Abstract:
Add-on components ( 3 ) are to be fastened to a support part ( 5 ) with a simple technical set-up and without a need for tools, with a device ( 1 ) for fastening an add-on component ( 3 ) to a support part ( 5 ), including at least one movable holding element ( 16 ) that, when it is inserted into an opening ( 10 ) of the support part ( 5 ) due to the contact between the at least one holding element ( 16 ) and the support part ( 5 ), can be moved into an engagement position so as to be inserted into the opening ( 10 ), and that, after it has been inserted into the opening ( 10 ), can be moved into a catching position by a return movement of the at least one holding element ( 16 ) so that the at least one holding element ( 16 ) can catch behind at least one edge ( 9 ) of the support part ( 5 ) in order to create a positive connection between the at least one holding element ( 16 ) and the support part ( 5 ), and at least one affixer for affixing the add-on component ( 3 ) to the device ( 1 ). At least one holding element ( 16 ) can be moved from the engagement position into the catching position by at least one elastic element ( 8 ).

Description:
[0001]    This claims the benefit of German Patent Application DE 10 2010 027 904.8, filed Apr. 19, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a device for fastening an add-on component to a support part, and to a system for fastening an add-on component to a support part. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In structural engineering, devices for fastening an add-on component to a support part are employed in order to fasten add-on components to the support part. Examples of add-on components are photovoltaic modules, façade elements or lines as components of a water-heating system or of an electric installation. In general, support rails or mounting rails are employed as the support parts. 
         [0004]    German Patent Application No. 103 13 564 A1 shows a connection element for components. The components are provided with slots that are aligned with each other for purposes of receiving the connection element, whereby the connection element is configured as a one-piece spring clip that has diametrically projecting spring arms whose width is dimensioned so they can be inserted into the slots, whereby a bearing section is at an axial distance opposite from the free ends of the spring arms, said bearing section being shaped onto the spring clip and having an engagement section for a mounting tool. 
         [0005]    German Patent Application No. 10 2006 011 836 B3 discloses a fastening element having a baseplate. Opposing first arms, which each have a first contact section, project from the baseplate at a first distance from the baseplate, and at least two opposing second arms, which have a second contact section, also project from the baseplate at a second distance from the baseplate. Here, the first arms have actuation sections that are each configured as a surface with an eyelet. 
         [0006]    German Patent Application No. 10 2007 042 484 B3 discloses a device for fastening an add-on component to a support part, having a head part that has contact sections projecting laterally and that is intended for contact with the add-on component or with the support part. An elastic front wall arrangement has two barrier flaps that are oriented approximately at a right angle relative to the front wall. These barrier flaps have latching steps that rest on the support part when the device is in a catching position. 
         [0007]    German Utility Model No. 20 2005 003 224 U1 discloses an insertion part for holding a sliding block in an undercut profile groove of a profile strip. In its inserted state, the insertion part has the same essentially parallel longitudinal axis as the axis of the profile strip, whereby the insertion part has a seat for the sliding block with axially opposite seat-limiting surfaces between which the sliding block can be held, as well as bearing surfaces that are arranged between the seat-limiting surfaces in order to bear the sliding block. In this context, the insertion part has first support surfaces which, when the insertion part is in the inserted state, provide support of the said insertion part on undercut surfaces of the profile groove, whereby at least some of the first support surfaces are arranged so as to be flexibly deflectable in such a way that the insertion part can be inserted into the profile groove through the opening of the profile groove. 
         [0008]    German Utility Model No. 20 2006 018 426 U1 discloses a mounting rail system for holding objects, especially flat elements such as solar modules or solar collectors, whereby at least one rail-like profile having at least two profile strips running in the longitudinal direction of the rail-like profile and at least one resiliently elastic clamping element for fastening the rail-like profile to a substrate and/or for holding objects on the rail-like profile having at least two spring legs that engage with opposite sides of the rail-like profile and that are opposite from each other interact with one of the profile strips in such a way that the resilient clamping element can be resiliently affixed to the rail-like profile. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and a system with which add-on components can be fastened to a support part by means of the device and by means of the system employing a simple technical set-up and without a need for tools. Furthermore, the device and the system should be cost-effective to produce and should allow simple and reliable handling. 
