GB2136472A

GB2136472A - Flooring

Info

Publication number: GB2136472A
Application number: GB8406439A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Parsons
Original assignee: Norton Engineering Alloys Co Ltd
Current assignee: Norton Engineering Alloys Co Ltd
Priority date: 1983-03-15
Filing date: 1984-03-12
Publication date: 1984-09-19
Also published as: GB2136472B; GB8406439D0

Abstract

Flooring e.g. for pig units using a number of plastics flooring panels supported above an effluent collecting space comprises panels that are provided with surface ribs (7, 8) to impart anti-slip characteristics. and with drainage holes (10), said ribs being formed horizontally and transversely of the panel and interconnected to form a number of rectangular enclosures for a number of drainage holes. A support structure for the panels comprises two parallel bar-like members (11, 12), there being a number of such support structures provided in spaced relationship over an area where the flooring is required. Each panel has at at least two opposite edges, a recess (4) emerging at its under-surface and spaced from the respective edge, said recess being adapted to accept one of the bar-like members of the support structure and whereby two adjacent panels can be located in side-by-side relationship on one support structure. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Flooring This invention relates to flooring and is particularly, though not necessarily exclusively, concerned with flooring for such items as pig units.

In the ordinary way the floor of a pig unit is constructed in such a way as to provide a space below the floor into which can drain effluent, the floor itself resting on suitable supports bridging the space, and normally being formed of a number of panels of an easily cleanable material such as a suitable plastics material, with the panels laid on the supports in abutting side-by-side relationship.

However, the effectiveness of such known floors is impaired by the nature of the panels where advisabie formations on the upper surface, to impart anti-slip characteristics, hinders drainage of effluent through appropriate holes formed through the panels, those formations also hindering the cleaning of the otherwise easily cleanable material.

To preven movement of panels, it is known to provide interlocking edge formations on the panels such that when lai, adjacent panels are interlocked, but such constructions are disadvantageous in that a single panel cannot be lifted either for replacement if damaged, for cleaning or for inspection of the space below. In addition, the panels inevitably have an uneven underside, which results in difficulty in providing adequate support for the panels wherever the panels need to be cut to fill any area requiring less than a full panel.

The object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple and efficient form of flooring which avoids the disadvantages referred to above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a flooring panel for a flooring comprising a number of said panels laid in sideby-side relationship, on supports, is provided with surface formations on an otherwise plain surface, to impart anti-slip characteristics, and with drainage holes, said formations being ribs formed horizontally and transversely of the panel and interconnected to form a number of rectangular enclosures for a number of drainage holes. Thus, with the surface of the panel being plain, with the exception of the horizontal and transverse, interconnected ribs, the drainage holes within each rectangle have unimpeded access, and effluent falling onto the surface enters one or more of the rectangles to drain efficiently through the drainage holes.

By providing a number of rectangular areas of suface that are unbroken, save for the through holes, cleaning of the surface is greatly facilitated whether by hosing down or by brushing, and cleanability can be still further enhanced by forming radiussed connections between the ribs and the surface, to avoid any sharp corners where dirt can become trapped.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, flooring comprises a support structure, said support structure having two parallel bar-like members, there being a number of such support structures provided in spaced relationship over an area where the flooring is required, and a number of panels, each panel having at at least two opposite edges, a recess emerging at its under-surface and spaced from the respective edge, said recess being adapted to accept one of the bar-like members of the support structure and whereby two adjacent panels can be located in side-by-side relationship on one support structure. Peferably, the bar-like members are interconnected.

Thus, with an appropriate number of support structures positioned in spaced parallel relationship across an area to be covered, the relevant number of panels can simply be laid on the support structures and when the panels are adequately supported from below and positively located, and yet at the same time any one panel cen be lifted with relative ease for replacement, for cleaning or for inspection of the space below the flooring.

The doube-bar support structure may simply be formed by two parallel bars of relatively narrow thickness secured, e.g., by welding, to a number of spacers, and each support structure secured at either end to support means to hold the support structure in its required position.

