Clamp for panels

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clamp for panels, which is simple to manufacture and install, comprising a lower securing part, an upper securing part and means for bringing both parts closer together. The lower securing part comprises a first base and a first longitudinal wall and a second longitudinal wall projecting centrally and parallel to each other. The upper securing part comprises a second base and a third longitudinal wall and a fourth longitudinal wall projecting centrally and parallel to each other. The lower securing part and the upper securing part are identical and are arranged so that the third longitudinal wall is arranged parallel to the first longitudinal wall in the same way that the fourth longitudinal wall is parallel to the second longitudinal wall, such that the lower securing part and the upper securing part are facing each other.

Description

[0001]PANEL CLAMP TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention falls within the field of panel support structures, specifically, panel holding clamps. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Photovoltaic panels, as well as thermal or mixed panels, are arranged in a fixed manner on the element on which they are placed. Said element is usually horizontal, such as a flat floor or roof, or have a certain inclination, such as a sloping roof or ceiling. Fixed placement is intended to be as simple and light as possible, which is why the use of clamps that embrace the panels and are fixed directly on the element on which the panels are placed or include a support to be fixed on the aforementioned element is common. The panels considered here and throughout this document can be of any type, glass as an enclosure, or like the aforementioned photovoltaic, thermal or mixed.There are known clamps composed of two profile-like parts that embrace the panel, both parts being different from each other, which implies that two different parts must be manufactured and attention must be paid to the assembly to place them in their correct position, such as the Würth clamps "grapa interlamclic alu zebra" (https: / / www.wurth.es / grapa-interlamclic-alu-zebra), and "grapa intermedia alu solar 35-40" (https: / / www.wurth.es / grapa-intermedia-alu-solar-35-40- 10). The utility models with publication numbers ES1291414 and ES1204737 show more complex clamps, with a greater number of parts and with the aforementioned differences between the upper and lower parts, which also have the disadvantage of their manufacture and assembly. Martigrap's "photovoltaic start / end clamp" (https: / / m https: / / martigrap.es / pinza-sujecion- inicio-final-fotovoltaica / artigrap.(es / clamp-start-end-photovoltaic) shows a simple configuration in the form of a sheet folded into several sections, which requires attention to its mounting position and also means that the lower surface of the panel is not held by the clamp itself, but must be clamped onto the element on which the panel is placed. Known panel clamps are different at the top and bottom, which complicates their manufacture and makes assembly relatively difficult. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is set out and characterised in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other features thereof. The object of the invention is a clamp for panels. The technical problem to be solved is to configure the clamp to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art, so that its manufacture and assembly are simple.In view of the foregoing, the present invention relates to a panel clamp comprising a lower clamping piece, an upper clamping piece and means for bringing the two pieces together; the lower clamping piece comprises a first base, a first longitudinal wall and a second longitudinal wall; the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall project parallel to each other towards the same side of the first base and in a central manner with respect to the same, such that a first wing is configured up to one end of the first base and a second wing is configured up to the opposite end of the first base.Similarly, the upper clamping piece comprises a second base, a third longitudinal wall and a fourth longitudinal wall; the third longitudinal wall and the fourth longitudinal wall project parallel to each other towards the same side of the second base and centrally thereto, such that a third wing is configured up to one end of the second base and a fourth wing is configured up to the opposite end of the second base. The lower clamping piece and the upper clamping piece are arranged such that the first longitudinal wall is aligned with the third longitudinal wall, the second longitudinal wall is aligned with the fourth longitudinal wall, a first panel may be arranged between the first wing and the third wing, a second panel may be arranged between the second wing and the fourth wing, and the approximation means are arranged between the first, second, third and fourth longitudinal walls.The clamp is characterized by the fact that the lower clamping piece and the upper clamping piece are identical pieces and are arranged such that the third longitudinal wall is arranged parallel to the first longitudinal wall in the same way that the fourth longitudinal wall is parallel to the fourth longitudinal wall, so that the lower clamping piece and the upper clamping piece face each other. In other words, the lower clamping piece and the upper clamping piece, which are in themselves the same piece in the sense that they are a duplicate piece, then face approximately with respect to the median plane of the clamp, turned 180° relative to each other, or relative to the median plane of the first and second panels when they are