METHOD FOR CONNECTING A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL OBJECTS TO A SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, AND INSTALLATION KIT

Abstract

Method and installation kit for fastening a plurality of individual objects to a supporting structure via blind rivet nuts guided through respective openings in the plurality of individual objects and in the supporting structure, in which an opening in one of the plurality of individual objects and an opening in the supporting structure to be fastened together have different sizes. Each blind rivet nut has a rivet shank and female thread with a same size female thread, and at least two of the blind rivet nuts have different outer sizes. Method includes selecting outer size of one blind rivet nuts according to the size of the opening in the one of the plurality of individual objects and the size of the opening in the supporting structure; screwing a threaded spindle into the female head of the selected blind rivet nut; and forming a closing head by pulling the threaded spindle.

Claims

1. A method for fastening a plurality of individual objects to a supporting structure via blind rivet nuts guided through respective openings in the plurality of individual objects and in the supporting structure, wherein an opening in one of the plurality of individual objects and an opening in the supporting structure to be fastened together have different sizes, and wherein each blind rivet nut has a rivet shank and female thread with a same size female thread, and at least two of the blind rivet nuts have different outer sizes, the method comprising: selecting an outer size of one of the at least two blind rivet nuts according to the size of the opening in the one of the plurality of individual objects and the size of the opening in the supporting structure; screwing a threaded spindle into the female thread of the selected blind rivet nut; forming a closing head by pulling the threaded spindle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the blind rivet nuts have a same setting force or a same setting path, independent of their outer size.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the blind rivet nuts include an indicator projection on the set head that is sized such that it deforms plastically when the setting force is applied.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the female thread tapers at a closing head-side end.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the blind rivet nuts further include a surface structure on at least one of an outer side of the rivet shank thereof or on a side of the set head facing the rivet that presses into at least one of the at least one of the plurality of objects or the supporting structure during a setting of the blind rivet nut.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the blind rivet nuts are provided with at least one of different colors or different markings to identify the different outer sizes.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the blind pivot nut is set by a setting tool, and wherein, upon the setting tool receiving authorization, a pulling for or pulling path of the setting tool is changeable.

8. An installation kit comprising: a plurality of fasteners embodied as blind rivet nuts, wherein each of the blind rivet nuts includes a rivet shank, a set head at an end of the rivet shank, and a female thread with a same female thread size in the rivet shank, wherein at least two of the blind rivet nuts have different outer sizes.

9. The installation kit according to claim 8, wherein the at least two blind rivet nuts with different outer sizes have a same setting force or a same setting path, independent of their outer size.

10. The installation kit according to claim 8, wherein the set head of the at least two blind rivet nuts comprises a plastically deformable indicator projection.

11. The installation kit according to claim 8, wherein the female thread tapers at the closing head-side end.

12. The installation kit according to claim 8, wherein the at least two blind rivet nuts comprise a surface structure on at least one of an outer side of the rivet shank or on a side of the set head facing the rivet shank.

13. The installation kit according to claim 8, wherein the at least two blind rivet nuts are different colors for the different outer sizes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration for the purpose of explaining the connection of an object to a supporting structure;

[0042] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a schematic illustration of two different sizes of available openings;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a blind rivet nut, partially in section; and

[0044] FIG. 4 shows part of an installation kit with blind rivet nuts, partially in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0045] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

[0046] FIG. 1 schematically shows an installation arrangement 1 in which an object 2, e.g., in the form of a frame, must be attached to a supporting structure 3, in the form of a rail. The object 2 can, by way of non-limiting example, be configured to a solar panel 4. Installation arrangement 1 of this type occurs, for example, during the installation of a plurality of solar panels 4 in a photovoltaic system. In this case, hundreds or even thousands of objects 2 must be installed on supporting structures 3.

[0047] To connect an individual object 2 to the supporting structure 3, a blind rivet nut 5 is used. The blind rivet nut comprises a rivet shank 6 and a set head 7 at an end of the rivet shank 6. As can be seen in FIG. 3 in particular, a female thread 8 is embodied in the rivet shank 6. To set the blind rivet nut 5, a threaded spindle, which is not shown in greater detail, of a setting tool is first screwed into the female thread 8 of the blind rivet nut 5. The blind rivet nut 5 is then guided through an opening in the supporting structure 3 and an opening in the object 2, until the set head 7 bears against the supporting structure 3. The setting tool is then actuated and exerts, for example via an electric or pneumatic drive, a pulling force on the female thread 8, which pulling force causes a deformation region 9 of the shank 6 to deform and a closing head to form, as is known from blind rivet nuts. The closing head then bears against the object 2 on the side of the object 2 facing away from the supporting structure 3. The object 2 is then connected to the supporting structure 3.

[0048] As is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, there are different sizes of openings that can be formed in the supporting structure 3 or in the object 2, or in the supporting structure 3 and the object 2. These openings are often embodied as elongated holes. For example, there can be a first opening 10a with a length 11 of 14 mm and a height h1 of 9 mm. There can also be a second opening 10b with a length 12 of 10 mm and a height h2 of 7 mm.

