clip and locking piece from a panel mounting kit for a rail

Abstract

The invention relates to means for fixing a panel, for example a photovoltaic panel, onto a rail. The fixing means include, in particular, a clip 100 and a locking piece 200. Figure 9

Description

Title of the invention: clip and locking part of a kit for fixing a panel to a rail FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fixing means, and more particularly to means for fixing panels, for example solar panels, on rails.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a clip and a locking piece for fixing panels to rails. In particular, the clip and the locking piece are configured to allow the panel to be fixed and clamped against the rail. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Document US9160273 discloses a fixing kit for fixing a panel, and in particular a solar panel, on a rail. In this regard, and as illustrated in [Fig.7] of document US9160273, the fixing kit comprises a holding element 31, a bolt 30 and a slide element 1.

[0004] In operation, the assembly formed by these three elements is arranged between two adjacent panels resting on a rail 8. More particularly, the assembly comprises, in order and starting from the rail, the slide element 1, the bolt 30 and the holding element 31. The holding element 31 comprises a metal plate provided with opposite edges, called holding edges, and each intended to be held tight against an upper peripheral portion 36 of the frame of two adjacent panels. The slide element 1 is in sliding connection with the rail 8 and the bolt 30 makes it possible to ensure the tightening of the two holding edges. In particular, the bolt 30, passing through the holding element, is screwed into a tapped hole in an upper portion of the slide element 1, in order to allow the tightening of the holding element against each of two adjacent panels.

[0005] However, this fixing kit implementing tightening by means of a bolt or a screw is not satisfactory.

[0006] Indeed, the bolt may, over time and for example under the effect of temperature variations, loosen. This loosening has the effect of reducing the holding force exerted by the holding element on the panel, and may ultimately lead to a separation of said panel and the rail. By a knock-on effect, the adjacent panels may also see their attachment to the rail reduced and in turn separate from said rail.

[0007] Furthermore, the slide element, which is difficult to access, can hardly be replaced if necessary.

[0008] Document EP2867541 proposes a fixing apparatus making it possible to overcome these problems. This fixing apparatus is in particular a single piece and is provided with snap-fastening means intended to cooperate with the rail. However, the implementation of this fixing apparatus requires considering relatively wide, and therefore more expensive, rails in order to allow easier disassembly when the situation requires it.

[0009] An aim of the present invention is therefore to propose a clip, a locking part and an attachment kit allowing the permanent fixing of a panel against a rail.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to propose a clip, a locking part and an attachment kit whose disassembly remains easy compared to the devices known from the state of the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The aims of the invention are, at least in part, achieved by a single-piece clip, from a fixing kit, for fixing a panel, provided with a frame, against a rail, the clip comprising:

[0012] - a main body provided with two side walls and on each of which is formed a lateral slot, the two lateral slots being parallel to each other, and opening out through a face, called the engagement face, of the main body, said lateral slots being arranged to receive a flat section of the chassis, in an engagement direction, through the engagement face;

[0013] - a flexible tab formed on an upper wall of the main body and folded internally to the main body, said flexible tongue being intended to come to bear against a face, called the bearing face, of the flat section when said flat section is engaged in the lateral slots;

[0014] - attachment means provided with at least one hook and at least one cleat snap-on, and intended to cooperate with a locking part of the fixing kit.

[0015] According to one embodiment, each lateral slot is delimited by a curved edge, advantageously, said edge is curved externally to the main body.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the at least one hook and the at least one snap-on cleat are formed on a lower wall of the main body opposite the upper wall, the at least one hook being oriented to allow the locking part of the fixing kit to be engaged in said at least one hook in the direction of engagement.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the at least one hook and the at least one snap-on cleat project internally into the main body and from the lower wall.

[0018] According to one embodiment, said clip also comprises two secondary slots each formed on a side wall of the main body, said secondary slots are parallel to each other, and open through the engagement face, said secondary slots being arranged to receive a central, flat section of the locking part, in the direction of engagement, by the engagement face.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the at least one hook and the at least one snap-on cleat project externally from the main body and from the lower wall.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the flexible tongue is terminated by points configured to come into contact with the bearing face when the flat section is engaged in the lateral slots, and thus oppose the disengagement of said flat section in a direction opposite to the direction of engagement.

