Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Panel Mounting System
The present invention relates to a panel mounting system and particularly to a
panel
mounting system suitable for mounting structural, decorative or functional
panels to
structures such as building walls or roofs.
The system is particularly suitable for mounting panels to fragile structures
such as roof
structures formed of metal skin panels. Such fragile structures require
mounting fixings
which do not damage the structural integrity of the structure (such as the
metal roof skin).
It is important, for example that in fixing the system to a fragile structure
that the
weatherproofing of the structure is not compromised.
An improved system has now been devised.
15. According to a first aspect, the invention provides a panel mounting
system for mounting a
panel to a structure, the panel mounting system comprising a panel retaining
device and a
load element for connecting the panel retaining device to the structure, the
load element
having an initial configuration and being arranged to plastically deform to a
second
configuration upon application of a predetermined. threshold load to the load
element.
The facility for the load element to plastically deform to a second
configuration when the
threshold limit is reached or exceeded can be important. When the threshold
loading is
reached, the additional load above the threshold limit is taken up in plastic
deformation of
the load element, rather than being transferred directly to any mechanical
fixings securing
the mounting system to the structure. This can prevent damage to the structure
from
excessive loading. This may be particularly important where the structure is
fragile such
as for thin metallic skin structures such as profiled roofs.
Detrimental loading can occur, for example due to wind loading, particularly
gusting
30. where aerofoil effects can cause panels to be lifted upwardly or outwardly
from the
structures to which they are secured.
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It is preferred that the load element comprises an elongate element and the
load element
plastically deforms upon application of the predetermined load to elongate in
the
longitudinal direction.
Beneficially, the load element comprises opposed end portions extending in a
generally
common direction and a cranked portion at a position intermediate the opposed
ends. The
cranked portion is generally a v shaped or kinked portion, and preferably
extends
transversely to the longitudinal direction of the load element.
In a preferred embodiment the load element comprises an elongate strut,
preferably a metal
strut.
It is preferred that the elongate strut is provided at a proximal end with
means for securing
to the structure and at its distal end secured to the panel retaining element.
In certain embodiments it is preferred that the panel retaining element
comprises a panel
retaining bracket. The bracket may extend about the entire periphery of the
panel or
alternatively retain the panel at certain specific points or locations around
the periphery of
the panel.
In certain embodiments, it may be preferred that the panel retaining element
is configured
to secure panels in adjacent side by side relationship.
Beneficially, the load element is arranged to bear the load of the panel (in
compression).
It is desirable that the load element is arranged to space the panel from the
structure.
In certain embodiments, it is preferred that when the load element
reconfigures from its
initial configuration to its second configuration, the external appearance of
the system
gives a visual indication that the reconfiguration has taken place. This
provides that, when
the load element has deformed due to an applied load greater than the
threshold, there is a
readily visible indication that the excess load has occurred.
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Desirably, the system is provided with a two or more part casing for the load
element the
casing parts moving with respect to one another to vary the external
appearance of the
system as the load element plastically deforms. The casing may be provided
with an
indicator that only becomes visible when the casing parts have moved as a
result of
deformation of the load element.
In certain embodiments, it is preferred that the load element is secured to a
base.
The base may beneficially be provided with means (such as mechanical fixings)
for
securing to the structure.
In an alternative aspect, the invention provides a method of mounting a panel
to a
structure the method comprising securing the panel to a panel retaining device
which is
provided with a load element for connecting the panel retaining device to the
structure, the
load element having an initial configuration and being arranged to plastically
deform to a
second configuration upon application of a predetermined threshold load to the
load
element.
According to an alternative aspect, the invention provides a system for
supporting a
structural load, the system comprising a load element having an initial
configuration under
a first loading regime in which a structural load is applied by to the load
element in either
tension or compression, and being arranged to plastically deform to a second
configuration
upon application of a predetermined threshold load to the load element.
The invention will now be further described by way of example only, and with
reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which;
Figure 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a panel mounting system in
accordance with
the invention;
Figure 2A is a schematic explanatory view of a portion of the system of figure
1;
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Figure 2B is a detail view of a part of figure 2A;
Figure 3 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of panel mounting
system in
accordance with the invention;
Figure 4 is a is a schematic explanatory view of an alternative embodiment of
panel
mounting system in accordance with the invention.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a panel mounting system 1 for
mounting a panel
2 to a structure 3. In the embodiment primarily described, the panel 2
comprises a solar
panel 2 which is mounted on top of a flat or profiled skin roof 3. The
invention is however
applicable in respect of mounting of other panels to supporting structures and
indeed to
other situations in which a structural load needs to be supported but excess
loading
avoided.
The panel mounting system comprises a mounting structure 4 which may be in the
form of
a post, which is secured to the roof structure 3 and a panel retaining
arrangement which
may be in the form of a bracket 5 for securing or seating the panel edge 2.
The panel
retaining bracket 5 may be in the form of a rectangular frame that extends
around the entire
periphery of the panel, or alternatively may engage portions of the frame at
the location of
the mounting posts only. Fixings may be provided to mechanically fix the
panels 2 with
respect to the panel mounting system. Such fixings may be for example screws.
