Abstract:
A cable support structure, used in a solar application or other applications, comprising a cable structure which comprises latitudinal cables extending between two sides of an enclosure of a roof, panels or solar modules being arranged in a row on the latitudinal cables forming an array supported by the cable structure, the cable structure in turn being supported by the sides of the enclosure in such a way that weight of the array and force loads on the array are completely or partially distributed on the sides of the enclosure.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to a support structure for panels, and particularly to a support structure for solar modules. More particularly the present invention is improved with a hook for fastening panels or solar modules to cables or bars or chains or other supports like cables or bars or chains. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    One installation of solar module is to install the solar module onto the surface provided by a rack system on a roof or ground. The process of the traditional installation of solar module comprises:
       1. Screwing anchorages on the roof (or if ground mounted, stick pillars in the ground or concrete);   2. Sealing the holes on the roof at the anchorage points;   3. Assembling a rack system made by rigid and heavy parts;   4. Securing the rack system to the anchorage points on the roof or on the ground;   5. Screwing the solar modules on the rack;   6. Electrically connecting solar modules with electric cables.       
 
         [0009]    A traditional variant of screwing rack system into the roof is to make the whole system heavier with ballasts. 
         [0010]    However, roofs are often designed to support a limited static load and this is not enough to support the gravity of solar modules and mounting system. 
         [0011]    Each contact point of rack and roof needs a mounting hole which damages the membrane and may damage the roof. And each hole needs to be sealed which will increase costs for labor, material and roof insurance. 
         [0012]    Professional labor is necessary to assemble the framework, to screw the modules to the framework, and to connect electric wires. 
         [0013]    The framework for supporting the modules leads to expensive costs for material and transport. 
         [0014]    Japanese patent JP200-71805 discloses a cable structure consisting of cable net which is weaved by longitudinal cables and latitudinal cables. The grid of the cable net provides a space in which a solar module is placed. The four sides of the solar module are respectively supported by the four sides of one grid. And the cable net is placed on a slope provided by a rigid rack. Such cable structure needs many cables, and cables are very expensive: thus, it is very hard to decrease the cost of the cable structure. Except that, the rack is also necessary, and accordingly the rack must be screwed or ballasted on the roof. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The objective of this invention is to provide a cable support structure to distribute the solar or panels system weight and force loads on the system, on surfaces other than roof to extend solar or panels system installation on roofs with limited static load. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an auto-trigger hook to facilitate the installation of panels or solar modules onto cables or bars or chains or other supports. 
         [0016]    The term enclosure in the present disclosure means an area surrounded or divided by fences or walls or other supporting structures. One roof may be an enclosure in itself or may consist of a plurality of enclosures. Moreover, in this invention, the term panel means every type of solar panels or every type of panel used for building construction or covering. The term cable includes things which are relatively long, straight, rigid or soft pieces, like cable or bar or chain. 
         [0017]    The cable support of the present invention comprises a cable structure which comprises latitudinal cables. The latitudinal cables extend between two sides of an enclosure of a roof, panels or solar modules are arranged in a row on the latitudinal cables forming an array, the array is supported by the cable structure, and the cable structure in turn is supported by the sides of the enclosure in such a way that weight of the array and force loads on the array being distributed partially or completely on the sides of the enclosure. 
         [0018]    The mounting system of solar module array is made by cables, the sides of the enclosure and anchorages. The panels array, supported by the cable structure, distributes force loads on the roof perimeter. The support structure of the invention makes possible array panels installation on roof with static load limitation. 
         [0019]    Because the cables are anchored on the opposite sides of the enclosure of a roof, such as walls, and do not depend on the rack, it is not necessary to screw or ballast the roof to anchor the rack, and thus the cost of the installation is further decreased. 
         [0020]    Installing the cable structure is faster than assembling the rack and screwing it or ballasting it and sealing the roof holes. Fastening panels on the cables by the automatic-trigger hook or other fastener or hook, is fast. In case cables are also electric cables, electric connection process is reduced drastically. 
