Retaining element for fastening barrier devices for animals, in particular birds

Abstract

The retaining element is used to fasten barrier devices for animals, in particular birds. In order to ensure simple, reliable and lasting fastening of the barrier device to the modules by means of the retaining element, the retaining element has a connecting piece (3) which connects a first leg (1) to a second leg (2), of which the first leg (1) has at least one retainer element (15) directed toward the connecting piece (3) and the second leg (2) has at least one form-locking element (11) by which the retaining element (15) can be form-lockingly connected to a frame (6) of the particular module. The retainer element (15) and the form-locking element ensure that the retaining element (15) can be reliably connected to the module frame such that the barrier device can be securely fastened to the modules.

Description

[0001] ZIWI Vertriebs GmbH Mercedesstr. 1 71334 Waiblingen

[0002] Mounting element for attaching barrier devices for animals, especially birds

[0003] The invention relates to a mounting element for attaching barrier devices for animals, in particular birds, according to claim 1.

[0004] Solar or photovoltaic modules are frequently found on rooftops.

[0005] There is a space between the building roof and these modules, which is frequently used by animals, especially birds. It is therefore common practice to close off access to this space with barriers. However, attaching such barriers to the modules presents a problem. The mounting elements used are clamp-shaped and often do not ensure a sufficiently secure attachment of the barriers to the modules.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of designing such mounting elements in such a way that they ensure a simple, reliable and permanent attachment of the shut-off device to the modules.

[0007] This problem is solved in the mounting element according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

[0008] The mounting element according to the invention has two legs that are connected to each other via the web. The first leg has at least one retaining element, which is positioned on the first leg such that it faces the web. The second leg is provided with a positive locking element, with which the mounting element can be positively connected to a frame of the respective module. The retaining element and the positive locking element ensure that the mounting element can be reliably connected to the module frame, so that the locking device can be securely attached to the modules.

[0009] Advantageously, the two legs of the mounting element run at an angle to each other. A recess is formed between the legs, into which the module frame rests when the mounting element is installed. The angled position of the two legs relative to each other allows the mounting element to be reliably attached to the module frame.

[0010] It is advantageous if the first leg runs at an acute angle to the web. This allows the first leg to rest against the module frame under elastic deformation in the installed position, contributing to the secure and permanent attachment of the mounting element to the frame.

[0011] The second leg of the mounting element is advantageously arranged at right angles to the web. In the installed position, the mounting element can therefore lie flat against one side of the module frame with its second leg, which contributes to the secure fastening of the mounting element.

[0012] Particularly secure mounting on the module frame can be achieved if the first leg of the mounting element is spring-loaded. In the installed position, this leg, due to its spring-loaded deformation, bears against the module frame with sufficient force, ensuring that the mounting element is reliably held in place.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the retaining element of the first leg is bent out of the plane of the first leg. This ensures that the first leg does not rest against the module frame along its entire length, but only at its transition area to the retaining element. This design allows the retaining element to be easily slid onto the module frame.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the retaining element of the first leg has a point directed towards the web. When the retaining element is slid onto the module frame, the point is not an obstruction, as it is directed towards the web and thus does not hinder the sliding of the first leg onto the module frame. However, in the installed position, the point ensures that the first leg, and therefore the retaining element, cannot be easily pulled off the module frame. In this case, the point forms a kind of barb that prevents the retaining element from being removed.

[0015] The retaining element can be designed as a hook that ends at the tip.

[0016] Advantageously, the retaining element is part of an angle provided at the free end of the first leg. This design allows for simple manufacturing of the retaining element.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the retaining element is formed by tongues bent out from the first leg. These can be very easily produced on the first leg by a partial stamping operation and a bending operation. The tongues are therefore formed integrally with the first leg. It is thus not necessary to manufacture the tongues separately and connect them to the first leg of the retaining element.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the positive locking element of the second leg can also be manufactured very easily because the positive locking element is the angled free end of the second leg. The positive locking element can thus be produced by a simple bending operation on the second leg. Like the retaining element, the positive locking element is also formed integrally with the retaining element or its second leg. A secure and permanent fastening of the shut-off device by means of the retaining element is advantageously achieved if at least the web is provided with at least one stiffening element. This gives the retaining element high strength, which is particularly beneficial when the first leg is elastically deformed in the installed position.Due to the stiffening element, the first leg can be designed in such a way that a high tensile force is generated in the elastically deformed state without causing the web to be deformed excessively.

[0019] The stiffening element can be designed in such a way that it extends into both legs of the mounting element, which is particularly advantageous for the stability of the mounting element.

