EP3733994B1

EP3733994B1 - Universal support for raised floors

Info

Publication number: EP3733994B1
Application number: EP20170776.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Pasquali
Original assignee: Profilpas SpA
Current assignee: Profilpas SpA
Priority date: 2019-05-03
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2021-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-22
Also published as: PL3733994T3; EP3733994A1

Description

The present invention relates to a universal support for raised floors.
The realization of raised floors is increasingly widespread since it is fast, involves easy laying, while being adaptable to heterogeneous support planes both in relation to orientation as well as material.
The quality of the work strongly depends on the supports on which the flat elements which form the raised floor rest.
Each support is notoriously formed by at least one base element and by a head for resting said flat elements. The support may have a non-tilting head rotating about a vertical axis, or a different tilting head.
IT-1333190 discloses a height-adjustable support for raised floors with a tilting system, comprising a threaded cylindrical base, an intermediate element with a concave upper end able to house a cap body of a head for the support of flat elements of a raised floor.
Said cap body has a convex lower surface able to rotate and tilt in said concave upper end of the intermediate element, and a substantially flat upper surface on which said flat elements of the raised floor rest.
The tilting ability allows the cap body to be suitably inclined so as to remedy irregularities of the surface (for example a slab) on which said base rests.
The solution described in IT-1333190 is very practical in the event of an uneven surface, but it is not advisable if maintaining the parallelism between the base surface and the raised floor is desired.
US-5588264 discloses a support for raised floors comprising a threaded base and a head with a flat upper surface on which the planes of the floor rest.
Said head is provided with a lower surface which is coupled with the upper end of the base keeping the upper surface of the head perfectly horizontal, not tilting with respect to the base.
The solution disclosed in US-5588264 is much simpler, but not very flexible: the surface on which the base rests must be free of irregularities.
A support for raised floors according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO 2018/122159 A1 .
It is the object of the present invention to provide a support for raised floors which is simple to realize and on which the planes of the floor may easily rest.
It is a further object of the present invention that said support adapts to base surfaces which are perfectly flat or uneven.
It is still a further object of the present invention that said support is easily adjustable.
According to the invention, said and further objects are achieved by a support for raised floors according to claim 1.
Advantageously, with the same base, the same intermediate element and, occasionally, even the same head, it is possible to obtain two types of supports, one with a tilting function and one without a tilting function.
The innovative support solves the issue of choosing and supplying the head. Stock is thus reduced, as well as the components to be transported to the assembly site.
The installer technician will have a simplified job, less prone to errors and therefore of faster performance. The quality of the floor will be satisfactory.
These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof ,shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support for raised floors according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a side view of the support;
Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the support;
Figure 4 shows a bottom plan view of the support;
Figure 5 shows a top perspective view of a head of the support;
Figure 6 shows a side view of the head;
Figure 7 shows a bottom perspective view of the head;
Figure 8 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the head included in circle A of Figure 7;
Figure 9 shows a top plan view of the head;
Figure 10 shows a bottom plan view of the head;
Figure 11 shows a top perspective view of an intermediate element of the support;
Figure 12 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the intermediate element included in circle B of Figure 11;
Figure 13 shows a side view of the intermediate element;
Figure 14 shows a top plan view of the intermediate element;
Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a support according to the present invention;
Figure 16 shows a side view of the support of Figure 15;
Figure 17 shows a top plan view of the support of Figure 15;
Figure 18 shows a bottom plan view of the head of the support of Figure 15;
Figure 19 shows a side view of the head of the support of Figure 15;
Figure 20 shows a bottom perspective view of the head of the support of Figure 15;
Figure 21 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the head included in circle C of Figure 20;
Figure 22 shows a side view of a support with the head of Figure 7;
Figure 23 shows a side view of a support with the head of Figure 20;
Figure 24 shows a sectional view along the line XXIV-XXIV of Figure 22;
Figure 25 shows a sectional view along the line XXV-XXV of Figure 23;
Figure 26 shows a bottom perspective view of the head of the support of Figure 22;
Figure 27 shows a bottom perspective view of the head of the support of Figure 23;
Figure 28 shows a side view of the support with an extension;
Figure 29 shows a top perspective view of a head according to a different embodiment;
Figure 30 shows a top perspective view of a base of the support;
Figure 31 shows a side view of an anti-noise sheath.
Figure 32 shows an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a support according to the present invention;
Figure 33 shows a side view of the support of Figure 32;
Figure 34 shows a sectional view along the line XXXIV-XXXIV of Figure 33.

