GB2131466A

GB2131466A - Flooring

Info

Publication number: GB2131466A
Application number: GB08234584A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Mulley
Original assignee: MULLEY AGRICON Ltd
Current assignee: MULLEY AGRICON Ltd
Priority date: 1982-12-03
Filing date: 1982-12-03
Publication date: 1984-06-20

Abstract

Flooring for ventilating or drying crops, such as grain or vegetables, comprises a plurality of support units (10) located on a generally flat surface (34) to form a series of parallel, spaced apart side by side supports, each formed from one or more support units, with channel-like gaps (36) between the supports, and a plurality of apertured covers (38) located over the channel-like gaps and supported by the supports so as to form a generally planar upper surface. The support units (10) may comprise a generally in-shaped member, having an upper portion (12) with a generally planar upper face (14), and two downwardly extending support limbs (16, 18). In a variant of the invention, the support units may comprise a preformed cap unit (42) adapted to be supported on side walls (40) constructed in situ, e.g. of bricks or similar blocks. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to flooring Field of Invention This invention relates to flooring and concerns flooring for ventilating or drying crops, such as grain or vegetables, e.g. onions.

Background to the Invention When crops such as those mentioned above are stored in bulk it is important that the moisture content of the crops is kept as low as possible, and various ventilating or drying flooring constructions are known for this purpose.

One known kind of drying or ventilating floor comprises a central elongate duct with a fan at one end, and a series of parallel, spaced apart side ducts extending outwardly from both sides of the central duct, the side ducts comprising opentopped channels with apertured covers through which ventilating air can pass to ventilate crops located on the floor. The channels of the side ducts are defined between supports in the form of elongate blocks of generally rectangular crosssection, with rebates running along the major upper edges of the blocks to receive and support the apertured covers between adjacent blocks. In this way, a generally flat ventilated floor capable of bearing substantial loads is produced.

Hitherto, the supports for such a floor have been formed on site and generally comprise a moulded concrete structure cast in situ, possibly with a hard core or similar fill to reduce concrete requirements. An alternative technique involves constructing brick side walls for the supports, locating hard core or similar filling material in the central space, and providing a concrete cap formed in situ.

Forming the supports in situ as described above increases installation complexity, time and costs, and it is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an alternative approach to the production of ventilating or drying flooring.

The Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support unit for a ventilating or drying floor, comprising a member of generally inverted U-shaped cross-section, the member including an upper portion presenting a generally planar upper face, and two downwardly extending support limbs of continuous, unbroken construction for supporting the member on a generally planar surface, the upper portion being adapted to support an apertured cover between two similar support units located in spaced apart, side by side relationship.

In use, a plurality of support units in accordance with the invention are placed on a suitable surface, e.g. a relatively flat floor, so as to form a series of parallel, spaced apart supports in side by side relation, each support formed from one or more support units as appropriate. Channel-like gaps are defined between the supports, and these gaps are then covered by suitable apertured covers, e.g. in the form of apertured metal plates or members, so as to form a generally planar upper surface. Air is then supplied to the channels, e.g. from a central duct, and the air passes up through the apertured covers and through crops or the like stored thereabove.In a further aspect, the present invention therefore provides a method of forming a ventilating or drying floor, comprising locating on a generally flat surface a plurality of support units in accordance with the present invention so as to form a series of parallel, spaced apart side by side supports, each formed from one or more support units, with channel-like gaps between the supports, and locating apertured covers over the channel-like gaps, the covers being supported by the supports so as to form a generally planar upper surface.

The invention also provides a ventilating or drying floor, comprising a plurality of support units in accordance with the present invention located on a generally flat surface to form a series of parallel, spaced apart side by side Supports, each formed from one or more support units, with channel-like gaps between the supports, and a plurality of apertured covers located over the channel-iike gaps and supported by the supports so as to form a generally planar upper surface.

In a variant of the invention, the support unit may comprise a preformed cap unit adapted to be supported on side walls constructed in situ, e.g. of bricks or similar blocks.

Hence, in a further aspect the present invention provides a cap unit for a support unit for a ventilating or drying floor, comprising a member adapted to be supported between two side wall constructions, the member including a generally planar upper face and being adapted to support an apertured cover between two similar cap units located in spaced apart, side by side relationship.

In use, side walls for the support are constructed in situ, e.g. by being built of bricks or blocks, at appropriately spaced intervals on a suitable surface so as to form the side walls for a series of parallel, spaced apart supports in side by side relation. It is to be noted that the construction of the side walls can be varied to a certain degree if necessary to accommodate irregularities in the surface. Cap units in accordance with the invention are then supported on the side walls to form a series of parallel, spaced apart supports separated by channel-like gaps. These gaps are then covered by suitable apertured covers so as to form a generally planar upper surface.