[0020] A particularly preferred embodiment consists in forming the stiffening element by means of a deformed section of the web. In this case, the web is plastically deformed to form the stiffening element.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the first leg has two parallel leg sections separated by a slot. This design allows the force with which the leg sections bear against the module frame to be adjusted.

[0022] Depending on the width of the first leg, it can also have more than two leg sections, each separated by a slit.

[0023] In another advantageous embodiment, the first leg has retaining elements distributed along its length. This design makes it possible to use the retaining element for module frames of varying widths. Depending on the width of the module frame, the different retaining elements come into contact with the module frame. The subject matter of the application is not only defined by the subject matter of the individual claims, but also by all information and features disclosed in the drawings and the description. These are claimed as essential to the invention, even if they are not explicitly stated in the claims, insofar as they are novel, individually or in combination, compared to the prior art.

[0024] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the further claims, the description and the drawings.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to several embodiments illustrated in the drawings. These show

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a mounting element according to the invention.

[0027] Fig. 1a a view in the direction of arrow aa in Fig. 1 ,

[0028] Figs. 2 and 3 are further perspective views of the mounting element according to the invention as shown in Fig. 1.

[0029] Figures 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of a mounting element according to the invention in different perspective views.

[0030] Figs. 7 to 9 show a third embodiment of a mounting element according to the invention in different perspective views.

[0031] Figs. 10 and 11 each show, in perspective view, the mounting element according to the invention as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 in an installation position, Fig. 12 shows the mounting element according to the invention as shown in Figs. 4 to 6 in an installation position,

[0032] Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of the mounting element according to Figs. 7 to 9 in an installation position.

[0033] The mounting elements are used to attach barriers for keeping animals, especially birds, out of solar / photovoltaic modules and the like, mounted on a building roof. These barriers prevent animals from entering a space Z between these modules and the (not shown) building roof (Fig. 10).

[0034] The mounting elements are U-shaped and have two legs 1, 2, which are connected to each other by a web 3. The mounting element is preferably manufactured in one piece from metallic material, e.g., stainless steel. The mounting element can be stamped out and bent into the desired shape in a bending machine.

[0035] The mounting element has an advantageously rectangular outline when angled into a plane, which allows for simple and cost-effective manufacturing.

[0036] The bridge 3 is advantageously straight and curves into the legs 1, 2. The two legs 1, 2 are at an acute angle to each other. Advantageously, one leg 2 is at a right angle to the bridge 3, while the opposite leg 1 runs at an acute angle α (Fig. 3) to the bridge 3.

[0037] Leg 1 has two leg sections 1a, 1b, which are separated from each other by a slot 4. It extends from the web 3 to the free end of leg 1. The leg sections 1a, 1b form spring sections which, in the installed position, bear against the frame 6 of modules 7 under elastic deformation, as will be explained further with reference to Figures 10 to 13.

[0038] The slot 4 lies at half the width of the leg 1, so that the leg sections 1 a, 1 b have the same width.

[0039] Advantageously, the slot 4 extends only a short length into the web 3, so that the leg sections 1 a, 1 b can be sufficiently elastically deformed.

[0040] The legs 1, 2 and the web 3 define a receiving space 5, through which, in the installed position, the frame 6 (Fig. 10) of the module 7 runs in a manner to be described later.

[0041] To ensure sufficient rigidity of the mounting element, it is provided with at least one stiffening rib 8, which is formed by a corresponding plastic deformation of the mounting element. In the exemplary embodiment, two stiffening ribs 8 are advantageously provided parallel to each other, running parallel to the two longitudinal edges 9, 10 of the mounting element near them. The stiffening ribs 8 extend over the length of the web 3 as well as over a portion of the length of the leg sections 1a, 1b and leg 2.

[0042] The stiffening ribs 8 are also spaced away from the slot 4, which is provided between the two stiffening ribs 8.

[0043] The free end of leg 2 is provided with an angle 11 directed towards leg 1, which advantageously runs at an obtuse angle to the remaining part of the flat leg 2.

[0044] The leg sections 1 a, 1 b also have angles 12 which are obtuse-angled to the leg sections 1 a, 1 b and are directed outwards from the leg sections 1 a, 1 b away from leg 2.

[0045] The two bends 12 each lie at the same obtuse angle to the leg sections 1 a, 1 b.

[0046] The transition 13 between the bends 12 and the remaining part of the leg sections 1 a, 1 b is advantageously rounded.

