting element can also engage behind structures of the beam, such as the folded back edge of a C-shaped profiled beam. The free end of such a hook-shaped connecting element thus forms the abutment for support on the inner side of the beam leg, the outer side of which provides the contact surface. Furthermore, such a connecting element can be designed to be particularly stable. The hook-shaped design of a connecting element, for which the abutment on the connecting part is provided by the end(s) of the hook shape, improves the introduction of the clamping force into the beam.

[0013] By means of a tensioning device belonging to the fastening clamp, the clamping element can be adjusted relative to the connecting part with regard to its distance therefrom. Furthermore, the clamping force for clamping the object to be fastened to the carrier is applied via this device, i.e. the force with which the clamping extension of the clamping element acts on the object to be fastened. The tensioning device is arranged and aligned such that the clamping axis of the clamping device, for example a threaded bolt, in which the clamping axis is its longitudinal axis, is guided past the lateral end of the leg of the carrier to which the fastening clamp is connected. According to a preferred embodiment, the clamping axis is perpendicular to the plane spanned by the contact surface of the carrier and the support surface of the connecting part.With respect to the clamping axis of the clamping device, the support surface of the connecting part - on the one hand - and the abutment of the connecting element supported on the support - on the other hand - are located on opposite sides. The fastening clamp according to the invention cleverly exploits the rigid properties of the elongated object, for example a photovoltaic module or solar panel to be fastened. Since the clamping extension of the clamping element is supported on the upper side of the object to be fastened, despite the provision of a clamping axis located next to the support, there is no risk during clamping that the elongated object, which rests securely on the base, could be bent, deflected, or tilted, which would impair the desired fastening.This flexural rigidity ensures that the object to be fastened and / or the support leg of the clamping element, which is already rigid, is supported equally on the contact surface of the carrier and on the support surface of the connecting part.

[0014] Due to the previously described connection of the fastening clamp to a beam, this fastening clamp can also be used to attach photovoltaic modules, solar panels, or the like, or even other elongated, rigid objects as sub-supports, while utilizing the rigid properties of at least one object to be attached to it. Therefore, there is no need to use extruded profiles as beams. Such a fastening clamp can also be used to construct a beam framework at nodes for bracing a beam running transversely to a lower beam.

[0015] Preferably, in one embodiment of the connecting part, the support surface is designed such that, when the fastening clamp is connected to the carrier, it is in the same plane as the contact surface of the carrier. In one embodiment of a fastening clamp with such a connecting part, only the support surface is in the same plane as the contact surface of the carrier, while the adjacent sections of the connecting part are set back from the top side of the support surface. With such a design of the connecting part, it can be easily manufactured as a stamped and bent part. With such a design, the different planes of the support surface and the other components of the connecting part can be connected to one another by an offset. Such a design of the connection of the support section to the other components of the connecting part also increases its rigidity.

[0016] Such a connecting part can be manufactured cost-effectively as a stamped and bent part, for example from a steel sheet provided with a rust-protection coating, such as hot-dip galvanized. With such a design of the connecting part, the connecting element is preferably provided by two legs folded away from a base body on opposite sides. The connecting part thus has a U-shaped cross-sectional geometry in the area of ​​these folds. These legs extend away from the base body, pointing away from the clamping element, and are contoured so that they engage behind the end fold of a leg of a beam, for example. High clamping forces can be transmitted via such a hook-shaped design of the connecting element.In such a design, the connecting element of the connecting part is formed by two connecting element parts, with each leg bent from the base body providing such a connecting element part. In In a preferred embodiment of such a design of the connecting element or connecting part, the connecting element parts are connected to one another by a web. This web is oriented so that its surface facing the clamping element and thus the side opposite the support surface of the beam forms an abutment surface for support on the inside of the part of the beam to which the fastening clamp is connected. Such a web not only provides a large-area abutment, but also stiffens the connecting part. Such a design of the connecting part is also useful for connecting parts that are not designed as stamped and bent parts.