         [0021]    Because the array of panels is supported by the cable structure, the whole rack material is not necessary. Because the array is not ballasted, ballast material is not necessary. The array of panels or solar modules is primarily supported by the latitudinal cables, and unlike the prior art the cable web with longitudinal cables and latitudinal cables are necessary to unload the weight, so the cost of material for cables will be obviously decreased. 
         [0022]    Preferably the latitudinal cables are at different height to tilt the array of panel or solar modules. In this way, unlike the prior art, no additional supports or racks are necessary to tilt array panels. Because rack and ballast are not necessary, the material cost of rack is avoided, the labor cost for assembling the rack is saved, the overload on the roof is avoided and the damage to the roof due to the installation of rack is eliminated. 
         [0023]    Preferably one latitudinal cable of the cable structure connects erect pillars which support the upper portion of the panels or solar module to tilt the panels or solar module. This is adaptable to the case that the fitting plane for the tilted panels and solar modules is difficultly defined only by the cables. 
         [0024]    Preferably at least one portion of the cable structure is elastic. 
         [0025]    Preferably said pillar is elastic. 
         [0026]    Preferably at least one portion of the cable supporting the upper portions of the panels or solar modules is elastic. 
         [0027]    While existing wind pressure, the elastic portion will be elastically deformed, which decreases the angle between the panels or solar modules and the direction of wind to decrease the wind pressure acting on the panels or solar modules. Because springs or pistons are used to reduce wind load, cables and anchorages can be designed for a lower force load thus cables and anchorages will be cheaper. 
         [0028]    Preferably an elastic member is disposed between the panels or solar module and the latitudinal cable which supports the lower portions of the backside of the panel or solar module, and the elastic member is extendable in case the panel or solar module spins upwardly due to wind blowing towards the backside. 
         [0029]    In case wind blows towards the backside of the panel or solar module, the elastic member is stretched to enable the panel or solar module to spin upwardly. A panel or solar module spinning upwardly, lets backside wind to flow with little resistance, thus wind load on the array is reduced. 
         [0030]    Preferably overloading supporting members are disposed below the cable structure to unload the excess load of rated load of the cable structure. 
         [0031]    Preferably the overloading supporting member is a longitudinal cable which is perpendicular to cable structure and extending between the walls on the roof; or the overloading supporting member is an elastic member installed on the roof. The weight of panels or solar modules is mostly borne by the cable structure, and if the load is in excess of the rated load of cable structure, the longitudinal cable will partake the excess weight. The installation of the elastic member installed on the roof needs not to form fitting holes on the roof and just needs some backing to underlay the elastic member. 
         [0032]    Preferably the cables are anchored on the sides of the enclosure, or are connected to the sides of the enclosure by clamps clamping the sides or sticks stuck in the wall, or are connected to supporting members installed on the sides of the enclosure, or connected to counterweights fixed on the ground after having been guided by pulleys disposed on the sides of the enclosure. 
         [0033]    Preferably the cables are electrical wires. The cables have the capacity of electrifying and load bearing, so the cables are used to transmit electricity generated by solar modules, and therefore the electrical connection during installation of solar power apparatus is simplified. 
         [0034]    The present invention also provides a cable support which comprises cable structure consisted of parallel cables which extending between pillars, each of which has perforations at different levels, the cable connecting the pillars by going through the perforations thereof, panels or solar modules being arranged in line on the cable structure and being supported by the cable structure. Or supporting cable can be secured to the pillars by hooks inserted in the pillars perforations. 
         [0035]    The auto-trigger hook of the present invention comprises a base, a slot ware disposed on the base and a latch. The slot ware provides a slot and inside the first sidewall of the slot is formed with an installation hole which receives the latch. An elastic member is disposed in the installation hole, presses on the latch, and the latch thus extends from the installation hole toward the second sidewall of the slot, the latch and bottom of the slot defines a space for fixedly interlocking a cable or a bar or a chain, and one side of the latch which faces the opening of the slot is formed with a guiding slope. 