         [0010]    The present invention provides a device for fastening an add-on component to a support part, comprising at least one movable holding element that can preferably be pivoted around a rotational axis and that, when it is inserted into an opening of the support part due to the contact between the at least one holding element and the support part, can be moved into an engagement position so as to be inserted into the opening, and that, after it has been inserted into the opening, can be moved into a catching position by means of a return movement of the at least one holding element, so that the at least one holding element can catch behind at least one edge of the support part in order to create a positive connection between the at least one holding element and the support part, and comprising at least one means for affixing the add-on component to the device, whereby the at least one holding element can be moved from the engagement position into the catching position by means of at least one elastic element, and/or can be moved in a clamping movement. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the at least one holding element and the at least one elastic element are separate parts. The at least one holding element and the at least one elastic element are thus separate parts that are preferably detachably connected to each other. Only when the device is being installed is the at least one holding element joined to the at least one elastic element, for example, positively and/or non-positively. 
         [0012]    In one variant, the device comprises at least two holding elements, and/or, when the at least one holding element is in the catching position, it is arranged at least partially, especially completely, in a hollow space enclosed by the support part, and/or two holding elements are arranged opposite from each other, and/or a non-positive connection can be established between the at least one holding element and the support part. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the at least one means encompasses a carrier plate or a grid for purposes of affixing the device to the add-on component, preferably directly. 
         [0014]    In a supplementary variant, the at least one holding element is a chuck which preferably can be pivoted around a rotational axis. 
         [0015]    Advantageously, the device may comprise a web that can be inserted into the opening and the at least one holding element is pivotably mounted on the web, preferably by means of an articulated joint. 
         [0016]    In a supplementary embodiment, the web is formed, preferably in one piece, on the carrier plate, and/or a plane formed by the web is arranged essentially perpendicular, for instance, with a deviation of less than 10° or 5°, with respect to a plane formed by the carrier plate. 
         [0017]    In particular, a contact surface of the at least one holding element on the support part may be configured so as to be curved, essentially as a contact-surface arc, especially in a section perpendicular to the rotational axis of the at least one holding element. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the at least one edge of the support part that can be caught by the at least one support part is curved, especially in a section perpendicular to the rotational axis of the at least one holding element, essentially as an edge arc. 
         [0019]    In a supplementary embodiment, the center point of the contact-surface arc and/or the center point of the edge arc and/or the rotational axis of the at least one holding element are oriented with respect to each other in such a way that, when the at least one holding element executes a clamping movement, the distance between the edge of the support part and the contact surface of the at least one holding element is reduced, and/or the at least one elastic element is configured as a spring, especially as a wire spring. The clamping movement is preferably a movement of the at least one holding element in the direction of a pre-mounted position into the engagement position or in the direction of the return movement. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, the support part and/or the device and/or the carrier plate and/or the web and/or the at least one holding element and/or the at least one elastic element is made at least partially, especially completely, of metal, for instance, aluminum, steel or stainless steel, and/or it is made of plastic. 
         [0021]    In a supplementary embodiment, there is a positive and/or non-positive connection between the device and the support part, and/or there is a clamping connection and/or a connection with a wedge effect or eccentric effect between the support part and the device. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the device can be fastened to the support part by means of a snap mechanism and/or latching mechanism. 
         [0023]    In a supplementary embodiment, the at least one movable holding element is not pre-tensioned when it is in the pre-mounted position. The at least one movable holding element is in the pre-mounted position when the device is not mounted on the support part and the at least one holding element is not in the engagement position and/or in the catching position. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the at least one holding element is configured to be essentially, especially exclusively, plate-like or disk-like. The at least one holding element can thus be produced easily and cost-effectively, and it makes a reliable positive connection between the device and the support part possible. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the at least one means comprises an adhesive, latching, riveted and/or screwed connection for purposes of affixing the add-on component to the device, especially to the carrier plate. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the at least one elastic holding element has essentially no elastic properties and/or the at least one holding element is rigid and/or hard and/or essentially undeformable, for example, owing to the properties of the material of which it is made, and/or owing to the material thickness. 
