Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/024—Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors
  • E04F15/02447—Supporting structures
  • E04F15/02458—Framework supporting the panels
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/024—Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors
  • E04F15/02447—Supporting structures
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/024—Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors
  • E04F15/02405—Floor panels
  • E04F15/02435—Sealing joints
  • E04F15/02441—Sealing strips integrated with the floor panels
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/12—Flooring or floor layers made of masses in situ, e.g. seamless magnesite floors, terrazzo gypsum floors
  • E04F15/14—Construction of joints, e.g. dividing strips
  • E04F15/142—Dividing strips or boundary strips
  • E04F15/147—Dividing strips or boundary strips interconnected to form a grid-like structure
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/18—Separately-laid insulating layers; Other additional insulating measures; Floating floors
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
  • E04F21/0092—Separate provisional spacers used between adjacent floor or wall tiles
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F2290/00—Specially adapted covering, lining or flooring elements not otherwise provided for
  • E04F2290/02—Specially adapted covering, lining or flooring elements not otherwise provided for for accommodating service installations or utility lines, e.g. heating conduits, electrical lines, lighting devices or service outlets

Definitions

• the present invention concerns improvements in and relating to loft flooring systems that are adapted to preserve the recommended depth of loft insulation material in the loft when laying the flooring.
• a further proposal to address the compaction problem is outlined in GB 2438620A (Milner) and entails provision of box beam spacers that are again laid on top of the joists running orthogonal to the joists and to be nailed down with blocks to the joists.
• the box beam spacers are specially constructed having a rectangular box form with opposing sidewalls and top and bottom walls and to achieve the required insulation depth using the system the insulation material must be inserted into the rectangular box form.
• a loft flooring system that comprises: a plurality of bridging supports each adapted to bridge between a substantially parallel pair of joists of a loft floor and having a first upright leg with a foot to mount onto a first of the joists and having, in use, a second upright leg with a foot to mount onto a second of the joists, and a spanning element therebetween over which flooring boards or flooring panels are laid, wherein each leg is initially separate and the spanning element is an initially separate beam that is mounted to the legs to span between the joists.
• each leg has an integral spanning element portion that extends from an upper end of the leg and towards the other leg in use on which the beam may rest.
• the foot of each leg extends from the leg in at least one direction, and preferably both directions, along the corresponding joist to which it is mounted in use.
• the foot of each leg suitably extends in at least one direction substantially orthogonal to the spanning element portion of the leg.
• the flooring system is particularly preferably installed as a plurality of rows each traversing the joists, the rows parallel to each other but not structurally inter-connected save for the flooring boards or panels that overlie them in use- ie having no spanning element or other support member for the floor extending from one row to the next.
• the spanning element that spans between the joists is a separate spanning element formed as a rigid elongate member that sits or otherwise mounts at one end onto a spanning element portion of the first leg and at the other end onto a spanning element portion of the second leg.
• the spanning element has male or female sliding engagement means for sliding inter-engagement with complementary sliding engagement means on each of the first leg and second leg.
• the male sliding engagement means comprises a flange and which preferably is provided along at least one longitudinal edge (suitably both longitudinal edges) of the spanning element, while the female sliding engagement means comprises a corresponding slot in each of the first leg and second leg at/ near the upper end thereof.
• each leg suitably projects over the void between joists.
• the arrangement of each leg and foot stabilizes the leg in use.
• the spanning element sits onto the spanning element portion of each leg and may be adjusted in span simply by adjusting the extent of overlap of one end, or each end, of the spanning element on the respective spanning element portion.
• the spanning element has at at least one end an aperture for a nail or other fixing therethrough for the end to be fixed in place to the spanning element portion of the leg.
• one or each end of the spanning element preferably has an elongate slot or series of apertures for a nail or other fixing therethrough.
• the spanning element is cold roll formed but may also suitably be cast or extruded from a metal or alloy (preferably steel) as a channel profiled form.
• the spanning element has a U-shaped profile and mounts inverted onto the spanning element portion of each of the first and second legs.
