GB2111556A

GB2111556A - Floor-panel-supporting jack

Info

Publication number: GB2111556A
Application number: GB08234707A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David George Godfrey; George Derek Whitehead
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-12-12
Filing date: 1982-12-06
Publication date: 1983-07-06
Also published as: JPS58125599A; EP0081960A1

Abstract

This consists of a base 1 and head 2 for relative turning movement about a common axis, having abutting end faces 10,20 of inclined helical form for axial extension or retraction of head 2 relative to base 1. For nonslip adjustment faces 10,20 are radially serrated with teeth 12,22, e.g. of ratchet or buttress form to facilitate upward adjustment of head 1. Stop means 15,25 limits turning movement. Head 2 receives plate 3 for location e.g. with or between floor panels at adjacent corners of the latter. Faces 10,20 may be coated with adhesive. <IMAGE>

Description

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GB 2 111 556 A 1

SPECIFICATION Support jack

The object of this invention is to provide a jack or a prop unit primarily for supporting raised or 5 modular flooring but capable of use for a wide variety of other support or similar purposes and which is also capable of simple, strong and durable construction with provision for axial or height adjustment. Practical advantages in these 10 and other respects will be apparent from the following disclosure.

According to this invention a support jack comprises at least a base member and a head member having an interfitting location in relation 15 to one another for relative turning movement about a generally common axis, said members having co-operating' end faces having an abutting helical co-action whereby on relative turning of the members they are axially adjusted for axial 20 extension or retraction relative to one another, the end faces further having a non-slip engagement for maintaining the members in a relative axial extent to which they may be adjusted.

A practical example of the jack is shown in the 25 accompanying drawings in which:—

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the jack members in the un-assembled condition aligned for assembly,

Figures 2 and 3 are plan views of co-operating 30 end faces of the jack members.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a head plate of the jack, and

Figures 5 to 10 are diagrammatic views of typical arrangements of the jack.

35 Referring to the drawings the jack basically comprises a base member 1 and a head member 2 arranged to locate in relation to one another for relative turning movement about the vertical axis of the jack. For such location the base 1 is shown 40 provided with an upstanding central and axial projection 11 which engages a corresponding bore 21 in the head 2 or vice versa and with preferably further or alternative interfitting location as referred to below.

45 The base 1 and head 2 have co-operating helically formed end faces 10, 20 respectively which in the assembled condition of the jack, abut one another for cam-like abutting co-action so that on relative turning of the head 2 and base 1, 50 the head 2 is caused to rise axially relative to the base 1 or retract according to the direction of relative rotation. Minimum and maximum height settings are indicated in Figures 5 and 6.

In the example shown three equi-spaced 55 helical end faces 10 provided in a successive manner on the base 1 and of the same height and angular extent co-operate with three corresponding helical end faces 20 on the head 2 in a multi-start arrangement for providing firm 60 and balanced support of the head 2. However the number of such faces 10, 20 may be varied according to requirements.

The co-operation of the end faces 10, 20 is such that the head 2 and base 1 are capable of remaining adjusted when under considerable load and for this purpose and as shown in the drawings the end faces 10,20 are radially serrated to provide teeth 12, 22 for positive non-slip engagement which not only ensures that the head 2 and base 1 remain relatively adjusted without axial displacement (e.g. due to vibration) but also facilitates their adjustment by the step location of indexing afforded by the teeth 12,22. For this purpose the teeth 12,22 are shown of ratchet or buttress form in a direction to resist downward movement of the head 2 relative to the base 1 and which also further facilitate upward adjustment of the jack by the teeth 22 of the head 2 riding over those 12 of the base 1. During installation the faces 10,20 should be coated with adhesive so as to bond together after adjustment.

The end faces 10, 20 are situated adjacent the outer periphery of the cylindrical base 1 and the head 2 and, particularly where toothed, only extend radially inwards for a sufficient extent for adequate bearing surface area so as to enable suitably spaced radial teeth 12, 22 to be employed without undue convergence.

In the case of the head 2 the end faces 22 are shown arranged about a co-axial spigot 24 which locates within a recessed upper end or socket 14 of the base 1 bounded by the helical face formations 12 or ramps of the latter in order to provide further (or alternative) co-axial location of the head 2 on the base 1 for their relative turning movement.

For stability the lower part 100 of the base 1 is shown extending in a radially outward direction to provide suitable base area for contact with the ground or similar supporting surface such as a sub-floor.

The head 2 and base 1 may be produced as castings such as die-castings or mouldings in any suitable material such as metal, e.g. aluminium or plastic of appropriate strength and especially in glass re-inforced cement (GRC) for high strength and durability as well as low cost manufacture. In the latter case the cement may have a glass fibre content of the order of 4% and owing to their form the head 2 and base 1 may be cast in such material in suitable moulds which may be of plastic material such as polythene, e.g. for disposable use. Clay or glass re-inforced plastic material may be also used as well as glass fibre re-inforced gypsum.

