GB2485277A

GB2485277A - A building member

Info

Publication number: GB2485277A
Application number: GB1119035.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Virgil Webb; Matthew William Douglas Miller
Original assignee: Polypipe Terrain Ltd
Current assignee: Polypipe Terrain Ltd
Priority date: 2010-11-03
Filing date: 2011-11-03
Publication date: 2012-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-03
Also published as: GB2485181B; GB201018587D0; GB201119035D0; GB2485277B; GB2485181A

Abstract

A building member 1 101 for supporting an insulation panel located under a floor, the building member comprising a body 2 102 and supporting member 5 105 attached to said body 2 102 for supporting at least a part of an insulation panel located on said supporting means 5 105 beside the body and angled to extend, in use, upwards towards the top of the body, below the floor. The body may be U shaped 2 and have barbs located in the inside of the U for engaging with floor support members, for example joists or girders. Alternatively the body may be a closed cross section 102 and have one or more reinforcing ribs 115 located within a hollow cavity and is designed to provide a rigid support. In both cases the supporting member may be at least one projection or flange extending outwards from the body, the side walls of the body may have maintaining means 7 107 in the form of a barb to engage with the insulation panel and hold it in place. The building member may be made from extruded plastic or another resilient material.

Description

I

A building member The present invention relates to a building member for supporting an insulation panel located under a flooring panel.

Traditional floor constructions typically include a floor comprising flooring panels, for example chipboard panels attached directly to floor support members, for example in the form of support members, for example wooden joists or battens below. The joists are spaced apart and provide support for the flooring panels. Insulation may be provided under the flooring panels to provide for both sound and heat insulation. The void under a flooring panel may vary in size due to the depth of the supporting joists. In the alternative, a concrete form may be provided, in which a void or recess is formed to receive insulation material. The use of standard sizes of insulation material which are not matched to the depth of the void may result in insufficient insulation.

The present invention seeks to overcome or ameliorate at least some of the problems associated with the known art.

According to the present invention there is provided a building member as claimed in claim 1.

The supporting means may be configured to fit under and support an edge of the insulation panel. The body may be rigid, resilient or flexible. The supporting means may be rigid or resilient. The supporting means may be arranged on the body such that a predetermined distance is provided between the supporting means and the underside of a flooring panel above. The supporting means preferably are arranged to support a panel, such as an insulation panel, underneath the floor, on either side of the body.

The floor may rest directly on the body, or at least on the support member for example a joist without any other panel, in particular without any insulation panel between the floor and the joist. The supporting means may be formed as a supporting surface on which, in use, an insulation panel may lie. The building member may provide a support rail or channel for supporting an insulation panel. The building member may be suitable for floor arrangements with underfloor heating. The building member may be suitable for acoustic floor constructions, where a flooring panel is maintained in a spaced relationship, or "floating" from another. The building member may be formed to provide an acoustic member, for example a member which dampens vibrations.

The supporting means may be configured to bias an insulation panel thereon toward said flooring panel. This seeks to ensure that the insulation panel is held as close as possible to the flooring panel above. Preferably, the supporting means is configured such that in use, a force provided by the supporting means to press the insulation panel to a floor gradually increases towards an end of the supporting means.

The body may be formed to be locatable, in use, on a floor support member such as a joist or batten. The floor support member may for example be a traditional wooden joist or batten with square or rectangular cross section. The body may have an open U-shaped section. The body may be formed to any suitable shape to fit a floor support member such as an open square, rectangle or semicircle, for example by resting above and around the joist, with the support means extending away from the side surfaces of the joist. In this way, the body of the building member may be fitted over the floor support member without any further fixings being required.

The body may comprise two opposing side members and a transverse member connecting said side members, which may be joined at respective ends thereof. The transverse member may to arranged to rest in use against the top surface of a floor support member.

The side members may be substantially parallel. The side members may be formed to adapt to the sides of the floor support member.

