GB2468674A

GB2468674A - Adjustable table particularly for storing items in a loft or attic

Info

Publication number: GB2468674A
Application number: GB0904583A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Stephen Bevan; Jonathan Smith; Alan Idwal Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-17
Filing date: 2009-03-17
Publication date: 2010-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-17
Also published as: GB0904583D0; GB2468674B

Abstract

The adjustable table 10 comprises at least four side pieces 30, at least four legs 20 and one or more supports 50, wherein the side pieces and supports are all of adjustable length and the side pieces form a generally rectangular formation having four corners, each corner supported by at least one leg. The supports span two opposing side pieces to form a horizontal table surface. The supports may comprise straps of woven material having a fixed loop at one end and an adjustable sized loop at an opposing end which engage with opposing side pieces, the adjustable loop being formed using a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro (RTM). The side pieces may be telescopic, with co-operating holes and bolts to select the desired length. In use each leg is preferably nailed to attic joists 'j' such that the table protects insulation in the attic from being crushed by the weight of items being stored in the attic. A method of insulating an attic and providing a table for items to be stored in the attic is also claimed.

Description

I

Item support and method of fitting the same The present invention relates to a support fitted or fittable into a building such as an attic, loft space or garage. In the case of an attic or loft space the support can be fitted prior to, during and/or after loft insulation is deposited into the attic space, and the invention further relates to a method of fitting the support.

Conventionally attic spaces are often cramped and used for long-term storage of little used items. Conventional loft insulation, for example glass fibres formed into a roll, form a reasonably resilient layer so that stored items can be *:::: 10 placed on top of that layer. Some crushing of the fibres then occurs, usually *::::* resulting in the items eventually resting on ceiling joists or the like.

Alternatively, boards can be laid over the insulation, which helps spread the load of items placed on the boards, but crushing still takes place over time.

Again the boards usually sink onto the joists eventually.

: 15 Modern building regulations in the UK require at least 270mm of insulation which has to have a defined insulating value. The crushing effect of items on such a thickness of insulation significantly reduces the insulation's insulating properties. An alternative insulation is mineral fibre which can be quickly blown into the attic space to the correct depth. The act of blowing the mineral fibre into place results in an insulation layer having little inherent resistance to crushing and thus it has very little ability to hold up items or boards stored on top of it. The inventors have realised that there is still a need to store items above the thicker, less dense insulation. However, the cramped, often hot and dark conditions found in attic spaces, as well as labour costs means that manufacturing a custom additional false floor above the insulation is usually impracticable and expensive.

This problem is addressed by embodiments of the invention.

The invention provides a support for items stored in an attic space, the support including separate components to be assembled together to form said support, said components including: at least four length adjustable side pieces; at least four legs; and a one or more length adjustable members; wherein each of the length adjustable side pieces is assembleable to form one of the sides of a generally rectangular formation having four corners, the formation being supported or supportable generally horizontally in use, by the four legs, one at each corner, the side pieces and legs thereby forming a frame, and wherein the or each length adjustable members is arranged to span : 15 two opposing side pieces of the formation and are arranged or arrangeable substantially side by side to form a support surface for said items.

With this arrangement, a support can be quickly assembled in a cramped attic space, without the need for cuffing lengths of materials.

In an embodiment, each side piece and/or each leg, and/or each member are substantially identical.

With this arrangement, the support can be assembled easily using multiples of the three components mentioned and a fixing kit. In addition manufacturing costs are reduced.

In an embodiment, each leg includes a socket formation for accepting two side pieces at right angles.

Preferably, said socket formation includes two tubular bosses extending at said right angles, forming part of or attached to said leg.

Preferably, each leg comprises a flat or flattened lower portion for attaching to a side of a joist or the like, a tubular mid portion which rests generally on the top of the joist or the like, and said socket formation at an upper area.

Preferably one or more of said side pieces are formed from an arm and a tubular sleeve slideable over the arm in a telescopic manner to provide said length adjustment.

Preferably the or each sleeve has an opening for accepting a respective arm. S...

Preferably the arm has an end which fits into a respective socket of a leg, and the sleeve has an opposing end, stepped up or down in size to fit over, or :": 15 inside a further socket of an opposing leg.

In an embodiment, one of more of the side pieces is further supported in use by means of an additional bracket between two of the legs acting as an additional leg.

In an embodiment said length adjustable member is a strap of woven, material preferably having a fixed size loop formed at one end for fitting around a respective side piece and preferably a further, adjustable sized oop formed or formable at the other end for fitting around a side piece opposite said respective side piece.

Preferably said adjustable sized loop is formed using a hook and burr type fastener such as Velcro � Alternatively the length adjustable member is, or the members are each, formed from one or more pieces of rigid material such as metal, plastic or wood.

Preferably said one or more pieces of rigid material is two or more pieces having an adjustable overlap to provide said length adjustment thereof.

Alternatively said pieces are in the form of a single piece of material which has lines of weakness so that the pieces can be broken to provide the desired length.

