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
  • E04F15/02464—Height adjustable elements for supporting the panels or a panel-supporting framework
  • E04F15/0247—Screw jacks
  • E04F15/02476—Screw jacks height-adjustable from the upper side of the floor
• • 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
  • E04F15/02044—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer
• • 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
  • E04F15/0215—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements specially adapted for being adhesively fixed to an underlayer; Fastening means therefor; Fixing by means of plastics materials hardening after application
• • 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
  • E04F15/02177—Floor elements for use at a specific location
  • E04F15/02183—Floor elements for use at a specific location for outdoor use, e.g. in decks, patios, terraces, verandas or the like
• • 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
  • E04F15/02044—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer
  • E04F2015/0205—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer with load-supporting elongated furring elements between the flooring elements and the underlayer
  • E04F2015/02066—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer with load-supporting elongated furring elements between the flooring elements and the underlayer with additional fastening elements between furring elements and flooring elements
  • E04F2015/02072—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer with load-supporting elongated furring elements between the flooring elements and the underlayer with additional fastening elements between furring elements and flooring elements the additional fastening elements extending into the back side of the flooring elements

Definitions

• the invention is related to a paver supporting apparatus, and more particularly a paver supporting apparatus with a modular grid for a plurality of pavers.
• pavers are used in a variety of architectural and landscape settings. Sometimes pavers are installed in gardens, patios, walkways, driveways, or on the roofs of buildings. Some types of pavers are made from heavy materials and have physically large dimensions, making them resistant to movement after installation. Such is the case, when pavers are used for landscaping, sidewalks, patios and driveways. In other applications, pavers have less weight, limiting the load on the surface over which they are installed. In some cases, access to an object that is underneath the installed paver is required. In this type of installation, the paver may be elevated from an installed surface and have access channels or pathways underneath. In installations, such as this, the paver maybe lightweight and form an elevated walkway.
• the pavers may become airborne and dislodged in a high wind condition. What is needed is a paver supporting apparatus that provides reduced surface load, ease of access to under paver objects, while preventing pavers from becoming dislodged from an elevated installed surface in a high wind condition.
• a paver supporting apparatus generally includes a support structure having support surface, a modular grid, and a plurality of pavers positioned on the modular grid.
• the modular grid is positioned on and secured to the support surface and includes a body, an extension extending from one side of the body, and a plurality of fastener receiving passageways positioned through the body and the extension.
• Figure l is a partial exploded perspective view of a paver supporting apparatus according to the invention, shown being assembled;
• Figure 2 is an exploded view of a pedestal of a paver supporting apparatus of Figure 1;
• Figure 2A is an exploded view of another pedestal of a paver supporting apparatus according to the invention;
• Figure 3 is a top view of a modular grid of a paver supporting apparatus of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a side view of a ballast according to the invention of Figure 1;
• Figure 5 is a top view of a tapered opening of the modular grid according to the invention.
• Figure 6 is a top cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 4, of a ballast according to the invention.
• Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 4, of a ballast according to the invention.
• Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 3, of a pedestal receiver according to the invention.
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of a paver supporting apparatus according to the invention, shown in use;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another paver supporting apparatus according to the invention, shown in use with a known support structure;
• Figure 11 is top view of a modular grid of the supporting apparatus of Figure 10;
• Figure 12 is a close up, sectional view of the paver supporting apparatus of Figure 11 taken along line 12-12, showing a modular grid according to the invention secured to the known support structure;
• Figure 13 is another perspective view of the paver of the supporting apparatus of Figure 10, showing assembly of known pavers there upon; and [0020]
• Figure 14 is a perspective view of another paver supporting apparatus according to the invention, shown in use with another known support structure.
• the paver supporting apparatus 1 generally includes the following major components: a pedestal 100, a modular grid 200, and a ballast 300.
• the pedestal 100 generally includes a top plate 110, a plurality of male lock pins
• the top plate 110 is substantially round with a circumference
• the plurality of male lock pins 111 are generally positioned along a pair of crossing diagonals such that the outline of the plurality of male lock pins 111 is approximately square, as illustrated in Figure 1.