[0017] A fastening clamp according to the invention can be designed so that it can be used as a side clamp or as a center clamp. The fastening clamp differs solely in the design of its clamping element, whether it is used as a side clamp or as a center clamp. When the fastening clamp is used as a center clamp, it is arranged between two adjacent, elongated objects, for example two panels, such as photovoltaic modules or solar panels. When used as a side clamp, only one object is clamped to the base support. When the fastening clamp is designed as a side clamp, the clamping element has a support leg which, in the clamped position of the fastening clamp, is supported on the support surface of the connecting part and / or the contact surface of the carrier.The support leg has a width sufficient to be supported, in a clamping position for fastening a rigid object running transversely to the longitudinal extent of the support, both on the support surface of the support and on the support surface of the connecting part in the clamping position of the fastening clamp. Such a fastening clamp can also be used with only the support leg of the clamping element supported on the support surface of the connecting part. The object to be fastened to the support then runs with its edge section to be clamped parallel to the longitudinal extent of the support.

[0018] The clamping element of this fastening clamp, which can be used as a side clamp, can be an angle piece in a simple geometric design, with one leg of the angle piece projecting over the top of the object to be fastened with a section as a clamping extension, while the other leg is the support leg for supporting the clamping element on the contact surface of the beam and / or the support surface of the connecting part. A particularly advantageous feature of the design of a clamping element designed in this way is that the distance of its clamping extension in the intended clamping position from the contact surface of the beam can be defined over the length of the support leg. Such a support leg is preferably designed so that its front edge facing the connecting part is supported on the contact surface of the profile and / or the support surface of the connecting part.Often, objects to be secured with such clamps, such as photovoltaic modules or solar panels, are available in predefined thicknesses. To adapt to the thickness of the module to be mounted, the mounting clamps are then equipped with a clamping element with a support leg length tailored to the thickness of the module to be mounted. This can be achieved by the manufacturer using simple means and, above all, without the need for additional bending tools for the production of the clamping element, simply by cutting the clamp to the appropriate length.

[0019] In order to increase the rigidity of such a clamping element, it is stiffened by beads in or against the clamping direction, particularly when designed as a stamped and bent part. For example, such a clamping element can have two spaced-apart beads that follow the angular geometry of the clamping element. To further stiffen the clamping element, one embodiment provides for it to have a shoulder between its clamping extension and its support leg. Such a shoulder is set back from the upper end of the clamping element in the direction of the connecting part. The clamping device acts on this shoulder with its head when clamping the clamping element relative to the connecting part. Typically, the shoulder has an opening through which the shaft of a clamping bolt passes when used as a clamping device.Another advantage of such a clamping element is that the height of the shoulder can be adjusted so that the head of a clamping bolt used as a clamping device does not protrude beyond the upper end of the clamping element. In addition, such a shoulder-forming structure has a stiffening effect.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a clamping bolt used as a clamping device is captively held to the clamping element by a locking disk through which the bolt shaft extends. According to one embodiment, such a clamping device meshes with its threaded shaft with an internal threaded passage of the connecting part. Instead of an internal threaded passage, the connecting part can also carry a corresponding nut. However, to ensure that the fastening clamp has as few individual parts as possible, an internal threaded passage on the connecting part is preferred as a counter-thread to the threaded shaft of a clamping bolt.