[0021] The invention also relates to a locking part of a fixing kit intended to cooperate with the clip according to the present invention, the locking part comprising:

[0022] - a central section, generally flat, delimited at least in part by an edge, said front edge, and by which said central section is intended to be engaged in the at least one hook of the staple, said central section also being provided with a complementary latching means intended to cooperate with the at least one latching catch of the staple when the central section is engaged in the at least one hook;

[0023] - connecting means configured to cooperate with a rail on which a panel is intended to be fixed.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the complementary latching means comprises at least one through opening formed on the central section.

[0025] According to one embodiment, said locking part comprises a stop member linked to a rear edge of the central section opposite the front edge, and perpendicular to said central section.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the connecting means extend from lateral edges of the central section.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the connecting means are concave in shape by a front face of the central section, and their generator extends parallel to the lateral edges.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the connecting means are configured to cooperate with internally curved edges of a rail having a U-shaped section.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the connecting means are configured to cooperate according to a slide connection mode maintained with a rail having a T or H section.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a fixing kit comprising:

[0031] - a staple according to the present invention;

[0032] - a locking part according to the present invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0034] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a section of a panel provided with a chassis, in particular, said section is shown in a perspective view;

[0035] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a first example of a rail capable of being implemented within the framework of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a second example of a rail capable of being implemented within the framework of the present invention;

[0037] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a fixing kit according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a staple in a perspective view according to the first embodiment;

[0039] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of a holding part according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of another example of a part of holding in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the holding part is shown in a perspective view and engaged in a sliding connection mode held with the rail of [Fig.3];

[0041] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is an illustration of the mounting of the clip, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, on the flat section of a frame associated with a panel;

[0042] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is an illustration of the mounting of the locking part according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the panel resting on a rail having a “U” section, and the mounting of the locking part involving an engagement, in the direction of engagement, of the locking part in the attachment means of the clip of [Fig.8];

[0043] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a schematic representation of a staple in a perspective view according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] The present invention relates to a single-piece clip, from a fixing kit, for fixing a panel, provided with a frame, against a rail.

[0045] In particular, the clip comprises:

[0046] - a main body provided with two side walls and on each of which is formed a lateral slot, the two lateral slots being parallel to each other, and opening out through a face, called the engagement face, of the main body, said lateral slots being arranged to receive a flat section of the chassis, in an engagement direction, through the engagement face;

[0047] - a flexible tab formed on an upper wall of the main body and folded internally to the main body, said flexible tongue being intended to come to bear against a face, called the bearing face, of the flat section when said flat section is engaged in the lateral slots;

[0048] - attachment means provided with at least one hook and at least one cleat snap-on, and intended to cooperate with a locking part of the fixing kit.

[0049] The invention also relates to a locking part of a fixing kit intended to cooperate with the clip according to the present invention.

[0050] The locking part comprises:

[0051] - a central section, generally flat, delimited at least in part by an edge, said front edge, and by which said central section is intended to be engaged in the at least one hook of the staple, said central section also being provided with a complementary latching means intended to cooperate with the at least one latching catch of the staple when the central section is engaged in the at least one hook;

[0052] - connecting means configured to cooperate with a rail on which a panel is intended to be fixed.

[0053] It is understood that the cooperation between the connecting means and the rail, when the central section is engaged by its front edge in the at least one hook, results in the panel being held on the rail. In particular, according to this configuration, the connecting means oppose any force exerted on the panel with a view to detaching it from the rail on which it is held.

[0054] The invention also relates to a fixing kit which comprises the clip and the locking piece.

[0055] In [Fig.l], a section of a panel 1 provided with a frame 2 holding said panel over its entire periphery can be seen. The frame 2 comprises in this respect a contour wall 2a, essentially perpendicular to the surface formed by the panel 1 and by which the panel is held to the frame 2. More particularly, the panel 1 can be held at, or close to, an upper edge of the contour wall 2a. The frame 2 also comprises a return 2b which is essentially flat and folded inwardly from a lower edge of the contour wall 2a and opposite the upper edge. The return 2b is in particular flat and in a plane parallel to the plane formed by the panel 1. Furthermore, the width of the return 2b is essentially constant over the entire periphery of the frame 2.

[0056] The return 2b is advantageously implemented for fixing the panel on a rail 3, and a first example of which is shown in [Fig.2].

[0057] In particular, and according to this first example, the rail 3 comprises a “U” shaped section. In this respect, the rail 3 comprises a bottom 3a surmounted by side walls 3b whose edges, called attachment edges 3c, are folded or rolled internally.