         [0036]    The auto-trigger hook of the present invention can be quickly and simply fixed on the cable. In operation, firstly the cable is embedded into the straight slot of the slot ware, while the cable contacts the guiding inclined plane, a pressure force from the cable will push the latch into the installation hole and thus the cable will pass the latch to the deep of the straight slot. Once the cable or bar or chain has gone over the latch, the latch will bounce back, and thus the cable or bar or chain will stay interlocked in the space defined by the latch and the bottom of the straight slot. 
         [0037]    Preferably, the slot is straight slot, and pluralities of slot wares are disposed on the base, and the straight slots of the slot wares are located in line. 
         [0038]    Preferably, a cavity is formed in the second sidewall in order to receive and support the outer end of the latch ejected from the installation hole of the first sidewall by the elastic member. 
         [0039]    Preferably, the base is attached, by connection members, to panels or solar modules. 
         [0040]    Preferably, the slot can tightly hold different kinds of adaptors with different internal sizes, the adaptors being used for seizing cables or bars or chains with different sizes to assure a tight fit of cables with different diameters with the slot ware. The width of the straight slot may be designed to the cable diameter to enable the cable and the straight slot to tightly fit with each other. While the diameter of the cable or bar or chain is smaller than the straight slot width, the cable or bar or chain can tightly fit in the auto-trigger hook by the adaptor. Depending on the material the adaptor is made, the adaptor creates friction on the cable so that the cable cannot slide along the slot. 
         [0041]    The present invention can be used not only in the solar application but also in other than solar application, and makes feasible the installation of panels on areas that have weight load limitations. Weight load is distributed on the roof perimeter. This opens a new market. 
         [0042]    Neither anchor points nor holes are present on the roof area. This implies savings on material, labor and roof insurance. 
         [0043]    Panels rack is not necessary. This implies saving on design, labor for assembly, material and transport. 
         [0044]    Panels are secured at the cables by simply “clicking-in” the cables to hooks (mounted on the panel back). This implies savings on labor. 
         [0045]    The above-mentioned objective, features and advantages of the present invention will be more detailedly described below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0046]      FIG. 1  is the schematic perspective view of a cable support structure in the one embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 2  is the schematic perspective view of the cable support structure illustrated in  FIG. 1  on which panels or solar modules are installed; 
           [0047]      FIG. 3  is the schematic perspective view of parts of a cable support structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 4  is the schematic perspective view of the cable support structure illustrated in  FIG. 3  on which panels or solar modules are installed; 
           [0049]      FIG. 5  is the schematic view illustrating the installation structure of the cable structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 6  is the schematic view illustrating the installation structure of the cable structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 7  is the schematic view illustrating the installation structure of the cable structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0052]      FIG. 8   a  is the schematic view illustrating the installation structure of the cable structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 8   b  is the schematic perspective view of the cable support structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 8   c  is the schematic perspective view of the cable support structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0055]      FIG. 9  is the schematic perspective view of the cable support structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0056]      FIG. 10  is the schematic perspective view of the cable support structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0057]      FIG. 10   a  is the side view of the cable support structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0058]      FIGS. 10   b  and  FIG. 10   c  illustrate the principle of the structure in  FIG. 10   a  reducing wind load caused by the wind from the backside; 
           [0059]      FIG. 11  is the schematic perspective view of the cable support structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0060]      FIG. 12  is the schematic perspective view of the cable support structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0061]      FIG. 13  is the schematic perspective view of the cable support structure in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0062]      FIG. 14  is the schematic perspective view of the pillar in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0063]      FIG. 15  is the schematic front view of the auto-trigger hook in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0064]      FIG. 16  is the top view of the auto-trigger hook of the present invention; 
           [0065]      FIG. 17  is the cross-sectional view along the line A-A in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 18  illustrates the process of interlocking of the auto-trigger hook and a cable or a bar or a chain; 
           [0067]      FIG. 19  is the schematic view of the auto-trigger hook which has already been fixedly connected with the cable or the bar or the chain; 
           [0068]      FIG. 20  is the exploded view of the auto-trigger hook; 
           [0069]      FIG. 21  is the schematic view of the auto-trigger hook disposed with an adaptor. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0070]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cable support structure comprises two latitudinal cables  21 ,  22 . The two cables  21 ,  22  are parallel to each other and extend between two opposite sides  10  of an enclosure on a roof. The plane in which the two cables  21 ,  22  are located has an angle with the horizontal plane. The side  10  is a wall or an upright structure of masonry, wood, plaster, or other building material serving to enclose, divide, or protect the enclosure. The roof may be the enclosure itself, thus the sides  10  may be the perimeter of the roof. 