[0021] In a further development of such a fastening clamp, it is provided that, in addition to its clamping element and its connecting part, it has an intermediate element. This can serve the purpose of preventing material contact between the connecting part of the fastening clamp and the contact surface of the carrier - on the one hand - and the object to be fastened - on the other hand - for example, to eliminate contact corrosion phenomena. In the case of a connecting part made of galvanized sheet steel, the intermediate element can be made of stainless steel, in particular stainless spring steel, for example if a photovoltaic module or a solar panel is to be fastened with the fastening clamp. The intermediate element then also serves to provide potential equalization.To improve electrical contact, the intermediate element can have protruding claws toward the object to be fastened, provided, for example, by appropriately beveled corners. Such an intermediate element can also be made of another material, such as plastic, if potential equalization is not required.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, such an intermediate element extends, as seen from the direction of the clamping axis, beyond the carrier-side end of the connecting element of the connecting part. In such a case, the intermediate element preferably has certain elastic properties, which is the case, for example, when the intermediate element is made of stainless spring steel. The intermediate element held on the connecting part can then also serve to facilitate assembly, since it can be used to fix a pre-assembly position of the fastening clamp when the latter is connected to the carrier but not yet clamped. The fastening clamp, which is not yet clamped, can then be brought into contact with the outer edge of the contact surface of a carrier with the section projecting beyond the connecting element.By utilising the elastic properties, if the beam has a folded back end, the connecting element with its abutment can be brought into a position engaging behind the leg having such a folded back by further pressing the fastening clamp down. Once the connecting element is brought into its desired position, the fastening clamp is pre-assembled to the beam due to the holding properties of the intermediate element, but is not yet clamped. If the beam is a C-shaped profile in which a folded back of the leg providing the contact surface occurs in relation to the connecting movement of the fastening clamp to the beam transverse to the longitudinal extent of the beam, the fastening clamp can be easily moved in the longitudinal extent of the beam without there being any risk of it becoming detached from the beam.This makes it easier to mount and set up the fastening clamp relative to the elongated, rigid object(s) to be fastened.

[0023] The intermediate element is preferably positively connected to the connecting part in its central section in the direction of the clamping action axis of the fastening clamp. This can be provided in a clip-like manner, for example by a connecting element engaging beneath a base plate of the connecting element. To fix the position of the intermediate element relative to the connecting part, the intermediate element also has a stop leg bent toward the connecting part and located opposite the clamping leg.

[0024] When we refer to stamped and bent parts in this context, these terms do not only refer to actually stamped parts, but of course also to workpieces that are laser-cut or laser-cut out or otherwise separated from a circuit board.

[0025] The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1: A fastening clamp according to the invention to be used as a side clamp in the manner of an exploded view with a carrier for carrying a photovoltaic module, Fig. 2: a perspective view of the fastening clamp of Figure 1 in its assembly, connected to the carrier, Fig. 3: a side view of the mounting clamp of the Figure 3 looking in the longitudinal direction of the support in its clamping position for attaching a photovoltaic module to the support, Fig. 4:a top view of the arrangement of the Figure 3 , Fig. 5: a fastening clamp to be used as a middle clamp according to the invention in the form of an exploded view corresponding to that of Figure 1 , Fig. 6: a perspective view of the fastening clamp of Figure 5 in its assembly, connected to a support, and Fig. 7: a top view of the arrangement of the Figure 6 , supplemented by two photovoltaic modules attached to the support by the fastening clamp used as a central clamp.

[0026] A fastening clamp 1 is used to fasten an elongated, rigid object to a support. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the fastening clamp 1 is used to fasten a photovoltaic module to a support formed by several supports 2. Figure 1Only one support 2 is shown. At least one further support is arranged parallel to it and at a distance from it. The fastening clamp 1 comprises a connecting part 3, a clamping element 4, a clamping bolt 5 as part of a clamping device, and an intermediate element 6. The clamping bolt 5 is held captively on the clamping element 4 by means of a locking disc 7.

[0027] The connecting part 3 of the fastening clamp 1 shown as an example in the figures is designed as a stamped and bent part and comprises a base plate 8 as the base body. An internal threaded passage with an internal thread complementary to the thread of the clamping bolt 5 is incorporated into the base plate 8. The internal threaded passage 9 thus forms the second part of the clamping device formed from the clamping bolt 5 and the internal threaded passage 9. On opposite sides of the base body 8, a leg 10, 10.1 is folded away at right angles from the clamping element 4. These legs each continue into a connecting element part 11, 11.1. The connecting element parts 11, 11.1 form a hook-shaped connecting element A due to a cutout 12 together with a web 13 connecting the ends of the two connecting element parts 11, 11.1. Figure 1The visible upper side of the web 13 forms an abutment surface 14. In the illustrated embodiment, this is located in the same plane as the upper side of the base plate 8. The cutout 12 has a depth and width such that the connecting element formed by the connecting element parts 11, 11.1 and the web 13 forms a back edge 15 of the Figure 1upper leg 16 of the support 2. On its side opposite the web 13, a support section 17 is formed onto the base plate 8, the upper side of which provides a support surface 18. The plane of the support surface 18 runs parallel to the plane of the upper side of the base plate 8. The support section 17 is formed onto the base plate 8 with the interposition of a crank 19. The height of the crank 19 and thus the height distance between the upper side of the base plate 8 and the support surface 18 corresponds to the material thickness of the leg 16 of the support 2. The support surface 18 of the connecting part 3 is thus in the same plane as the upper end of the support 2 provided by a contact surface 20.

