EP0366574A1 - Tile for covering the soil - Google Patents

Abstract

This tile comprises at least two walls (2, 2'; 3, 3', 3") separated from each other by means of bracing structures (3a to 3d; 4, 5 and 5') which participate in the formation of at least one chamber (6) which is capable of receiving a filler product (13, 20, 22), each wall (2, 2'; 3, 3') being secured to the first wall by being connected thereto by its peripheral edges (3a to 3d) and, if appropriate, by its parts in contact with the bracing structures (4, 5, 5'). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a tile for floor coverings.

Concrete slabs are known comprising a flat lower surface or provided with anchoring means and an upper surface consisting of studs regularly spaced on the same plane. The space arranged between the studs can receive soil sown with grass, which is then protected by the studs which support the pressure of the loads applied to the ground by pedestrians, motor vehicles or others.

These concrete slabs filled with soil and lawn have multiple drawbacks: the space separating the studs being completely open upwards, the earth which occupies it and the growing lawn can be crushed or torn off by pressure or friction of a mobile and narrow object such as a stiletto heel; being made of concrete, these slabs are insufficiently aesthetic to be used as interior finishing coating. Finally, due to the hardness of the concrete, these tiles are not suitable for covering sports fields.

In addition, there are plastic or rubber tiles, with small studs playing the role of non-slip. These tiles have many disadvantages. They must be glued to the floor and the slightest defect in gluing can promote the formation of air pockets causing unsightly "swelling". These slabs reveal any defects in the flatness of the floor on which they are glued and which must therefore be perfectly leveled before installation. In addition, these tiles are susceptible to cigarette burns if they are made of PVC; they resist if they are made of rubber, but then they are much more expensive. In addition, the presence of non-slip pads, necessarily in relief since of the same nature, makes their cleaning difficult.

The floor covering slab according to the invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of existing slabs, while offering new possibilities.

To this end, it comprises at least two walls separated from each other by bracing structures participating in the constitution of at least one chamber capable of receiving a filling product and each of which is integral with the other. by being linked to it by its peripheral edges and, possibly, by its parts in contact with the bracing structures.

According to a simple embodiment of the invention, the bracing structures are an integral part of one of the walls.

The filling product for the slab chambers can advantageously play a ballasting role which ensures that the slabs remain on the ground, without it being necessary to glue them. Their installation is considerably facilitated.

Preferably, this slab is made of a flexible and elastic, moldable, injectable, extrudable or thermoformable material, such as a polymer, elastomer, or other suitable plastic material.

According to a simple embodiment of the invention, the bracing structures are ribs or partitions possibly delimiting separate chambers.

According to another simple embodiment of the invention, the bracing structures are solid or hollow studs, regularly spaced.

According to a simple embodiment of this slab, its upper and lower walls and the bracing structures constitute a single piece capable of being manufactured by blowing or rotational molding. The filling product can then, if it is sufficiently fluid, be introduced into the slab through holes provided for this purpose and possibly fitted in the upper wall.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention allowing a simpler manufacture of this slab, its lower wall and its bracing structures constitute a first part, the upper wall constitutes a second part, fixed to the first by gluing, welding, stapling, riveting or in any other suitable way.

Thus, each part can be executed by molding, blowing or injection and the filling product is easy to put in place before the two parts are assembled.

In this case, in order to obtain good cohesion of all the tiles of the same floor covering, each tile has, along its peripheral edges, an alternation of grooves and ribs oriented in opposite directions, of so that each groove of a slab can be engaged on the rib of an adjacent slab.

Currently, especially due to the considerable development of information technology, there is often a need for technical floors, that is to say floors in the thickness of which are provided voids, easily accessible and allowing electrical cables to circulate. intended to connect to a central unit, all the workstations of an installation IT likely to evolve over time.

In the case where such a raised floor is installed on an already existing floor, it is obviously advantageous to limit its thickness to the needs of the installation, that is to say according to the section of the cables to be made. circulate. For this reason, the current technical floors known as, in this case, rehabilitation, are made to measure, which involves a very high cost.