• the dampener 114 may be formed of any suitable dampening material to provide a dampening effect to the modular grid 200.
• the dampener 114 is an insert molded rubber pad 115 insert molded into the top plate 110 and extending substantially over the surface of the top plate 110 in a cl overleaf like pattern.
• the dampener 114 forms an elevated surface along portions of the top plate 110.
• FIG. 2 A another pedestal 100 of a paver supporting apparatus according to the invention is shown.
• the top plate 110 of Figure 2 A has a planar surface and no dampener 114 thereon. Similar to the pedestal 100 of Figure 2, the top plate 110 is substantially round with a circumference 112.
• the plurality of male lock pins 111 are generally positioned along a pair of crossing diagonals such that the outline of the plurality of male lock pins 111 is approximately square, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 2A. Additionally, the male lock pins 111, along the bottommost portion of the lower medial portion 108, intersect with the planar surface of the top plate 110 and are coplanar with the top plate 110 over the entire planar surface of the top plate 110.
• the plurality of male lock pins 111 are positioned around the circumference 112, of the top plate 110.
• a rib 113 along a lower medial portion 108, on each one of the plurality of male lock pins 111, is a rib 113, as shown in Figure 2, 2A.
• the rib 113 extends around the circumference of each one of the plurality of male lock pins 111. As illustrated, the rib 113 is semi-circular and adjacent the top plate 110.
• each one of the ribs 113 is positioned between the portions of the dampener 114 forming the openings in the cl overleaf like pattern such that each one of the ribs 113 is separated from an adjacent rib 113 by a portion of the dampener 114.
• 2A positioned beneath the top plate 110, along a central columnar section, is the plate extender 116.
• the plate extender 116 has a threaded surface 130 extending substantially around the plate extender 116 and along the length of the plate extender 116.
• the pedestal column 118 is positioned along a vertical section of the pedestal 100. Extending around a circumference of the pedestal column 118 are a plurality of reinforcement arms 125. At an end of the pedestal column 118 is a circular base 120.
• the circular base 120 forms a flange 121 with a plurality of fastener openings 122 positioned along a face 123 of the circular base 120.
• the plurality of fastener openings 122 are positioned along the face 123 in an alternating pattern between the plurality of reinforcement arms 125.
• the interior thread 119 extends substantially along the length and the inner circumference of the pedestal column 118.
• the interior thread 119 provides substantial displacement along the interior of the pedestal column 118 in a positive and negative column height direction.
• the modular grid 200 generally has a top surface 201, a plurality of a pedestal receiver 205, and a plurality of ballast receiving openings 250.
• the top surface 201 has a plurality of a planar adhesive receiving section 210 in portions and a geometric lattice 230 in others.
• the modular grid 200 has a plurality of receiving spaces positioned in and along the modular grid 200.
• the geometric lattice 230 extends substantially over the top surface 201, and down through a grid depth 209.
• the geometric lattice 230 has a plurality of regular shaped polygons 202 and a plurality of an irregular shaped polygons 203 formed therein.
• the regular shaped polygons 202 are formed, in this embodiment, for example, as a hexagon 204 but it should be understood by those reasonably skilled that other numbers of polygon sides are possible and within the scope of the invention.
• a plurality of pedestal receivers 205 are located along the modular grid 200.
• Each pedestal receiver 205 is an opening positioned along a bottom surface 220 of the modular grid 200 extending up through the top surface 201 as seen in Figures 3 and 8.
• a rib receiver 225 Along a lower segment 212 of each pedestal receiver 205, is a rib receiver 225.
• the rib receiver 225 has a semicircular profile extending around the interior of the pedestal receiver 205 along the lower segment 212.
• the planar adhesive receiving sections 210 are positioned in part on opposing central sides of the ballast receiving openings 250, as shown in Figure 1. It should be understood that the dimensions, position and number of planar adhesive receiving sections 210 may vary.
• the ballast receiving openings 250 extend from the top surface 201 down through the grid depth 209 and along a tapered length 251. The ballast receiving openings 250 exit the modular grid 200 to the exterior along the bottom surface 220 adjacent a planar underside 221.