• Each leg preferably is bifurcated or has at least two stems each extending between the foot of the leg and the spanning element portion of the leg.
• One stem suitably supports a first end of the spanning element portion while another stem supports a second end of the spanning element portion.
• the leg is bifurcated, slitting into two diverging stems at or near the foot.
• each spanning element portion is integral to the upper end of the corresponding leg.
• each leg that defines a platform/ surface on which the spanning element mounts is formed with a dip/ recess into which a nail or other fixing may be driven so that the spanning element may be tightened down onto the platform, compressing into the dip/ recess.
• the insulation may first be laid between the joists to a depth rising above the joists and the bridging support then mounted in place accommodating the laid insulation thereunder without compaction of the insulation and, furthermore, the system is very quick to install, strong and highly versatile.
• the system is not a mere support table for loft storage but, rather, is flooring that will safely support the weight of individuals walking upon it.
• the foot of the first and/ or second upright leg is formed with a bracket that fits to a top surface and a sidewall of the joist.
• one of the first and second legs has a foot in the form of such a bracket while the other of the first and second legs has a foot in the form of a plate.
• the bracket is provided with a channel profile to fit not only to a top surface and a sidewall of the joist but to the opposing sidewall too as a saddle. In each case the fit of the bracket to that joist limits or substantially prevents movement of the bridging support in either direction orthogonal to the joists.
• each bracket that fits to a said top surface of a joist extends from the leg in each direction lengthwise of the joist and provides support against toppling in a direction lengthwise of the joist.
• the configuration of the bridging supports and their feet provide for a high level of stability and security in use.
• the span of the bridging support is adapted to conform to the separation of the joists and to form a bridge over the joists with a void between the legs that is aligned with and contiguous with the void/ channel between the joists - unlike the prior art which is configured to run orthogonal to the joists/ inter-joist channel.
• This arrangement uniquely allows insulation to be laid between the joists to the required depth rising above the joists and the bridging support then mounted in place accommodating the laid insulation.
• the system may suitably further comprise a plurality of panels of particle board/ chipboard or fibre-board to overlie the bridging supports above the beams to define the loft flooring.
• a simple elongate fitting tool having a bar with spaced apart elements along its length at intervals that define the spacing of the feet of the rows along each joist. These elements are suitably fingers that project up the side and/ or over the top of the joist while the bar is substantially flat up against the side of the joist and the tool suitably has an integral clamp for securing the tool to the joist in use.
• the tool may further have a pair of pivoting alignment bars for rotating to extend orthogonal to the joist to align the legs on the second joist with those on the first joist.
• a method of laying loft flooring and insulation that comprises: providing a plurality of bridging supports each adapted to bridge between a substantially parallel pair of joists of a loft floor and having a first upright leg and an initially separate second upright leg each leg with a foot to mount onto a joist; and mounting the first leg to one joist and the second leg to the other joist, and mounting a spanning element therebetween defining a support surface onto or above which flooring boards or panels may be laid; and laying insulation to a required depth before or after mounting the bridging supports in place accommodating the laid insulation under the flooring boards or panels laid on the spanning element whereby the insulation remains substantially un-compacted.
• insulation is first laid between the joists, suitably to a depth that rises above the joists, and the bridging supports are subsequently mounted in place there-over, bridging between the joists.
• a loft flooring system that comprises: a plurality of bridging supports each adapted to bridge between a substantially parallel pair of joists of a loft floor and having a first upright leg with a foot to mount onto a first of the joists and having, in use, an initially separate second upright leg with a foot to mount onto a second of the joists, and an initially separate spanning element that is mounted thereto to span therebetween and onto which flooring boards or panels can be laid, wherein the foot of the first and/ or second upright leg is formed with a right-angled bracket that fits to a top surface and a sidewall of the joist or a formed with a channel profile bracket to fit not only to a top surface and a sidewall of a said joist but to the opposing sidewall too as a saddle whereby the fit of the bracket to that joist limits or substantially prevents movement of the bridging support in a direction orthogonal to the joists, and wherein the foot
• a support assembly of any desired length can be produced by adding further bridging supports to the last bridging support of the assembly so as to span any number of joists and provide a platform for laying flooring to span between adjacent rows of bridging supports.