The present invention also aims to allow the realization of a technical floor rehabilitation low cost by providing a slab easily adaptable to the characteristics of the desired technical floor. To this end, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, in the slab which it concerns and which is of the type whose bracing structures are constituted by studs, studs are provided, with the same distribution, on each of the opposite faces of the upper and lower walls of the slab, the height of the studs of one of the walls, for example the upper wall, being constant, while that of the studs of the other wall, for example the lower wall , is determined by the need for the installation, means being provided to facilitate the correct positioning of the upper and lower walls of each slab. For example, the edges of the tops of the studs of one of the walls, preferably of the studded wall of constant height, are provided with engaging projections on the tops of the studs of the other wall.

Thus, to allow an adaptation of this slab to the characteristics of the technical floor to be installed, it suffices to have several sets of slab walls whose stud heights are different, and to choose those whose stud height added to that constant of the studs on the other wall, there are passages of sufficient height for the wiring to be carried out.

It may further be noted that if, as a result of the change in computer installation, the height of the cable passages must be increased, it suffices to change only one wall of each slab, namely that of which the stud heights are determined. by the characteristics of the installation.

As is done with current technical floors, rehabilitation, this paving can be covered with a carpet with the interposition of sheet metal plates for grounding.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the slab which it relates also aims at the realization of technical floors, simultaneously with the construction of the buildings concerned, and allowing the installation of all the pipelines necessary for the operation of this building. The known technical floors which, like those of rehabilitation, must provide easily accessible interior voids, are generally constituted by rigid, self-supporting, square or rectangular slabs, most often in wood or steel, and carried, at each of their four angles, by a jack of adjustable height and also supporting the adjacent angles of the three adjacent slabs.

Wooden slabs have the drawback of not allowing grounding on their own and of requiring them to be placed in sheet metal tubs, as for steel slabs, given the shape in a box, they have the major drawback of not ensuring sound insulation. In addition, these two types of slab are of a high cost price.

This other embodiment of the slab according to the invention aims to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks. For this purpose, the bracing structures of this slab which is of the self-supporting type intended to be supported, in each of its angles, by a jack of adjustable height which also supports the adjacent angles of the neighboring slabs, are constituted by a metal frame. ventilated, in the form of an umbrella whose upper flat part is embedded in its upper wall, and whose lower ends of the branches directed vertically downward, are linked to a sheet metal container covering the external face of its lower wall.

Thus, this slab whose upper face is made of insulating material has the advantage of having a metal lower face allowing it to be earthed. Naturally, this slab is advantageously produced by rotational molding after placing, in the mold, its metallic elements formed by the lower tank and the bracing structure.

When this slab is large, and its mechanical characteristics require it, the lower tray has concentric intermediate steps increasing its depth from its periphery, towards its center and the reinforcement which constitutes its bracing structure has as much concentric intermediate rows of vertical branches, of appropriate length and position that the tray has steps, each row being designed to fit into a step.

The metal frame constituting the bracing structure and the tray can be assembled together in any suitable manner and in particular by welding or by simple wedging.

Naturally, the steps can be circular or polygonal, such as square or rectangular.

The filling product of the slab chambers is determined according to the needs of the user.

According to the simplest embodiment of the invention, the filling product consists only of a ballasting product.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, when this slab is intended for an exterior or interior floor covering but sufficiently lit, its upper wall has a plurality of holes and the filling product comprises a fertile soil sown with '' a lawn, dwarf bamboo or other plants able to grow through these holes.

In this case, advantageously, the earth is covered with a trellis of fibers preventing the grass from pushing straight and forcing it to push in a sinuous way through this trellis.

This arrangement, which can only be envisaged with two-part slabs, makes the lawn less fragile when flexed and therefore more suitable for being walked on.

In addition, in order to avoid either rotting or drying out of the roots in contact with the lower wall of the slab, the upper face of this lower wall has fine reliefs of the granite type.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention facilitating the use of this slab in the constitution of a turf support on interior soil, that is to say sheltered from the rain, and less easily watered than an external lawn, in this slab which is of the type whose upper wall has a plurality of holes and whose filling product of the internal chamber comprises a fertile soil sown with seeds of plants, such as lawn, on the one hand, its lower wall has a plurality of bosses provided with slots or openings and directed downwards and, on the other hand, it is associated with a sealed container capable of accommodating it entirely and on the bottom of which it rests by the tops of the bosses of its lower wall, the free volume provided, thanks to the latter, between the bottom of the tank and the lower wall of the slab being used to constitute a reserve of water.