• the plurality of ballast receiving openings 250 are positioned along the modular grid 200 and are separated along the modular grid 200 by the plurality of the irregular shaped polygons 203 and the planar adhesive receiving sections 210 in a longitudinal z-direction.
• the plurality of ballast receiving openings 250 are positioned along the modular grid 200 and are separated along the modular grid 200 by the plurality of the irregular shaped polygons 203 and the planar adhesive receiving sections 210 in a longitudinal z-direction.
• the tapered length 251 is formed on each one of the ballast receiving openings 250.
• the ballast receiving openings 250 may extend along the tapered length 251, as a hollow tapered regular polygon column 252, or for example, a hollow tapered hexagonal column 253, with the sides of the ballast receiving openings 250 outlining the geometric shape along and around the tapered length 251.
• the ballast receiving opening 250 has a complimentary shape 257 along and around the tapered length 251.
• the ballast 300 generally has a tapered column 301 and may optionally have a non-uniform density 320.
• the tapered column 301 is formed along a ballast length 302.
• the ballast 300 may have, as in this embodiment, a non-uniform density 320, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.
• the ballast 300 in some embodiments may have a high density portion 321 and a low density portion 322.
• the high density portion 321 may be a metal 325 and the low density portion 322 may be a thermoplastic 328.
• the ballast 300 in some embodiments has a metal core 326 and a thermoplastic outer body 329.
• the ballast 300 is a tapered regular polygon column 305 and in some embodiments, is a tapered hexagonal column 306.
• the individual weights of each ballast 300 may vary depending upon the application and a variety of factors such as the desired wind resistance rating and ballast requirements.
• the ballast 300 has a ballast weight in the range of 1.5-57.5 ballast pounds per square/foot.
• the ballast 300 has a ballast weight in the range of 1.5-7.5 ballast pounds per square/foot. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the ballast 300 has a ballast weight in the range of 10.5-17 ballast pounds per square/foot. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the ballast 300 has a ballast weight in the range of 26.5-32.5 ballast pounds per square/foot. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the ballast 300 has a ballast weight in the range of 51.5-57.5 ballast pounds per square/foot.
• the ballast weight is adjustable depending upon the ballast embodiment and the plurality of the ballast 300 that are present. As shown in Figure 1, the ballast 300 has a complimentary shape 303 which is complementary to the ballast receiving opening 250.
• the paver supporting apparatus 1 has a pedestal 100 with the top plate 110, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 9.
• the pedestal column 118 is engaged with the top plate 110 along the plate extender 116 engaging the threaded surface 130 with the interior thread 119.
• the pedestal 100, with the top plate 110 and the pedestal column 118, are positioned on a surface, such as a roof.
• the plurality of fastener openings 122 are connected to a mounting surface 140 along the face 123, the circular base 120 and the flange 121.
• the top plate 110 is adjusted to the appropriate height along the plate extender 116 and the threaded surface 130.
• one of the plurality of the male lock pins 111, with one of the ribs 113 is passed through the bottom surface 220, of the modular grid 200, along the lower segment 212 and into the pedestal receiver 205 adjacent the planar underside 221.
• One of the male lock pins 111 and one of the ribs 113 are then engaged with the rib receiver 225 in the pedestal receiver 205.
• the modular grid 200 is positioned on the dampener 114 and on the insert molded rubber pad 115, along the bottom surface 220 and the planar underside 221.
• the ballast 300 as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5, is positioned above the ballast receiving opening 250 along a portion of the modular grid 200. The ballast 300 is then lowered into position above the ballast receiving opening 250. The ballast 300 is then inserted into the ballast receiving opening 250 along the tapered length 251 of the ballast receiving opening 250 having the complimentary shape 257.
• the ballast 300 is then friction fitted into the ballast receiving opening 250, and extends through the lower portion of the tapered length 251 and the grid depth 209 exiting the modular grid 200 along the bottom surface 220.
• the steps of inserting a ballast 300 into the modular grid 200 are repeated to achieve the appropriate ballast pounds per square/foot for the given application.
