IES83695Y1 - A levelling system - Google Patents

Description

A Levelling System The present invention relates to a levelling system, in particular a levelling system for use with a frame assembly of a modular decking system.

Referring to figures 1 to 3, a modular decking system includes a frame assembly assembled from a plurality of sub—frame members. The sub-frame members are generally laid out in a side-by-side arrangement so as to form rows. A number of substantially rectangular or square sub—frame members may therefore form a substantially square shaped frame assembly by assembling the sub- frame members in either a regular side-by-side or staggered arrangement. Furthermore, a combination of differently sized sub—frame members may be used to alter the shape of the frame assembly, and thus the resultant modular decking system.

Differently shaped sub—frame members can also be incorporated into the frame assembly. For example, the inclusion of one or more hemispherical, round or triangular members can be used to create a frame assembly having a distinctive shape. Once arranged according to the desired shape, the sub—frame members are then secured together to form the frame assembly using any suitable means such as a series of nuts and bolts.

The sub—frame members may, for example, comprise a number of pre—drilled bolt holes.

Once the frame assembly has been secured together, the frame assembly is positioned in an area in which the modular decking system is to be assembled and finished.

A series of decking planks, generally in the form of decking panels, are then secured to the frame assembly to create the modular decking system, again using any suitable means.

It is often desirable to assemble such a modular decking system in a garden, i.e. on soft or uneven ground. Consequently, the frame assembly will tend to sit unevenly on the ground, resulting in a modular decking system comprising unevenly laid decking panels.

Not only is such an uneven system unsightly, but unevenly laid planks and panels can also be dangerous.

It is known to attempt to level the ground before assembling the decking system, such as by manually levelling the area on which the decking system will be placed.

Other known levelling systems tend to be complicated and time consuming, and sometimes not even accurate.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to mitigate the disadvantages of known levelling systems.

It is a further object to provide a levelling system for use with a modular decking system.

According to the present invention, there is provided a levelling system comprising a base member having a sloped surface, and a first wedge having a base member- engaging surface of complimentary slope to the sloped surface of the base member; the first wedge being further provided with a load bearing surface which is substantially horizontal in use when the base member- engaging surface engages the base member, and wherein lateral movement of the first wedge relative to the base member enables substantially infinite adjustment of the height of the load bearing surface.

Preferably, the base member comprises a substantially cuboid block and a second wedge releasably engaged therewith, such that a first surface of the second wedge forms the sloped surface, and wherein lateral movement of the first wedge relative to the second wedge provides for the substantially infinite adjustment of the load bearing surface.

Preferably, the block comprises a plurality of interlocking modular elements each of which elements is stackable so as to form a block of adjustable height.

Preferably, the block includes a groove adapted to receive the second wedge.

Preferably, the load bearing surface is adapted to support at least one sub~frame member of a frame assembly, such that adjustment of the height of the load bearing surface causes the height of the at least one sub—frame member to be adjusted in use.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising one or more stackable modular elements, a first wedge and a second wedge, said wedges having complimentary sloped surfaces arranged to, in use, slide relative to each other, the first wedge being further provided with a load—bearing surface which is substantially horizontal in use, and the second wedge being arranged to be located on a modular element, and wherein movement of the first wedge relative to the second wedge enables substantially infinite adjustment of the height of the load bearing surface relative to the modular element.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which — Figure l is a perspective view of a plurality of sub- frame members assembled so as to form a portion of a frame assembly; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sub—frame members of figure 1, showing the sub—frame members being secured together by bolts; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a finished modular decking system; Figure 4 is a perspective View of a levelling system of the present invention, the levelling system comprising a base member and first and second complimentary sloped wedges; Figure 5 shows the levelling system of figure 4, wherein the base member comprises two interlocking modular elements; Figure 6 shows the levelling system of figures 4 and 5, wherein the base member comprises three interlocking modular elements; Figure 7 is a side view of a wedge of the levelling system; Figure 8 is a plan View of an alternative form of the modular element used to form the base member; Figure 8a is an end view of the alternative modular element of figure 8; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a further alternative form of modular elements used to form the base member, and a second wedge located within a groove of the uppermost modular element; Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the insertion of a wedge of the levelling system beneath an intersection of sub- frame members; Figure 12 illustrates planks in the form of panels being placed on the frame assembly; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a railing shoe for use with the modular decking system; Figure 14 shows the railing shoe of figure 13 being secured to an external surface of a panel; and Figure 15 shows a railing unit of the modular decking system placed within a railing shoe.

Referring now to figures 1-3, a frame assembly 40 is shown to comprise a plurality of sub-frame members 42 secured by bolts 44 or the like, as described above.

Figure 3 shows a finished modular decking system 60, comprising a series of panels 54 mounted on the frame and secured assembly 40 (not shown in figure 3) thereto.

Referring now to figures 4-7, a levelling system 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a base member 12. A first wedge 14 is provided with a base member—engaging surface 24 (not shown but indicated generally by a dotted line) for releasable engagement with a sloped surface 22 of a second wedge 20.

The base member 12 is preferably provided with a pair of intersecting grooves 28 one of which grooves is adapted to receive the second wedge 20. The second wedge 20 is generally positioned such that the sloped surface faces away from the base member 12 in use.

The base member—engaging surface 24 of the first wedge 14 is provided with a slope complimentary to that of the slope of the surface 22 of the second wedge 20. The first wedge 14 is also provided with a load bearing surface 16, adapted to support at least one sub—frame member 42 in use, as shown in Figure 11 for example.