The supporting means may comprise one or more flange members each connected to one of said side members. The flange may be formed integrally with the side members.

The or each flange member or supporting means may be substantially planar. The supporting means or flange may be formed as a longitudinal planar surface suitable for receiving an edge of an insulation panel.

The building member may further comprise maintaining means configured, in use, to maintain an insulation panel located on said supporting means against said supporting means. The maintaining means may provide an interference fit or engage over the insulation panel in use.

The maintaining means may be formed as a barb. Such a form may also permit the insulation panel to be fitted in one direction with little resistance, the barb being formed to resist removal of the insulation panel. Preferably, the maintaining means is formed as a recess for receiving an edge of an insulation panel. Preferably, the side members are formed with a recess for receiving an edge of an insulation panel. Preferably, the maintaining means is arranged in a position spaced between the transverse member and the supporting means. Preferably, the recess has a substantially rectangular cross-section. Preferably, the maintaining means is arranged such that in use, an insulation panel arranged on the supporting means is deformed by the maintaining means.

Preferably, in use, the maintaining means is arranged to indent the insulation panel arranged on the supporting means. Preferably, in use, the insulation panel is deformed or indented only over part of the height or thickness of the insulation panel.

Alternatively, the maintaining means may be arranged, such that in use, the insulation panel is located between the maintaining means and the supporting means or fully within the recess.

Supporting means may be provided on opposing sides of said body. In the alternative, a supporting means may be provided on a single side of the body. The building member may be symmetrical about a plane along its longitudinal axis.

The flange member or supporting means may form an angle less than 90 degrees with said side member, towards the transverse member. In particular, the supporting means, for example a flange member, may form an angle, preferably an internal angle, of less than 90 degrees with the side member, i.e. the part of the side member which in use, lies substantially parallel to the side of a floor support member over which the building member is located. Preferably, each supporting means is at an angle of less than 90 degrees with the plane of the transverse member. Preferably, said angle is less than 85 degrees, or more preferably, less than 80 degrees. Preferably, the angle is between 80 and 85 degrees. Preferably the angle is 80 or 85 degrees. Preferably, the supporting means is angled before fitting to a floor support member. Preferably, the distance between each supporting means and a plane of the transverse member, preferably, a plane aligned with the transverse member, decreases, preferably gradually, towards a free end of each supporting means. Preferably the supporting means is planar and inclined in a plane, which in use, in at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the transverse member. Preferably, the inclination of the supporting means is substantially constant along its length. Preferably, a corresponding supporting means is provided on either side of the body.

The transverse member is preferably substantially flat or planar. Preferably, the plane of the transverse member corresponds to a plane joining parts of the side members which join the transverse member. Preferably, the plane of the transverse member is perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the building member along its longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the building member has an open side opposite the transverse member and the distance between side members increases toward the open side. Preferably, the distance increases only at a minor proportion of the side member towards the open side. Preferably, the side members include an outwardly extending section provided at the end of each side member, which side members, in use, lie against a floor support member. The supporting means are connected to the outwardly extending sections. ln this way, the building member may be more easily placed over a floor support member.

Preferably, the body is formed to be locatable, in use, on a floor support member.

Preferably, the building member is open on one side opposite the transverse member.

The supporting means may preferably be arranged or configured such they are not angled upwardly when not in use, for example, in an unbiased state before the body is located on a floor support member, but the supporting means is arranged or configured to be upwardly angled, when in use, for example as a result of deflection of the side members when the body is located on a floor support member. Preferably, the angle of the support means increases as a result of deflection of the side members, for example when the body is located on a floor support member.

Preferably, a floor support member is locatable within a U' shaped recess formed by the opposing side members and transverse member. Preferably, the building member is supported on the floor support member.

The distance between opposing side members may increase away from the transverse member. This permits the body to be readily fitted over a floor support member. A radius may be provided between the supporting member and the side member to facilitate the location of the body over a floor support member.