For supporting panels of a raised or modular floor at adjacent corners of the panels, the head 2 receives a suitably formed locating member or head plate 3 shown provided with upstanding radial ribs 30 for location between adjacent floor panels 5 (Figure 7) in the usual lower clearance between the sides of the latter.

The head plate 3 may be located or inserted at 32 in a recess 23 in the top of the head 2 or may otherwise locate thereon such as by cap fitting. The head plate 3 may be adhesively mounted on the head 2 or may be moulded in the head during manufacture of the latter. As indicated in Figure 4

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GB 2 111 556 A 2

the plate 3 may include recesses 31 or openings for receiving corresponding projections from the underside of the panels such as from corner plates thereon, (i.e. as per British Patent No. 5 1,536,424), e.g. in the multi-purpose arrangement shown in Figure 4. The head plate 3 may be otherwise formed for engaging or locating panels, and/or for other support purposes.

The head plate 3 is also shown provided with 10 an annular seating groove 34 to enable a tubular upright extension member 4 to be supported from the jack, which tube or column 4 may then receive a head member or plate 6 (Figures 8 and 10) at its upper end for locating engagement with 15 floor panels. In such a case the lower end of the tube 4 would be adhesively secured in the annular groove 34 and the head 6 also secured by adhesive on the tube 4.

The plate 3 or 6 may have perforated lugs as 20 shown at 37 in Figure 4 for the attachment of stringer members 7 (Figures 9 and 10) in supporting panels 5 or other floor members.

If desired the upper end of the head 2 may be integrally formed e.g. in a similar manner to the 25 plate 3 for direct locating engagment with or between the floor panels 5 and/or for other support purposes.

Stop means is also preferably provided for limiting relative turning movement of the head 2 30 and base 1 so as to prevent the rear or trailing ends of the head faces 20 being adjusted beyond the upper ends of the base faces 10. Such stop means is shown consisting of an inward radial projection 25 of the head 2 (Figure 3) which 35 engages an angular recess 15 about the central projection 11 in the base 1 or vice versa. However other suitable stop means may be employed.

Claims

1. A support jack comprising at least a base 40 member and a head member having an interfitting location in relation to one another for relative turning movement about a generally common axis, said members having co-operating end faces having an abutting helical co-action whereby on 45 relative turning of the members they are axially adjusted for axial extension or retraction relative to one another, the end faces further having a non slip engagement for maintaining the members in a relative axial extent to which they may be 50 adjusted.

2. A support jack according to claim 1 wherein the end faces of the base and head members are provided with inter-engaging teeth for maintaining the members in a relative axial extent to which

55 they may be adjusted on their relative turning movement.

3. A support jack according to claim 2 wherein the inter-engaging teeth are of ratchet or buttress form in a direction for facilitating axial adjustment

60 of the base and head members on their appropriate relative turning movement for their relative axial extension and for maintaining the members in said adjusted condition especially when they are under axial load.

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4. A support jack according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the end faces are radially serrated to provide the inter-engaging teeth.

5. A support jack according to any of the preceding claims wherein the base member and

70 head member are each provided with a plurality of end faces each having the same helical inclination and successively arranged about the members, the end faces of the base member co-operating with corresponding end faces of the head

75 member.

6. A support jack according to claim 5 wherein the end faces of the base and head members of the same helical inclination are also of the same axial and angular extent.

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7. A support jack according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the end faces are successively equi-spaced about the base and head members for providing balanced support of the head member from the base member.

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8. A support jack according to any of the preceding claims wherein an axial projection on one member of the base and head members has an interfitting engagement with an axial bore in the other member in order to locate the members

90 for relative turning movement.

9. A support jack according to any of the preceding claims wherein an end part of one member of the base and head members has a coaxial spigotted engagement within the other

95 member in order to locate, or further locate, the members for relative turning movement.

10. A support jack according to any of the preceding claims wherein stop means is provided for limiting relative turning movement of the base

100 and head members i.e. from going beyond the available angular extent of co-operation between the said end faces of the members.

11. A support jack according to any of the preceding claims wherein the base and head

105 members are produced as castings or mouldings in metal, plastic or other suitable material such as glass reinforced cement (GRC).

12. A support jack according to any of the preceding claims for supporting raised floor

110 panels wherein the head member receives at its normally upper end a locating member or plate or is formed thereon with locating means for locating engagement with or between floor panels at adjacent corners of the latter and/or for

115 other support purposes.

13. A floor support jack according to claim 12 wherein the locating means or member or plate is formed for selective alternative engagement with or between floor panels at their adjacent corners.

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14. A floor support jack according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the locating means or member or plate provides seating for an extension member or column.

15. A floor support jack according to any of

125 claims 12 to 14 wherein the locating means or

GB 2 111 556 A

member or plate includes provision for the attachment thereto of stringer members in supporting panels or other floor members.

16. A support jack substantially as herein 5 described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1983. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AY, from which copies may be obtained