A support 1 for raised floors comprises a base 2, an intermediate element 3 and a head 4 (Figure 1).
The base 2 is able to rest on an underlying fixed surface and comprises a cylindrical cavity 5 having an internal thread 51 (Figure 30) able to engage with an external thread 6 of the intermediate element 3 (Figure 11).
The intermediate element 3 (Figure 11) has a cylindrical shape with said external thread 6, and a concave upper surface 7 which is centrally provided with teeth 8 and on the edge a circular groove 9 in which holes 71 are preferably made for discharging water which would otherwise stagnate.
Each tooth 8 (Figure 12) is formed by a portion 81 which protrudes upwards and a portion 82 which protrudes outwards leaving a space 83 below said portion 82.
The portion 82 is preferably provided with a convex lower surface 84.
Between the teeth 8 (Figure 3) a cross attachment 85 for a maneuvering tool is provided.
The head 4 (Figures 5-10) comprises an upper portion 15 with an outer upper surface 10 which is substantially flat and with teeth 11 protruding upwards, and a central compartment 40 having a central surface 16 with a central through hole 17. Said central surface 16 is preferably concave so as to facilitate the sliding of the portion 82 of the teeth 8.
The head 4 further comprises a lower portion 12 with ribs 13 having a convex edge 131 (namely a curved surface) which converges towards a convex central surface 14 (Figure 7) which ends at said central through hole 17. A flat surface may be provided between the convex central surface 14 and the central through hole 17.
The convex central surface 14, and possibly said flat surface, act as a connection between the convex edge 131 and the central through hole 17.
Said convex edge 131 continues in the convex central surface 14 forming a single convex surface which facilitates the sliding of the head 4 on the concave upper surface 7 of the intermediate element 3, as will be more apparent below.
It is essential that at least one convex portion of the lower portion 12 is there, which is able to slide on at least one concave portion of the intermediate element 3 below. It is not necessary for said convex portion to partially or completely have the shape of a rib edge which, however, advantageously stiffens the lower portion 12.
The central surface 16 (Figure 5) belongs to a same perforated body 18 which, seen from a bottom plan view, shows the convex central surface 14 (Figure 7).
The central through hole 17 is provided with curved edges 171 (Figure 18) interrupted by loops 172 which protrude outwards substantially up to a lower edge of the central compartment 40.
The convex central surface 14 comprises portions included between consecutive loops 172 (Figure 18).
The lower portion 12 of the head 4 is provided with an outer lower surface 121 (Figures 7, 8 and 10) which is substantially flat and below said upper lower surface 10 of the upper portion 15.
In a second embodiment (Figures 18-21), the lower portion 12 of the head 4 is additionally provided with an edge 18 which protrudes downwards.
Said edge 18 has a circular shape and externally surrounds the ribs 13.
The edge 18 may be positioned differently but it shall, in any case, protrude downwards and be able to couple with the groove 9 of the intermediate element 3 (Figure 25).
Unlike the first embodiment, the edge 18 prevents the head 4 from tilting.
In a third embodiment (Figures 32-34), instead of the edge 18, a ring 100 is provided, comprising an upper edge 101 able to interact with the lower portion 12 of the head 4, and a lower edge 102, separably associable with the groove 9 of the intermediate element 3: advantageously the same head 4 and the same intermediate element 3 are used, adding the ring 100 in case the tilting function is to be prohibited (Figure 34).
In the presence of the ring 100, the head 4 may only rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane on which the base 2 rests.
In all embodiments, the outer upper surface 10 and the outer lower surface 121 form a single annular body 200 with holes 19 (Figures 26, 27) in which the teeth 20 of an anti-noise sheath 21 (Figure 31), separably associable with said outer upper surface 10, engage.
The anti-noise sheath 21 (Figure 31) comprises a plurality of teeth 20 protruding from the lower surface thereof, and loops 22 (Figure 1) to make room for the teeth 11 of the outer upper surface 10 following the coupling.
The anti-noise sheath 21 is sized so as not to increase the side bulkiness of the head 4 and, substantially, not even the height thereof, since the teeth 20 are housed in the holes 19 (Figures 26, 27), being the thickness of the anti-noise sheath 21 in the order of the millimeter.
The planes of the raised floor rest on the anti-noise sheath 21: advantageously, any movements following the laying of said planes on the anti-noise sheath 21 are not felt.
On a lower surface 25 of the base 2 (Figure 4) it is possible to notice grooves 26 for discharging the water so as to limit the accumulation of dirt.
The teeth 11 are integral with the head 4 by frangible connections 27 (Figure 5), so as to easily remove the excess teeth 11.
Figure 29 shows a head 4 without teeth 11, but with a bulkhead 111 for a beam in wood, aluminum, PVC or other material.
The assembly of the support 1 described above is very simple.
The intermediate element 3 is screwed into the cavity 5 of the base 2 so as to obtain a desired height.
The head 4 is associated with the intermediate element 3 by passing the teeth 8 through the central through hole 17 using the loops 172, and then rotating it so that the lower surfaces 84 of the portions 82 of the teeth 8 come into sliding contact with the central surface 16.
Without the edge 18 or the ring 100 the head 4 may tilt with respect to the intermediate element 3 (Figure 24): the curved edge 131 of the ribs 13 and the concave central surface 14 slide on the concave upper surface 7 of the intermediate element 3, while the teeth 8 slide on the central surface 16 of the head 4 until an optimal orientation of the outer upper surface 10, where the floor planes will rest, is found.
Alternatively, if the plane on which the base 2 rests is such so as not to require the tilting function, it is adopted a head 4 with the edge 18 or a support 1 with the ring 100: advantageously, the edge 18 or the ring 100 engage in the groove 9 (Figure 25) thus allowing only the rotation of the head 4 with respect to the intermediate element 3 about an axis orthogonal to the support plane of the base 3; the tilting movement is not allowed.
Advantageously, with the same base 2 and the same intermediate element 3 it is possible to obtain two types of supports 1, one with a tilting function (head 4 without the edge 18) and one without a tilting function (head 4 with the edge 18).
If the ring 100 is used, also the head 4 does not change, thus optimizing the flexibility of the support 1.
The shape of the portion 82 of the teeth 8 allows an effective sliding of the head 4 on the intermediate element 3, the plurality of the teeth 8 avoiding, however, accidental movements. The geometry of the convex lower surface 84 facilitates said sliding without jamming or breaking the teeth 8 (Figure 12).
In order to increase the height range of the support 1 it is possible to add an extension 30 (Figure 28) comprising a cylinder 31 with an external thread 32 engageable in the internal thread 51 of the base 2. A sleeve 33 with an internal thread engageable both with said cylinder 31 and with the intermediate element 3 allows varying the height of the support 1.
Alternatively, the convex surfaces may be concave and vice versa.
Therefore, the upper surface of the intermediate element 3 is generally curved, preferably concave but alternatively convex. If the central surface 16 of the upper portion 15 of the head 4 is curved, it is preferably concave but alternatively convex; the central surface of the lower portion 12 of the head 4 is curved, preferably convex but alternatively concave.
Alternatively to the embodiment described above and shown in the Figures, the upper surface of the intermediate element 3 may be convex, the central surface 16 of the upper portion 15 of the head 4 may be convex, and the central surface of the lower portion 12 of the head 4 may be concave: in the absence of the edge 18 and of the ring 100, the head 4 is able to tilt on the intermediate element 3.