Preferably said one or more length adjustable members comprises a plurality of members disposed in use in a side by side manner.

The invention extends also to a method insulating an attic space and S...

forming a support for supporting stored items in the insulated attic space, the method comprising the following steps in any suitable order: a) providing a rectangular framed support; : 15 b) assembling the support in the attic space; c) laying insulation in the attic space; and d) spanning two opposite side pieces of the framed support with one or more members for forming a support surface over said insulation, Preferably the support is as defined in any of the paragraphs above.

Preferably the method includes the step of attaching one or more of the legs of the frame to a joist or the like in the attic space. More preferably said * attaching step occurs prior to laying said insulation and after said assembling of the frame.

Preferably the step of laying insulation includes blowing insulation in place in a current of air. Preferably said insulation is mineral wool.

The invention can be put into effect in numerous ways, one embodiment being described below, with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a side view of a support for use in an attic space; Figure 2 shows a side view of a leg of the support shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the leg shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a side view of a support bracket shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a view of a side piece of the support shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a pictorial view of a length adjustable member shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a plan view of the support shown in Figure 1; and Figure 8 shows a support shown in Figure 1 in use in an attic space. *.S.

Referring to Figure 1 a support 10 is shown which comprises a number of components described in more detail below. The components can be :: 15 assembled quickly in a loft space, fixed to and supported by ceiling joists j.

The components of the support 10 include legs 20, side pieces 30, optional support brackets 40 and length adjustable members 50 (only two of which are shown in this Figure).

Referring additionally to Figures 2 to 6, the individual components are more clearly illustrated. Figure 2 shows a side view of one of the four legs 20 in the direction of arrow II in Figure 1. The leg 20 includes a lower portion 22 which is a flat plate for attaching the leg in a vertical orientation, for example by means of screws, to the side of a joist j. The leg includes also a mid-portion, which is tubular, and which sits on the top of the joists j. The leg further includes a top portion 26 which includes a socket arrangement 28.

Figure 3 is a plan view in the direction of arrow Ill in Figure 2 showing the top of the leg 20. Socket 28 is shown which includes two tubular apertures 27 for accepting side pieces 30. It will be noted that the leg includes pre-drilled holes 25 (Fig 1) for fixing to the joists and also for fixing one leg on top of another if multiple layer supports are required.

Figure 4 is a view in the direction of arrow IV in Figure 1, showing an optional support bracket 40 for fixing midway between two legs shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the support bracket 40 acts as an additional leg and includes a lower portion 42 for fixing to a joist j, a mid-portion 44 and an upper portion 46 which is U-shaped for supporting side piece 30.

Figure 5 shows one of the four side pieces 30 used in the support 10. **..

The side piece has two main components, namely, a tubular arm 32, and a tubular sleeve 34 in which the arm 32 slides to provide an adjustable length side :: 15 piece. During assembly when the correct length of the side piece has been determined it can be locked in place by means of pre-drilled holes 36 and a securing means, for examp'e a through-bolt not shown. The sleeve 34 includes an increased size portion 38 at one end for fithng over a socket 28. The other end of the side piece 30 is fitted directly into a respective socket 28.

Figure 6 shows a length adjustable member 50, a plurality of which are fitted to opposite side members 30 to span the gap between those opposing side pieces and thereby forming a supporting surface as described below. The members 50 are formed from a flexible woven material, in this case webbing having at one end a closed stitched loop 52 of a size which allows the loop to be slid over a side member 30. At the other end of the member 50 is an adjustable sized loop 54 which in this case is formed from a Velcro � pad 56 which co-operates with one or more complementary Velcro � pads (not shown) fitted to the underside of the webbing so that the size of the loop 54 can be adjusted.

This allows the effective length of the member 50 be adjusted to suit the width of the spacing between two opposed side members 30. It will be noted that, in the UK at least, the width between joists is usually a standard dimension, and so the complementary Velcro � pads can be positioned accordingly, at predetermined positions.

Figure 7 shows a plan view of the support 10 partially assembled. It can 0**S. . be seen that four side pieces 30 have been arranged in a rectangular formation having four corners formed by the sockets 28 of the legs 20. The legs and side a...

pieces form a frame to which the length adjustable members 50 can be attached.

:: 15 Support brackets 40 have been used also midway between two legs 20 to provide additional support. The legs 20 and brackets 40 have been screwed to two joists and the adjustable side pieces 30 have been inserted accordingly.

Prior to the insertion of the side pieces 30 the adjustable members 50 have been slid over one of the side pieces 30'. On assembly of the frame the open loops 54 can be fitted to the opposing side piece 30". Only four of the length adjustable members 50 have been illustrated, but it will be apparent that more members can be used in the illustrated side-by-side fashion to provide a support surface which extends substantially across the whole width W of the support 10 and spans the length L determined by the spacing of the joists. It will be noted that the length L could be any number of joists.