• the bridging supports may all be the same.
• the bridging supports may include an end support for mounting at one end of a row and main supports for connecting a first said main support to the end support and thereafter connecting a second main support to the first main support and so on until the desired length of support assembly is produced.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the bridging support of the system from a first end shown in situ mounted spanning a pair of loft floor joists, the flooring support system being based on a set of individual legs that when paired up and used with a spanning element comprising a plank or beam function as a bridging support in use;
• Figure 1A shows a variant of the first embodiment in which the spanning element is cradled by the legs and in which each legs stand on a foot that has the form of a right-angled bracket.
• FIG 2 is a perspective view of a variant of the individual leg arrangement of Figure 1 , in which each leg is in the form of an elongate beam running for a substantial distance lengthwise of the joist
• Figure 3 is the first of a series of images of a preferred embodiment of the system, as installed, where each bridging support is formed of one upstanding support leg that is bifurcated and with a partial integral spanning portion at the top of the leg that links to the partial integral spanning portion of another upstanding leg by the intermediate separate spanning element/ beam that is mounted thereon.
• Figure 4 shows a first support leg of the preferred embodiment, the integral partial spanning portion extending in both inter joist spanning directions to suit use of the leg on joists away from the loft edges
• Figure 5 shows the long intermediate separate spanning element
• Figure 6 shows a more compact variant of the support leg with the integral partial spanning portion extending in one direction only to suit use of the leg on a joist at a row end/ proximate an edge of the loft
• Figure 7 illustrates a bridging support assembled from a leg of each of Figures 4 and 6 and the spanning element of Figure 5.
• Figure 8 shows provision of an extra support pillar/leg for intermediate support to the long spanning element of the preferred embodiment when the spanning element spans three or more joists (two or more inter-joist channels).
• Figure 9 shows provision of a fascia to the spanning element that incorporates strip lighting and a power point.
• Figure 10 is the first of a series of views showing use of a modified version of the system in which the spanning element is adapted to incorporate services such as electrical cabling or pipe-work therein or thereunder - here the spanning element has an integrally formed or assembled track at its top side, which carries electrical cabling or small bore pipes in channels while the support legs have support brackets or hooks to support larger bore pipe-work (eg for heat recovery ducting) extending below the spanning elements.
• the spanning element has an integrally formed or assembled track at its top side, which carries electrical cabling or small bore pipes in channels while the support legs have support brackets or hooks to support larger bore pipe-work (eg for heat recovery ducting) extending below the spanning elements.
• Figure 11 shows raised cable guides/ supports within the track
• Figure 12 shows power and data cables installed in the track
• Figure 13 shows use of an arch extension to the top of the leg to raise the cable-carrying spanning element, while this is further shown in Figure 14 which also shows the demountability of the support brackets or hooks for the under hung pipe-work.
• Figure 15 shows use of breathable sealing tape to reduce draughts at gaps between the perimeter of the system and the joists.
• Figure 16 is the first of a series of images that show provision of a set of rigid edge-support shelves in a row that are hung spanning between two adjacent rows of the fitted spanning elements, extending parallel to the joists and configured to support the edges of storage containers, while Figure 17 and Figure 18 respectively show a storage container being pushed across the flooring into place in the shelving row and then laterally adjusted along the shelving row for the container to align between edge support shelves, and Figure 19 shows a pair of shelving rows supporting a plurality of storage containers.
• Figure 20 is the first of a series of images that show use of an elongate fitting tool for rapid uniform installation of multiple rows of the flooring system.
• Figure 21 shows the tool being lowered to mount to a first joist
• Figure 22 indicates adjustment of end extensions of the tool to select a set spacing of the first row of legs from the loft perimeter
• Figure 23 shows detail of an integral pair of clamps for securing the tool to the joist while it is being used.