         [0071]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , panels or solar modules  30  are installed on the latitudinal cables  21 ,  22 . For example, the panels or solar modules  30  are fixed on the latitudinal cables  21 ,  22  with the hooks or different fasteners on the back thereof. Because only two substantially parallel latitudinal cables  21 ,  22  are necessary to support panels or solar modules  30 , the material cost is cut down while comparing with cable web, for example, no longitudinal cables (perpendicular to cables  21 ,  22 ) are needed. The advantages using only latitudinal cables to support panels or solar modules  30  will be seen in the embodiments mentioned hereinafter. 
         [0072]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , only one array of panels or solar panels  30  is shown. However, pluralities of arrays could be disposed between the two opposite sides of the enclosure in the same way as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , to form a place generating electricity by solar energy on a large scale. 
         [0073]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  has the simple process of installation as follows:
       1. Anchoring latitudinal cables  21 ,  22  on the two opposite sides of the enclosure on a roof;   2. Installing panels or solar modules  30  on the cables  21 ,  22  by hooks or fasteners;   3. Providing the electrical connection for the installation of solar modules.       
 
         [0077]      FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrate the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0078]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , two latitudinal cables  21 ,  22  extend between two opposite sides of the roof perimeter. The plane defined by cables  21 ,  22  is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. With reference to  FIG. 4 , cable  21  connects with pillars  23 . The bottom end of pillar  23  connects with cable  21  and the top end of pillar  23  supports the upper portion of panel or solar module  30 . Cable  22  directly supports the lower portion of panels or solar modules  30 . And panels or solar modules  30  thus are tilted. 
         [0079]    Because the plane defined by the two latitudinal cables  21 ,  22  has an adjustable angle with respect to the horizontal plane, the panels or solar modules  30  are inclined to optimally absorb sunlight. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tilt of the panels or solar modules is provided by cables unlike the prior art where the tilted plane is formed on a rigid rack. 
         [0080]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , because panels or solar modules  30  are tilted by the two latitudinal cables  21 ,  22  rack system is not necessary. And thus no installation holes or fewer holes are formed in the roof and this prevents the damage of the roof and saves the manual work for rack installation. 
         [0081]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , if pluralities of arrays of panels or solar modules  30  are disposed between two opposite sides of the enclosure perimeter, the weight of panels or solar modules  30  is borne by walls or other anchorage systems along the perimeter of enclosure on a roof. 
         [0082]    The second embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  has the same advantages of the first embodiment, and especially adaptable to the case that it is difficult for two cables to define an inclined plane. 
         [0083]    The cables shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  not only have the function of bearing load but also have the function of transmitting electricity. Thus, the most of work for the electrical connection has been done by installing the cables  21 ,  22 . However, it should be noted that the material for the cables is, but not limited to, metal or plastic. 