Naturally, the interior lawn supported by slabs of this type can be gently sprayed from above, the water reaching the tanks through the perforations in the upper walls of the slabs, the fertile soil and the slots or through the bosses in their lower walls.

According to another embodiment of the invention, in the case where this slab is intended to constitute a floor covering for a sports field, the filling product comprises elastic particles and / or a liquid and the bracing structures are made of an elastic material and / or have a shape giving them the desired elasticity characteristics. It is thus possible to produce floors endowed with a very appreciable flexibility.

It should be noted that, when the tiles of the same pavement are made up of two assemblable elements, it is possible, before assembly, to have in their interior chambers pipes of any type such as electric cables or tubes for the distribution of a heating or cooling fluid or simply sanitary, sprinkler or other.

Furthermore, if one wishes to eliminate any risk that a liquid, such as sprinkling water, cannot deteriorate the soil on which this paving is laid by seeping between the slabs, it is always possible to '' interpose, between the ground and the tiles, an impermeable plastic or similar film. In addition, if it is desired to further improve the flexibility characteristics of the paving, it is also possible to choose an impermeable film of the double wall type comprising a multitude of air-filled cavities.

• Figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée montrant une première forme d'exécution de cette dalle ;
• Figure 2 est une vue partielle en coupe transversale montrant une première variante d'exécution de la dalle de figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 est une vue partielle similaire à figure 2 mais à échelle encore plus agrandie, montrant un agencement particulier permettant d'as­sembler les dalles adjacentes ;
• Figure 4 est une vue en perspective éclatée similaire à figure 1 montrant une variante d'exécution de cette dalle plus spécialement destinée à la réalisation d'un sol technique de réhabilitation ;
• Figure 5 est une vue de côté et en coupe suivant V-V de figure 4 de la dalle ;
• Figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un sol technique réalisé avec une autre variante d'exécution de cette dalle, variante selon laquelle cette dalle est autoporteuse ;
• Figure 7 est une vue en perspective illustrant l'armature et le bac métalliques entrant dans la composition de la dalle de figure 6, avant moulage ;
• Figures 8 et 9 sont des vues en perspective par dessous montrant deux formes d'exécutions de la dalle de figure 7 ;
• Figure 10 est une vue en coupe transversale montrant encore une autre variante d'exécution de cette dalle dans le cas de son application à la constitution d'un dallage abrité supportant un gazon.

In any case, the invention will be clearly understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of nonlimiting examples, several embodiments of this slab:

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of this slab;
• Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a first alternative embodiment of the slab of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a partial view similar to Figure 2 but on an even larger scale, showing a particular arrangement for assembling the adjacent slabs;
• Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view similar to Figure 1 showing an alternative embodiment of this slab more specifically intended for the realization of a technical rehabilitation floor;
• Figure 5 is a side view in section along VV of Figure 4 slab;
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a technical floor made with another alternative embodiment of this slab, variant according to which this slab is self-supporting;
• Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the metal frame and the tub used in the composition of the slab of Figure 6, before molding;
• Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views from below showing two forms of execution of the slab of Figure 7;
• Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing yet another alternative embodiment of this slab in the case of its application to the constitution of a sheltered pavement supporting a grass.

As shown in FIG. 1, the slab according to the invention, of rectangular or square shape, essentially comprises two opposite walls, one upper 2, the other lower 3, one of which, preferably the lower one 3, carries bracing structures now separated from it the other wall 2. These bracing structures are constituted, in addition to the four ribs 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, constituting its peripheral edge, by ribs 4 or studs 5 interiors, visible in Figure 1.

These structures also have the function of creating inside this slab, that is to say between its upper 2 and lower 3 walls, one or more chambers 6 able to receive a filling product. The upper 2 and lower 3 walls of this slab are further provided with means allowing them to be assembled to one another.

The two constituent parts of this slab, namely its upper wall 2 and its lower wall 3, can be made of any suitable material but they are preferably made of a moldable or injectable material, flexible and elastic, such as an elastomer, polymer or any other suitable plastic material.

Although in all the examples illustrated in the drawing, this slab is produced in two separate parts assembled together, one can envisage its manufacture in one and the same part, produced by molding or rotational molding.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the ribs 4 and interior studs 5 are full and are obtained directly by molding or injection with the bottom wall 3 and its peripheral ribs 3a to 3d and the means for assembling the top walls 2 and lower 3 are made up by pins 7 carried by the lower face of the upper wall 2 and by wells 8 opening into the upper face of the peripheral ribs 3a to 3d of the lower wall 3, each pin 7 of the upper wall 2 being intended to be engaged in one of the wells 8 of the lower wall 3.