Claims

Support (1) for raised floors comprising a base (2), an intermediate element (3) and a head (4) on which raised floor portions rest,
the base (2) comprises a cylindrical cavity (5) having an internal thread (51),

the intermediate element (3) has a cylindrical shape with an external thread (6) and comprises a curved upper surface (7) and central teeth (8),

each tooth (8) of the central teeth (8) comprises a portion (82) which protrudes outwards leaving a space (83) below,

the head (4) comprises an upper portion (15) with an outer upper surface (10) which is flat, and a central compartment (40) comprising a central surface (16) with a central through hole (17),

the head (4) further comprises a lower portion (12) with a curved surface (14, 131),

the through hole (17) is provided with curved edges (171) interrupted by notches (172) which protrude outwards to allow the passage from below of the teeth (8) through the through hole (17),

the curved upper surface (7) of the intermediate element (3) being adapted to slidably couple with the curved surface (14, 131) of the lower portion (12) of the head (4),

the intermediate element (3) having a circular groove (9) on the curved upper surface characterized in that the circular groove (9) is positioned at the edge of the curved upper surface (7) of the intermediate element (3).
Support (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower portion (12) of the head (4) is provided with an edge (18) of circular shape which protrudes downwards and which is able to engage in the circular groove (9) at the edge of the upper surface of the intermediate element (3).
Support (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said edge (18) externally surrounds the curved surface (14, 131) of the lower portion (12) of the head (4).
Support (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is additionally provided
with a ring (100) comprising an upper edge (101) adapted to interact with the

lower portion (12) of the head (4), and a lower edge (102) separably associable with the groove (9) of the intermediate element (3).
Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said curved surface of the lower portion (12) of the head (4) comprises a plurality of curved edges (131) of respective ribs (13).
Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portion (82) of the teeth (8) which protrudes outwards is provided with a curved lower surface (84) able to slide on the central surface (16) of the head (4).
Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curved upper surface (7) of the intermediate element (3) is concave, the central surface (16) of the upper portion (15) of the head (4) is concave, and the curved surface (14, 131) of the lower portion (12) of the head (4) is convex.
Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an anti-noise sheath (21) separably associated with said outer upper surface (10) of the head (4), said anti-noise sheath (21)
comprising a plurality of teeth (20) which protrude from its lower surface (23) to engage in holes (19) provided on the outer upper surface (10) of the head (4).
Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lower surface (25) of the base (2) comprises grooves (26) for water discharge.
Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head (4) comprises further teeth (11) which protrude
upwards and are integral with frangible connections (27).