[0047] The transition 14 between the angle 11 and the remaining part of the leg 2 is also advantageously rounded.

[0048] In the transition area between the bends 12 and the leg sections 1a, 1b, hooks 15 are provided, which lie in the plane of the bends 12 and are tapered. The hooks 15 are formed by making incisions 16 into the longitudinal edges 9, 10 at an angle to their longitudinal direction (Fig. 1a), which are directed obliquely towards the free ends of the bends 12 and extend over a portion of the width of the bends. This forms the hooks 15, whose tips 15a are directed towards the web 3 and lie in the longitudinal edges 9, 10.

[0049] The transition 13 is indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1a and shows that the hook tips 15a lie on the side of these transitions 13 facing the leg sections 1a, 1b. This means that when the bends 12 are formed, the hooks 15 lie in the same plane as the bends 12, so that the hooks 15 project beyond the leg sections 1a, 1b and into the receiving space 5 of the mounting element (Fig. 3).

[0050] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the two legs 1, 2, as seen in side view according to Figure 3, are designed such that the free ends of the bends 11, 12 are approximately at the same height. Barrier devices 17 are attached to the frame 6 of the module 7 using the mounting elements. These devices prevent access by animals, particularly birds, to an area between the modules 7 and the housing roof. The barrier device 17 can have a variety of designs. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11, the barrier device 17 has parallel bars 18 that are slidable in their longitudinal direction within mountings 19. The bars 18 are legs of U-shaped brackets 20, which are arranged side by side at a distance. The distance between the bars 18 is chosen so that no animals can get under the modules 7 into the space Z.

[0051] The locking devices 17 are attached to the outside of the frame 6 of the modules 7 and are held in their installed position by the mounting elements. For this purpose, the mounting elements are placed on the frame 6 transversely to the webs 3. The leg 2 rests against the underside of the frame 6. The length of the leg 2 is chosen such that its angle 1 1 engages behind the frame 6 (Fig. 10). This secures the leg 2 against being pushed back.

[0052] The brackets 19 are pressed against the frame 6 by the bridge 3 of the bracket elements and are thus held on the frame 6.

[0053] When the retaining element is slid onto the frame, the leg sections 1a, 1b come into contact with the upper surface 21 of the frame 6 (Fig. 11) and are elastically bent. Since the leg sections 1a, 1b run at the acute angle a (Fig. 3) to the web 3, the tips 15a of the hooks 15 come into contact with the upper surface 21 of the frame. Because the hook tips 15a are directed towards the web 3 and the hooks 15 extend obliquely opposite the sliding direction A (Fig. 11), the leg sections 1a, 1b can be easily slid onto the frame. Due to the elastic deformation of the leg sections 1a, 1b, the hook tips 15a dig into the upper surface 21 of the frame, thus ensuring a secure fit of the retaining elements to the frame 6. As shown in Fig.Figure 11 shows that the angles 12 of the leg sections 1 a, 1 b are at an acute angle to the top of the frame 21, so that the hooks 15 projecting over the leg sections 1 a, 1 b with their hook tips 15a come into secure contact with the top of the frame 21.

[0054] The hooks 15 or their tips 15a prevent the leg sections 1 a, 1 b from being removed from the frame 6 in the opposite direction of sliding A, even if the top of the frame 21 should be smooth.

[0055] Due to the described design, the mounting elements ensure a secure fastening of the locking devices 17 even over a long period of time.

[0056] The embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 6 differs from the previous embodiment only in that the leg sections 1a, 1b are longer. As a result, in a side view, the angles 12 of the leg sections 1a, 1b are further away from the web 3 than the angle 11 of the leg 2.

[0057] These longer leg sections 1a, 1b make it possible to slide the retaining elements onto the frame 6 in such a way that the hook tips 15a do not contact the top of the frame 21, but rather its rear edge 22 (Fig. 12). In this way, a positive fit is achieved between the hooks 15 of the leg sections 1a, 1b and the frame 6. Since the angle 11 of the leg 2 also engages behind the frame 6 and thus creates a positive connection, the retaining element cannot be removed from the frame 6 without the aid of a tool.

[0058] The retaining element according to Figures 7 to 9 has essentially the same shape as the previous embodiments. It has the straight, flat web 3 that connects leg 1 to leg 2. Leg 2 with the angle 11 is designed identically to the previous embodiments. The design of leg 1 differs from the previous embodiments. Leg 1 does not consist of two leg sections, but rather of a single piece. Leg 1 thus has the same width as leg 2 and web 3. Leg 1 lies at the acute angle α to web 3 (Figure 8) and is straight along its length. While web 2 has the angle 11 at its free end, web 1 has no angle.