In the
embodiment shown on figure 1, a single panel 2 only is shown mounted to the
structure,
with the panel mounting system having mounting posts provided at the four
corners of the
panel. In alternative embodiments a double bracket fixing may be provided for
mounting
panels adjacent one another, in side by side relationship in a common plane,
such as for
example, as shown in figure 3.
Referring now to figures 2A and 2B, there is shown in detail a preferred
embodiment of
panel mounting system in accordance with the invention. This arrangement is
particularly
useful for mounting a solar panel 2 on a delicate structure such as a profiled
metal skin
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roof or wall structure. The panel mounting system of figure 2 includes a base
plate 6
which is suitable for securing to a structural metal skin using screw fixings
which pass
through pre-formed holes in fixing points 7 defined in the base 6. The base 6
has a raised
portion 6a leading to a central plateau portion 6b which has a central
circular aperture 6c
having a downturned edge.
The panel retaining bracket 5 is secured to the base by a central elongate
support strut 9
which forms a load element in accordance with the invention. The support strut
9 is
secured at its lower end to the base 6. The lower end of the strut 9 extends
through the
aperture 6c in base 6 and is provided with a ferrule nut 10. A spring spreader
washer 11 is
provided to transfer force from the ferrule nut 10 to the underside of the
base 6.
The upper end of the support strut 9 is threaded and received in a threaded
element 12, the
upper end of which is also threaded to receive the threaded shaft of bracket
fixing bolt 13.
The bracket fixing bolt 13 passes through an aperture in the lower limb of the
bracket 5. In
this way the bracket 5 is tied to the base 6 by the strut 9. The upper and
lower portions of
the strut 9 extend in a common direction and indeed are preferably aligned
along a
substantially common axis. Intermediate the ends the strut 9 is provided with
a cranked
portion 9 a in the form of a v shaped portion extending transversely to the
common
longitudinal direction of the upper and lower portions of the strut 9. The
strut 9 is so
formed to take the weight (in compression loading) of the supported panel
without
plastically deforming under normal load conditions.
Similarly, the strut 9 is formed to withstand plastic deformation under
tensile loading of
the strut up to a threshold or limit value and subsequently to elongate in
plastic
deformation when the threshold limit is reached or exceeded. In this way if
the threshold
tensile load is reached, the strut elongates, deforming plastically. The v
shaped cranked
portion 9a of the strut achieves this conveniently, and also provides a form
of spring or
resilience over a range of elasticity for loads (tensile or compressive) up to
the threshold
limit.
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This facility for the cranked strut 9 to elongate in plastic deformation when
the threshold
limit is reached or exceeded can be important in two respects. Firstly when
the threshold
loading is reached in tensile loading, the additional load above the threshold
limit is taken
up in plastic deformation due to elongation of the strut 9, rather than being
transferred
directly to the mechanical fixings securing the base 6 to the structure 3.
This can prevent
damage to the structure 3 from excessive upward loading. This may be
particularly
important where the structure is fragile such as for thin metallic skin
structures such as
profiled roofs.
Secondly when the strut has elongated due to an applied upward load greater
than the
threshold, there is a readily visible indication that the excess load has
occurred. In the
embodiment of figure 2A and 2B the mounting post 4 has a casing 15 provided in
two
parts, an upper part 15a which is secured to the upper portion of the ranked
strut 9, and a
lower part 15b which is secured to the base 6. Upon elongation of the cranked
strut 9 the
casings separate either telescopically, in which case for example it is
possible to reveal a
coloured indicator band provided on the telescopically inner casing, or simply
to expose a
gap between the upper and lower casing parts 15a 15b.
Such loading can arise for example due to wind loading particularly gusting
where aerofoil
effects can cause panels to be lifted upwardly or outwardly from the
structures to which
they are secured.
The invention can also be useful in situations where tensile loading of
structural fixings
can occur and there is a desire to keep the loading effect on the building
below a minimum.
For example where tension cables are used to secure masts or other upright
structures, the
ends of the ties can be secured using a mounting system in accordance with the
invention.
In certain embodiments the base plate need not be provided and the lower end
of the
cranked strut 9 may be secured directly to the structure (for example directly
through a
metal skin roof panel).
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In other embodiments the load element (strut 9 for example) or the base may be
secured to
a roof skin by means other than screw fixings. For example clamp fixings may
be used to
secure to standing seams of a metal skin roof structure.
In the arrangement of figure 4 the mounting structure is once again in the
form of a post
14, which is secured to the roof structure 13. In this embodiment, the panel
retaining
arrangement 15 comprises pinch clamps 18 for securing or seating the panel
edge 2. The
pinch clamps 18 are slidably retained in a runner rail 17, which is itself
secured to a
transversely extending frame rail 16. The strut 19 extends upwardly from its
cranked part
19a, through frame rail 16 to secure on the base of the runner rail 17.
