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EP-4741599-A1 - FASTENING BRACKET

EP4741599A1EP 4741599 A1EP4741599 A1EP 4741599A1EP-4741599-A1

Abstract

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket for attaching equipment on a roof, comprising a plate (1) having a first surface (3) and a second surface (4), a body (2) placed on the second surface (4) and extending from it and having a top face (5), the body (2) having a cavity (6) within. The first surface (3) of the plate (1) forms a planar face (12) facing in opposite direction to the second surface (4). The body (2) comprises a sleeve (11) having a hole (7) within. The hole (7) extends from the top face (5) of the body (2) into the cavity (6) of the body (2) within the sleeve (11). There is a first contact surface (8) around the hole (7) on the top face (5) of the body (2) and a second contact surface (9) around the hole (7) on an end surface of the sleeve (11) placed in the cavity (6) of the body (2). At least one reinforcement brace (15) is provided extending from the inner face of the cavity (6) of the body (2) to the sleeve (11).

Inventors

  • LAHTI, Veli-Pekka

Assignees

  • VILPE Oy

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20251023

Claims (9)

  1. A bracket for attaching equipment on a roof, comprising: - a plate (1) having a first surface (3) and a second surface (4); - a body (2) placed on the second surface (4) and extending from it and having a top face (5), the body (2) having a cavity (6) within; and - the first surface (3) of the plate (1) forms a planar face (12) facing in opposite direction to the second surface (4); characterized in that - the body (2) comprises a sleeve (11) having a hole (7) within, the hole (7) extending from the top face (5) of the body (2) into the cavity (6) of the body (2) within the sleeve (11); - a first contact surface (8) around the hole (7) on the top face (5) of the body (2); - a second contact surface (9) around the hole (7) on an end surface of the sleeve (11) placed in the cavity (6) of the body (2); and - at least one reinforcement brace (15) extending from the inner face of the cavity (6) of the body (2) to the sleeve (11).
  2. A bracket according to one of the claims 1, wherein the bracket comprises a reinforcement brace structure comprising several braces (15).
  3. A bracket according to one of the claims 1 - 2 wherein the cavity (6) of the body (2) opens on the planar face (12) to provide access inside the cavity (6).
  4. A bracket according to one of the claims 1 - 3, wherein the bracket comprises at least two sleeves (11) and the reinforcement brace structure is configured to extend between the sleeves (11).
  5. A bracket according to one of the claims 1 - 4, wherein the brace structure is configured to form a support point (16) on the level of the planar face (12).
  6. A bracket according to one of the previous claims, wherein the bracket comprises a mounting bolt (10) having an anchoring end and a thread on the end opposite to the anchoring end, wherein the mounting bolt (10) is configured to extend through the hole (7) in the sleeve (11) and has a first support nut (13) configured to be set against the first contact surface (8) and a second support nut (14) configured to be set against the second contact surface (9).
  7. A bracket according to one of the previous claims, the bracket comprises a mounting fixture (23) configured to be mounted on the mounting bolts (10) to support equipment and devices, such as solar panels.
  8. A bracket according to the claim 7, wherein the anchoring end of the mounting bolt (10) comprises a thread configured for fixing the mounting bolt (10) to an anchor (20).
  9. A bracket according to one of the claims 7 - 8, wherein the planar face (12) is covered with a felt permanently fixed thereto.

Description

FIELD The invention relates to installing various equipment and devices on a roof. In particular, the invention relates to installing equipment on a roof covered with a roofing felt. BACKGROUND Increasing use of solar panels is leading to increasing use of roof space. Also, other installations on roof are used for various purposes, for example catwalks, cable ways, antennae, cameras and such. This increases demand of reliable fastening methods for providing such installations. As the main function of a roof is to prevent entering of water in the space under the roof, no installation or fastening means may endanger water tightness of the roof surface even under prolonged use under stress. Any penetrating fasteners have to be sealed, the structure has to be sturdy enough to withstand stresses and forces caused by wind, ice, snow, and water on the structures fastened on the roof by fastening brackets or other fastening means. One method is to use penetrating bolts or screws for fixing brackets on the frame or girders of the roof. As the frame is under the surface of the roof that provides the shield against water, such as a roofing sheet or roofing felt, that surface has to be penetrated for fixing to the girders. The penetration makes a hole in the surface and has to be sealed to prevent leaks. However, the installation and sealing work has to be done carefully without endangering water tightness of the roof surface. Another risk related penetrating installations is movement of the fixing elements caused by the forces on the elements installed on the roof. For example, wind loads on solar panels cause long-term movement that may loosen the fixing elements and seals causing leaks on the roof. Some examples of fastening brackets are disclosed in WO 2009095274, US 5217191 and SE 520398. Installing any structures on a roof is demanding work that has to be planned and performed carefully. The work takes time may and may require using expensive special parts. All parts used have to withstand harsh conditions on the roof for a long time of use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is defined by the features of the independent claim. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket for attaching equipment on a roof, comprising: a plate having a first surface and a second surface;a body placed on the second surface and extending from it and having a top face;the body has a cavity within;the first surface of the plate forms a planar face facing in opposite direction to the second surface;the body comprises a sleeve having a hole within, the hole extending from the top face of the body into the cavity of the body within the sleeve;a first contact surface around the hole on the top face of the body;a second contact surface around the hole on an end surface of the sleeve placed in the cavity of the body; andat least one reinforcement brace extending from the inner face of the cavity of the body to the sleeve. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reinforcement brace structure comprising several braces. According to a third aspect of the invention, the cavity of the body opens on the planar face to provide access inside the cavity. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the bracket comprises at least two sleeves and the reinforcement brace structure is configured to extend between the sleeves. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the brace structure is configured to form a support point on the level of the planar face. According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the bracket comprises a mounting bolt having an anchoring end and a thread on the end opposite to the anchoring end, wherein the mounting bolt is configured to extend through the hole in the sleeve and has a first support nut configured to be set against the first contact surface and a second support nut configured to be set against the second contact surface. According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the bracket comprises a fixture configured to be mounted on the mounting bolts to support equipment and devices, such as solar panels. According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the anchoring end of the mounting bolt comprises a thread configured for fixing the mounting bolt to an anchor. According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the planar face is covered with a felt permanently fixed thereto. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 illustrates in a side view a bracket in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention;FIGURE 2 is a cross section A - A of the bracket in FIGURE 1;FIGURE 3 shows the bracket of FIGURE 1 in a top view;FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of the bracket in FIGURE 1;FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the bracket in FIGURE 1;FIGURE 6 shows the bracket of FIGURE 1 mounted on a roof. EMBODIMENTS DEFINITIONS In the present context, the term "roofing felt" comprises ro