arranged in the clamp.The terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" are included in this document considering the clamp in its final use position, are not limiting and are used to provide clarity to the description of the invention. The panels are not part of the invention; they are included due to their relationship to the clamp and because they help in explaining it. By configuring the clamp with two identical pieces, a single piece can be manufactured to configure each clamp, with the advantages in manufacturing molds, reference management, and logistics that this implies. Furthermore, since two identical pieces form each clamp, it is not necessary to determine during assembly which piece goes as the top piece in the clamp and which as the bottom piece. Since there is only one piece, there is no distinction to detect between two different pieces, avoiding assembly errors and facilitating said task. Other advantages related to the dependent claims are mentioned below in the detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES This specification is complemented by a set of figures, illustrative of the preferred example, and never limiting the invention. Figure 1 represents a profile view of a clamp according to the invention. Figure 2 represents a section of the clamp of Figure 1 arranged on a support and embracing two panels. Figure 3 represents a profile view of a variant of the clamp of Figures 1 and 2, arranged on a support. Figure 4 represents a perspective view of the clamp of Figure 3. DETAILED EXPOSURE OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a panel clamp according to the invention, with a lower clamping piece (1), an upper clamping piece (2) and means of approximation (3) between both pieces (1, 2), in the embodiment shown these are a screw, which can go to a support (4), as shown in Figures 2 and 3 and described here below.Continuing with the embodiment of Figure 1, the lower clamping piece (1) comprises a first base (1.1), a first longitudinal wall (1.2) and a second longitudinal wall (1.3); the first longitudinal wall (1.2) and the second longitudinal wall (1.3) project parallel to each other towards the same side of the first base (1.1) and centrally thereto, upwards according to the figure, such that up to one end of the first base (1.1) a first wing (1.11) is configured, on the left in the figure, and up to the opposite end of the first base (1.1) a second wing (1.12) is configured, on the right in the figure. The upper clamping piece (2) comprises a second base (2.1), a third longitudinal wall (2.2) and a fourth longitudinal wall (2.3); the third longitudinal wall (2.2) and the fourth longitudinal wall (2.3) project parallel to each other towards the same side of the second base (2.1) and in a central manner to the same, downwards according to the figure, so that up to one end of the second base (2.1) a third wing (2.11) is configured, on the left in the figure, and up to the opposite end of the second base (2.1) a fourth wing (2.12) is configured, on the right in the figure. Continuing with the embodiment of Figure 1, the lower clamping piece (1) and the upper clamping piece (2) are arranged such that the first longitudinal wall (1.2) is aligned with the third longitudinal wall (2.2), the second longitudinal wall (1.3) is aligned with the fourth longitudinal wall (2.3), a first panel (6), shown in Figure 2, can be arranged between the first wing (1.11) and the third wing (2.11), a second panel (7), shown in Figure 2, can be arranged between the second wing (1.12) and the fourth wing (2.12), and the approach means (3) are arranged between the first (1.2), second (1.3), third (2.2) and fourth longitudinal wall (2.3). Figure 2 shows the same clamp as Figure 1, in section, for clarity not all the elements are numbered, it adds that the panels (6,7) are shown, the approximation means (3) and a support (4) are detailed. Continuing with the embodiment of Figure 1, the lower clamping piece (1) and the upper clamping piece (2) are identical pieces and are arranged so that the third longitudinal wall (2.2) is arranged parallel to the first longitudinal wall (1.2) in the same way as the fourth longitudinal wall (2.3) is parallel to the second longitudinal wall (1.3), so that the lower clamping piece (1) and the upper clamping piece (2) face each other. That is, according to the embodiment shown, the third longitudinal wall (2.2) is to the right of the first longitudinal wall (1.2) just as the fourth longitudinal wall (2.3) is to the right of the second longitudinal wall (1.3), which occurs because both clamping pieces, lower (1) and upper (2), are identical pieces, facing each other rotated 180º with respect to each other. Figure 3 shows a variant of the clamp that provides self-centering between the lower clamping piece (1) and the upper clamping piece (2), understood as both pieces being centered between each other by themselves, without any external element to them, and is that between the first longitudinal wall (1.2) and the second longitudinal wall (1.3) and connected to them a first transverse wall (1.4), horizontal in the embodiment shown, between the third longitudinal wall (2.2) and the fourth longitudinal wall (2.3) and connected to them a second transverse wall (2.4), horizontal in the embodiment shown, is arranged, such that the first transverse wall (1.4) creates a first housing (1.5) where one end of the third longitudinal wall (2.2), the second transverse wall (2.4) creates a second housing (2.5) in which one end of the second longitudinal wall (1.3) is arranged, whereby the aforementioned self-centering takes place between the lower clamping piece (1) and the upper clamping piece (2). The clamp of Figure 3 is represented in perspective