AU651039B1

AU651039B1 - Elevated floor structure

Info

Publication number: AU651039B1
Application number: AU53920/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Chris De Vaney; David Gervas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: De Vaney Chris
Priority date: 1993-01-20
Filing date: 1994-01-20
Publication date: 1994-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2014-01-20

Description

SOP/00/001 Section 29

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 PATENT REQUEST: STANDARD PATENT/ PATENT OF ADDITION We, being the person(s) identified below as the Applicant, request the grant of a patent to the person identified below as the Nominated Person, for an invention described in the accompanying standard complete specification.

Full application details follow.

[71] Applicant: DAVID GERVAS and CHRIS DE VANEY Address: 3/5 Collin Street West Perth W.A. 6005 Nominated Person: APPLICANTS Address: [54] Invention Title: ELEVATED FLOOR STRUCTURE 72] Name(s) of actual inventor(s):

APPLICANTS

[74] Address for service in Australia: CLINTON GIRAUDO, Patent and Trade Mark Attorney, Suite 1A, 81 Guthrie Street, Osborne Park 6017, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA.

ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION(S) DETAILS Application Number(s) and Date(s) PL 6880 dated January 20, 1993 by the applicant *oo* Drawing number recommended to accompany the abstract 1 Dated this 20th day of January 1994.

DAVID GERVAS AND CHRIS DE VANEY By Their Patent Attorney CLINTON GIRAUDO Fellow of the Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia.

A/ f, 651039

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service:

CHRIS

GERVAS

DE VANEY and DAVID 3/5 Collin Street West Perth 6005 Western Australia

APPLICANTS

CLINTON GIRAUDO Suite 1A, 81 Guthrie Street Osborne Park 6017 Western Australia je..

S.

Standard Complete Specification for the invention entitled: ELEVATED FLOOR STRUCTURE Details of Associated Provisional Applications: PL 6880 dated January 20, 1993 by the applicants .Jetails of Parent Application for Divisional Applications: The following is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:-

TITLE

ELEVATED FLOOR STRUCTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an elevated floor structure particularly, although not exclusively, envisaged for use in floors for houses especially houses built on sloping terrain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to use an inverted pyramid space frame structure for creating an elevated floor, for ease% example, as shown by POOLE in Australian Patent No.

608,319. POOLE teaches the use of three or more arms radiating outwardly from atop a set of posts for supporting a floor above the ground. A disadvantage of 15 POOLE is that the structure requires bracing in three dimensions to achieve stability. Also, adjusting elements are required to ensure that the floor is true, the use of which is time consuming to use. Further, the support arms must be supported in place during erection prior to location of structural members of the floor. That is, the support arms of POOLE are each individual elements and must be handled individually which is also time consuming.

A further elevated floor structure is taught by BEVACQUA in Australian Patent No. 593,917. The structure 25 has a plurality of post assemblies which allow for adjustment of the floor level above a set of footings once a building frame has been erected upon the post assemblies. This is said to be particularly necessary in erecting so called "kit homes". A disadvantage of BEVACQUA is that a very large number of post assemblies are required. Also, the post assemblies are not suited to location atop a set post because there is no provision for bracing between adjacent post assemblies. The post assemblies of BEVACQUA are not intended to be more than about 1 metre long. Further, BEVACQUA requires two bracing panels in each wall of the resulting building in -2order to sufficiently brace the building, since there is ver-y little bracing effect in the floor.

A still further elevated floor structure is taught by BUTCHER in Australian Patent Application No.

