DK3279405T3

DK3279405T3 - SUPPORT BLOCK WITH INTEGRATED SPACES

Info

Publication number: DK3279405T3
Application number: DK17306023.7T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Pierre Etienne Bindschedler; Rémi Perrin; Francis Boissenin; Hervé Fellmann
Original assignee: Soprema Sas
Priority date: 2016-08-01
Filing date: 2017-07-31
Publication date: 2018-11-05
Also published as: FR3054577A1; FR3054577B1; PT3279405T; SI3279405T1; PL3279405T3; EP3279405B1; TR201815263T4; ES2692803T3; EP3279405A1

Description

This invention relates to the field of systems for cladding or covering surfaces, floors, terraces or avenues, at least suitable for pedestrian traffic, more particularly systems such as floors supported on pads or slabs supported on pads, and concerns a support pad comprising integrated shims in the structure therein.

Numerous covering systems are known, suitable for traffic or not, such as slabs, gratings or floors supported on pads wherein the covering elements in the form of rectangular or square plates are arranged on individual pads, generally placed on a waterproof coating, each pad including at least one head with a support surface and a baseplate forming a frame (see for example EP 0 259 237, WO 2008/105012, EP 1 678 392).

Each covering element may rest directly on two, three, four or more pads according to the shape, location, size thereof and the nature of the pads.

These covering elements may also rest indirectly on these pads via joists or a support structure.

Conversely, each pad may serve as a support for two, three or four rectangular or square slabs according to the position thereof in the covering system, or for a joist in the case of an indirect structure.

The setting of the height position of each pad, i.e. the distance between the support surface of the head and the surface whereon the pad in question rests, is adjustable by acting upon the adjustable connection between the head and the baseplate, generally of the threaded or notched connection type.

It may arise that the pad rests on a non-planar and/or non-horizontal surface such that the support surface of the head is inclined.

It also arises frequently that the covering elements have different thicknesses and/or exhibit thickenings or burrs at the level of the edge zones intended to bear on the heads of the pads, resulting in a shoulder or a similar inequality between adjacent elements borne by the same pad, giving rise to cosmetic defects.

In all these scenarios, cited merely by way of examples, there is a need to adjust the height of each covering element individually so that it is flush with the elements adjacent thereto or abutting therewith, borne by the same pad.

In order to meet this need, the traditional solution generally implemented on-site, consists of inserting shims between the pad head and the lowest covering element(s). For this purpose, it is necessary to avail of a set of suitable shims available on-site.

However, for reasons of cost, convenience and availability, worksite waste and cuttings are generally used as shims, which in the long term is not a satisfactory solution and fails to meet the recommended installation regulations (possible sagging due to compression or rupture of the material of the makeshift shim). A further widespread use, for arranging shims on-site, consists of removing pieces of wall from the pads using a hammer. However, this practice may give rise to additional cost and seriously compromise the structural integrity of the pads due to the material removed, and also cracks potentially generated.

Moreover, in the prior art is known, through the document WO 2013/149299, a support structure 10 comprising a baseplate 20 with a plate-shaped body, which includes four support blocks 30 in the form of wedges or ramps regularly distributed on the surface of said body.

On each support block 30 is mounted, with sliding capability, a shim 40. The shims 40 may slide bearing on the inclined surfaces of the blocks 30 and be stopped in a given position by cooperation of the respective notches 80, 280 thereof, the relative position between block 30 and shim 40 determining the height of the bearing surface thereof (for slabs or the like)

The relative position, and therefore the height adjustment, of each shim 40 with respect to the corresponding block 30 may be locked by means of lugs 150 formed as cleavable parts on the baseplate.

The design proposed by this WO document is therefore not of the pad type comprising a head with a support surface and a baseplate forming a frame, as cited herein.

It actually has four separate, individually and mutually separately adjustable support surfaces.

This results in a design of complex shape, including at least five separate parts (the baseplate 20 and the four movable shims 40) and, apparently at least, that is less effective (in terms of maximum supportable weight) than a support pad of the type described in the introduction.

The aim of the present invention is that of overcoming the limitations of the prior art and proposing a simple, practical and non-cumbersome, and if possible inexpensive, solution, in order to meet the need cited above.

To this end, the invention relates to a support pad for covering elements, such as slabs or the like, each pad being formed by at least two parts which are assembled together directly or indirectly, namely a head providing a support surface and a baseplate forming a support frame, the height position of the support surface being adjusted by adjusting the assembly connection, for example by screwing or notches, between said two constituent parts, the pad being characterised in that it comprises at least one cleavable part, formed in one piece with at least one of the two aforementioned constituent parts, or with at least a third intermediate part forming an assembly part and/or adjusting element, the or each cleavable part being configured to act as a height adjusting shim for a slab or the like and being able and designed to cooperate, after separation, with the pad head to form a local, elevated or protruding support area of a height which is defined relative to the support surface.