• Figure 24 is the first of a series of images of a variant of the elongate fitting tool that has a crocodile clip type sprung clamp and has a pair of pivoting alignment bars for rotating to extend orthogonal to the joist to align the legs on the second joist with those on the first,
• Figure 25 shows the alignment bars in their operative state,
• Figure 26 shows the clamp in detail and
• Figure 27 shows the pivot mounting of one of the alignment bars in detail.
• the flooring system comprises a plurality of bridging supports 1 mounted in rows, each row bridging the joists J1 , J2 of the loft floor.
• Each bridging support 1 comprises a pair of initially separate pedestal-type legs 1a, 1 b assembled with an overlying spanning element 2 in the form of a metal or timber beam spanning between the tops of the legs 1a. 1b.
• Each leg 1a, b of the bridging support 1 comprises a slim but sturdy pillar or pole upright member and that has a foot 3 by which it is mounted to a respective one of a substantially parallel pair of the loft floor joists J1 , J2.
• the foot 3 in Figure 1 is formed as a saddle, or inverted channel shaped bracket, structure that fits over the top surface and both sidewalls of the respective joist J1 , J2 on which it is mounted so that the fit of the foot 3 to that joist J1 , J2 limits or substantially prevents movement of the bridging support 1 in both directions orthogonal to the joist J1 , J2.
• the foot 3 may be formed as a right-angled bracket that fits to a top surface and one sidewall only of the joist J1 , J2.
• the foot of each leg 1a, 1b notably extends from the leg in both directions along the corresponding joist to which it is mounted in use and which greatly enhances stability and sturdiness of the support.
• the foot 3 is suitably nailed to the joist J1 , J2.
• the legs 1a, 1b may be formed as a plastics moulding of nylon, polypropylene, HDPE or other strong plastics, optionally reinforced with fiberglass, steel or other reinforcing material with the assembled and installed bridging support 1 formed from those legs being strong enough to bear double the weight of a 70 kg individual standing upon it.
• the roof structure incorporates trusses and in such trussed roofs the loft joists' central axes are normally 600mm apart.
• the span of the bridging support 1 for such lofts should conform to that and thus be approximately 600mm too or be a multiple of 600mm where it spans over two or more inter-joist channels.
• the centres of the legs 1a, 1 b are suitably substantially aligned with the central axes of the joists J1, J2 and thus, in this example also of a 600mm span.
• the thickness of the joists so that the leg/ wall will bear directly down onto the joist to which it is mounted.
• the span of the bridging support might be up to 25mm more or less at each end, ie between 550 to 650mm span, but preferably is 600mm.
• the length of the spanning element 2 is selected to conform to the span to be covered, ie corresponds to the separation of the joists J1, J2, to form the bridge over the joists J1 , J2.
• the commonest spacing between the loft joists' central axes is 430mm apart.
• the span of the bridging support for such lofts should suitably conform to that and thus be approximately 430mm too.
• a respective tailored bridging support span may be provided.
• the tops of the pedestal legs 1a, 1 b are hereshown as having rectangular flat plates 4 that project in a horizontal plane beyond the tops of the legs 1a, 1b to provide a flat platform on which the spanning element/ beam 2 is laid and on which spanning element/ beam 2, in turn, the flooring boards or panels are laid.
• the platform 4 serves as a spanning element portion 4 of the leg 1a, 1b that extends from an upper end of the leg upright and projects towards the other leg in use.
• the spanning element portion 4 can rest on this platform 4 at a range of positions somewhat fore and aft of the leg upright and even slightly overhanging beyond the edge of the joist J1, J2.
• This arrangement provides more flexibility/ tolerance in the system to allow for a few centimeters variance in spacing between the joists J1 , J2 without need for use of a telescopic/ length adjustable spanning element between each leg 1a, 1 b.
