APPARATUS FOR FASTENING A MOUNTING RAIL TO A THREADED SHAFT

• US 20120167364A1
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schletter GmbH
• Original Assignee: Schletter GmbH
• Inventors: Koch, Bernd, Urban, Hans
• Granted Patent: US 8,567,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/281.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/12 using sliding jaws
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/0473 with hook-like parts gripping, e.g. by expanding, behind the flanges of a profile
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6002 by using hooks
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6006 by using threaded elements, e.g. stud bolts
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6008 by using toothed elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/801 having hollow parts with closed cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/807 having undercut grooves
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/30 using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the supporting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors extending in directions away from the supporting surface F24S25/10; peripheral frames for modules F24S25/20
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/61 for fixing to the ground or to building structures
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/65 for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53961 with work-holder for assembly

Abstract

An apparatus for fastening a mounting rail includes a retaining element comprising a supporting surface for a contact side of the mounting rail, a gripping extension projecting from the supporting surface which engages behind the retaining edge, a first elongated hole disposed transversely to the mounting rail configured to have a threaded shaft pass therethrough, and bracing slopes. A clamping element comprises a second elongated hole disposed transversely to the mounting rail configured to have the threaded shaft pass therethrough, and mating slopes. Nuts engage the threaded shaft. The retaining element and the clamping element are arranged axially between, and are braced together by, the nuts, so that the clamping element and the mounting rail advance toward each another and the mating slopes slide downward on the bracing slopes. The mounting rail is thereby clamped against the gripping extension by the clamping element and is held down on the supporting surface.

Claims

1-7. -7. (canceled)

8. An apparatus for fastening a mounting rail comprising a contact side and a retaining edge on a threaded shaft, the apparatus comprising:

a retaining element comprising;

a supporting surface for the contact side of the mounting rail,

a gripping extension projecting from the supporting surface and configured to engage behind the retaining edge,

a first elongated hole disposed transversely to the mounting rail and configured to have the threaded shaft pass therethrough, and

a plurality of successive bracing slopes arranged to slope up uniformly with increasing distance from the mounting rail;

a clamping element comprising;

a second elongated hole disposed transversely to the mounting rail and configured to have the threaded shaft pass therethrough, and

a plurality of successive mating slopes configured to correspond to the plurality of successive bracing slopes of the retaining element; and

at least two nuts configured to engage the threaded shaft,

wherein the retaining element and the clamping element are arranged axially between the at least two nuts and are configured to be braced together by the at least two nuts at various positions along the threaded shaft, the bracing together of the at least two nuts causing the clamping element and the mounting rail to advance toward each another and the plurality of successive mating slopes of the clamping element to slide downward on the plurality of successive bracing slopes of the retaining element so that, when the at least two nuts are braced, the mounting rail is clamped against the gripping extension by the clamping element so as to be held down on the supporting surface.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, further comprising a hanger bolt, wherein the hanger bolt comprises the threaded shaft.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the retaining edge is an edge of an undercut screw-connection channel in the contact side of the mounting rail.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the retaining element is provided as an extrusion from which the first elongated hole is punched.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the clamping element is provided as an extrusion from which the second elongated hole is punched.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality of successive bracing slopes are substantially arranged around a region of the first elongated hole.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality of successive mating slopes are substantially arranged around a region of the second elongated hole.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the clamping element further comprises a plurality of second mating slopes arranged symmetrically with respect to the plurality of first mating slopes so that the clamping element can be mounted in a manner in which it is rotated alternately through 180°

about the threaded shaft.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises a resilient element configured to bias the clamping element in a direction which slopes up with respect to the plurality of successive bracing slopes.

17. An assembly comprising the apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the apparatus is pre-assembled on a hanger bolt comprising the threaded shaft.