Figure 8 shows the support 10 in use. In practice the frame, consisting of the legs 20, side pieces 30 and if used, the additional support bracket 40 can be assembled in the attic space p prior to its insulation with mineral wool insulation material i. The fixed loops 52 of the adjustable length members 50 can be fitted over one side piece (30') ready for assembly. Insulation i can then be blown into the loft space to the required (270mm) depth. The open loops 54 of the adjustable length members can then be fitted around the opposing side piece 30" to form a supporting surface over the insulation i. Alternatively, the insulation can be blown under the already fixed in place members 50. Thus a S... . . . support surface s can be formed over the insulation i for supporting items t stored in the attic space p. It will be apparent that alternatives, modifications and variants are possible within the scope of the invention.. For example, although square tubular 15 sections have been shown, it would be possible to use round tube or other shapes, and even solid sections of any shape. Although the preferred material for manufacture of the frame is mild steel, it will be apparent that plastic, wood or other metals such as aluminium could be used. Although the preferred material is hot rolled mild steel other prepared materials could be used for example extruded aluminium or extruded p.v.c.

The length adjustable members 50 are preferably a woven polymeric webbing, such as polyester or polyamide webbing, although other woven materials could be used, for example natural materials such as cotton. Sheet material such as plastics material could be employed also. Although a Velcro � fastening has been described, a mechanical buckle or belt type fastening could be employed with equal effect. Side by side deployment of the members 50 has being mentioned which includes members having touching sides as well as members which are spaced at their edges. Additionally, members 50 extending at 90 degrees to other members could be used, i.e. spanning the remaining two side pieces 30, to form one or more cross-members to add to the strength of the support surface s. As mentioned above although only one layer or storage has been illustrated, it is possible to assemble multiple layers of the support one on top of the other to provide multiple layers of storage.

The embodiment shown provides a simple, quick and effective means of providing storage above soft loft insulation in an attic which can be provided P... during the insulation process, although it would be possible to fit the support after insulation has been laid if needs be. The insulation is preferably mineral wool blown into place, but other insulation materials could be employed, such as :: 15 cellulose fibres (newspaper and the like), sheep's wool, glass fibres, polystyrene or the like.

The support described above could be employed in a hanging manner, i.e. in an inverted manner compared to the drawings, so the support can be fixed to joist in a garage say hanging down and providing storage below the garage joists.

Claims

Claims 1. A support for items stored in an attic space, the support including separate components to be assembled together to form said support, said components including: at least four length adjustable side pieces; at least four legs; and a one or more length adjustable members; wherein each of the length adjustable side pieces is assernbleable to form one of the sides of a generally rectangular formation having four corners, the formation being supported or supportable generally horizontally in use, by the four legs, one at each corner, the side pieces and legs thereby forming a frame, C) and wherein the or each length adjustable members is arranged to span two opposing side pieces of the formation and are arranged or arrangeable substantially side by side to form a support surface for said items.
2. A support as claimed in claim 1, wherein each side piece and/or each leg, and/or each member are substantially identical.
3. A support as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each leg includes a socket formation for accepting two side pieces at right angles.
4. A support as claimed in claim 3, wherein said socket formation includes two tubular bosses extending at said right angles, forming part of or attached to said leg.
5. A support as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein each leg comprises a flat or flattened lower portion for attaching to a side of a joist or the like, a tubular mid portion which rests generally on the top of the joist or the like, and said socket formation at an upper area.
6. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more of said side pieces are formed from an arm and a tubular sleeve slideable over the arm in a telescopic manner to provide said length adjustment.
7, A support as claimed in claim 6 wherein the or each sleeve has an opening for accepting a respective arm and an opposing end, stepped down in size to approximately the size of the arm, for fitting into said socket.
8. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of more of the side pieces is further supported in use by means of an additional bracket between two of the legs acting as an additional leg.
9. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said length adjustable member is a strap of woven material having a fixed size loop formed at one end for fitting around a respective side piece and a further, adjustable sized loop formed or formable at the other end for fitting around a side piece opposite said respective side piece.
10. A support as claimed in claim 9, wherein said adjustable sized loop is formed using a hook and burr type fastener such as Velcro �
11. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more length adjustable members comprises a plurality of members disposed in use in a side by side manner.
12. A method of insulating an attic space and forming a support for supporting stored items in the insulated attic space, the method comprising the following steps in any suitable order: a) providing a rectangular framed support; b) assembling the support in the attic space; c) laying insulation in the attic space; and d) spanning two opposite side pieces of the framed support with one or more members for forming a support surface over said insulation.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12, employing a support defined in any one of the claims ito 11.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, further including the step of attaching one or more of the legs of the frame to a joist or the like in the attic space.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said attaching step occurs prior to laying said insulation and after said assembling of the frame.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the step of laying insulation CO includes blowing insulation in place in a current of air.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said insulation is mineral wool.
18. A support or method substantially as disclosed herein, optionally with reference to the drawings.