43129/85. The structure has a plurality of columns radiating outwardly from atop a small number of ground level based footings. Some of the columns are disposed vertically for increasing the rigidity of the floor structure. BUTCHER suggests that the footings could be located atop poles to accommodate sloping ground. A .04. disadvantage of BUTCHER'S floor structure is that there is little effective bracing between the columns and so the a.

columns are not suited to elevation atop poles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to overcome the short comings of the prior art it is necessary to produce an elevated floor structure which has inherent bracing so that it can be supported atop poles without requiring considerable bracing between the poles. This has been achieved in the present invention by using a structure which is in the form of a matrix of truss-like beams, where the planes of .the beams are aligned with the longitudinal extend of the poles so that the load on the beams is transmitted directly down the poles. The beams are deep with respect 25 to their width as to brace each other and hence effect bracing between the poles (hereinafter referred to as support legs).

The present invention provides an elevated floor structure based upon a plurality of elongate members arranged in a self bracing matrix which overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; -3a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent ones of the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members, each primary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, each primary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each of the said two primary elongate members; and, a plurality of secondary elonga.e members each being *eo.

supported by two opposite ones of the primary elongate members each secondary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, and each secondary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite ones of the primary elongate members and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each o, the ."04 said two opposite primary elong-te members; wherein, the primary elongate members and the secondary elongate members in combination forming a matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and whereby, in use, the 25 primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent ones of the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members each primary elongate member having: a top cord having an inner portion disposed 4 between the said two adjacent support legs and a cantilever portion extending outwardly from each of the said two adjacent support legs; a brace disposed between each said cantilever portion and its respective support legs; and, a bottom cord disposed between the said two adjacent support legs, the bottom cord being substantially parallel to the top cord and joining the said support legs at substantially the same height as the said braces; and, a plurality of secondary elongate members each being se supported by two opposite ones of the primary elongate S".members, each secondary elongate member hlciing: a top cord having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite primary elongate members and a cantilever portion extending outwardly from each of the said two opposite primary elongate members; a brace disposed between each said cantilever portion and its respective primary elongate member; and, a bottom cord disposed between the said two opposite primary elongate members, the bottom cord being substantially parallel to the said top cord and joining i" the said two opposite primary elongate members; Swherein, the primary elongate members and the secondary elongate members in combination forming a S 25 matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and, whereby, in use, the primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next.

Preferably, the elevated floor structure is modularized.

Preferably, the elevated floor structure is symmetric about two substantially horizontal and orthogonal axes taken through the centre of the elevated floor structure.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE DRAWINGS An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will 5 now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view, seen from above, of an elevated floor structure; Figure 2 is a part cut-away perspective view, seen from above, of the elevated floor structure of Figure 1 shown in the area of one of its four support legs and shown to an enlarged scale; Figure 3 is a part cut-away perspective view, seen from above, of the elevated floor structure of Figure 1 showing two of the support legs at an enlarged scale; and, oeoo Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a connection between a floor joist and a side beam of the elevated floor structure of Figure 1.

15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT In Figure 1 there is shown an elevated floor structure 10 comprising a plurality of support legs 12, such as four support legs 12, a plurality of elongate truss-like beams 14, such as six truss-like beams 14, and a plurality of side beams 18, such as four side beams 18.

The support legs 12 are preferably arranged spaced apart equally, to form a square base. Also, the support legs 12 are preferably disposed substantially S. vertically upwards from the ground. Typically, the 25 support legs 12 are formed of square box section metal material. Typically, th support legs 12 are arranged so that side faces 19 of adjacent support legs 12 face each other. Further, the upper ends 20 of the support legs 12 are disposed at the same height above the ground.

Particularly as shown in Figures 2 and 3 each of the support legs 12 has a plurality of flanges 22 extending outwardly from the side faces 19 of the support legs 12 proximate the upper end 20. Further flanges 24 are disposed outwardly from the side faces 19 of the support legs 12 at a distance below the upper end 20. Also, there are a still further flanges 26 and 28 located on a corner 6 29 of each of the support legs 12. The corner 29 represents a corner of the square base formed by the arrangement of the support legs 12.