The body may comprise one or more gripping members to grip said body to said floor support member. The gripping members may provide an interference fit between the body and the floor support member. The gripping members may fit around or partially over the floor support member.

The or each gripping member may be formed as a barb. The barb may be configured to allow movement as the body is fitted over the floor support member but to resist movement. The barb may therefore serve to maintain the body of the building member over said floor support member.

Preferably, the body is configured, in use, to bias against said floor support member.

Preferably, the supporting means is resiliently deformable, so that it is deformed by and presses the insulation member to a floor in use. Preferably, in an unbiased state, the distance between side members, which lie in use against a floor support member, decreases toward the open end of the body. Preferably, the body clamps against the floor support member. In this way, the body grips to the floor support member.

The body may be formed with a closed cross-section, the body providing a rigid support. In this way, the body may be used as a floor support member. In this case, the body section may be provided with one or more reinforcing ribs. The ribs serve to increase the rigidity of the body to support loads, in use, from a floor panel above said body.

Cut outs may be provided along the length of the building member. The cut outs permit the building member to be located around other parts of a floor assembly.

The building member may be elongate, and may be formed of extruded plastic.

Preferably, the building member is of a length to support the entire length of an insulation panel. Alternatively, the building member may not be elongate, and the length in a joist extending direction may be similar to or shorter than the width of the joist, with a plurality of such building members being placed, in use, on a joist to support insulation panels. Such an arrangement would reduce the need to cut the building member to the length of the joist on which it is to be mounted. Any other suitable materials may be used. The building member may have a constant cross-section along its longitudinal length. Alternatively, materials of different degrees of rigidity may be used for different parts of the building member. The building member may be formed as a single integral part. Metal or composite elements may be set in the building member to provide additional support.

The building member may be formed of a resilient material. A resilient material may be used to provide flexibility of the supporting members, the gripping and/or the maintaining means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor assembly comprising a building member according to the first aspect of the ftivention, an insulation panel and a flooring panel. The insulation panel may be, for example, an underfloor heating carrying insulation panel. Preferably, the floor assembly further comprises an underfloor heating pipe assembly mounted in an insulation panel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a use of a building member according to any one of the preceding claims to support an insulating panel located under a flooring panel.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end view of an embodiment of a building member according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an underfloor heating assembly according to an embodiment of the invention including an embodiment of a building member according to a Figure 1; Figure 4 is an end view of a second embodiment of a building member according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an underfloor heating assembly according to an embodiment of the invention including an embodiment of a building member according to Figure 4.

Figure 7 is an end view of a third embodiment of a building member according to the present invention; Figure 8 is an end view of a fourth embodiment of a building member according to the present invention; and Figure 9 is a further end view of a the embodiment of Figure 8 in the form when the building member is placed over a batten.

An embodiment of a building member according to the invention is shown generally as item I in Figure 1.

The building member I comprises an elongate body 2. The body 2 comprises two substantially planar spaced side members 3, each joined along one edge by a transverse member 4.

The transverse member 4 is substantially planer and is thin relative to its width and length and has a substantially constant thickness.

The body 2 forms a substantially square cross section, open on one side. The body 2 is configured to fit over and be locatable on a floor support member such as a wooden joist, such that the underside of the transverse member 4 rests atop the floor support member, with the side members 3 extending downwardly beside the joist.

The faces of the side members may be parallel, or as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1, the side members include an outwardly extending section 20, such that the distance between the side members 3 distal the transverse member 4, increases away from the transverse member 4 to facilitate the fitting of the body 2 on the floor support member. The transverse member 4 and the side members 3 are formed to rest against the joist in use.

Gripping means 6 are provided on the side members 3 on the inner sides of the body 3. The gripping means 6, in the embodiment shown, are formed as barbs which are substantially planar protrusions which protrude from the side members 3 angled toward transverse member 4. In this way, when the body 2 is located over the joist, the barbs serve to resist removal of the body 2 from the joist.