This gives an easy-to-install slab since it is not necessarily glued to the ground, the structure of which allows it to perfectly fit any irregularities in the ground and of which the interior chamber or chambers 6 can receive, as a filling product. , a ballast product improving its grip on the ground.

In the example of this slab illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper wall 2 ′ is flat, as in the example in FIG. 1, but it has at least perforations 9, the reason for which will be explained later. In addition, its lower wall 3 ′ supports bracing structures 5 ′ in the form of studs which are obtained by deformation or forming and which, therefore, are hollow. Each stud 5 ′, which has the shape of a truncated cone, has, at its apex, a central perforation 11 each of which coincides with a perforation 9 of the upper wall 2 ′ when these two walls are applied one against the other. 'other in position of use of the slab. These perforations 9 and 11 are used to fit assembly rivets 12, each of which is engaged in a set of perforations 9 and 11 and remains captive therein by snap-fastening, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

The hollowed out shape of the studs 5 ′ constituting the bracing structure of the upper wall 2 ′ gives this slab a theoretically greater flexibility than that of the previous example. In addition, this hollowed out shape of the pads 5 ′ allows a saving of material having a favorable impact on the cost price of the slab.

Since the walls 2 ′ and 3 ′ of this slab can be assembled to each other at the last moment and, in particular, when laying the paving, it is possible to have, in the interior chamber 6 of this slab, any filling product.

In the left-hand part of FIG. 2, the interior chamber 6 is filled with fertile soil 13 sown with grass and, to allow the latter to push above the upper wall 2 ′, the latter, as indicated in 14, has widely dimensioned orifices 15. However, to avoid that by circulating on the paving, the lawn 14 and, possibly, the ground 13, cannot be torn off by the soles of the passers-by, a trellis of fibers 16 is placed on the ground 13 by being, for example, sandwiched between the upper 2 ′ and lower 3 ′ walls of the earth.

Furthermore, in order to avoid rotting or drying out of the roots in contact with the lower wall 3 of the slab, the upper face of this lower wall 3 has fine reliefs 3 ‴, as illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 3.

If one wishes to avoid too frequent maintenance of the lawn or other vegetation sown in the ground 13, one can introduce, in the latter, a product limiting the growth of the vegetation. It is also possible, instead of the grass 14, to sow dwarf bamboos or others which, like the grass, are capable of pushing through the meshes of the trellis 16.

The construction of this slab also has, in the case of the aforementioned use, that is to say as illustrated on the left-hand side of FIG. 2, the advantage of allowing the installation of tubes of sprinkler 17 provided with perforations 17a and capable of distributing irrigation water in a programmable manner.

In the middle part of FIG. 2, the interior chamber 6 of this slab is filled with any ballast product such as sand and, as this part of FIG. 2 shows, its constitution allows the establishment, before assembly of its walls 2 ′ and 3 ′, of pipes such as pipes 18 for the distribution of sanitary or heating water or of any other heating or refrigerating fluid. It also allows the installation of electrical pipes 19 intended for heating or for the distribution of electricity.

By its possible constitution in translucent material and because of its shape, this slab also makes it possible to set up, either in some of the interior chambers 6, or in the recesses of studs 5 ′ or ribs 4, bracing structures, light sources.

Finally, as illustrated in the right part of FIG. 2, if one wants to improve the flexibility and elasticity characteristics of this slab, it is possible to put in place, in all or part of its hollowed studs 5 ′, springs 21 or blocks 21 ′, of complementary profile, made of elastomer, foam rubber or the like.

In the case where this slab is intended for the constitution of a soil 3, of ground for which great flexibility is desired, it is still possible to improve its characteristics of flexibility and elasticity by mixing with the sand particles of elastic material 22. It is also possible, instead of sand 20, dispose of the liquid such as water which will ensure a better distribution of the compressive forces on the particles 22.

Figure 3 shows, on an enlarged scale, a particular embodiment of the edges of this slab, intended to allow assembly between them, by mutual interlocking, adjacent slabs, while ensuring a certain tightness to this assembly.