         [0084]    In each embodiment of the present invention, many structures can be used to anchor the terminals of cables  21 ,  22  at the opposite sides of the enclosure on a roof 
         [0085]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the ends of cable  21 ,  22  are anchored into side  10  of the enclosure on a roof  11 . The roof  11  may be an enclosure in itself and the side  10  thus may be a wall on the perimeter of the roof  11 . 
         [0086]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the supporting member  40  is installed around the sides  10  of the enclosure on a roof  11 . The supporting member  40  is but not limited to bars or cables or wires or cords or chains. The ends of cables  21 ,  22  are connected with the supporting member  40 . 
         [0087]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the ends of cables  21 ,  22  also can be connected to the clamps  50  which grip side or wall  10  of the enclosure on a roof  11 . 
         [0088]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8   a  where no wall protruding from roof  11 , racks or supporting assemblies  12  are disposed on the sides of enclosure on roof, the terminals of the cables  21 ,  22  are anchored to the racks or supporting assemblies  12 . 
         [0089]    As shown in  FIG. 8   b , pulleys  51 ,  52  are fixedly disposed on the opposite sides  10  of an enclosure on a roof, and counterweights  53 ,  54  are fixedly disposed on the ground. Cable  21  is guided by pulley  51  and then connected to the counterweight  53 . Cable  22  is guided by pulley  52  and then connected to the counter weight  54 . 
         [0090]    As shown in  FIG. 8   c , pulleys  51 ,  52  are fixedly disposed on the opposite sides  10  of an enclosure on a roof. Cable  21 ,  22  are respectively guided by pulley  51 ,  52  and then respectively connected to the sticks  58 ,  59  which are stuck in the wall of the building where the roof is. 
         [0091]    For some places where high wind pressure exists, panels or solar modules  30  should better to be movable to adjust their tilt to reduce the load generated by wind. In this way cables  21 ,  22  and anchorages can be designed for a smaller wind load. To avoid uplift effects of wind blowing to the back of panels, panels can be covered with a flat structure which is properly pitched. 
         [0092]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , part or parts of cable  21  at the upper position are elastic element  210  or elements  210 . Elastic element  210  is, for example, a spring or a piston. While wind pressure acts on panels or solar modules  30 , elastic elements  210  have an elastic deformation, and thus the cable  21  becomes longer, and the inclined angle of panels or solar modules  30  accordingly decreases, which at last will decrease the load generated by wind. 
         [0093]    As  FIG. 10  illustrated, pillar  23   a  has at least one elastic part which is elastic element such as spring or piston. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  has the same advantages of the embodiment in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0094]    To avoid uplift effects of the whole array because blowing wind on the panels backside, as shown in  FIG. 10   a , the cable  22  is connected to the lower portion of the back of the panel or solar module  30  with an elastic member  240 , for example, a spring or a piston. The elastic member  240  acts as a speed absorber. In case window blows from the back of the panels or solar modules, as shown in  FIGS. 10   b  and  10   c , panels or solar modules spin upwardly and let the wind flow. In this way the uplift wind load on backside is reduced. 
         [0095]    The structure reducing wind load is applicable to all embodiments of the invention where the panels or solar modules are titled. 
         [0096]    In some cases (wind, snow), the force load of array of panels or solar modules  30  on the cables  21 ,  22  is larger than the rated load of parallel cables. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11  is suitable for such cases. 
         [0097]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , one longitudinal cable  24  is disposed below and perpendicular to the latitudinal cables  21 ,  22 . Cable  24  also extends between opposite sides of an enclosure on a roof. Cable  24  may contact cables  21 ,  22 . While the force load of panels or solar modules  30  on the cables  21 ,  22  is larger than the rated load of the cables  21 ,  22 , the longitudinal cable  24  will share or partake the excessive load. 
         [0098]    The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12  is also usable to partake excessive load. Elastic supporting members  220 , such as springs or pistons, are disposed below the cables  21 ,  22 . The overload on the cables  21 ,  22  will be borne by the elastic supporting members  220 . 