The body 2 is provided with supporting means 5, which in the embodiment shown are formed as substantially planar flanges 5 respectively connected to either one of the side members 3 on the outer opposing sides of the body 2. The flanges 5 are arranged at an angle less than 90 degrees to their respective side member 3 i.e. the part of the side member which in use, lies substantially parallel to the side of a floor support member over which the building member is located. In other words, the free end of each flange 5 is closer to the plane of the transverse member 4 than is the join between flange 5 and side member 3 or outwardly extending section 20. In the embodiment shown, the flanges 5 are attached to the bottom of the side members 3 at the outwardly extending sections 20. A flange 5 is provided on either side of the body 2. However, a body with a single flange is foreseen, which may be used with a floor support member adjacent the side of a room in which the flooring panels are laid.

The flanges 5 have a generally flat upper surface. The flanges 5 also have a generally flat lower surface. The flanges 5 are thin relative to their width and length and they have a substantially constant thickness.

The body 2 is also provided with maintaining means 7 on the side members 3 on the outer sides of the body 3. The maintaining means 7 are formed as barbs which, in the embodiment shown, are substantially planar protrusions which, from the side members 3, are angled toward the supporting means 5. In use, an insulating panel may be supported by the supporting means 5 and the maintaining means 7 serve to resist movement of the insulating panel on the flanges. In use, an insulation panel may be positioned between the maintaining means 7 and the supporting means 5.

Alternatively, the maintaining means may deform only a portion of an insulation panel, by engaging with the insulation panel at a position spaced between the supporting means 5 and the transverse member 4.

The flange 5 is angled toward the transverse member 4, and when, in use, an insulation panel is located on the supporting flange 5, the fiangebiases the insulation panel toward a flooring panel located above the building member 1 The building member I and the supporting means 5 may be formed of a resilient plastics material such that the flanges further bias the supporting means 5 toward the flooring panel when in use. Alternatively, the building members I may be formed of a rigid material. Alternatively, materials of different degrees of rigidity may be used for different aspects of the building member.

In the present embodiment, as the building member is formed of a resilient material, each of the maintaining means 7 may deform resiliently under loading. Furthermore, when not in contact with an insulating panel supported by a flange 5, each of the maintaining means 7 slopes away from the respective side element 3 to which it is attached. Accordingly, the maintaining means 7 and the flange 5 are angled toward one another to hold an insulating panel located therebetween securely.

As shown in Figure 2, the building member I is of constant cross-section along its length. The building member of the present embodiment is elongate and formed by a plastic extrusion process.

Figure 3 shows a floor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 3, a floor support member, which in the embodiment shown is a wooden joist 12, is positioned between the two side members 3 of the body 2 of the building member 1. The body 2 sits over the joist 12 such that the underside of the transverse member 4 lies flush atop the upper surface of the joist 12.

The gripping means 6 provided on the inside of the side members 3 of the body 2 restrict movement of the building element I with respect to the joist 12. If the building member 1 is formed of a resilient material, when not engaged with the joist, each of the gripping means 6 slopes slightly upwards toward the transverse member 4. In other words, the free end of each gripping means 6 is slightly elevated with respect to the end of the gripping means 6 which is attached to the respective side member 3. The gripping means 6 therefore serve to restrict movement of the building member 1 with respect to the joist 12 on which is it located.

The use of a building member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention will now be described. Mounts 8, for example formed of rubber or a plastics material, are positioned on a preferably flat floor surface at spaced intervals. Each mount 8 is formed with a channel for receiving a floor support member 12, for example a wooden joist, within the channel so that each joist is supported at spaced intervals along its length.

The assembly of the embodiment comprises a plurality of spaced joists 12 each supported by mounts 8.

The depth at which the joist 12 is received in the channel of the mounts 8 can be adjusted by depositing a spacer 13 for example in the form of a joist packer within the channel, thereby raising the height at which the joist 12 is received within the channel.