in Figure 4. Apart from the elements added in the variant, all the other elements of the clamp of Figures 3 and 4 are the same as those of Figures 1 and 2, for clarity only some are indicated in said Figures 3 and 4. An option indicated in Figure 1 is that the first wing (1.11), the second wing (1.12), the third wing (2.11) and / or the fourth wing (2.12) include respectively first tabs (1.111), second tabs (1.121), third tabs (2.111) and fourth tabs (2.121) in which an adjustment and cushioning joint (5) is arranged with the first panel (6) and / or with the second panel (7).In this way, an effective way is created for a robust and simple mechanical anchoring of the seal (5), normally of the felt or elastomer type. An option represented in Figures 1 to 3 is that the approximation means (3) include a screw (3.1) whose stem passes through the clamp. Figures 2 and 3 show that the lower (1) and upper (2) fastening pieces include through holes for the passage of the stem. This is an embodiment example; it may not be a through hole or may not even have holes and be a self-tapping screw. Another option is that the approximation means (3) are fixed to a support (4). In Figure 2, the support (4) includes a through perforation (4.1) such that a nut (3.2) serves to fasten it to the clamp. In Figure 3, the support (4) includes a blind perforation (4.1) such that the clamp is fastened by insertion. These are two merely illustrative ways, since any other known form of fastening is possible.Likewise, the support (4) may refer to the element on which the clamp is placed, such as a roof, or it may be a piece added to the clamp assembly and then fixed to the element on which the clamp and support assembly would be placed. All figures show the longitudinal walls, first (1.2), second (1.3), third (2.2) and fourth (2.3), with a thickening at their ends, which is advantageous as a temporary retention that prevents a separation of the lower (1) and upper (2) clamping pieces of the clamp during assembly and until the approach means (3) embrace the panels (6,7). Normally, the lower clamping piece (1) and the upper clamping piece (2) are made of metallic material and manufactured by extrusion, specifically aluminum, although any other material is possible and any other manufacturing method is applicable.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.–Panel clamp comprising a lower clamping piece (1), an upper clamping piece (2) and means of approximation (3) between both pieces (1, 2); the lower clamping piece (1) comprises a first base (1. 1), a first longitudinal wall (1. 2) and a second longitudinal wall (1. 3); the first longitudinal wall (1. 2) and the second longitudinal wall (1. 3) project parallel to each other towards the same side of the first base (1. 1) and in a central manner to it, such that up to one end of the first base (1. 1) a first wing (1. 11) is configured and up to the opposite end of the first base (1. 1) a second wing (1. 12) is configured; the upper clamping piece (2) comprises a second base (2. 1), a third longitudinal wall (2. 2) and a fourth longitudinal wall (2. 3); The third longitudinal wall (2.2) and the fourth longitudinal wall (2.3) project parallel to each other towards the same side of the second base (2.1) and in a central manner thereto, such that up to one end of the second base (2.1) a third wing (2.11) is configured and up to the opposite end of the second base (2.1) a fourth wing (2.12) is configured; the lower fastening piece (1) and the upper fastening piece (2) are arranged such that the first longitudinal wall (1.2) is aligned with the third longitudinal wall (2.2), the second longitudinal wall (1.3) is aligned with the fourth longitudinal wall (2.3), a first panel (6) may be arranged between the first wing (1.11) and the third wing (2.11), a second panel (7) may be arranged between the second wing (1.12) and the fourth wing (2.12), and the approach means (3) are arranged between the first (1.2), second (1.3), third (2.2) and fourth longitudinal wall (2.3); said clamp characterized in that the lower clamping piece (1) and the upper clamping piece (2) are pieces. identical and are arranged such that the third longitudinal wall (2.2) is arranged parallel to the first longitudinal wall (1.2) in the same way as the fourth longitudinal wall (2.3) is parallel to the second longitudinal wall (1.3), whereby the lower clamping piece (1) and the upper clamping piece (2) face each other.

2. Clamp according to claim 1 wherein a first transverse wall (1.4) is arranged between the first longitudinal wall (1.2) and the second longitudinal wall (1.3) and connected thereto, a second transverse wall (2.4) is arranged between the third longitudinal wall (2.2) and the fourth longitudinal wall (2.3) and connected thereto, such that the first transverse wall (1.4) creates a first housing (1.5) in which one end of the third longitudinal wall (2.2) is arranged, the second transverse wall (2.4) creates a second housing (2.5) wherein one end of the second longitudinal wall (1.3) is arranged, whereby self-centering takes place between the lower clamping piece (1) and the upper clamping piece (2).

3. Clamp according to claim 1 wherein the first wing (1.11), the second wing (1.12), the third wing (2.11) and / or the fourth wing (2.12) respectively include first tabs (1.111), second tabs (1.121), third tabs (2.111) and fourth tabs (2.121) in which an adjustment and cushioning joint (5) with the first panel (6) and / or with the second panel (7) is arranged.

4. Clamp according to claim 1 wherein the approximation means (3) include a screw (3.1) whose shank passes through the clamp. 5.- Clamp according to claim 1 in which the approximation means (3) are fixed to a support (4).

Images