         [0027]    A system according to the invention for fastening an add-on component to a support part, comprising a device for fastening the add-on component to the support part, comprising at least one holding element that can be inserted into an opening of the support part and that can catch behind at least one edge of the support part with at least one movable holding element that, when it is inserted into the opening due to the contact between the at least one holding element and the support part, can be moved into an engagement position so as to be inserted into the opening, and that, after it has been inserted into the opening, can be moved into a catching position by means of a return movement of the at least one holding element, so that the at least one holding element can catch behind the at least one edge of the support part in order to create a positive connection between the at least one holding element and the support part, and also comprising at least one means for affixing the add-on component to the device, and also comprising the support part, whereby the device is configured as a device described in this patent application. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the support part is a support rail, and/or the opening is a groove and/or the opening opens up into a hollow space delimited by the inside contour of the support part, so that the at least one edge is formed by the inner contour of the support part so that it can catch behind the at least one holding element. 
         [0029]    In a supplementary embodiment, the opening is a mounting opening for fastening the device to the support part. 
         [0030]    In a supplementary variant, when the device is fastened to the support part, two opposing holding elements are oriented with respect to a plane that runs through a central longitudinal axis of the support rail in such a way that the plane runs through the two holding elements and the plane is divided by the central longitudinal axis of the rail into a first partial plane and a second partial plane, and a first holding element is intersected by the first partial plane while the second holding element is intersected by the second partial plane. The central longitudinal axis of the rail is oriented in the direction of the greatest extension of the support rail and it preferably intersects the center point or the center of gravity of the support rail. The longitudinal axis of the rail can also be moved in parallel, so that it does not intersect the center of gravity. 
         [0031]    In another variant, before the holding elements are inserted into the opening, the distance between the ends of two opposite holding elements in the direction of the distance is greater than the clear width of the opening in the direction of the distance, so that, when the two opposite holding elements are inserted, the holding elements can be moved due to the contact with the support part, especially in such a way that the maximum distance is reduced. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, when the device is fastened to the support part, the elastic element is pre-tensioned and consequently a pre-tensioning force can be exerted onto the at least one holding element, so that a clamping movement can be executed by the at least one holding element due to the pre-tensioning. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    Embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following is shown: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1 : a first perspective view of a system for fastening an add-on component to a support part and of a device; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2 : a cross section of the system according to  FIG. 1 , in the pre-mounted state; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3 : a cross section of the system according to  FIG. 1 , in the final mounted state; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4 : a cross section of a carrier plate with a web and two holding elements of the system according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5 : a perspective view of a wire spring, in a first embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6 : a perspective view of the wire spring, in a second embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7 : a detailed view of the support part and of the device according to  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    In the fields of structural engineering and construction, devices  1  are employed for fastening an add-on component  3  to a support part  5  (See  FIG. 3 ). The add-on component  3  is, for instance, a photovoltaic module  4 , a façade element or a line, and the support part  5  is a support rail  6  or a mounting rail  7 . Therefore, the device  1  can be used to fasten the add-on component  3  to the support part  5  indirectly. 
         [0042]    In this context, the device  1  comprises a carrier plate  13  as the means  12  for affixing the add-on component  3  to the device  1 , and two movable holding elements  16  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 ). The carrier plate  13  is joined to the add-on component  3  as a single material connection, for instance, by means of adhesion or welding, or else by a positive connection, for example, with screws or rivets for purposes of creating a screwed or riveted connection. A web  14  ( FIGS. 1 to 4 ) is present on the carrier plate  13  and configured in one piece with the carrier plate  13 . The lower end of the web  14  is provided with two ball joints  28  (See  FIG. 2  for example). A joint socket  29  of the holding element  16  is positively connected to each of the ball joints  28 . Therefore, the ball joint  28  and the joint socket  29  together form an articulated joint  27 , so that the holding element  16  can be pivoted as a chuck  26  around a rotational axis  25  (See  FIG. 7 ). Here, the rotational axis  25  is perpendicular to the plane of projection of  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  7 . Each of the two chucks  26  has a bore  37 . In each of the two chucks  26 , an end section  39  of each wire spring  34  as the spring  15  that forms an elastic element  34  is inserted into both ends of the bores  37  in a configuration of the wire spring  34  in the first embodiment according to FIG.  5  (see also  FIG. 3 ). The wire springs  34  and the holding elements  16  are separate and detached parts. Consequently, the device  1  has two wire springs  34  whose end sections  39  are each inserted into both ends of the bores  37  for each chuck  26 . An offset  35  ( FIG. 5 ) of the wire spring  34  is connected by latching to a latching web  36  ( FIGS. 1 and 3  for example) located on the carrier plate  13 . The latching connection between the latching web  36  and the offset  35  of the wire spring  34  can be detached using a screwdriver, for example, and subsequently the wire spring  34  can be pulled out crosswise with respect to the longitudinal axis  19  of the rail once the end sections  39  have been removed from the bores  37 . As a result, the chucks  26  can be moved out of the catching position so that the device  1  can be removed from the support rail  1  together with the add-on component  3 . Consequently, there is a detachable connection between the device  1  and the support part  5 . The carrier plate  13  has two latching webs  36  that are configured in one piece with the carrier plate  13 . Each of the two chucks  26  is connected to a wire spring  34  so that the device  1  has two wire springs  34 . The chucks  26  have a contact surface  30  that rests on the support rail  6 , that is to say, on an edge  9  of the support rail  6  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ). 
