IP Library Granted Patent US 9,970,685
Granted Patent B2
US 9,970,685 · App. 15/230,619 · Granted May 15, 2018

Device and method for fixing objects, in particular solar panels, to a roof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,970,685
App. No.
15/230,619
Granted
May 15, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a device for fixing objects, in particular solar panels, to a roof. The invention also relates to an assembly of such devices. The invention further relates to a method for fixing objects, in particular solar panels, to a roof.

Claims (17)

1. A hook configured for installing a mounting rail onto a roof, the mounting rail adapted to be coupled to at least one of a solar panel or a solar boiler, the hook comprising:

a first coupling configured to couple, by a snap fitting, a mounting rail to the hook, the first coupling comprising a coupling finger, a locking element, and a resilient tongue; and

a second coupling configured to engage to a base element of a roof;

wherein the first coupling is configured to allow the snap fitting of the mounting rail onto the hook in a direction transverse to the roof

and the resilient tongue terminates in a tooth.

2. The hook of claim 1 , wherein the coupling finger has a notch.

3. The hook of claim 1 , wherein the first coupling is adapted to be connected to the mounting rail, the mounting rail comprising a hook attachment section adapted to be connected to the hook, the hook attachment section comprising:

a coupling finger notch receiving portion comprising a wall having a concave receiving space adapted to receive and retain coupling finger notch;

a tongue receiving portion comprising a wall having a channel adapted to receive and retain the tooth of the tongue; and

a locking element receiving portion comprising a concave receiving space adapted to receive the locking element.

4. The hook of claim 3 , wherein the first coupling is adapted to be connected to a mounting rail by a snap connection, the snap connection being formed by arranging the coupling finger to be received in the receiving portion and by pivoting the resilient tongue in the direction of the mounting rail such that the tongue is placed within the channel of the tongue receiving portion.

5. The hook of claim 1 , wherein the second coupling comprises a first section including a first portion having a plurality of teeth forming a sawtooth profile, a second portion generally parallel to the first section, and a third portion connecting the first and second portions such that the first section forms a generally U-shaped hook.

6. A hook configured for installing a mounting rail onto a roof, the mounting rail adapted to be coupled to at least one of a solar panel or a solar boiler, the hook comprising:

a first coupling configured to couple, by a snap fitting, a mounting rail to the hook, the first coupling comprising a coupling finger, a locking element, and a resilient tongue; and

a second coupling configured to engage to a base element of a roof;

wherein the first coupling is configured to allow the snap fitting of the mounting rail onto the hook in a direction transverse to the roof;

and wherein the coupling finger has a notch.

Assignments (5)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 1, 2025
From: ESDEC B.V.
To: ENSTALL EUROPE B.V.
Reel/Frame 073825/0516 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2021
From: ECOFASTEN SOLAR, LLC; IRONRIDGE, INC.; PANELCLAW, INC.; WENCON DEVELOPMENT, INC.; ESDEC B.V.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057365/0001 →
RELEASE OF DUTCH SECURITY AGREEMENT (PATENT) Recorded Aug 30, 2021
From: COÖPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A., AS SECURITY AGENT
To: ESDEC B.V.
Reel/Frame 057352/0333 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2018
From: ESDEC B.V.
To: COÖPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A.
Reel/Frame 046460/0305 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2016
From: SMIDT, THEO JACOB; DE VOGEL, JEROEN
To: ESDEC B.V.
Reel/Frame 039862/0501 →