Particularly, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 the truss-like beams 14 have a top cord 30 fixed to the support legs 12 at the flanges 22, a bottom cord 32 fixed between the support legs 12 at the flanges 24, a king post 34 disposed between the top cord 30 and the bottom cord 32 substantially midway between the support legs 12, braces 36 disposed diagonally between a lower end of the king post 34 and the top cord 30, and further braces 38 disposed between an outer end 40 of the top cord 30 and the support legs 12 at the flange 24. In the exemplary embodiment the elevated floor structure 10 has six truss- 15 like beams 14 arranged in a matrix pattern. Four of the truss-like beams 4 are fixed between adjacent ones of the support legs 12 and two further truss-like beams 42 are disposed orthogonal to each other and midway between the four truss-like beams 41, the truss-like beams 42 sharing a common central king post 44. The truss-like beams 14 are referred to as primary truss-like members and the truss-like beams 42 are referred to as secondary trusslike members. The totality of the top cords 30 of all of S the truss-like beams 14 provide a plurality of floor 25 joists for supporting floor boards or floor panels. Each of the components of the truss-like beams 14 are typically formed of box section metal material such as RHS and SHS.

The truss-like beams 14 in the vicinity between the support legs 12 are referred to as inner portions and outside the support legs 12 are referred to as cantilever portions.* The side beams 18 are fixed to the outer ends of each of the top cords 30 of the truss-like beams 14.

The side beams 18 are connected together at their ends by corner pieces 46. The corner pieces 46 are supported by joists 47 located between the corner pieces 46 and the -7flanges 26, and braces 47a associated with the joist 47.

The side beams 18 are typically formed of C section metal material as shown in Figure 4. The side beams 18 are connected to the outer ends 40 of the top cords 30 such as by bolting.

A connector 48, as shown in Figure 4 in locatable in the side beams 18 for fixing floor joists across the truss-like beams 14. The connector 48 is substantially shaped having a head 50 for vertical placement in a channel 52 defined by the side beam 18, and a support ledge 54 disposed substantially at right angles S. to the head 50 and arranged substantially horizontally.

The support ledge 54 is fixed to a floor joist 56 which is disposed across the truss-like beams 14 and secured to an S 15 opposite one of the side beams 18 by another connector 48.

The truss-like beams 14 are formed in modularised compcnents. The components include outer support components 60, Z components 62 and inner support a: 0 components 64. The outer support components 60 are "V" shaped.

In use, the support legs 12 are arranged o vertically true and set in concrete footings in the ground. The upper ends 20 of the support legs 12 are disposed at exactly the same height so that the elevated floor structure 10, once completed, is perfectly true.

The remainder of the elevated floor structure can be erected from the support legs 12. Erection may be effected by the following procedure.

Firstly, the inner support components 64 are fixed between adjacent ones of the support legs 12 at the flanges 22. A further inner support component, referred to as a central support component 65, is secured intermediate the length of two opposite ones of the inner support components 64 and substantially parallel to the other two inner support components 64. Then, two of the Z components 62 are secured between the central support -8component 65 and its two parallel inner support components 64f the Z components 62 being mutually aligned. The two Z components 62 so arranged form a component similar in structure to the inner support components 64. Preferably, the two Z components 62 are secured to the central support component 65 in the vicinity of the central king post 44.

Next, the outer support components 60 are secured to the support legs 12 and to the inner support components 64 at the side king posts 34. The side beams 18 are then fixed to the outer ends 40 of the truss-like beams 14.

The connectors 48 are next located into the C channels of the side beams 18 by pivoting the heads slightly away from the vertical inserting them into the C channels and then pivoting the heads 50 back to the 15 vertical. The connectors 48 are slid along the length of the channels 18 to a location at which one of the floor joists 56 are to be located. Nogging may be used between adjacent floor joists 56 as desired. Typically, the floor joists 56 are shaped in cross-section.

The resulting elevated floor structure 10 is perfectly true and ready to receive floor panels or floor boards and the remainder of the building structure erected upon it.