It is however preferred that each support structure is clamped to a number of transversely extending support members, by clamp means overlying the spacers and engaging the support members. Such a construction allows the rapid and accurate location of a number of support structures across an area and has the further advantage that each panel can be so constructed to allow contact between the under-surface of a panel and a transverse support member, so that if a panel must be cut to fit a space requiring less than a full panel, the panel will continue to be positively located at one end by the interconnection between the panel and the support structure, and supported from below towards its cut side by contact with the transverse member.

By way of example only one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional end view of flooring in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of the support structure of Fig. 1.

In the drawings flooring for, e.g., a pig unit is formed by a number of panels 1 laid in side-by-side relationships on a support struc ture 2.

Each panel 1 is formed as a moulding of a suitable plastics material such as polypropylene, with a peripheral support rib 3 extending from is undersurface in which is provided a recess 4. At spaced inervals along the width of the panel a number of further support ribs 5 are provided, and between the ribs 3 and 5 there are a number of parallel strengthening ribs 6.

On the upper surface, each panel has a number of longitudinal and transverse, interconnected ribs 7, 8 giving the surface of the panel the required anti-slip characteristics, the ribs 7, 8 combining to form rectangular areas 9 (square as shown) and enclosing a number of drainage holes 10 formed through the panel. The connections between the ribs and the surface of the panel, and between the ribs themselves are radiussed, and the tops of the ribs are generally -domed.

Thus, in use, effluent falling onto the panels is directed by the domed ribs 7, 8 into one or more of the rectangular areas 9 and has unimpeded access to the drainage holes 10 in those areas. Drainage of effluent through the panels into a collecting area below them (not shown) is therefore particularly efficient.

When necessary cleaning of the flooring takes place, whether by hosing down, brushing or both, the nature of the ribs 7 and 8 and the unbroken (save for the through-holes 10 nature of the enclosed rectangular areas are such that cleaning of the entire surface is greatly facilitated, with the easy removal of any solids adhering to the surface.

The support structure 2 for the panels 1 is formed by two parallel bar-like members 11 welded to spacers 1 2. The bar-like members 11 are laid on a further bar-like member 1 3 extending at 90 to the members 11, and a U-shaped clamp 14 embraces the spacer 1 2 and is bolted to the member 1 3. Thus, a number of members 1 3 are positioned in spaced parallel relationship over the area to be floored, and a number of interconnected members 11 laid on the members 1 3 at 90 thereto and secured by an appropriate number of clamps 14, with the interconnected members 11 spaced by the width of the panels 1.

Thus, the panels can simply be laid on the support structure, each member 11 of a pair of members engaging in a respective recess 4 of a rib 3 of adjacent panels, whereby the panels are positively located on the support structure, with the support ribs 5 contacting the bar-like members 1 3 to provide additional support across the full width of the panel.

Despite such positive location, any one panel can be lifted with reiative ease, e.g. for replacement or for inspection of the space below.

The further advantage of the arrangement is that by virtue of the support ribs 5 contacting the transverse member 13, any panel can be cut to fit a space requiring less than one full panel, without detracting from the support provided for that panel across its remaining width and length.

Claims

1. A flooring panel for a flooring comprising a number of said panels laid in side-byside relationship, on supports, wherein said panel is provided with surface formations on an otherwise plain surface, to impart anti-slip characteristics, and with drainage holes, said formations being ribs formed horizontally and transversely of the panel and interconnected to form a number of rectangular enclosures for a number of drainage holes.

2. A panel as in Claim 1, wherein radiussed connections ar formed between the said ribs and the surface, and between the ribs themselves where they interconnect.

3. A flooring comprising a support structure, said support structure having two parallel bar-like members, there being a number of such support structures provided in spaced relationship over an area where the flooring is required, and a number of panels, as in Claim 1, each panel having at at least two opposite edges, a recess emerging at its under-surface and spaced from the respective edge, said recess being adapted to accept one of the barlike members of the support structure and whereby two adjacent panels can be located in side-by-side relationship on one support structure.

4. A flooring as in Claim 3, wherein the bar-like members are interconnected.

5. A flooring as in Claim 4, wherein the support structure is formed by two parallel bars of relatively narrow thickness secured, e.g., by welding, to a number of spacers.

6. A flooring as in any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the support structure is secured at either end to support means.

7. A flooring as in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein each support structure is clamped to a number of transversely extending support members, by clamp means overlying the spacers and engaging the support members.

8. A flooring panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A flooring substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.