         [0043]    The mounting rail  7  has an opening  10  as a mounting opening, which is configured as a groove  11 . The groove  11  extends with its larger extension in the direction of the longitudinal axis  19  of the rail. In this context, the inner contour  18  of the mounting rail  7  surrounds a hollow space  17  into which the opening  10  opens up. In an orientation parallel to the plane of projection of  FIG. 2 , the clear width A of the opening  10  is smaller than the clear width B of the hollow space  17  adjacent to the opening  10  ( FIG. 2 ). Together with the device  1 , the mounting rail  7 , which is made of metal, for instance, aluminum or steel, or else made of plastic, forms a system  2  ( FIG. 3 ) made of the same material for purposes of fastening the add-on component  3  to the support part  5 . 
         [0044]    In the embodiment of the device  1  shown in  FIG. 2 , two holding elements  16  are oriented opposite from a central longitudinal axis  19  of the rail. A plane  20  that intersects the longitudinal axis  19  of the rail and that is oriented parallel to a plane extending from the carrier plate  13  and that intersects the two holding elements  16  is divided by the longitudinal axis  19  of the rail into a first partial plane  21  and a second partial plane  22 . Here, the first partial plane  21  intersects the first holding element  23  while the second partial plane  22  intersects the second holding element  24 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  shows a pre-mounted state in which the holding elements  16  are in a pre-mounted state. In the pre-mounted state, the elastic elements  8  are not pre-tensioned. The holding elements  16  are movable due to an elastic deformation of the wire spring  34 . 
         [0046]    In the pre-mounted state shown in  FIG. 2 , the distance between the ends of the holding elements  16  in a direction parallel to a plane formed by the carrier plate  13  and parallel to the plane of projection of  FIG. 2  (distance direction) is greater than the clear width A of the opening  10  or mounting opening  10 . When the device  1  is inserted and moved into the opening  10  and into the hollow space  17 , the wedge-shaped orientation of the two holding elements  16  causes them to pivot around the rotational axis  25  ( FIG. 7 ), so that the right-hand holding element  16  shown in  FIG. 2  pivots in a counterclockwise rotational direction around the rotational axis  25 , while the left-hand holding element  16  moves in a clockwise rotational direction around the rotational axis  25 . As a result, the two holding elements  16  are moved from the pre-mounted position into an engagement position. In the engagement position (between the pre-mounted state and the catching position), the ends of the holding elements  16  rest on the support part  5  in the area of the clear width A of the opening  10 . As a result, the distance between the ends of the holding elements  16  is smaller than in the pre-mounted position of the holding elements  16 . When the device  1  is inserted further into the hollow space  17 , the two chucks  26  can pivot opposite from the above-mentioned direction owing to the elastic pre-tensioning with the wire springs  34  as the elastic elements  8  due to the link to the articulated joint  27  on the web  14 , so that the holding elements  16  move or snap into the catching position according to  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Therefore, the holding elements  16  are deformed back from the engagement position into the catching position according to  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
         [0047]    In the catching position of the holding elements  16  according to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the holding elements  16  lie with their contact surfaces  30  on the edge  9  on the carrier rail  6 , especially on the inner contour  18  of the support part  5  or on the mounting rail  7 . As a result, a positive and/or non-positive connection is established between the device  1  and the support part  5 . This is a connection with a wedge effect or eccentric effect. The contact surfaces  30  of the chucks  26  are configured so as to be curved essentially as contact-surface arcs  31  ( FIG. 7 ). The edge  9  of the support rail  6  on which the chucks  26  rest is likewise configured so as to be curved essentially as edge arcs  32 . The contact-surface arcs  31  and the edge arcs  32  are each provided with teeth  33 . It is also possible for only the contact-surface arcs  31  or the edge arcs  32  to be provided with teeth  33 , or else for the contact-surface arcs  31  and the edge arcs  32  not to be provided with teeth  33 , in other words, to be configured smooth. For the chuck  7  shown in  FIG. 7 , the center point of the edge arc  32  is on the right-hand side and above the rotational axis  25  of the chuck  26 .  