[0049] In photovoltaic systems, e.g., the objects 2 or the frames, may often be formed out of aluminum and have, at least in a region which bears against the supporting structure 3, a relatively small thickness, for example 2 mm. This leads to the problem of object 2 becoming detached or otherwise deformed in the region of the elongated hole if the closing head is not formed with the “right” size. It is therefore necessary to select an appropriate blind rivet nut 5 for each size of the openings 10a, 10b.

[0050] Therefore, as is shown in FIG. 4, plural, e.g., two (or more) blind rivet nuts 5a and 5b having different outer sizes may be provided. Specifically, in FIG. 4, a blind rivet nut 5a is illustrated, which can include a rivet shank 6 having a diameter that fits the height h1 of the first opening 10a, and a blind rivet nut 5b is also illustrated, which can include a rivet shank 6′ having a diameter that fits the height h2 of the second opening 10b. Typically, the diameter of rivet shank 6, 6′ must be slightly smaller than a respective height h1, h2, as a result of which the blind rivet nut 5a can have a rivet shank diameter of roughly 8.9 mm and the blind rivet nut 5b can have a rivet shank diameter of roughly 6.9 mm, for example.

[0051] However, female thread 8, 8′ on the blind rivet nuts 5a, 5b can be embodied identically, for example with the size M5. This holds true independently of the outer size of blind rivet nut 5a, 5b, and, in particular, independently of the diameter of the rivet shank 6.

[0052] It is evident that, in the region of the female thread 8, rivet shank 6 of blind rivet nut 5a has a greater thickness than rivet shank 6′ of blind rivet nut 5b. This is non-critical, however, since a deformation of the respective blind rivet nut 5a, 5b normally does not occur in the region of the female thread 8, but rather in deformation region 9, as mentioned previously. In this case, blind rivet nuts 5a, 5b can be sized such that they have a same setting force, or alternatively, a same setting path, independent of their outer size.

[0053] The set head 7 (7′) is arranged at an end of rivet shank 6 (6′). The opposite end of the rivet shank 6 constitutes the “closing head-side” end 10 (10′). The female thread 8 tapers at the closing head-side end, for example in that a projection 11 (11′) that protrudes radially inwards is provided there. This projection 11 (11′) prevents a threaded mandrel from being able to be screwed into the female thread 8 (8′) far enough that it protrudes out of the rivet shank at the closing head-side end 10 (10′).

[0054] The set head 7 (7′) comprises an indicator projection 12 (12′) on the end thereof which faces away from the rivet shank 6 (6′). The indicator projection 12 (12′) is sized such that it deforms plastically when the necessary setting force is applied. For the formation of the closing head, which is not illustrated in greater detail, a certain setting force is necessary. After the setting of the blind rivet nut 5a (5b), it is easy to visually verify whether this setting force has been applied. If the setting force has been applied, the indicator projection 12 (12′) will be deformed. If the setting force has not been applied, for example because the setting procedure has been interrupted before the complete formation of the closing head, then the indicator projection 12 (12a′) will not be sufficiently deformed, which can be determined visually without difficulty.

[0055] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, rivet shank 6 (6′) comprises a surface structure 13 (13′) on the perimeter thereof. It is sufficient if the surface structure 13 (13′) is embodied in the deformation region 9 (9′) of the rivet shank 6 (6′). In principle, it is also sufficient if the surface structure 13 (13′) is embodied in a region of the rivet shank 6 (6′) that slightly deforms radially outwards during the formation of the closing head. During the formation of the closing head, that is, when the necessary setting force is applied, the surface structure 13 (13′) presses into the edge of the opening of the object 2 and supporting structure 3 and thus enables the production of an electrically conductive connection between the object 2 and the supporting structure 3.

[0056] The set head 7 can also comprise a surface structure 14 on the side thereof facing the rivet shank 6. The surface structure 14 of the set head then presses into the surface of the supporting structure 3 against which the set head 7 bears during the setting of the blind rivet nut 5.

[0057] To allow blind rivet nuts 5a to be distinguished from the blind rivet nuts 5b, blind rivet nuts 5a and 5b can differently colored or have other markings that are visually or haptically perceptible. For example, blind rivet nuts 5b having the smaller outer size can be colored black and the blind rivet nuts 5a with the larger outer size can be left without any color application.

[0058] To attach objects 2 to supporting structure 3, the installer selects a blind rivet nut 5a, 5b which fits the respective opening 10a, 10b. However, the installer can use the same setting tool independently of the chosen blind rivet nut 5a, 5b, since, because both blind rivet nuts 5a, 5b comprise a same female thread 8, the setting tool does not need to be changed regardless of the selected blind rivet nut size.

[0059] Additionally, the setting tool is preset, e.g., either the setting force or the setting path can be set.

[0060] The preset cannot be changed by the installer without additional steps. An authorization is required to modify the respective preset. The authorization can occur, for example, via the entry of a code or via a mechanical key or special tool that is only available to authorized persons. Another possibility is that the setting or “programming” of the setting tool takes place via a computer or a control device that is likewise not accessible to all persons, but rather only to persons authorized therefor, for example a foreman or a job preparation department.

[0061] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.