Patent ID: 12218622

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the device1according to the invention. The trapezoidal prism-shaped device1comprises a base element2comprising an aperture3for receiving at least part of at least one fastening element (not shown). The aperture3is centrally located in the base element2. The base element2is connected to an at least partially resilient first leg4and connected to an at least partially resilient second leg5. The second leg5substantially opposes the first leg4. The device1furthermore comprises a top structure6connected to the base element2. The top structure6thereby extends from a top side of the base element2. The top structure6is configured for coupling with a support structure (not shown) for at least one solar panel. This will be shown in more detail inFIGS.2and3. The base element2, the first leg4, and the second leg5together define a receiving space7for receiving at least part of a crest of at least one corrugated roof plate. The first leg4has a first outer end portion A and the second leg5has a second outer end portion B, wherein the first outer end portion A and the second outer end portion B are configured to engage opposing valley regions of the corrugated roof plate. In the shown embodiment of the device1, the first outer end portion A and the second outer end portion B are partially curved. The length of the first leg4substantially equals the length of the second leg5. The first leg4, second leg5, and the base element2are manufactured of a single piece. The base element2is configured to substantially follow the shape of at least part of a corrugated roof. The top structure6is a multi-component element, as the top structure6is adjustable in height. The top structure6therefore comprises two top structure parts6a,6bwhich are mutually connected via a fastening member13. The upper structure part6bcan be displaced with respect to the lower structure part6a. The lower structure part6ais in the shown embodiment integrally connected with the base element2. The first leg4comprises a first front leg part4aand a first rear leg part4bwherein the first front leg part4ais located at a distance from the first rear leg part4band the first front leg part4aand the first rear leg part4bare mutually connected via a connection element8. The second leg5comprises a second front leg part5aand a second rear leg part5bwherein the second front leg part5ais located at a distance from the second rear leg part5band the second front leg part5aand the second rear leg part5bare mutually connected via a connection element8. The first front leg part4aand the first rear leg part4bcan however both also be referred to as front legs4, wherefore the device1as shown has multiple front legs4a,4bwhich are mutually connected via the connection element8. This applies also to the second leg5, which according to this interpretation has multiple second legs5a,5bwhich are mutually connected. The top structure6comprises a coupling element9for coupling with a support structure for at least one solar panel, in particular a support rail of a support structure for at least one solar panel. The coupling element9can be coupled with the support structure or the support rail thereof by means of a snap connection. In particular, the device comprises the coupling element9multiple elastically deformable coupling members10for engaging, in particular clasping of the support structure. The elastically deformable coupling members10can deform during coupling and return to their respective initial position thereafter. The coupling members10are configured for co-action with a counter coupling member forming part of the support structure, which is shown in the further figures. The device1furthermore comprises an at least partially resilient sealing element11engagingly connected to a bottom side of the base element2. The sealing element11is substantially positioned in line with the aperture3of the base element. In the shown embodiment, the device comprises the sealing element11and a further aperture which is in line with the aperture3of the base element2. The sealing element11is configured to co-act with the crest of the corrugated roof plate which is shown in the further figures. The sealing element11in the shown embodiment may be manufactured of EPDM rubber, and is glued onto the base element2. The device furthermore comprises a secondary receiving space12for receiving, for example, cabling or wiring of a system. The secondary receiving space12is positioned at a distance from the receiving space7. The device1further comprises a first engaging surface14asituated between the base element2and the first leg4and a second engaging surface14bsituated between the base element2and the second leg5. Both engaging surfaces14a,14bhave a substantially convex shape.

FIG.2shows an assembly of multiple devices1according to the invention. The devices1equal the device1as shown inFIG.1. Similar references therefore correspond to similar or equivalent components, features, and/or elements. The devices1are fastened onto a corrugated roof20by means of a fastening element25, in particular fastening screws25. The corrugated roof20comprises multiple corrugated roof plates21which are positioned on purlins22of the roof20. The corrugated roof plates21define adjacent crests C and valleys V. Examples of a crest region Rc and a valley region Rv of the corrugated roof plates21are indicated as well. The devices1are supporting a support rail23of a support structure for a solar panel24. It can be seen that the base element2of the device1, and the device as such, substantially follows the shape of the roof. The first engaging surface14aand/or the second engaging surface14bmay be configured to engage at least part of a crest C of the corrugated roof20. However, it is also conceivable that only the legs4,5are configured to engage the roof20.

FIG.3shows a cross section of a device1according to the invention, as shown inFIGS.1and2when the device1is fastened onto a corrugated roof20. The device1is fastened by means of a fastening screw25, in particular a hanger screw25. The screw25comprises a rubber washer26, in particular a washer26made of EPDM rubber. The use of a washer26may provide an improved waterproof sealing. The figure shows that the sealing element11is in direct contact with a top region of the crest C. The sealing element11provides both waterproof sealing and improved engagement of the device1with the corrugated roof plate21. The first leg4and the second leg5engage opposing, supporting valley regions V of the corrugated roof plate21extending from the crest C of the corrugated roof plate21which is received in the receiving space7of the device1. Fastening of the device1onto said corrugated roof20by means of said fastening screw25causes deformation of both the first leg4and the second leg5leading to a biased coaction of the legs4, of the device1with the opposing valley regions Rv of the corrugated roof plate21. The partially curved first outer end portion A and the partially curved second outer end portion B engage in the shown configuration in a lower area of the valley region Rv. However, it is also possible that the first outer end portion A and the second outer end portion B engage another part of the opposing valley regions Rv. The weight of the solar panel24and the support rail23is distributed over both the first leg4and the second5leg. In the shown configuration, the first engaging surface14aand the second engaging surface14bdo not engage the crest C of the corrugated roof20.

It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the working examples shown and described herein, but that numerous variants are possible within the scope of the attached claims that will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.