• the flooring boards or panels of chipboard, fibre-board or other suitable flooring material are laid on top of the bridging supports 1 on the platform 4 of the spanning element 2 and each extend over to the spanning element 2 of the next parallel row of bridging supports 1 row farther along the joist J1 , J2.
• each leg 1a, 1b of the bridging support 1 has a cradle 40 at its upper end rather than a simple platform 4.
• the cradle 40 accommodates the spanning element/ beam 2 to support the flooring panels, screwed, nailed or otherwise fixed to the beam 2.
• the cradle 40 has a channel that constrains the spanning element/ beam 2 laterally, ie in the directions parallel to the joists J1 , J2 but still allows the spanning element/ beam 2 to be shifted in the direction orthogonal to the joists so that the end of the spanning element/ beam 2 may be adjusted in extent of overlap on the cradle 40 if required.
• Each beam/ spanning element 2 end may abut a stop shoulder on a cradle 40 or platform 4 of the leg 1a, 1b to maintain spacing between legs 1a, 1b and suitably is screwed, nailed or otherwise fixed to the cradle 40 or platform 4.
• the beam/ spanning element 2 may be demounted or repositioned as desired.
• Figure 2 shows a variant of the independent leg arrangement of Figure 13, in which each leg 1a' is extended laterally to have the form of an elongate beam, hereshown running for a substantial distance lengthwise of the joist J1. With such a beam-form leg 1a' there is less need for having a leg to support all four corners of a flooring panel.
• One such beam leg 1a' mounted on joist J1 and another on the adjacent joist J2 may in some cases suffice. This does, however, depend upon the length of the flooring panel lengthwise of the joists and the corresponding length of beam of the beam leg 1a' as well as the strength of flooring panel and load to be supported.
• the channel or tunnel void 8 between the legs, 1a, b is notably aligned with and contiguous with the void/ channel between the joists J1 , J2.
• the insulation material may first be laid between the joists J1 , J2 to the required depth rising above the joists and the bridging support 1 then mounted in place accommodating the laid insulation I without compacting the insulation.
• each right-angled or saddle-shaped foot 3 substantially restricts movement of the bridging support 1 in the direction orthogonal to the joist 1a. This in itself can make the system much quicker to install than prior art systems, and also quicker to lift up or uninstall when needed.
• the bridging support 1 is suitably configured to be of a standard length of the order of 600mm, 1200mm and 1800mm corresponding to the common 600mm inter-joist span. Where the length is greater than approximately 600mm an intermediate support leg may be used.
• the height of the bridging support 1 is selected to match the required extra height of the floor above the joists J1 , J2 to allow the required depth of insulation to be un-compacted.
• the joists are 80mm deep and the required depth of insulation is 250mm the height of the bridging support is the extra 170mm or so.
• the required insulation depth is likely to be between 250mm and 400mm and thus the height of the bridging support above the joists would only rarely need to exceed 350mm.
• the loft insulation material used may be of any suitable type whether currently known and commonplace or yet to be brought to market including, for example, glass fibre, foil-backed felt, rock fibre or mineral fibre blanket insulation - all of which are available in roll-form. These rolls fit snugly between the joists and are the most common type of insulation, being generally sold in 75mm and 100mm thicknesses and 300mm to 1200mm width, with lengths that range from 5m to 9.4m. Loose materials such as cork granules, exfoliated vermiculite, mineral wool or cellulose fibre are other available forms that could be used but are potentially very untidy and much less desirable.
• the most suitable form of insulation is roll- form and dimensioned to fit snugly between the joists up to the required 250mm or 300mm depth.
• FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention which, like the first embodiment, comprises a bridging support 1 in which the support 1 comprises a pair of legs 1a, 1b each with a foot 3 to mount to a respective joist J1 , J2, with the tops of the legs 1a, 1b being linked in use by a separate spanning element/ beam 2.
• the individual legs 1a, 1 b of the bridging support 1 are each of bifurcated form, splitting into two diverging stems/ uprights 10 at or near the foot 3 of the leg 1a, 1b.