•gee feet A plurality of the elevated floor structures S0: 25 as shown in Figure 1 can be connected in a modularised fashion one adjacent the other with the side beams 18 of adjacent elevated floor structures 10 being secured together.

The elevated floor structure 10 of the present invention has the advantaged that it can be erected upon sloping terrain and without the need to use cranes or the like. Each of the components 60, 62, 64 and 65 can be positioned by two or more workers using ladders of scaffolding. Also, the resultant floor support surface is perfectly true and requires no adjustment. Further, by the nature of the truss-like beams 14 the elevated floor 9 structure 10 is well stabilised and requires no additional bracing. The connectors 48 allow the placement of the floor joists 56 at varying spacings to accommodate varying load bearing requirements.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are considered within the scope of the present invention. For example, other crosssectional shapes of the metal materials could be used.

Also, the components could be bolted, screwed or welded together. Further, other than 4 legs could be used, such as 3, or 5 or more.

fee* e 0

Claims

1. An elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent ones of the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members, each primary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is 10 much greater than its depth, each primary elongate member j. having an inner portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each of the said two primary elongate Sao members; and, a plurality of secondary elongate members each being supported by two. opposite ones of the primary elongate members each secondary elongate members having a depth which is much .greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, and each secondary elongate 20 member having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite ones of the primary elongate members and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each of the said two opposite primary elongate members; o wherein, the primary elongate members and the secondary elongate members in combination forming a matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and whereby, in use, the primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next.

2. An elevated floor structure according to claim 1, in which each primary elongate member has a king post located intermediate its length, each such king post also serving as a king post of the secondary elongate member 11 which is attached to said primary elongate member whereby, in-use, the king posts distribute load from the secondary elongate members to the primary elongate members and hence to the support legs.

3. An elevated floor structure according to claim 2, in which each secondary elongate member has a further king post located between the other two king posts of the secondary elongate member, the further king posts of two of the secondary elongate members serving as a connection 10 node between the two secondary elongate members.

4. An elevated floor structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the planes of the primary elongate members intersect along the length of the support legs and the secondary elongate members intersect at right angles to opposite ones of the primary elongate members to form the matrix.

An elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; 20 a plurality of primary elongate members each being "Sioo supported by two adjacent ones of the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members each primary elongate member having: a top cord having an inner portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs and a cantilever portion extending outwardly from each of the said two adjacent support legs; a brace disposed between each said cantilever portion and its respective support legs; and, a bottom cord disposed between the said two adjacent support legs, the bottom cord being substantially parallel to the top cord and joining the said support legs at substantially the same height as the said braces; and, 12 a plurality of secondary elongate members each being supported by two opposite ones of the primary elongate members, each secondary elongate member having: a top cord having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite primary elongate members an a cantilever portion extending outwardly from each of the said two opposite primary elongate members; a brace disposed between each said cantilever portion and its respective primary elongate member; and, a bottom cord disposed between the said two opposite primary elongate members, the bottom cord being substantially parallel to the said top cord and joining oe the said two opposite primary elongate members; wherein, the primary elongate members and the 15 secondary elongate members in combination forming a matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and, whereby, in use, the primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next. 6

6. An elevated floor structure according to claim and further characterised according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

7. An elevated floor structure according to any one of the preceding claims, substantially as hereindescribed with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 20th day of January 1994. DAVID GERVAS and CHRIS DE VANEY By Their Patent Attorney CLINTON GIRAUDO Fellow of the Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia. ABSTRACT An elevated floor structure (10) having a matrix of-truss-like beams (14) which distribute load from a floor to a small number of support legs (12) such as typically four support legs The matrix has primary truss-like beams (41) which intersect along the length of the support legs (12) and secondary truss-like beams (42) which intersect between opposite ones of the primary truss-like beams The matrix of truss-like beams (14) has the effect of providing inherent bracing between the support legs (12). 0. 0000 6 S* S.* ooo