FIG. 7  shows an arc  38  with the rotational axis  25  as its center point  25 , and an arc  41  on the edge arc  32 . When the chuck  26  executes a clockwise pivoting movement around the rotational axis  25  as the clamping movement, the space between the chuck  26  and the edge  9  is reduced and vice versa. As a result, the connection between the device  1  and the support part  5  is self-tensioning due to the pre-tensioning that is exerted on the chucks  26  by means of the wire springs  34 . The center point of the contact-surface arc  31  is likewise on the right-hand side and above the rotational axis  25  but further to the right and above with respect to the center point of the edge arc  32 . Therefore, the contact-surface arc  31  of the chuck  26  approaches the edge  9  of the support rail  6  when the chuck  26  executes the above-mentioned pivoting movement.  FIG. 7  also shows an arc  40  of the contact surface  30  of the chuck  26 . This also applies analogously to the second chuck  26 , which is not shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0048]    When the device  1  is mounted onto the support part  5 , the device  1  can first be placed onto the support rail  6 . The distance between the holding elements  16  at the ends is greater than the clear width A of the opening  10 . In order for the device  1  to be moved from the pre-mounted state according to  FIG. 2  into the engagement position (between the pre-mounted state and catching position), due to the requisite elastic deformation of the wire springs  34 , an additional force has to be applied downwards onto the device  1  in order to overcome the elastic force of the wire springs  34 . The weight of the device  1  and of the add-on component is not sufficient for this purpose. As a result, before the projection  15  is pressed into the opening  10  in order to reach the catching position, it is possible to move the device  1  with the add-on component  3  on the mounting rail  7  in a direction perpendicular to the plane of projection of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In this manner, for example, when photovoltaic modules  4  are mounted, they can be first oriented on the mounting rail  7 , in other words, perpendicular to the plane of projection of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and then, only once the final mounting position of the photovoltaic modules  4  has been reached, they can be permanently fastened to the mounting rail  7  by additionally pressing and applying a downward force, as shown in  FIG. 2  where the device  1  is moved into the final mounted state as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  shows a second embodiment of the wire spring  34 . This wire spring  34  is not inserted with its end section  39  into the bore  37  on two opposite ends of the same chuck  26 , but rather, the end sections  39  are each inserted into the bore  37  on two different chucks  26 . Here, a first wire spring  34  is preferably arranged on two ends of the two chucks  26 , and a second wire spring  34  (not shown here) is fastened to two opposite ends of the two chucks  26 . With the two wire springs  34  in the second embodiment, the connection between the device  1  and the mounting rail  7  is permanent since the two wire springs  34  are arranged inside the hollow space  17  of the mounting rail  7  and are covered by the carrier plate  13 , so that the two wire springs  34  are not accessible from the outside and thus cannot be removed or released. 
         [0050]    On the whole, the device  1  according to the invention and the system  2  according to the invention entail considerable advantages. Add-on components  3  are fastened to support parts  5  in a structurally simple manner. This translates into cost savings during the production of the device  1  and of the system  2  and, owing to the fact that the holding elements  16  are not pre-tensioned in the pre-mounted state, no unintentional movement of the holding elements  16  occurs. Therefore, in the pre-mounted state, neither the device  1  nor the system  2  sustain any damage when the device  1  is subjected to small forces while in the pre-mounted state.