[0028] The beam 2 is C-shaped. Figure 1 The upper side of the upper leg 16 represents a contact surface 20 for a photovoltaic module to be carried by the carrier 2.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping element 4 is also a stamped and bent part. The clamping element 4 is a stepped angle piece. To stiffen the clamping element 4, beads 21, 21.1 are introduced into it, running in the direction of the profiling at a short distance from the edge. This stepped design creates a shoulder 22. Between the two beads 21, 21.1, an opening 23 is introduced into the shoulder 22, through which the shaft of the clamping bolt 5 extends. The head of the clamping bolt 5 is supported on the upper side of the shoulder 22. The locking disc 7 is then located on the underside of the shoulder 22. The upper leg provides a clamping extension. With this, the clamping element 4 projects beyond an object to be attached to the carrier 2, for example, a photovoltaic module.

[0030] While the connecting part 3 and the clamping element 4 are each made of galvanized sheet steel, the intermediate element 6 is made of stainless spring steel. This is also a stamped and bent part. The intermediate element 6 extends over the Figure 1 upwardly facing side of the connecting part 3 and projects with a section 24 beyond the end of the web 13 providing the abutment surface 14 pointing in the direction of the beam 2. InA rectangular opening 25 is provided in the intermediate element 6. The legs 26, 26.1 connecting the section 24 with the remaining components of the intermediate element 6 represent spring legs. To form the opening 25, the relevant material is bent downwards in the direction of the connecting part 3 relative to the plane of the intermediate element 6 and is formed into a clamping leg, as it is bent at its lower end in the direction away from the section 24. The clamping leg 27 serves to engage underneath the base plate 8 of the connecting part 3. The intermediate element 6 further comprises a section that extends over the base plate 8 and the support section 18. At the end opposite the clamping leg 27, the intermediate element carries a stop leg 28 bent in the direction of the connecting part 3. The inside of the stop leg lies on the Figure 1left-facing end face of the support section 17 of the connecting part 3. To compensate for the height difference between the upper side of the base plate 8 of the connecting part 3 and its support surface 18, the intermediate element 6 carries a support leg 29 on each of its side surfaces, which rests on the base plate 8.

[0031] The support of the intermediate element 6 on the base plate 8 of the connecting part as well as the gripping of the support section 17 by the stop leg 28 is shown in the perspective view of the fastening clamp 1 of the Figure 2 This shows the fastening clamp 1 in its fastening position, but without a photovoltaic module attached to the carrier 2 in this position.

[0032] In the side view of the Figure 3The photovoltaic module 30 is shown attached to the support 2 with the fastening clamp 1. This illustration illustrates the function of the fastening clamp 1. The clamping axis 31 of the clamping device is shown in dash-dotted lines in this figure. This axis runs along the axis of the clamping bolt 5. InThis illustration also shows the support of the head of the clamping bolt 5 on the upper side of the shoulder 22 of the clamping element 4. The connecting element formed by the connecting element parts 11, 11.1 and the web 13 connecting them engages behind the rear edge 15 of the leg 16 of the beam 2, so that the connecting part 3 is thus engaged with the beam 2 in the transverse direction of the profile. The rear edge 15 engages in the cutout 12 of the connecting part 3. The abutment surface 14 is supported on the inside of the leg 16 of the beam 2. The clamping axis of the fastening clamp 1 is located outside the beam 2. This is unproblematic for clamping the fastening clamp 1, since the rigid properties of the photovoltaic module 30 or its frame prevent any otherwise possible adjustment of the fastening clamp 1 during clamping. The photovoltaic module 30 rests on the top side of the intermediate element 6.To improve electrical contact for the purpose of potential equalization, upwardly projecting claws 32 are formed in that section of the intermediate element 6 which reaches the contact surface 20 of the carrier 2.