Once the desired height of joist 12 has been obtained, building members 1 are lowered onto each section of joist 12 spanning the gap between successive floor support members 12. The building member may be cut to fit the gap between the joists 12.

The use of rubber or plastic mounts 8 provides good damping properties and helps to dampen vibration of the building members I and whatever the supports I or joists 12 are supporting. The mounts also provide good acoustic properties, such as acoustic damping.

When fitted, the underside of the transverse member 4 of each building member is in contact with the upper surface of the floor support member 12. The gripping means 6 engage with the side surfaces of the floor support member 12, which in the embodiment shown is a wooden joist. Thus the joist 12 is positioned and held within the building member 1.

Next, an insulation panel 9 is lowered onto the supporting means in the form of flanges so that each longitudinal edge of the insulation panel 9 is supported by a flange 5 of a building member 1.

In the embodiment shown, each insulation panel 9 has grooves in its upper surface for receiving heating pipes 10. The grooves have a depth such that when heating pipes 10 are received in the grooves, the tops of the heating pipes 10 are level with the upper surface of the insulation panel 9. To provide underfloor heating, heating pipes 10 are located into the grooves of the insulation panels 9.

The next step is for the flooring panels 11 to be lowered onto the building members 1 transverse to the longitudinal direction of the floor support members 12 so that the flooring panels 11 span the gap between any two neighbouring building members 1.

This arrangement allows the heating pipes 10, which are level with the upper surface of the insulation panel, to be in contact with the underside of the flooring panel.

Before the flooring panels 11 are lowered into position, the top surface of an insulation panel 9 which is supported between two flanges 5 of neighbouring building members 1 may be above a notional plane formed between the top surfaces of building members of the neighbouring supports 1.

When flooring panels 11 are lowered into position, the flooring panels 11 displace the insulation panels 9 downwards. The flanges 5 bias the insulation panels 9 toward the flooring panel 11. The thickness of the insulation panel 9 or the distance between the flange 5 and the transverse member 4 may be chosen such that the flanges bias the insulation panels 9 upwards into contact with the bottom surface of the flooring panels 11. This serves to provide a tight contact and improved heat transfer from the heating pipes 10 to the flooring panels 11.

The use of suitably resilient plastics material for the building member I can serve to reduce transmission of vibrations to or from a flooring panel supported by the building member, and may act as a damper to damp vibration of the flooring panel. Thus the building member may serve to reduce sound transmission and is particularly useful in acoustic flooring systems.

Figure 4 shows a building member generally as item 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In contrast to the first embodiment, the body of the second embodiment is formed with a closed cross section body 102 comprising substantially parallel spaced side members 103 and a transverse member 104 adjoining respective edges of one pair of longitudinal edges of the side members 103 and a base member 114 adjoining the other pair of respective longitudinal edges of the side members 103 such that a substantially rectangular closed cross section is formed. In the embodiment shown, the cross section is hollow, which may serve to reduce weight and materials.

Vertical reinforcement ribs 115 are provided between the transverse member 104 and the base member 114. These reinforcement ribs 115 provide structural rigidity to permit loading on said building member 101 from a flooring panel above.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the second embodiment is provided with supporting means in the form of flanges 105. In the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the flanges 105 are attached to the side members 103 spaced slightly from the base member 114.

As in the first embodiment, the second embodiment is also provided with maintaining means 107. The function of the supporting means 105 and the maintaining means 107 is the same as in the first embodiment and will not be described further here.

As shown in Figure 5, the building member 101 is elongate and its cross section is substantially constant along its longitudinal length although in the embodiment shown a number of spaced rectangular cut-outs 116 are formed Figure 6 shows the building member 101 of the second embodiment of the invention in an underfloor heating assembly. The process of installation of this underfloor heating assembly is similar to that described for the first embodiment. However, in the assembly comprising the second embodiment, the body 102 of the building member 101 serves as a floor support member such that no separate floor support member, e.g. joist, is required.