The invention will be understood more clearly, by means of the description hereinafter, which refers to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, wherein:

Figure lisa perspective and disassembled view of a two-part support pad according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2A, 2B and 2C are respectively perspective (figure 2A), exploded (figure 2B -all the shims having been separated) and sectional views along a vertical plane passing through the median axis (figure 2C) of a three-part support pad according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C are respectively perspective (figure 3A), top (figure 3B) and lateral elevation (figure 3C) views of the third intermediate part forming a height-adjusting element and part of the support pad represented in figures 2;

Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view on a different scale of a shaping for operating or actuating the adjusting element represents in figures 3, integrating a cleavable part suitable for forming a shim;

Figure 5 is a partial lateral elevation view of a covering system comprising at least one pad of the type represented in figures 2 and,

Figures 6 to 8 are perspective views illustrating respectively, with respect to the second and optionally first embodiments illustrated in figures 1 to 5, alternative embodiments of a pad head (figure 6), of a third part forming an adjusting element (figure 7) and of a baseplate (figure 8).

Figures 1, 2 and 5 illustrate a support pad 1 for covering elements 2, such as slabs or the like, each pad 1 being formed by at least two parts 3, 4 which are assembled together directly or indirectly, namely a head 3 providing a support surface 3' and a baseplate 4 forming a support frame, the height position of the support surface 3' (whereon rest the elements 2) being adjusted by adjusting the assembly connection, for example by screwing or notches, between said two constituent parts 3 and 4.

According to the invention, said pad 1 comprises at least one cleavable part 5, 5', 5", 5"', formed in one piece with at least one of the two aforementioned constituent parts 3 and 4, or with at least a third intermediate part 6 forming an assembly part and/or adjusting element, the or each cleavable part 5, 5', 5", 5"' being able and designed to cooperate, after separation, with the pad head 3 (by positioning thereon) to form a local, elevated or protruding support area 7 of a height h which is defined relative to the support surface 3'.

By means of the simple and inexpensive solution according to the invention, the labourer or operator always has on-site at least one structural element 5, 5', 5", 5"' integrated in a pad 1 in the form of a cleavable part and configured to be able to act as a height-adjusting shim relative to the pad head 3, for a slab 2 or the like.

This or these part(s) 5, 5', 5", 5"' is (are) manufactured with the part 3, 4, 6 wherein it (they) is (are) integrated structurally, thereby connecting same in a captive manner to the part 3, 4, 6 in question, while allowing the easy separation thereof and without compromising the function or the cohesion or the strength of this part (these parts do not contribute either structurally or functionally to the work of the pad, except as shims after separation and positioning on the pad head 3).

Advantageously, the or each cleavable part 5, 5', 5", 5"', designed to form a heightadjusting shim, is substantially in the form of a small plate and consists of a peripheral or end portion of a wall, blade or similar structural part of one of the constituent parts 3, 4, 6.

Preferentially, the support pad 1 comprises a plurality of cleavable parts 5, 5', 5", 5"', formed possibly on a plurality of constituent parts 3, 4, 6 of the pad 1. These different parts 5, 5', 5", 5"' are able to form shims, after separation from the part(s) 3,4, 6 concerned and placed on the pad head 3, providing local support area 7 of different or identical heights h, preferably calibrated and with upper bearing surfaces 7' parallel to the support surface 3' and the corresponding head 3 receiving them.

The different shims 5, 5', 5", 5"' in the form of small plates may all have the same thickness and/or provide, after placing on the pad head 3, the same raised height h (figures 1 and 6 to 8), or not (figures 2, 3 and 5).

Similarly, the thickness of the same shim 5, 5', 5", 5"' may be uniform or may vary, for example gradually to have a wedge-shaped cross-section.

Obviously, it is possible to stack a plurality of shims to arrive at a significant elevation.

As shown in figures 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, each cleavable part 5, 5', 5", 5"' may bear a marking or encrypted reference 8, for example in relief or moulded in the mass, corresponding to the height of elevation h provided by the shim that it forms after placing onto the head 3.

The pad head 3 may have a continuous and planar support surface 3' over the entire surface area thereof (solid top wall).

However, for production, [mechanical strength / material quantity] ratio optimisation, [surface area of 3' / weight of the head 3] ratio optimisation, or design purposes (material connection with the shaft or the threaded sleeve 16,17), the pad head 3 frequently has a superficial configuration and a discontinuous surface structure, with for example indented sites 10 and protruding shapings 10'.