[0058] [Fig.3] is an illustration of a second example of rail 4 capable of being put implemented within the framework of the present invention. The rail 4 conforming to this second example comprises, along a section plane perpendicular to its axis of elongation, a base 5, a central wall 6, and an end section 7. The base 5 may be flat and is connected to the end section 7 by the central wall 6. The end section 7 may have a “C” profile or a flat profile and is intended to serve as an anchoring base for the locking part which will be described in detail in the remainder of the statement.

[0059] The invention is not limited to the sole implementation of rails conforming to the first example or the second example. In particular, those skilled in the art will be able to envisage “T” profiles.

[0060] [Fig.4] is an illustration of a fixing kit according to a first embodiment of embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] In particular, the fixing kit comprises a clip 100 and a locking part 200. [Fig.4] also shows a flat section, symbolizing a portion of the return 2b illustrated in [Fig.l], and which is engaged in lateral slots of the clip 100. This aspect will be described in more detail in the remainder of the statement.

[0062] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the clip 100 comprises a main body 110.

[0063] Generally speaking, the main body 110 can take the form of a parallel rectangular lepiped delimited by two side walls 111, an upper wall 112 and a lower wall 113. In particular, the upper wall 112 and the lower wall 113 are connected on the one hand by one of the two side walls 111 and on the other hand by the other of the two side walls 111. Thus, the two side walls 111 are opposite each other and parallel to each other. Equivalently, the upper wall 112 and the lower wall 113 are opposite each other and may be parallel to each other.

[0064] The main body 110 also comprises two opposite faces, called, respectively, engagement face 114 and rear face 115, and perpendicular to the two side walls 111.

[0065] The engagement face 114 is open and delimited by the edges of the side faces 111, the upper face 112 and the lower face 113 (More particularly, the engagement face is delimited by the edges of the walls 111, 112 and 113 flush with said engagement face).

[0066] The clip 100 also comprises two lateral slots 116a and 116b parallel to each other and formed, respectively, on one and the other of the two lateral walls 111. In other words, the lateral slot 116a is formed on one of the two side walls 111 while the lateral slot 116b is formed on the other of the two side walls 111. In addition, each of these lateral slots 116a, 116b opens through an edge, called the engagement edge 114a, 114b, of the side wall 111 and partly delimiting the engagement face. Thus, each lateral slot 116a, 116b therefore extends from an engagement edge 114a, 114b, for example parallel to the upper wall 112, in a direction called the engagement direction. The lateral slots 114a, 114b are thus arranged to receive a flat section 2b of the chassis 1, in the engagement direction, by the engagement face ([Fig.4]).

[0067] Advantageously, each side slot is delimited by an edge which can be curved and more particularly curved externally to the main body.

[0068] The clip 100 also comprises a flexible tab 117 formed on the upper wall 112 of the main body 100. By “flexible” is meant capable of deforming by spring effect in order to exert a force on the surface on which said tab is resting.

[0069] The tongue 117 is in particular folded internally to the main body 110 and is intended to come to bear against a face, called the bearing face, of the flat section 2b when said flat section is engaged in the lateral slots 116a and 116b. In other words, the tongue 117 extends in a divergent manner relative to the upper wall. It is understood that the bearing face of the flat section, when the latter is engaged in the lateral slots 116a and 116b, is opposite the upper wall 112 of the main body 110.

[0070] Advantageously, the tongue 117 is terminated by points configured to come into contact with the bearing face when the flat section is engaged in the lateral slots, and thus oppose the disengagement of said flat section in a direction opposite to the direction of engagement.

[0071] Finally, the tab 117 is advantageously oriented, from its base towards its end, in a direction going from the engagement face towards the rear face.

[0072] The clip 100 also comprises attachment means provided with at least one hook 118 and at least one latching catch 119, and intended to cooperate with the locking part 200 mentioned above. A latching catch 119 is in particular formed by a flexible metal strip (or spring) and which extends in a divergent manner relative to the lower wall.

[0073] As illustrated in [Fig. 5], the at least one hook 118 and the at least one snap-on cleat 119 are formed on the bottom wall 113 of the main body 110. In particular, the at least one hook 118 is oriented to allow the locking part of the fixing kit to be engaged in said at least one hook in the direction of engagement. More particularly, and this aspect will become clear in Following the description, the hook 119 is configured and oriented to receive in abutment a front edge of a central, planar section of a locking piece.

[0074] The at least one latching catch 119 is configured to lock, in a latched position, the central section of the locking piece when the latter is engaged in the at least one hook by its front face.

[0075] Advantageously, and in accordance with the first embodiment, the at least one hook 118 and the at least one snap-on cleat 119 project externally to the main body and from the lower wall 113.