[0033] These are well visible in the top view of the Figure 4 on the arrangement of the Figure 3 In this illustration, the clamping extension 33, with which the clamping element 4 is supported on the upper side of the photovoltaic module 30, is clearly visible.

[0034] In the clamping position of the fastening clamp 1, the clamping element 4 rests with its lower support leg 34 formed on the shoulder 22 on the intermediate element 6, which in turn rests on the support surface 18 of the connecting part 3 and the contact surface 20 of the support 2. The width of the clamping element 4 is designed so that it extends from the contact surface 20 of the support 2 to over the support surface 18 of the support section 17 (see also Figure 2 ).

[0035] Figure 5 shows another fastening clamp 1.1, which is designed as a middle clamp. The fastening clamp 1.1 corresponds in terms of its structure to that of the fastening clamp 1 of the Figures 1 to 4 To simplify the identification of the individual components, the same parts of the fastening clamp 1.1 are indicated with the same reference numerals as those of the fastening clamp 1. Since, with the exception of the clamping element 4.1, the remaining components are identical to those of the fastening clamp 1, only the differences in the clamping element 4.1 will be discussed below. Otherwise, the statements regarding the fastening clamp 1 apply equally to the fastening clamp 1.1.

[0036] Since the fastening clamp 1 is designed as a middle clamp, its clamping element 4.1 does not have a support on the carrier 2 or the support section 17 of the connecting part 2. The clamping element 4.1 has two opposing clamping extensions 35, 35.1, the underside of which serves for the installation of a photovoltaic module 30.1, 30.2. The installation as an intermediate clamp of the fastening clamp 1.1 is shown in the top view of the Figure 7 visible. With a clamping extension 35 or 35.1, the clamping element 4.1 of the fastening clamp 1.1 engages over the edge of a respective photovoltaic module 30.1, 30.2. Tilting of the fastening clamp 1.1 when tensioning it to attach the photovoltaic modules 30.1, 30.2 to the support 2 is also effectively prevented in this embodiment by the rigid properties of the photovoltaic modules 30.1, 30.2.

[0037] The invention has been described using exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of the applicable claims, numerous further possibilities for implementing it will become apparent to a person skilled in the art without the need for further explanation within the scope of these statements. List of reference symbols

[0038] 1, 1.1 Mounting clamp 31 Tensioning axis 2 carrier 32 Press-in claw 3 connecting part 33 clamping process 4, 4.1 clamping element 34 Support leg 5 clamping bolt 35, 35.1 clamping process 6 Intermediate element 7 locking disc A Connecting body 8 Base plate 9 Internal thread pull-through 10, 10.1 leg 11, 11.1 Holding element 12 incision 13 web 14 Abutment area 15 Back folding 16 leg 17 Support section 18 Support surface 19 cranking 20 contact surface 21, 21.1 bead 22 Paragraph 23 breakthrough 24 Section 25 opening 26, 26.1 spring leg 27 Clamping leg 28 stop leg 29 Support leg 30, 30.1, 30.2 Photovoltaic module

Claims

1. A fastening clamp for fastening an elongated, rigid object, such as a support profile, a panel, such as a photovoltaic module, a component therefor or the like, to a substructure typically formed from a plurality of supports (2), comprising: - a clamping element (4, 4.1) with a clamping extension (33; 35, 35.1) intended for attachment to an object (30; 30.1, 30.2) to be fastened, - a connecting part (3) with a connecting element (A) for supporting the fastening clamp (1, 1.1) on an abutment of the support (2) of the substructure, wherein the abutment points in the opposite direction of a contact surface (20) provided by the profile support (2), on which the object to be fastened is to be placed, which connecting element (A) has an abutment for engaging under the support (2) for support on the abutment of the support (2), and the connecting part (3) has a support section (18) located adjacent to the lateral end of the support (2), which, when the fastening clamp (1, 1.1) is fastened to the support (2), acts against the object to be fastened (30; 30.1, 30.2) and / or a support leg (34) of the clamping element (4, 4.1), and - a clamping device (5, 7) for clamping the clamping element (4, 4.1), which is supported on an object (30; 30.1, 30.2) to be fastened, relative to the connecting part (3), so that a clamping force can be applied via the clamping element (4, 4.1) to the object (30; 30.1, 30.2) to be fastened, which clamping device has a clamping means (5), the clamping axis (31) of which, when the fastening clamp (1, 1.1) is fastened to the support (2), is guided past the lateral end of the support (2), wherein the abutment (14) on the connecting part side is part of a hook-shaped connecting part (3) for engaging behind a rear edge of the support (2), and the free end of such a hook-shaped connecting element (A) forms the abutment for support on that inner side of the leg of the support (2) which, with its outer side, provides the contact surface (20).