[0059] The leg has tongues 23 arranged along its length and width, which are bent outwards from the leg 1 and project into the receiving space 5 of the retaining element (Fig. 8). The tongues 21 advantageously have a triangular outline with a point 23a.

[0060] The tongues 23 lie at an acute angle β (Fig. 8) to the inside of the leg 1, with the tongue tip 23a pointing towards the bridge 3.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiment, the tongues 23 are arranged in two rows side by side, running parallel to the longitudinal edges 9, 10 of the retaining element or leg 1. The tongues 23 are spaced one behind the other and side by side, with the tongues 23 in both rows being at the same height.

[0062] Fig. 13 shows the mounting element in its assembled position. It can be seen that the tongues 23, with their tips 23a, rest against the edge 22 of the frame 6, thus overlapping the frame at the top. In this way, a positive-locking connection is achieved between the leg 1 and the frame 6. Since the lower leg 2, with its angled section 11, also engages behind the lower edge of the frame, as can be seen by way of example in Fig. 10, the mounting element is positively connected to the frame 6, so that it can no longer be removed from the frame without tools. Because the leg 1 has tongues 2 spaced one behind the other along its longitudinal direction, the positive-locking connection between the leg 1 and the frame 6 can also be achieved even with different widths of the frame's upper surface 21.

[0063] In this embodiment as well, the retaining element is designed such that the leg 1 is elastically deformed in the mounted position of the retaining element, so that the tongues 23 bear against the frame edge 22 with sufficiently high force.

[0064] The retaining elements according to Figures 1 to 6 can also be designed such that leg 1 consists of only one part. In this case, a longitudinal slot is not provided.

[0065] Depending on the width of the mounting element, either one stiffening rib 8 or more than two stiffening ribs may be provided. These ensure that, in particular, the web 3 of the mounting element has sufficient flexural strength and can absorb the forces resulting from the elastic deformation of the leg 1 without or with only minimal deformation.

[0066] In principle, it is also possible that leg 2 is elastically deformed in the assembly position, so that both legs 1, 2 bear against the corresponding frame sides under force.

[0067] Depending on the width of the frame 6, the legs 1, 2 can have different lengths. Therefore, appropriately adapted mounting elements can be used for different frame widths. Since the mounting elements are stamped parts that are bent after the stamping process using a bending machine or similar device, the mounting elements with different dimensions can be manufactured easily and, above all, cost-effectively. The locking device 17 can also have a different design. For example, the bars 18 can be individual bars. It is also possible to attach rod-shaped mounting elements side by side to a support, on which sliding locking elements are mounted.

[0068] Other designs are also possible, as long as the barrier device 17 prevents animals, especially birds, from entering the space Z between the modules 7 and the roof elements of the building.

[0069] The mounting element is preferably made of metal, but can also be made of a suitable plastic.

Claims

ZIWI Vertriebs GmbH Mercedesstr. 1 71334 Waiblingen Claims 1. Mounting element for fastening barrier devices for animals, in particular birds, with a web (3) connecting a first leg (1) to a second leg (2), the first leg (1) having at least one retaining element (15, 23) directed towards the web (3), and the second leg (2) having at least one positive locking element (11).

2. Mounting element according to claim 1, characterized in that the two legs (1 , 2) extend at an angle to each other.

3. Mounting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first leg (1 ) extends at an acute angle (a) to the web (3).

4. Mounting element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second leg (2) extends at right angles to the web (3).

5. Mounting element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first leg (1 ) is spring-elastic.

6. Retaining element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the retaining element (15, 23) of the first leg (1 ) is bent out of the plane of the first leg (2). is.

7. Retaining element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the retaining element (15, 23) of the first leg (1 ) has a tip (15a, 23a) which points towards the web (3).

8. Retaining element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the retaining element (15) is part of an angle (12) provided at the free end of the first leg (1).

9. Retaining element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the retaining element (23) is formed by tongues bent out from the first leg (1).

10. Retaining element according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the positive locking element (11 ) is the angled free end of the second leg (2).

11. Mounting element according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least the web (3) is provided with at least one stiffening part (8).

12. Mounting element according to claim 11, characterized in that the stiffening part (8) is formed by a deformed section of the web (3).

13. Mounting element according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first leg (1) has two leg sections (1a, 1b) running parallel to each other, which are separated from each other by a slot (4).

14. Retaining element according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the first leg (1 ) has retaining elements (23) arranged distributed over its length.

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