[0076] [Fig.6] is an illustration of the locking part 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0077] The locking part 200 comprises a central section 210, generally flat, delimited at least in part by an edge, called the front edge 211.

[0078] The central section 210 is in particular intended to be engaged by the front edge 211 in the at least one hook 118 of the clip 100.

[0079] The central section 210 is also provided with a complementary latching means intended to cooperate with the at least one latching catch 119 of the clip 100 when the central section is engaged in the at least one hook.

[0080] Advantageously, the complementary latching means may comprise at least one through opening 212 formed on the central section. In particular, the opening 212 is configured to cooperate with the latching catch 119 in order to lock the locking part in its latched position.

[0081] The locking part 200 also comprises connecting means configured to cooperate with a rail on which a panel is intended to be fixed. In particular, the connecting means extend from lateral edges 213 and 214 of the central section.

[0082] By way of example, and without however limiting the invention to this single aspect, the connecting means 215 and 216 are concave in shape by a front face of the central section, and their generator extends parallel to the lateral edges 213, 214. By “generator”, we mean a segment, or a straight line which when it is moved along a line, for example a curved line, generates the connecting means considered.

[0083] In the example shown in [Fig.6], the connecting means form a gutter, and are therefore configured to cooperate with the internally curved edges of a rail having a U-shaped section.

[0084] [Fig. 7] illustrates another example of a locking part 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and in sliding connection maintained with the rail shown in [Fig. 3]. In this example, the connecting means 215 and 216 are curved towards a face of the central section opposite the front face of said central section. More particularly, according to this example, the connecting means are configured to partially envelop the terminal portion 7 of the rail 4.

[0085] Alternatively or additionally, the connecting means may be configured to cooperate in a sliding connection mode maintained with a rail having a T or H section.

[0086] The locking part 200 also comprises a stop member 217 connected to a rear edge of the central section 210 opposite the front edge 211. The stop member 217 is perpendicular to said central section. The stop member 217 is advantageously configured to come into abutment against the contour wall 2a of the chassis 2 shown in [Fig.l].

[0087] In operation, and as illustrated in [Fig. 8], the flat section 2b of the chassis 2 is engaged, in the direction of engagement, in the lateral slots 116a and 116b of said clip 100. At the end of this engagement (illustrated in [Fig. 9]), the tab 117 is in abutment against a bearing face of the flat section 2b and exerts a force opposing a withdrawal of said flat section 2b in a direction opposite to the direction of engagement.

[0088] The panel is then placed on a rail 4, and in such a way as to bring said rail 4 into correspondence with the clip 100 in which the flat section 2b of the frame 2 supporting the panel is engaged.

[0089] Finally, the holding part, positioned in sliding connection with the rail, is engaged according to the direction of engagement in the attachment means and until complete cooperation of the snap-fastening means and the complementary snap-fastening means.

[0090] This latter aspect generates a noise, called a click noise, confirming in particular the complete cooperation of a click catch 119 with the opening 212 of the holding part 200.

[0091] The present invention also relates to a second embodiment which essentially reproduces the characteristics associated with the first embodiment.

[0092] In particular, the clip 100 according to this second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that:

[0093] - The at least one hook and the at least one snap-on cleat project internally earlier in the main body and from the lower wall.

[0094] - The clip also comprises two secondary slots each formed on a side wall of the main body, said secondary slots are parallel to each other, and open through the engagement face, said secondary slots being arranged to receive a central, flat section of the locking part, in the direction of engagement, through the engagement face.

[0095] [Fig. 10] illustrates an example of a staple 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0096] In this regard, and as mentioned previously, the clip 100 comprises means hooks which extend internally to the lower wall 113. More particularly, the at least one hook 118 and the at least one snap-on cleat 119 project internally to the lower wall 113, in other words into the main body 110.

[0097] Furthermore, the main body 110 also comprises two secondary slots 120a and 120b.

[0098] The two secondary slots 120a and 120b are in particular parallel to each other and formed, respectively, on one and the other of the two side walls 111. In other words, the secondary slot 120a is formed on one of the two side walls 111 while the secondary slot 120b is formed on the other of the two side walls 111. Furthermore, each of these secondary slots 120a, 120b opens out via the engagement edge 114a, 114b of the side wall 111. Thus, each secondary slot 120a, 120b therefore extends from an engagement edge 114a, 114b, for example parallel to the upper wall 112, in the direction of engagement. The secondary slots 120a and 120b are thus arranged to receive the central section 210 of the locking part 200, in the direction of engagement, by the engagement edge.It is further understood that the secondary slots 120a and 120b are arranged so that the engagement of the central section in said secondary slots results in the engagement of said central section, by the front edge of the hook 118.