• the upper ends of the leg stems/ uprights 10 each support a respective end of an elongate support platform 4 that extends in use orthogonal to the joist J1 , J2 to which the foot 3 is mounted.
• the spanning element 2 here is a rigid, strong beam of a metal or metal alloy such as steel or similar and has a channel-shaped profile which both strengthens the beam and facilitates its mounting atop the legs 1a, 1b.
• the channel 11 of the spanning element/ beam 2 faces downwardly in use and its side walls 12 constrain the spanning element 2 in place on the legs 1a, 1b against any movement in the direction along the joists J1 , J2.
• this channel-shaped spanning element/ beam 2 is such that it may meet the floor strength criteria of being able to support approximately double the weight of a 90 kg individual standing upon it and yet is able to do so while having a span 1200mm from a first joist J1 over an intermediate joist to a second joist J2 (that is not the next adjacent joist to the first joist J1) and without need of any support leg on the intermediate joist.
• each bridging support spans two adjacent parallel joists (1200mm span) each bridging support is able to avoid intervening obstructions and as used as a primary/ main component throughout the system it enables a substantially quicker and cheaper installation. For most applications the system supports loadings in excess of 1.4kNm "2 .
• the channel-shaped steel profile of the spanning element 2 has everted lateral rims/ flanges 13 along the bottoms of the sidewalls 12, which is to say it has a flange 13 along each lower in use longitudinal edge that projects outwardly.
• These flanges 13 preferably are instead inverted/ in-turned as shown in Figures 5 and 7, ie project inwardly to tuck under the spanning element 2 profile and with its ends thus tucking under the platform 4 on the legs 1a, 1 b, there slotting into provided grooves 14 on the upper part of the legs 1a, 1 b and thereby tying the spanning element 2 even more securely to the legs 1a, 1 b.
• each end of the spanning element 2 there is a pair of elongate slot fixing apertures 16 in the top, in use, support wall 15 of the spanning element 2.
• These fixing apertures 16 allow a nail or other fixing to be driven therethrough into the underlying supporting leg top/ platform 4 to fix the spanning element 2 in position.
• the slotted and plural nature of these fixing apertures 16 gives the installer a useful degree of flexibility in the positioning of the spanning element 2 end on the leg 1a, 1b in the direction orthogonal to the joist J1 , J2 enabling the installer to adjust for variance in the inter-joist separation from the standard 600mm et cetera, when nailing the spanning element 2 to the leg 1 a, 1 b.
• leg top/ platform 4 This has an elongate form configured to extend in both directions orthogonal to the median./ central vertical axis of the leg 1a, 1 b and to the joist J1 , J2 and including projecting out over the void between the joists J1 , J2.
• the leg top/ platform 4 serves as an integral spanning element portion that extends from an upper end of the uprights/stems 10 of the leg and projects towards the other leg in use and on which the spanning element/ beam 2 is rested/ supportively mounted.
• the integral spanning element portion/ platform 4 projects over the channel between the joists J1 , J2.
• each leg 1a, 1b On which the spanning element 2 mounts is shown as having a dip/ recess 4a into which the nail or other fixing to secure the element 2 to the leg may be driven so that the spanning element may be tightened down onto the platform, compressing into the dip/ recess, giving greater hold onto the leg.
• Strength of the legs 1a, 1b is aided not only by their bifurcated structure but also by their having a medial rib/ flange 17 running therealong, on the underside thereof, whereby the leg 1a, 1b has an approximately T-shaped form, as viewed in transverse section (horizontal section of the uprights/ stems 10).
• the medial rib/ flange 17 suitably extends substantially the length of the uprights/ stems 10 and the length of the platform 4 too.
• Each leg 1a, 1b is suitably moulded entirely of a tough, strong, plastics material such as nylon. Thereby or otherwise it suitably has a foot that is partly or wholly of plastics whereby the foot counters cold-bridging.
• the foot 3 might be demountable but preferably, as illustrated, is integral to the leg 1a, 1b.