• the individual weights of each ballast 300 may vary depending upon the application and a variety of factors such as the desired wind resistance rating and ballast requirements.
• the ballast 300 along the top surface 201 of the modular grid 200 forms a flat surface co-planar with the top surface 201 upon insertion into the ballast receiving opening 250.
• a plurality of the pedestals 100 are movable in a plurality of directions and adjustable for various sized products and installations.
• Each one of the plurality of pedestals 100 has the plurality of male lock pins 111, positioned around the circumference 112 of each one of the plurality of top plates 110.
• the plurality of top plates 110 are each adjusted along the plate extender 116 and the threaded surface 130 positioning the plurality of top plates 110 to the appropriate heights.
• This positioning of the plurality of top plates 110 is repeated for each one of the plurality of pedestals 100 in accordance with the height requirements for each one of the plurality of pedestals 100 based on a position of each one of the plurality of pedestals 100 along the mounting surface 140.
• One of the ribs 113, formed on each one of the plurality of pedestals 100 are individually passed through the bottom surface 220 of the modular grid 200 along the lower segments 212 and into the pedestal receivers 205 adjacent the planar underside 221.
• the plurality of the male lock pins 111 and the plurality of the ribs 113 are then engaged with the rib receivers 225 in the pedestal receivers 205.
• the modular grid 200 is positioned on the dampeners 114 and on the insert molded rubber pads 115 along the bottom surface 220 and the planar underside 221.
• a plurality of the modular grids 200 are adjacent and interconnected by the plurality of pedestals 100.
• the plurality of male lock pins 111 and the plurality of the ribs 113 each engage with one of the plurality of the rib receivers 225 in one of the plurality of the pedestal receivers 205 along and around the plurality of the modular grids 200.
• the plurality of the modular grids 200 each have a portion positioned on the dampeners 114 and on the insert molded rubber pads 115 along the bottom surfaces 220 and the planar undersides 221 of each one of the modular grids 200.
• FIG. 1 and 9 Operation of the paver supporting apparatus 1, will now be shown in Figures 1 and 9.
• the planar adhesive receiving sections 210 are positioned in part, on opposing central sides of the ballast receiving openings 250, as shown in Figures 1 and 9.
• the plurality of ballast 300 are positioned in the plurality of the ballast receiving openings 250 and are coplanar with the top surface 201 along their portions of the plurality of modular grids 200.
• the plurality of the planar adhesive receiving sections 210 are coated with a type of adhesive along their lengths. Upon application of the adhesive the user can proceed to the next part of the assembly.
• a type of adhesive along their lengths.
• the individual weights of each ballast 300 or use of a ballast 300 may vary depending upon the application and a variety of factors such as the desired wind resistance rating and ballast requirements.
• the ballast 300 and the top surface 201 of the plurality of the modular grids 200 may be covered by some type of a paver or a similar covering such as a tile or a plank.
• the paver supporting apparatus G generally includes the following major components: a modular grid 200’, a ballast 300, and a decking support 400.
• the paver supporting apparatus G generally includes the following major components: a modular grid 200’, a support structure 400, a layer of fabric 500, a layer of sand 600, and a plurality of pavers 700.
• the modular grid 200’ generally includes a body 210’, an extension 220’, a plurality of fastener receiving passageways 230’, and a plurality of ballast receiving openings 250’.
• the body 210’ generally includes a top surface 21 G, a bottom surface 212’ positioned opposite the top surface 21 G, a plurality of planar adhesive receiving sections 214’, and a geometric lattice 216’.
• the planar adhesive receiving sections 214’ and the geometric lattice 216’ extend from the top surface 21 G and the bottom surface 212’ by a grid depth 213’.
• the geometric lattice 216’ has a plurality of regular shaped polygons 216a’ and a plurality of an irregular shaped polygons 216b’formed therein and make up outer walls 217’ of body 210’.
• the regular shaped polygons 216a’ are formed, in this embodiment, for example, as a hexagon but it should be understood by those reasonably skilled that other numbers of polygon sides are possible and within the scope of the invention.