In this case, it may be advantageously envisaged, as shown in particular by figures 2A, 2C, 3C and 4, that each cleavable part 5, 5', 5", 5'", preferably in the form of a small plate of uniform or non-uniform thickness, comprises male and/or female shapings 9 and/or sites 9', which are able and designed to cooperate and engage with complementary sites 10 and/or shapings 10' present at the surface of the pad head 3 concerned, said engagement being preferably self-locking in the plane of the support surface 3'.

The pad head 3 may, for example and as shown by figures 2, have a central part 14 with a substantially continuous wall, this central part being surrounded by a hollow peripheral ring 14' wherein the outer peripheral edge 14" is connected to the central part 14 by reinforcing fins. The top edges of said fins and of the peripheral edge contribute to the definition of the support surface 3' with the central part 14.

These reinforcing fins thereby form protruding shapings 10' (with respect to the rear wall of the ring 14'), separated by hollow regions forming indented sites 10, alternating with said fins.

The shims 5'" in figures 2, 3 and 4 exhibit a formation, in particular on the subface, able to cooperate by combining shapes with the aforementioned specific upper structure of the pad head 3, to provide a locally raised support area 7, with a top bearing surface 7' parallel with the support surface 3' (see figure 5).

Thus, the fins of the head 3 engage in complementary sites 9' of the shim 5'", in the form of grooves, and the protruding material shapings 9 of the shim 5'" extend partially in the hollow regions of the head 3, separated by the fins.

The remaining part in thinner plate form of the shim 5'" then rests on the central part 14 of the head 3.

The fins being outwardly diverging, locking in position of the shim 5'" on the head 3 is obtained.

In order to account for the uncertain aspect of the need for the implementation of the shims 5, 5', 5", 5'", it is advantageously envisaged by the invention relative to the design and configuration of the constituent part(s) 3, 4, 6 concerned that each cleavable part 5, 5', 5", 5"' is in the form of an extension or a protrusion of one of the constituent parts 3, 4, 6 of the pad 1, this extension or this protrusion being preferably without functional and structural purpose for the implementation of said pad 1, and not interfering with the use of said support pad 1.

Thus, the support pad 1 may be used absolutely similarly, whether one or a plurality of cleavable parts 5, 5', 5", 5"', or all, are used as shim(s).

According to one feature of the invention, emerging by way of practical embodiment examples from figures 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4 and 6 to 8, each cleavable part 5, 5', 5", 5"' is connected to the constituent part 3, 4, 6 which supports it by a weakened connection area 11 forming a preferred breaking line 11', formed preferably in one piece with a positioning fin 12 of the pad head 3, a reinforcing blade 13 of the baseplate 4, a stabilisation blade of the baseplate 4 (not shown) or a manoeuvring shaping 15 of an adjusting element 6.

The area 11 may for example consist of a material thinning line or, as demonstrated by the figures cited above, of two material bridges separated by a cut-out area.

The separation of the shims with the parts 3, 4 or 6 is advantageously feasible manually or optionally at least using a hammer.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the pad is formed of only two parts, namely a head 3 and a baseplate 4, joined together by a threaded connection interlocking between two shafts or cylindrical sleeves 16 and 16' respectively forming part of the head 3 and the baseplate 4, at least one cleavable part 5, 5', 5" in the form of a small plate being formed in one piece with the baseplate 4 or the head 3.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, illustrated by figures 2 and 5, the pad 1 is formed of three parts 3, 4, 6, namely a head 3, a baseplate 4 and a third intermediate part 6 for assembly and for adjusting the height, this third parts 6 having a body 6' in the form of a shaft or cylindrical sleeve, being on one hand assembled by a threaded connection interlocking with a corresponding shaft or sleeve 17 of the head 3 and on the other assembled by interlocking and rotating freely with a corresponding shaft or cylindrical sleeve 17' of the baseplate 4.

According to one advantageous feature relative to the second embodiment, it is envisaged that the third intermediate part 6 forms an element for adjusting by screwing/unscrewing the height position of the support surface 3' of the pad head 3, at least some of the cleavable parts 5'", preferably all, being formed by peripherally projecting finger or notch extensions 15 forming manoeuvring shapings in rotation of said element 6 (screwing nut) relative to the pad head 3 at least.

Preferably, each of the constituent parts 3, 4 and 6 is a one-piece part made from a thermoplastic material by injection moulding, said material being optionally reinforced by fibres or similar fillers.