• the flooring system is installed as a plurality of rows each traversing the joists J1.J2, the rows being parallel to each other but the rows not being inter-connected other than ultimately by the overlying floor panels/ boards - ie having no supportive spanning element or other structural member below the floor panels/ boards linking from one row to the next.
• the floor panels/ boards 18 that mount on top of the spanning elements/ support beams 2 spanning over them are not shown in Figure 3 but are shown in Figure 9 onwards).
• the structure/ configuration of the legs 1a, 1b provides them with sufficient strength and stability that the system does not need structural members spanning between the rows of beams 2 at the beams or at the legs.
• each row having a first bridging support 1 comprising two support legs 1a, 1b joined together by a spanning element / beam 2 and the second support leg 1b extending to form a second bridging support 1 by being joined to a third leg, here shown as an end support leg 1c.
• a first bridging support 1 comprising two support legs 1a, 1b joined together by a spanning element / beam 2 and the second support leg 1b extending to form a second bridging support 1 by being joined to a third leg, here shown as an end support leg 1c.
• FIG 6 shows a compact version of support leg suitable for use as a first support leg 1a and last support leg 1c to form the ends of a row, and especially where space is restricted.
• this is the form of leg used as the first leg 1a and last leg 1c in Figure 3.
• This notably has the platform 4 extending in one direction only from the vertical axis of the leg, namely in the direction of the adjacent joist.
• leg for use on the joists other than the loft edge first and last joists, suitably has the platform 4 extending substantially symmetrically fore and aft of the vertical axis of the leg in the direction spanning the joists, thus allowing for positioning adjustment of the spanning element/ beam 2 that mounts to it both from a preceding position along the row and the spanning element/ beam 2 from a successive position along the row.
• the insulating material I can be first laid between the joists preferably such as to rise to a level above the top of the joists and then further insulating material may be laid orthogonal/ transverse to the joists between the bridging supports 1 to cover the joists and to transversely cover the initially laid lengths of insulating material.
• the flooring panels/ boards 18 may then be laid in place on top of the rows of spanning elements/ beams 2.
• the spanning element 2 instead of being of steel only construction it may be formed as a composite of a steel skeleton with a plastics moulded case or upper panel that suitably clips, slides or otherwise fastens onto the steel skeleton to provide a medium into which fixings such as screws or nails may be driven to secure the overlying boards/panels of the flooring.
• a sturdy skeleton manufactured from pressed steel (suitably in one piece) reduces cost to manufacture and because the steel is not the fixing medium it can be thicker and stronger than when the steel of the spanning element is the fixing medium.
• FIG 8 shows use of an optional extra support pillar/leg 19 for intermediate support to the long spanning element 2 of the preferred embodiment when the spanning element 2 is used to span three or more joists (two or more inter-joist channels - eg the spanning element/ beam 2 being 1200 or 1800mm long where the joists are 600mm apart).
• This can be particularly useful for the triple span (eg 1800mm) spanning element 2.
• This extra support leg 19 is not bifurcated but rather is a simple upright pedestal with a single stem.
• this extra support leg 19 as illustrated is similar to the legs 1a, 1b in having a median rib/ flange 17, a foot 4 that has a right-angled bracket form that extends in both directions along the joist and a upper platform 4 at the upper end of the leg 19.
• this shows a fascia 20 that may be mounted to the spanning element/ beam 2 and which incorporates strip lighting 21 (comprised here suitably of a row of LEDs) and an electrical power outlet double socket 22.
• This fascia 20 is suitably fitted as a cap to an upper channel/ track 23 that is assembled to or integral with the upper, in use, side of the spanning element/ beam 2 and which is shown in more detail in Figures 10 to 13.
• the design of the fascia may be adjusted to lie substantially flush with the flooring.