2. The fastening clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the support surface (18) when the fastening clamp (1, 1.1) is connected to a support (2) is located in the same plane as a contact surface (20) provided by the support (2) for supporting the object (30; 30.1, 30.2).

3. The fastening clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting part (3) is a stamped and bent part, in which the connecting element (A) is provided by two legs (10, 10.1) which are bent on opposite sides relative to a base body (8), and the free ends which form the abutment which engages underneath the support (2) are connected to one another by a web (13) which provides an abutment surface (14).

4. The fastening clamp according to claim 3, characterized in that the support surface (18) is formed onto the remaining components of the connecting part (3) with the interposition of a crank (19), wherein the jump height of the crank (19) is designed so that when the fastening clamp (1, 1.1) is connected to the support (2), the support surface (18) is located in the same plane as the contact surface (20) of the support (2).

5. The fastening clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamping element (4) for using the fastening clamp (1) as a side clamp has a support leg (34) which is supported on the support surface (18) of the connecting part (3) in the clamping position of the fastening clamp (1).

6. The fastening clamp according to claim 5, characterized in that the support leg (34) is additionally supported on the contact surface (20) of the support (2) in the clamping position of the fastening clamp (1).

7. The fastening clamp according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the support leg (34) can be supported with its end face facing the connecting part (3) on the support surface (18) of the connecting part (3).

8. The fastening clamp according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the clamping element (4) has a shoulder (22) offset in the direction of the connecting part (3) relative to its upper end between its clamping extension (33) and its support leg (34), on which shoulder the clamping means (5) acts when clamping the clamping element (4) relative to the connecting part (3).

9. The fastening clamp according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the clamping means is a clamping bolt (5) with a head supported on the clamping element (4) and with a threaded shaft which meshes with an internal thread passage (9) of the connecting part (3).

10. The fastening clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fastening clamp (1, 1.1) further comprises an intermediate element (6) inserted into the clamping arrangement between the object to be fastened (30; 30.1, 30.2) and the support surface (18) of the connecting part (3) and / or the contact surface (20) of the profile (2).

11. The fastening clamp according to claim 10, characterized in that the intermediate element (6) is held on the connecting part (3).

12. The fastening clamp according to claim 11, characterized in that the intermediate element (6) is held on the connecting part (3) by a clip connection, wherein the intermediate element (6) preferably has the elastic sections (27) necessary for the clip connection.

13. The fastening clamp according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the intermediate element (6) has a greater extension in the direction of its extension to the support (2) than the connecting element (A) of the connecting part (3).

14. A fastening arrangement comprising - a support (2) as part of a substructure, - an elongated, rigid object (30; 30.1, 30.2) resting on the support (2) and - at least one fastening clamp (1, 1.1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, - which fastening clamp (1, 1.1) is connected to a support (2) of the substructure by engaging under the leg (16) providing a contact surface (20) of the support (2) and engaging behind a rear edge (15) of the support (2), is supported with the abutment (14) of its connecting element (A) on the side of the leg (16) of the support (2) facing away from the contact surface (20), and furthermore the object to be fastened (30; 30.1, 30.2) and / or a supporting leg (34) of the clamping leg (4) of the fastening clamp (1) is supported on the supporting surface (18) of the connecting part (3) spaced from the lateral end of the leg (16) of the support (2) carrying the fastening clamp (1, 1.1).