In this embodiment, two of the peripheral ribs of the lower wall 3˝ of this slab, for example the rib 3a, is provided with an extension 3′a bent twice at right angles so as to provide on all of its length, a groove 23 open downwards and engaging on the contiguous peripheral edge 3c of the adjacent slab.

This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the paving considered is an outside paving in which it is desired to grow grass or the like, which requires the sprinkling of the earth possibly constituting the filling product of the interior chamber 6.

Moreover, to avoid any risk of water infiltration on the ground 24 on which this paving is laid, it is possible to interpose, between the ground 24 and the lower walls 3˝ of the slabs of this paving, a film waterproof 25 which may consist of a plastic film or, optionally, if it is desired to improve the flexibility of this paving, a sheet formed by two plies of plastic material with cavities between them filled with air.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment of this slab intended for the formation of a technical rehabilitation floor, that is to say a floor to be laid on an already existing floor and in thickness which are provided voids intended for the circulation of electric cables or other pipes, in particular for connecting to a central unit all the workstations of a computer installation or the like. In addition, this installation being capable of evolving over time, it is essential that the voids are easily accessible.

This embodiment of the slab according to the invention also aims to allow the production of technical floors adapted to the computer or other installation concerned, that is to say whose thickness is exactly determined by the characteristics of this installation. Indeed, the extra thickness caused by the installation of a technical rehabilitation floor is generally troublesome, and it is therefore advantageous that it is limited to its lowest possible vapor.

To this end, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawing, in this embodiment of the slab of the invention, the bracing structures are, as in some of the examples described above, constituted by studs, but , in this embodiment, not only studs 5a are provided on the lower wall 3 of the slab, but studs 5b are also provided projecting from the underside of the upper wall 2. The studs 5a and 5b having the same distribution on each of the walls 2 and 3 so as to be placed end to end during the assembly of these two walls of a slab. In the example illustrated in the drawing, the studs 5a and 5b are of generally frustoconical shape, which has the effect of facilitating the demolding of the walls 2 and 3 by creating a draft.

As can be seen more particularly from FIG. 5, the intervals between the studs 5a and 5b provide empty spaces in which it is entirely possible to circulate pipes, such as electrical pipes 19 or for transporting other fluids 26.

As shown in the drawing, the height L of each empty space provided for the passage of a pipe 19 or 26 results from the sum of the heights of the studs 5a and 5b. To allow the adaptation of this height L to the needs of the installation by limiting as much as possible the thickness of the floor without forcing the installer to use custom-made slab elements, it is advantageously provided that all the upper walls 2 available to this installation are provided with studs 5b of the same height while there are several types of lower walls 3 whose studs 5a are of different heights. Thus there may exist lower walls 3 of slab whose studs 5a may be of height greater than that of the studs 5b of the upper wall 2, or on the contrary, of a height so low that they are at hardly visible.

Whatever the height of the studs 5a, moreover, means are advantageously provided for automatically ensuring correct relative positioning between the slabs 2 and 3. In the example illustrated in the drawing, these means consist of projections 5′b provided at the periphery of the tops of the pads 5b, preferably with a regular angular distribution, so as to ensure a partial nesting of the pads 5b on the pads 5a and thus prevent any relative displacement of one of the walls 2 or 3 relative to each other, in a direction parallel to their assembly plane.

As can also be seen in the drawing, the free spaces provided for the passage of pipes between the walls 2 and 3 of the slabs are easily accessible, since it suffices to discover them by lifting the upper wall 2 of the slabs.

As is generally achieved with current technical rehabilitation floors, this paving can be covered with a carpet 27 with the interposition of plates 28 made of metal sheet for earthing.

Figures 6 to 9 illustrate another alternative embodiment of this slab, intended to allow the realization of technical floors simultaneously with the construction of buildings and which, like the previous ones, must allow the establishment, maintenance and all modifications any pipes necessary for the operation of these buildings. These originally constructed technical floors must, like the previous ones, provide easily accessible interior voids but, in addition, the slabs that compose them, must be self-supporting, that is to say they must be able to support the loads to which they are subjected by being themselves supported, either by their four angles, for example by jacks of adjustable height, each of which supports the four angles of four adjacent slabs, or by their lateral edges, by means of angle profiles or T-shaped, arranged so as to form a grid, and which are themselves supported by cylinders of adjustable height placed in correspondence of the angles of the slabs, that is to say crosses of the profiles.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, each self-supporting slab is supported, at each of its angles, by a jack 29 of adjustable height without the intermediary of angles or T-profiles forming a grid, but it is obvious that profiles of this type could just as easily be interposed between the slabs and the jacks 29.