In the assembly shown, mounts 8 are positioned on a floor surface. Each mount 8 has a channel for receiving the body 102 of the building member 101. As with the floor assembly of the first embodiment, the mounts 8 are spaced apart with a building member 101 spanning the gap between two mounts successive mounts 8.

The depth at which the building member 101 is received in the channel can be reduced by depositing a spacer 13 in form of a joist packer within the channel, thereby raising the height of a building member received within the channel.

The cut-outs 116 in the building member 101 provide for sections where the flanges and the maintaining means 107 are not present so that the mounts 8 can engage with the side members 103 of the body 102.

The cut-outs 116 may be formed by punching out the flanges 105 and maintaining means 107 at the desired location to remove them from the building member 101.

An insulation panel 9, which may include channels carrying heating pipes 10 is lowered onto flanges 105 so that one edge of the insulation panel 9 is supported by the flange of a first building member 101, and the other edge of the insulation panel 9 is supported by the flange 105 of a second building member 1001, identical to the first building member 101, which is spaced from the first building member 101.

As with the first embodiment, the flanges 105 are angled to bias the insulation panels 9 toward the flooring panel 11. The thickness of the insulation panel 9 or the distance between the flange 105 and the transverse member 104 may be chosen such that the flanges bias the insulation panels 9 upwards into contact with the bottom surface of the flooring panels 11. This serves to provide a tight contact and improved heat transfer from the heating pipes 10 to the flooring panels 11.

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. The building member 201 comprises a body 202 with a substantially square cross-section open on one side.

The body comprises two generally parallel side members 203 and a transverse member 204 connecting the, in use, upper ends of the side members 203.

At the, in use, lower ends of the side members, there is a provided an outwardly extending section 220 where the distance between the outwardly extending section on each side member 203 increase away from the transverse member 204 to facilitate the fitting of the body on the floor support member. The transverse member 204 and the side members 203 are formed to rest against a joist in use.

Gripping means 206 are provided on the side members 203 on the inner sides of the body 202. The gripping means 206, in the embodiment shown, are formed as generally triangular protrusions. The innermost point of the protrusions serves, in use, to grip the joist over which the building member is located and thereby resist removal of the building member.

The body 202 is provided with supporting means 205, which in the embodiment shown are formed as substantially planar flanges, each flange being connected to the outwardly extending section 220 of the side member 203.

The flanges 205 are arranged at an angle less than 90 degrees to their respective side member, i.e. the part of the side member which in use, lie substantially parallel to the side of a floor support member over which the building member is located. Each supporting means or flange 205 is angled upwardly towards the plane of the transverse member. In other words, the free end of each flange 205 is closer to the plane of the transverse member 204 than is the join between flange 205 and the outwardly extending member 203.

The flanges 205 have a generally flat upper surface. The flanges 205 also have a generally flat lower surface. The flanges 205 are thin relative to their width and length and they have a substantially constant thickness.

In contrast to the first embodiment, no maintaining members are provided on the outer face of the side members 203. However, embodiment are envisages with maintaining members.

As with the other embodiments, the building member may be formed by extrusion into any desired length.

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of a building member according to the present invention. The embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Figure 7 and only the differences between the two embodiments will be described.

Figure 8 shows the form of the building member 301 in extruded form before being placed over a joist. Rather than in substantially parallel alignment, the distance between the side members 303 decreases towards the open side of the body 302. The building member 301 may be formed of a resilient material, such that when the building member 301 is located, in use, over a joist, the side members 303 can be moved into substantially parallel alignment and in use bias against the sides of the joist, thereby providing an improved grip.

When in an un-biased state, the supporting means 305 are substantially parallel with the transverse member 304. However, as shown in figure 9, when the building member 301 is placed over a joist, the side members 303 will be moved into substantially parallel alignment such that the supporting means 305 are arranged at an angle less than 90 degrees to their respective side member 303. In other words, the free end of each side member 305 is closer to the plane of the transverse member 304 than is the join between the side member 303 and side member 303.