The invention also relates to a system for covering or cladding of the type which consists of slabs supported by pads, comprising a plurality of surface covering elements 2, such as slabs or the like, resting on a plurality of support pads 1, the system being characterised in that at least one, preferably a plurality of or all of the pads correspond(s) to a pad as described above.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented in the appended drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with respect to the formation of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents, without for all that leaving the scope of the invention.

Claims

A support block (1) for cover elements (2), such as tiles or the like, wherein each block (1) is formed of at least two parts (3, 4) which are joined together, directly or indirectly, i.e. a head ( 3) providing a surface support (3 ') and a base plate (4) forming a support frame wherein the height position of the surface support (3') is adjusted by adjusting the joint connection, for example with screwing or roofing, between said two components (3). and 4), wherein the block (1) is characterized in that it comprises at least one divisible part (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'") formed in one piece with at least one of the two aforementioned components (3, 4). ), or with at least a third intermediate member (6) forming an assembly member and / or an adjusting member, wherein the or each separable member (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'") is configured to act as a height adjustment spacer to a tile (2) or the like and is capable of and arranged to cooperate, after separation, with the block head (3) to form a local support area (7), raised or protruding by a height (h) defined relative to the surface support (3 ').

Support block according to claim 1, characterized in that the or each divisible part (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'") arranged to form a height-adjusting shim is substantially in the form of a small plate. and consists of a peripheral part or the end of a wall, a wing or similar structural part of one of the components (3, 4, 6).

Support block according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of divisible parts (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'"), optionally formed on a plurality of components (3, 4). , 6) of the block (1), wherein said various parts (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'") are capable of forming, after separation from the part (s) (3, 4, 6) and located on the head of the block (3), interstices providing local support areas (7) of different or identical heights (h), preferably calibrated and with upper bearing surfaces (7 ') parallel to the surface support (3') of the corresponding head (3), which receives them.

Support block according to claim 3, characterized in that each divisible part (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'") bears a marking or numerical reference (8), for example in relief and molded in the mass, corresponding to the height of raising ( (h) provided by the spacer which it forms after placement on the head (3).

Support block according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each divisible part (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'"), preferably in the form of a small plate of uniform or non-uniform thickness, includes male or female forms (9) and / or sites (9 ') capable of and adapted to interact and interact with complementary sites (10) and / or forms (10') of the support area (3 ') by said block head (3), said engagement being preferably self-locking in the plane of the surface support (3 ').

Support block according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each divisible part (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'") is in the form of an extension or projection of one of the components (3, 4, 6) of the block (1), preferably without functional and structural purpose for the implementation of said block (1), and does not interfere with the use of said block support (1).

Support block according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each divisible part (5, 5 ', 5 ", 5'") is connected to the component (3, 4, 6) supporting it. an attenuated connecting region (11) forming a preferred breaking line (11 '), preferably formed integrally with a positioning fin (12) of the block head (3), a reinforcing wing (13) of the base plate (4), a stabilizing wing of the base plate (4) ) or a maneuvering formation (15) of an adjusting member (6).

Support block according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is formed of only two parts, that is, a head (3) and a base plate (4), connected to each other by means of a threaded joint interlocking between two shafts or cylindrical sleeves (16 and 16 ', respectively) forming part of the head (3) and the base plate (4), wherein at least one divisible part (5, 5', 5 ") in the shape of a small plate is formed in one piece with the base plate (4) or the head (3).

Support block according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is formed of three parts (3, 4, 6), i.e. a head (3), a base plate (4) and a third intermediate part (6) for assembling and adjusting the height, wherein said third part (6) has a body (6 ') in the form of a shaft or cylindrical sleeve is partially locked together by a threaded joint with a corresponding shaft or sleeve ( 17) of the head (3) and partially assembled by a joint locking and freely rotating with a corresponding shaft or cylindrical sleeve (17 ') of the base plate (4).

Support block according to any one of claims 7 and 9, characterized in that the third intermediate part (6) forms an adjustment element by screwing / unscrewing the height position of the surface support (3 ') of the block head (3), wherein at least some of the the divisible parts (5 '"), preferably all, are formed by finger or incision extensions excellent peripherally (15) forming maneuvering formations in rotation of said element (6) relative to at least the block head (3).

Support block according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each of the components (3, 4 and 6) is a one-piece part made of a thermoplastic material by injection molding.

A system for covering or cladding of the type comprising blocks supported by blocks comprising a plurality of surface covering elements, such as tiles or the like, resting on a plurality of support blocks wherein the system is characterized in that at least one, preferably a plurality of or all of the blocks correspond to a block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.