Hence, the present invention also provides a method of forming a ventilating or drying floor, comprising constructing side walls for a plurality of supports in parallel, spaced apart side by side relation, with channel-like gaps between the supports, locating on the side walls a plurality of cap units in accordance with the present invention to complete the supports, and locating apertured covers over the channel-like gaps supported by these supports so as to form a generally planar upper surface.

In yet a further aspect the present invention also provides a ventilating or drying floor, comprising a plurality of parallel, spaced apart side by side supports, with channel-like gaps between the supports, the supports comprising side walls constructed in situ and covered by cap units in accordance with the present invention, and a plurality of apertured covers located over the channel-like gaps and supported by the supports so as to form a generally planar upper surface.

The support unit or cap unit may be formed of any suitable material having the necessary properties of rigidity and structural strength. One preferred material is concrete, which may be reinforced as appropriate if desired. The upper face of the member or cap unit preferably includes a pair of rebates, running along opposed major edges of the face for supporting an apertured cover between adjacent supports. In practice it is found convenient to use a reversible rectangular rebate having dimensions of 30 mm x 36 mm, as such a rebate will accommodate most of the existing apertured covers currently available for this purpose.

The dimensions of the support unit may be varied as appropriate depending upon the intended use, and a range of units with different heights and widths may be produced. It is found convenient to produce units in a relatively short standard length, e.g. one metre, with longer structures of desired length being built up by use of an appropriate number of individual units. To facilitate interfitting of units together to build up a longer structure in this way, the end faces of the members are preferably provided with joint means in the form of complementary co-operating recesses and protrusions. In this case, sealing means is preferably provided in the interfitting joint, e.g. in the form of a seal of mastic material, to prevent air intended for ventilation purposes from passing in use from the ventilating channels to the interior of the supports.

The dimensions of the cap unit may be similarly varied, and a range of cap units of different widths produced. As before, cap units of standard length are preferably used.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the Drawings Figure 1 is an end view of a support unit in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the support unit shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a link bar of the support unit of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 illustrates part of a ventilating or drying floor constructed from support units as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 5 is an end view of a support unit comprising a cap unit in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a support unit 10 in accordance with the present invention. The illustrated unit 10 comprises a moulded concrete member generally of inverted U-shaped cross-section. The member includes a generally planar upper portion 12 having a generally planar upper face 14. The member further comprises two downwardly extending support limbs 16 and 18 of continuous, unbroken construction for supporting the unit 10 on a generally planar surface.

A pair of rebates 20 run along the length of the major edges of the upper face 1 4, for supporting apertured covers as will be described below.

The unit further includes a pair of rebates 22 at one end of the support limbs 1 6 and 18, with a corresponding pair of co-operating recesses 24 being provided at the opposed end of the support limbs. The co-operating rebates and recesses facilitate interfitting of similar units 12 in end to end relationship when building up a composite support. Sealing means (not shown), e.g. in the form of a seal of mastic material is provided in the interfitting joint to produce an airtight seal when the units are fitted together, to prevent air intended to ventilating purposes from passing into the interior of the support unit.

The unit 10 is formed of concrete of grade C30P with 10 mm aggregate to BS5328:1981.

The concrete of the unit is reinforced by mesh fabric reinforcing units 26 and 28 to BS4493. (For clarity the reinforcement units are not shown in Figure 2.) The units 26 and 28 are linked by a plurality of link bars 30 which run along the length of the unit. Each link bar 30 is formed from a length of bar of an approximate total length of 2025 mm bent to the configuration shown in Figure 3 and having an overall length of 900 mm and height of 50 mm.

The illustrated unit has an overall height of approximately 400 mm, an overall width of approximately 600 mm and is of a standard length off 1 m. The support limbs 1 6 and 18 are 100 mm wide at their base, and the upper portion 12 has a depth of 100 mm. The rebates 20 are of rectangular configuration, being 30 mm x 36 mm.

A series of units of different heights and widths are produced for different purposes. It is envisaged that all units will be of the standard length of 1 m.

Further, the support limb base and upper portion depth dimensions are also fixed.

The units are intended for use with a range of different apertured covers currently available on the market and different dimensions of the rebates 20 are required to accommodate different covers.

It is found that by employing a reversible rectangular rebate 30 mm x 36 mm (i.e. either a rebate having a width 30 mm and height 36 mm or width 36 mm and height 30 mm) the majority of available covers can be accommodated.

The illustrated unit 10 is produced by a moulding technique, with an individual mould being required for each basic size of unit. An appropriate insert is used to produce desired dimensions for rebates 20 - it is to be noted that the reversible nature of the rebate renders each basic mould more versatile, thus reducing capital costs.