In the self-supporting slab according to the invention, the bracing structures are constituted by an aerated metal frame 5c perfectly visible in Figures 6 and 7 and which, in this example, is formed by a lattice of metal wires, having a flat part 5′c embedded in the upper wall 2 of the slab, and end portions 5 partiesc, 5 ‴ c, 5˝˝c or branches oriented vertically downwards so as to bear against the internal face of the lower wall 3 of this slab. In addition, the lower ends of the vertical branches 5˝c to 5˝˝c are linked to a tray 31 made of metal sheet intended to cover the lower wall 3 of this slab externally, facilitating its earthing.

This slab can obviously be easily produced by rotational molding after installation, in the mold, prior to the rotational molding operation, of the tank 31 and of the frame 5c.

When this slab is large and its mechanical characteristics require it, the tank 31 is shaped so as to have a high moment of inertia. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, this high moment of inertia is obtained by the arrangement, in the bottom wall of the tank 31, of concentric steps 31a, 3lb increasing its depth from its periphery in the direction of its center. In addition, the frame 5c has as many concentric rows of intermediate vertical branches 5˝c, 5 ‴ c as the tray has steps 31a, 31b. Naturally, the length of the vertical branches 5˝c, 5 ‴ c is adapted to the depth of the corresponding part of the tank 31, and its position is determined so that each row of branches fits into a step.

The connection between the frame 5c and the tank 31 can be carried out in any suitable manner, but it is advantageously carried out by welding.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 8 and 9 the steps 31a and 31b of the container 31 can be square like the perimeter of the slab or even circular.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the slab of FIG. 2, that is to say an alternative embodiment of the slab of the invention in the case of its application to the production of a turf and more particularly in the case where this lawn is placed on an indoor or sheltered floor.

As in the example in FIG. 2, the lower wall 3 ′ of this slab has an interior chamber 6 formed in the intervals between frustoconical conical studs 5 ′ which constitute its bracing structure. In this alternative embodiment, the bottom wall 3 ′ has, between the studs 5 ′, directed upwards, a plurality of hollow bosses 32 directed downwards, and the side walls of which are provided with slots or openings 33. In in addition, the lower wall 3 ′ of this slab is associated with a sealed container 34 capable of accommodating it entirely and on the bottom of which it rests by the tops of the bosses 32. The free volume 35 formed, thanks to the bosses 32, between the wall lower 3 ′ of the slab and the bottom of the tank 34 is used to constitute a reserve of water.

Naturally, the upper wall 2 ′ of this slab is perforated as in the example in FIG. 2, and it can be associated with it for the same reasons, a fiber mesh 16.

The irrigation water can reach the free volume 35 of water reserve quite simply through the fertile soil 13 filling the chamber 6 and the slots 33 of the bosses 32. One could however provide access pipes, possibly provided with levels to fill the free volume 35 with the desired amount of water reserve.

Claims (23)