• FIG 10 shows the modified version of the spanning element/ beam 2 which incorporates services such as electrical cabling C and small bore pipes (eg insulated copper pipes for water) P in the spanning element 2. These are carried in an integrally formed or assembled upper channel/track 23 at the top side of the spanning element 2. As illustrated (see Figure 12), the upper channel/track 23 is divided centrally by a partition wall 24 to receive the cables C running along the channel on one side of the wall 24 and receive the pipes P running along the channel on the other side of the wall 24.
• the outer sidewalls 25 of the upper channel/track 23 each have an out-turned perimeter flange 26 at their upper end to provide the support shelf on which the flooring panels/ boards 18 are mounted. Where the special strip lighting and/or power outlet fascia 20 is not required the channel 23 is covered with a simpler blank cap/ cover 20a which suitably again is of steel and which is easily removable for maintenance.
• the support legs 1a, 1b are modified to have support brackets or hooks 27 to support the pipe-work D extending along below the row of spanning elements 2.
• a leg upward extension member such as the illustrated arched leg extension 28 may be mounted to the top of each leg 1a, 1b to raise the level of the platform 4 on which the spanning element 2 rests higher and thus raise the cable-carrying spanning element 2 higher above the insulation I to allow room for the larger bore pipe- work/ducting D above the insulation I.
• the support brackets / hooks 27 for the under-hung pipe-work D are suitably demountably fitted to the legs 1a, 1b by a press fit or screw fit mounting into a socket 27a in the leg 1a, 1 b as shown in Figure 14.
• Figure 15 shows provision of a breathable sealing tape 29 applied to cover over the gap between the perimeter of the flooring system and the joist J1 from the level of the edge floor panel 18 at least down to the insulation I to reduce any draughts therebetween.
• Such tape may be a perforated adhesive tape for breathability and it allows only a controlled slow movement of air through it to prevent moisture build-up.
• the flooring system may be adapted for part to be used specifically for accommodating inter-row fitting storage containers that take advantage of the space between rows of fitted spanning elements 2 to provide a parking zone for the containers that holds them neatly in place.
• a set of rigid edge-support shelves 30 is arranged in a transverse row that are hung spanning between two adjacent rows of the fitted spanning elements 2, extending parallel to the joists J1 , J2 and configured to support and constrain in place the rebated bottom edges R (see Figure 18) of the storage containers S.
• the spacing between edge- support shelves 30 defines a receptacle into which the bottom of each storage containers S drops to be held against further horizontal movement.
• FIG 20 shows use of an elongate fitting tool 31 for rapid uniform installation of multiple rows of the flooring system.
• the tool has spaced apart fingers 31a along its length at intervals that define the spacing of the feet 3 of the rows along each joist.
• Figure 21 shows the tool being lowered to mount to a first joist
• Figure 22 indicates adjustment of end extensions 31 b of the tool 31 to select a set spacing of the first row of legs from the loft perimeter
• Figure 23 shows detail of an integral pair of clamps 32 for securing the tool 31 to the joist J1 , J2 while it is being used.
• FIGs 24 to 27 a variant of the elongate fitting tool 31 is shown that has a crocodile clip type sprung clamp 33 and has a pair of pivoting alignment bars 34 for rotating to extend orthogonal to the joist to align the legs on the second joist J2 with those on the first joist J1.
• Figure 25 shows the alignment bars in their operative state
• Figure 26 shows the clamp in detail
• Figure 27 shows the pivot mounting of one of the alignment bars in detail.
• This variant of the tool 31 mounts nearer the top of the joist J1 , J2 on the side. Again the spacer fingers 31a fit over the top of the joist J1 in a right angle bracket configuration (like the foot 3).
• the system may further provide an extra tall heat shielding tube or casing, of the order of from 350mm tall to 400mm tall or greater, that may be used instead of, or in addition to and externally over, existing heat shielding provided with or for the down-lighters.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Floor Finish (AREA)

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• 2011
  • 2011-07-06 EP EP11743563.6A patent/EP2606191A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-07-06 WO PCT/GB2011/001022 patent/WO2012022925A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2011-07-06 GB GB1111557.3A patent/GB2482942A/en not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (1)

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