• Each planar adhesive receiving sections 214’ is a planar columns in the shown embodiment that extend substantially along a width of the body 210’, in the x-direction, as seen in Figures 11 and 12.
• the planar adhesive receiving sections 214’ are positioned in part on opposing central sides of a plurality of ballast receiving openings 250’ extending through the geometric lattice 216’. It should be understood that the dimensions, position and number of planar adhesive receiving sections 214’ may vary.
• the ballast receiving openings 250’ extend from the top surface 211’ down through the grid depth 213’ and along a tapered length 219a’.
• the ballast receiving openings 250’ exit the body 210’ to the exterior along the bottom surface 212’ adjacent a planar underside thereof.
• the plurality of ballast receiving openings 250’ are positioned along the modular grid 200’ within the geometric lattice 216’ and the planar adhesive receiving sections 214’ in a longitudinal z-direction.
• the plurality of ballast receiving openings 250’ there are other possible positions for the plurality of ballast receiving openings 250’ depending upon the installation. Further, in other embodiments, it is possible that no ballast receiving openings 250’ are provided in the geometric lattice 216’.
• the tapered length 25 G is formed on each one of the ballast receiving openings 250’.
• the ballast receiving openings 250’ may extend along the tapered length 25 , as a hollow tapered regular polygon column 252’, or for example, a hollow tapered hexagonal column 253’, with the sides of the ballast receiving openings 250’ outlining the geometric shape along and around the tapered length 25 G.
• the ballast receiving opening 250’ has a complimentary shape 257’ along and around the tapered length 251’.
• the modular grid 200’ is asymmetrical, with the extension 220’ positioned on one side of the body 210’ and extending outward therefrom.
• the extension 220’ includes an outer wall 222’ and a plurality of support walls 224’ extending between and connecting the outer wall 222’ and the body 210’.
• a plurality of fastener receiving passageways 230’ are linearly positioned and extending through the body 210’ and the extension 220’.
• the body 210’ includes a plurality of body fastener receiving passageways 232’ and a plurality of extension fastener receiving passageways 234’.
• the plurality of fastener receiving passageways 230’ are linearly positioned such that a pair of body fastener receiving passageways 232’ are linearly aligned with and an extension fastener receiving passageways 234’, and each are aligned with a planar adhesive receiving section 214’ (see Figure 12).
• each fastener receiving passageways 230’ includes a fastener body receiving space 230a’ and a fastener head receiving space 230b’.
• the fastener body receiving space 230a’ is sized and shaped to fully receive a fastener F.
• the support structure 400 may be one of two known support structures, including a standard decking support having adjacent rows of longitudinal supports 410 connected and supported by lateral supports (not shown) to form a support surface 420.
• a plurality of vertical supports (not shown) may be used for positioning the support surface 420 above the ground by a height.
• the support structure 400 further includes a plurality of recessed supports 412 positioned on either side of the longitudinal supports 410. More specifically, a top surface of each recessed support 412 is positioned below a top surface of the longitudinal support 410 by a height of modular grid 200’.
• modular grid 200’ is positioned and secured to the support surface 420 using fasteners F in a grid shape array.
• the extension 220’ can be removed.
• a fabric or sheet of material 500 is then positioned positioned over the grid shape array and can be secured using an adhesive along the plurality of planar adhesive receiving sections 214’.
• a sand or filler 600 can be used and evenly distributed over the fabric or sheet of material 500.
• Pavers 700 are then arranged to form a paved area such as deck, patio, walkway, balcony or the like.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Floor Finish (AREA)
• Road Paving Structures (AREA)
• Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
• Combines (AREA)
• Road Paving Machines (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=74186893

Family Applications (1)

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• 2020
  • 2020-12-17 CA CA3161928A patent/CA3161928A1/en active Pending
  • 2020-12-17 JP JP2022537100A patent/JP2023507159A/ja active Pending
  • 2020-12-17 WO PCT/US2020/065635 patent/WO2021127194A1/en unknown
  • 2020-12-17 EP EP20842433.3A patent/EP4077834A1/de active Pending

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