1. Slab for floor coverings, characterized in that it comprises at least two walls (2.2 ′; 3.3 ′, 3˝) separated from each other by structures (3a to 3d; 4 , 5 and 5 ′) of bracing participating in the constitution of at least one chamber (6) capable of receiving a filling product (13,20,22), each wall (2,2 ′; 3,3 ′) being integral with the first by being linked to it by its peripheral edges (3a to 3d) and, possibly, by its parts in contact with the bracing structures (4,5,5 ′). 2. Slab according to claim 1, characterized in that the bracing structures (3a to 3d 4,5,5 ′) are an integral part of at least one (3,3 ′) of the walls (2,2 ′; 3.3 ′, 3˝). 3. Slab according to claim l or 2, characterized in that it is made of a flexible and elastic material, moldable, injectable, extrudable or heat-sealable, such as polymer, elastomer, or any other suitable plastic material. 4. Slab according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that its two upper (2) and lower (3) walls constitute a single piece (3), orifices being provided for the introduction of the product of filling in each interior chamber (6). 5. Slab according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lower wall (3.3 ′, 3˝) and the bracing structures (3a to 3d, 4.5.5 ′) constitute a first part and the upper wall (2,2 ′) constitutes a second part assembled to the first by gluing, welding, stapling, riveting or in any other suitable manner. 6. Slab according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bracing structures are formed by the peripheral edges (3a to 3d) of the lower wall (3.3 ′, 3˝) and by ribs or interior partitions (4) possibly delimiting several separate chambers (6). 7. Slab according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bracing structures are constituted by the peripheral edges (3a to 3d) of the lower wall (3) and by solid studs (5) or hollow (5 ′) regularly spaced on the upper face of the lower wall (3). 8. Slab according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and claim 7, characterized in that for its application to a technical rehabilitation floor, studs (5b, 5a) are provided, with the same distribution, on each of the opposite faces of the upper (2) and lower (3) walls of the slab, the height of the studs (5b) of the one of the walls (2,3), for example the upper wall (2) being constant, while that of the studs (5a) of the other wall, for example the lower wall (3), is determined by the need for the installation, means being provided to facilitate the correct positioning of the upper and lower walls of each slab. 9. Slab according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for facilitating the correct relative positioning of the upper (2) and lower (3) walls of the slabs consist of projections (5′b) provided at the periphery of the studs ( 5b) of one of the walls (2 and 3) and can be engaged on the tops of the studs (5a) of the other wall (3). 10. Slab according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it is covered with a carpet (27) with the interposition of metal sheet plates (28) for earthing. 11. Slab according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the case of its application to a raised floor, its bracing structures are constituted by a ventilated metal frame (5c) in the form of an umbrella whose flat upper part (5′c) is embedded in its upper wall (2), and the lower ends of the branches (5˝c, 5 ‴ c and 5˝˝c) directed vertically downwards, are linked to a tank sheet metal (31) covering the outer face of its lower wall (3), making it self-supporting. 12. Slab according to claim 11, characterized in that the lower tray (31) has concentric intermediate steps (31a, 31b) increasing its depth from its periphery, towards its center and the frame (5c) which constitutes its bracing structure has as many concentric intermediate rows of vertical branches (5˝c, 5 ‴ c), of appropriate length and position as the tray (31) has steps (31a, 31b), each row being provided for s '' nest in a bleacher. 13. Slab according to claim 12, characterized in that the intermediate steps (31a, 31b) have a polygonal shape such as square or rectangular. 14. Slab according to claim 12, characterized in that the intermediate steps (31a, 31b) have a circular shape. 15. Slab according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its lower wall (3˝) has, along its peripheral edges, an alternation of grooves (23) and ribs (3c) oriented in opposite directions, so that each groove (23) of a slab can be engaged on the facing rib (3c) of an adjacent slab. 16. Slab according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling product of the chamber (6) consists solely of a ballasting product such as sand (20). 17. Slab according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 4 to 8, characterized in that the filling product of each interior chamber (6) comprises a fertile soil (13) sown with a grass (14), its upper wall (2 ′) having a plurality of orifices (15). 18. Slab according to claim 17, characterized in that on the one hand, its lower wall (3 ′) has a plurality of bosses (32) provided with slots or openings (33) and directed downwards and, on the other hand, it is associated with a sealed container (34) capable of accommodating it entirely and on the bottom of which it rests by the tops of the bosses (32) of its lower wall (3 ′), the free volume (35) provided, thanks to the latter, between the bottom of the tank (34) and the lower wall (3) of the slab being used to constitute a reserve of water. 19. Slab according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the earth (13) filling each chamber (6) is covered with a lattice of fibers (16), possibly sandwiched between the upper wall (2 ′) and the bottom wall (3 ′). 20. Slab according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the upper face of this lower wall (3 ′, 3˝) has a fine relief (3 ‴) of the granite type. 21. Slab according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling product of each interior chamber (6) comprises elastic particles (22) and / or sand (20) and / or a liquid. 22. Slab according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the bracing structures are constituted by hollow studs (5 ′), all or part of the cavities that they constitute in the underside of the wall lower (3 ′) serve as accommodation for elastic elements such as springs (21) or blocks (21 ′) made of flexible and elastic material such as rubber foam. 23. Slab according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all or part of its upper (2.2 ′) and lower (3.3 ′, 3˝) wall are made of translucent material and certain interior chambers (6) and / or the recesses resulting from the formation of the bracing structure (4,5,5 ′) are used to accommodate light sources.

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