[0099] Advantageously, each side slot is delimited by an edge which can be curved and more particularly curved internally to the main body.

[0100] The locking part 200 according to this second embodiment incorporates all of the characteristics of the locking part described in relation to the first embodiment.

[0101] The invention also relates to a fixing kit comprising the clip 100 and the holding part 200.

[0102] The invention also relates to an installation provided with at least one panel held on at least one rail by means of at least one fixing kit.

[0103] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and variant embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. One-piece clip (100), of a fixing kit, for fixing a panel, provided with a frame, against a rail, the clip (100) comprising: - a main body (110) provided with an upper wall, a lower wall, opposite and parallel to the upper wall, as well as two side walls (111) laterally connecting the upper wall and the lower wall, and on each of the two side walls (111) is formed a lateral slot (116a, 116b), the two lateral slots (116a, 116b) being parallel to each other, and opening onto a face, called the engagement face (115), of the main body (110), said engagement face being delimited by the edges of the side faces (111), of the upper face (112) and of the lower face (113), said lateral slots being arranged to receive a flat section of the chassis, in an engagement direction, by the engagement face (115);- a flexible tab (117) formed on the upper wall (112) of the main body (110) and folded inwards, said flexible tab (117) being intended to come to bear against a face, called the bearing face, of the flat section when said flat section is engaged in the lateral slots (116a, 116b); - attachment means provided with at least one hook (118) and at least one snap-on cleat (119), formed on the lower wall, and intended to cooperate with a locking part (200) of the fixing kit.;

2. A clip (100) according to claim 1, wherein each lateral slot (116a, 116b) is delimited by a curved edge, advantageously, said edge is curved externally to the main body (110).

3. A clip (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one hook (118) is oriented to allow engagement of the locking part (200) of the fixing kit in said at least one hook (118) in the direction of engagement.

4. The clip (100) of claim 3, wherein the at least one hook (118) and the at least one snap catch (119) project internally into the main body (110) and from the bottom wall.

5. A staple (100) according to claim 4, wherein said staple (100) also comprises two secondary slots (120a, 120b) each formed on a side wall of the main body (110), said slots secondary slots (120a, 120b) are parallel to each other, and open through the engagement face (115), said secondary slots (120a, 120b) being arranged to receive a central section (210), flat, of the locking part (200), in the direction of engagement, through the engagement face (115).

6. A clip (100) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one hook (118) and the at least one snap catch (119) project outwardly from the main body (110) and from the bottom wall.

7. Staple (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the flexible tab (117) is terminated by points configured to come into contact with the bearing face when the flat section is engaged in the lateral slots (116a, 116b), and thus oppose the disengagement of said flat section in a direction opposite to the direction of engagement.

8. Locking part (200) of a fixing kit intended to cooperate with the clip (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the locking part (200) comprising: - a central section (210), generally planar, delimited at least in part by an edge, called the front edge, and by which said central section (210) is intended to be engaged in the at least one hook (118) of the clip (100), said central section (210) also being provided with a complementary latching means intended to cooperate with the at least one latching lug (119) of the clip (100) when the central section (210) is engaged in the at least one hook (118); - connecting means (215, 216) configured to cooperate with a rail on which a panel is intended to be fixed, said connecting means extending from lateral edges of the central section.

9. A locking part (200) according to claim 8, wherein the complementary latching means comprises at least one through opening (212) formed on the central section (210).

10. A locking piece (200) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said locking piece (200) comprises a stop member (217) connected to a rear edge of the central section (210) opposite the front edge, and perpendicular to said central section (210).

11. Locking part (200) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the connecting means (215, 216) extend from lateral edges (213, 214) of the central section (210).

12. A locking part (200) according to claim 11, wherein the connecting means (215, 216) are concave in shape by a front face of the central section (210), and their generator extends parallel to the lateral edges (213, 214).

13. A locking part (200) according to claim 12, wherein the connecting means (215, 216) are configured to cooperate with internally curved edges of a rail having a U-shaped section.

14. Locking part (200) according to claim 8, in which the connecting means (215, 216) are configured to cooperate in a sliding connection mode maintained with a rail having a T or H section.

15. Fixing kit comprising: - a clip (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7; - a locking part (200) according to claims 8 to 14.

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