         [0099]    In both of embodiments shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , the latitudinal cables  21 ,  22  are the primary supporting members while the longitudinal cables  24  or the elastic supporting members  220  are secondary supporting members for the panels or solar modules. However the panels or solar modules are always connected on the latitudinal cables, and the longitudinal cable or cables is or are substantially used for anchorage or support for the array. 
         [0100]    The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14  is the cable support structure for installing the panels or solar modules on the ground. The cable support structure comprises pluralities of pillars  25  fixed on the ground. Each pillar has pluralities of perforations  251 ,  252 ,  253  at different levels. Cables  21 ,  22  connect the pillars  25  by extending through their perforations at the desired height. Cables  21 ,  22  can be also secured to the pillar by hooks inserted in the pillar perforations at different heights. Cables, pillars and eventually hooks, constitute the support structure and substitute the traditional rack system. 
         [0101]    In each embodiment of the present invention, many kinds of hooks or fasteners could be selected to fix the panels or solar modules  30  to the cables  21 ,  22 . However, the auto-trigger hook illustrated in  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 21  may be the best choice to fix the panels or solar modules  30  to the cables  21 ,  22 . The auto-trigger hook has the advantage of quick and simple operation. 
         [0102]    As shown in  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21 , the auto-trigger hook comprises a base  60  on which slot wares  61 ,  62  are installed. Slot wares  61 ,  62  provide straight slots  600 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , at least two slot wares  61 ,  62  are separately disposed on the base  60 . Straight slots  600  of slot wares  61 ,  62  are located in line. The first sidewall  601  of straight slot  600  of each slot ware  61 ,  62  provides an installation hole  610  in which a latch  65  is disposed. Elastic member  64  is disposed in the installation hole  610 . The latch  65  in the installation hole  610  is pressed by the elastic member  64  and the latch  65  thus extends from the installation hole  610  to the second sidewall  602 , preferably the outer end  651  of the latch  65  extends into the hole  611  of the second sidewall  602 . The latch  65  and the bottom of the straight slot define a space for receiving and fixing cable  21  or  22 . Hole  611  is designed to give a supporting point to latch  65  when cable  21  or  22  pushes to go out. Guiding slope  650  is formed on the side of latch  65  facing the opening of the straight slot. Screws  63  are disposed on base  60 . By means of screws  63 , the whole of auto-trigger hook could be fixed on a panel or solar module  30  or any other object. As shown in  FIG. 18 , when beginning to fix panel or solar module  30  to the cable  21  or  22 , firstly the cable  21  is aligned with straight slots of slot wares  61 ,  62 , then the cable is pressed into the straight slot  600 : the cable will firstly contact the guiding slope  650  of latch  65 , and then the cable  21  will press the latch  65  into the installation hole  610  of the first sidewall  601  of the straight slot  600 , and cable  21  will pass the latch and last arrive at the bottom of straight slot. As shown in  FIG. 19 , once the cable  21  has passed the latch  65 , the latch  65  is ejected by the spring or elastic member  64 . While cable  21  has the trend to slip out of the straight slot  600  due to the external force such as wind pressure, the latch  65  will stop such trend: thus, the auto-trigger hook can fasten the panel or solar module with the cable. In order to achieve a tight fit, the width of straight slot  600  cable could be designed to be as wide as cable  21  (or  22 ) diameter. As shown in  FIG. 21 , a cable adaptor  71  can be put in the straight slot so that cables with diameter smaller than the straight slot width can tightly fit in the auto-trigger hook. Depending on the material the adaptor is made, the adaptor creates friction on the cable so the cable cannot slide along the straight slot. 
         [0103]    While certain illustrative embodiments have been described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. For example, the latitudinal cables are not always parallel cables, in some cases the may not parallel, and anchorages on the middle of the enclosure may be added. 
         [0104]    Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.