The body 302 is also provided with maintaining means. However, in contrast to the first embodiment, towards the upper end of each side member 303, the side member includes a step profile, which provides an overhang 330, which overhangs the supporting member 305 to provide a recess such that the insulation panel is held in the recess in use. Alternatively, in use, the overhang 330 deforms the upper portion of the edge of the insulation panel, with an undeformed edge of the insulation panel lying in a recess formed between the overhang 330 and the supporting means 305. In this way, removal of the insulation panel is resisted.

The overhang 330, in the embodiment shown, provides a planar surface which forms an angle of more than 90 degrees with the part of the side member, which in use, lies parallel to the side of a floor support member over which the building member is located. The side member 303 includes a connecting section 340, which connects the overhang 330 to the transverse member 304. The distance between the connecting sections at each side of the transverse member 304 decreases towards the transverse member 304. The arrangement of the overhang and the connecting section 340 serves to provide stress relief to the transverse member 304 as the side members 304 are biased when placed over a joist.

Although the building member is particularly suitable for use in acoustic flooring systems, it is not limited to use in such systems. For example, the support can be used in more traditional timber floor systems, or in more general building constructions which make use of concrete, steel or timber frames.

Various modifications may be made to the described embodiments and it is desired that all such modifications are included as fall within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A building member for supporting an insulation panel located under a floor, the building member comprising: a body; and supporting means attached to said body for supporting at least a part of an insulation panel located on said supporting means beside the body, below the floor, wherein the body comprises two opposing side members and a transverse member connecting said side members, and wherein in use, the supporting means is angled, upwardly in use, towards the plane of the transverse member.
2. A building member according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means is configured, in use, to bias said insulation panel toward said flooring panel.
3. A building member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side members are substantially parallel.
4. A building member according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting means comprises at least one flange member connected to a respective side member.
5. A building member according to 4, wherein the or each flange member is substantially planar.
6. A building member according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the flange members each form an angle less than 90 degrees with the respective side member.
7. A building member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the building member has a open side opposite the transverse member and the distance between side members increases toward the open side.
8. A building member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buitding member further comprises maintaining means configured, in use, to maintain an insulation panel located on said supporting means against said supporting means.
9. A building member according to claim 8, wherein the maintaining means is formed as a barb.
10. A building member according to claim 8, wherein the maintaining means is formed as a recess for receiving an edge of an insulation panel.
11 A building member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein supporting means are provided on opposing sides of said body.
12. A building member according to any one of the preceding claims, the body being formed to be locatable, in use, on a floor support member.
13. A building member according to claim 12, wherein a floor support member is locatable within a U' shaped recess formed by the opposing side members and transverse member, the building member being supported on the floor support member.
14. A building member according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the body comprises at least one gripping member for gripping said floor support member.
15. A building member according to claim 14, wherein the or each gripping member is formed as a barb.
16. A building member according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the body is configured, in use, to bias against said floor support member.
17. A building member according to any one of claims I to II, wherein the body is formed with a closed cross-section, the body providing a rigid support.
18. A building member according to claim 17, wherein the body is provided with one or more reinforcing ribs.
19. A building member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein cut outs are provided along the length of the building member.
20. A building member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the building member is elongate
21. A building member according to any one of the preceding claims, being formed of extruded plastic.
22. A building member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the building member is formed of a resilient material.
23. The use of a building member according to any one of the preceding claims to support an insulating panel located under a flooring panel.
24. A building member substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
25. A floor assembly comprising a building member according to any one of claims I to 22, at least one insulation panel and at least one flooring panel, wherein the insulation panel comprises recesses for receiving underfloor heating pipes.
26. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 25, further comprising an underfloor heating pipe assembly mounted in the insulation panel.
27. Use of a building member to support an insulation panel under a flooring panel substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.