Referring to Figure 4, in use a ventilating or drying floor is constructed by locating a plurality of units 10 on a suitable floor 34 so as to form a series of parallel, spaced apart supports each support formed from one or more aligned support units as appropriate. Channel-like gaps 36 are defined between the supports, and these gaps are covered by apertured covers 38 supported by adjacent supports, being located in rebates 20. A generally planar upper surface to the flooring is thus produced.

Air is then supplied to the interior of the channels 36 formed between the supports, e.g.

from a central duct (not shown), and the air passes along the channels 36, up through the apertured covers 38 and then through crops or the like stored on the floor.

Figure 5 illustrates a variant of the support unit of Figures 1 and 2, which comprises side walls 40 which are constructed in situ, e.g. of brick, covered by a pre-formed concrete cap unit 42. The cap unit 42 is of generally rectangular configuration, having a length of 1 m (as with units 12), an overall width of approximately 600 mm and a depth of just over 100 mm. The unit includes a pair of rebates 44 (corresponding to rebates 20 of unit 10) extending along opposed major edges of the upper face of the unit. The unit 42 also includes a pair of rebates 46 extending along opposed major edges of the lower face, for accommodating support side walls 40.

The resulting support is used and functions in exactly the same way as support units 10, the only difference being that side walls 40 are constructed on site, rather than being preformed as being part of the unit.

Claims

1. A support unit for a ventilating or drying floor, comprising a member of generally inverted U-shaped cross-section, the member including an upper portion presenting a generally upper face, and two downwardly extending support limbs of continuous, unbroken construction for supporting the member on a generally planar surface, the upper portion being adapted to support an apertured cover between two similar support units located in spaced apart, side by side relationship.

2. A support unit according to claim 1, comprising concrete.

3. A support unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the concrete is reinforced.

4. A support unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the upper face of the member includes a pair of rebates, running along opposed major edges of the face for supporting an apertured cover between adjacent supports.

5. A support unit according to claim 4, wherein each rebate is of rectangular form, having dimensions of 30 mm x 36 mm.

6. A support unit according to any one of the preceding claims, having a length of one metre.

7. A support unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end faces of the member are provided with joint means in the form of complementary co-operating recesses and protrusions.

8. A support unit according to claim 7, further comprising sealing means associated with the joint means.

9. A support unit substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of forming a ventilating or drying floor, comprising locating on a generally flat surface a plurality of support units in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9 so as to form a series of parallel, spaced apart side by side supports, each formed from one or more support units, with channel-like gaps between the supports, and locating apertured covers over the channel-like gaps, the covers being supported by the supports so as to form a generally planar upper surface.

11. A method of forming a ventilating or drying floor, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

1 2. A ventilating or drying floor, comprising a plurality of support units in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9 located on a generally flat surface to form a series of parallel, spaced apart side by side supports, each formed from one or more support units, with channel-like gaps between the supports, and a plurality of apertured covers located over the channel-like gaps and supported by the supports so as to form a generally planar upper surface.

13. A ventilating or drying floor substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A cap unit for a support unit for a ventilating or drying floor, comprising a member adapted to be supported between two side wall constructions, the member including a generally planar upper face and being adapted to support an apertured cover between two similar cap units located in spaced apart, side by side relationship.

1 5. A cap unit according to claim 14, comprising concrete.

1 6. A cap unit according to claim 15, wherein the concrete is reinforced.

1 7. A cap unit according to claim 14, 1 5 or 16, wherein the upper face of the member includes a pair of rebates, running along opposed major edges of the face for supporting an apertured cover between adjacent supports.

18. A cap unit according to claim 17, wherein each rebate is of rectangular form, having dimensions of 30 mm x 36 mm.

1 9. A cap unit according to any one of claims 14 to 18, having a length of one metre.

20. A cap unit substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of forming a ventilating or drying floor, comprising constructing side walls for a plurality of supports in parallel, spaced apart side by side relation, with channel-like gaps between the supports, locating on the side walls a plurality of cap units in accordance with any one of claims 14 to 20 to complete the supports, and locating apertured covers over the channel-like gaps supported by these supports so as to form a generally planar upper surface.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the side walls are constructed from bricks or blocks.

23. A method of forming a ventilating or drying floor, substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A ventilating or drying floor, comprising a plurality of parallel, spaced apart side by side supports, with channel like gaps between the supports, the supports comprising side walls constructed in situ and covered by cap units in accordance with any one of claims 1 4 to 20, and a plurality of apertured covers located over the channel-like gaps and supported by the supports so as to form a generally planar upper surface.

25. A ventilating or drying floor substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.