Thus, when the first and second wedges 14, 20 are in contact, lateral sliding movement of the first wedge 14 relative to the second wedge 20 provides a means of incrementally and substantially infinitely adjusting the height of the load bearing surface 16 in use, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

As shown in figure 4, the base member 12 comprises a substantially cuboid block, having a projecting stud 26. However, in its preferred embodiment, the base member 12 comprises a plurality of interlocking modular elements 18 stackable, in use, so as to form the base member 12. The intersecting grooves 28 provided on each of the modular elements are complementary in shape to the projecting studs 26, such that each of the grooves 28 receives a stud 26 of an adjacent element 18. The groove 28 of the uppermost modular element 18, in use, is also conveniently adapted to receive the second wedge 20.

In this way, the height of the base member 12 can be easily adjusted by using one or more stacked modular elements 18. For example, as shown in figure 5, two modular elements 18 are stacked to form the base member 12. Similarly, the base member 12 of figure 6 is shown to comprise three modular elements 18, thereby forming a base member 12 of greater height. It will be appreciated that although the base member 12 preferably comprises a plurality of modular elements 18, the invention is not limited thereto. The base member 12 itself may comprise a sloped surface 22 adapted for a complementary fit with the surface 24 of the first wedge 14. In this way, lateral movement of the first wedge 14 relative to the base member 12 would provide the substantially infinite adjustment of the height of the load bearing surface 16.

Figure 7 shows a side view of one of the first and second wedges 14, 20. It will be appreciated, however, that although the surfaces 24, 22 of the respective first and second wedges 14, 22, should have a complimentary slope, the slope of the surfaces 24, 22 is not limited to the particular slope shown in figure 7, and that the respective slopes may be adjusted as desired.

Referring now to figures 8 and 8a of the drawings, an alternative form of a modular element 30 is shown which can be used to form the base member 12. The alternative modular element 30 comprises one groove 28, and a plurality of interlocking portions 32 to enable the modular elements to be easily stacked. Thus, it will be appreciated that the groove 28 of the uppermost modular element 30 is again adapted to receive the second wedge in use.

Figure 9 illustrates a further alternative form of modular elements 34 stacked to form the base member 12.

Each of these modular elements 34 is preferably provided with a groove 28 defined by two interlocking portions 36 which enable the modular elements 34 to be easily stacked. In Figure 9, the second wedge 20 is shown, as before, to be positioned within the groove 28, so that the sloped surface 22 is exposed so as to engage the first wedge 14 (not shown in Figure 9) in USE.

Once the frame assembly 40 has been positioned in the area in which the modular decking system 60 is to be assembled and finished, the levelling system 10 is conveniently used to level the frame assembly 40 as now described below with reference to figures 10-12.

The base member 12 is inserted beneath the intersection 48 of at least two sub—frame members 42. The height of the base member 12 is adjusted by stacking as many until the modular elements 18, 30, 34 as are required, base member 12 nearly touches the underside (not shown) of the sub-frame members 42 at the intersection 48.

Although not preferred, the base member 12 may be extended so as to touch the underside, thereby supporting the frame members 42. In this way, modular elements 18, 30, 34 of the base member 12, would provide a first method of levelling the frame assembly 40, by supporting the frame assembly 40 once the correct height of base member 12 has been achieved.

However, in order to raise and adjust the height of the levelling system 10 incrementally in a preferred way, a gap is left between the underside of the frame members 42 and the base member 12. The second wedge 20 is then inserted into the groove 28. The first wedge 14 is also then inserted into the groove 28 as shown in figure 10, such that the respective surfaces 24, 22 of the wedges are in contact. The first wedge 14 is moved laterally relative to the second wedge 20 until the load bearing surface 16, which is substantially horizontal in use, is flush with the underside of the forming a tight fit with the intersection 48, intersection. In this way, the wedges 14, 20 provide a second method of levelling the frame assembly 40. Since the wedges 14, 20 provide substantially infinite adjustment of the height of the load bearing surface 16, support is thereby provided to the frame assembly 40 no matter how uneven the ground is under the frame assembly 40.

This process of adjusting the height of the levelling system 10 by (a) adjusting the height of the base member 12, and (b) incrementally adjusting the height of the load bearing surface 16 by adjusting the overlap of the wedges 14, 20, is repeated at other intersections (not shown) of the sub—frame members 42, until the frame assembly 40 as a whole is levelled. The first wedges 14 are then tapped into place using a hammer 50 or the like. Furthermore, each of the levelling systems 10 is then generally secured to the respective sub—frame members 42 using any suitable means .

Once the frame assembly 40 has been levelled in this way, a plurality of planks 52 in the form of panels 54 are placed on the frame assembly 40 so as to form the modular decking system 60, as shown in figure 12 for example.

Referring now to figure 13, a railing shoe 56 is shown which can be used in connection with the modular decking system 60. The railing shoe 56 is preferably made of metal and is substantially square section in shape. The railing shoe 56 is also provided with a protruding portion 56a which is securable in use to an end surface 54a of one of the panels 54 as shown in figure 14.

The protruding portion 56a of the railing shoe 56 is preferably used with the modular decking system 60 as follows. Once the panels 54 have been mounted on the frame assembly 40, the railing shoe 56 is positioned against the end surface 54a of one of the panels 54 at a suitable location for a railing unit 58 to be assembled, i.e. generally adjacent the periphery of the decking system 60.

The railing shoe 56 is then secured to the end surface a using screws and a screwdriver 59 for example, as shown in figure 15. Once the railing shoe 56 is secured in place, an end of a railing unit 58 is inserted into the railing shoe 56 which provides a secure base for said railing unit 58. This process is then repeated by securing a number of spaced—apart railing shoes 56 around the periphery of the modular decking system 60.

Thus, in use, the railing shoe 56 provides a convenient means for assembling and supporting a system of railing units 58 around the periphery of the modular decking system 60, as shown in figure 3 for example.

It will be apparent that the levelling system 10 may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit (not shown) comprising one or more stackable modular elements 18, 30, 34, and first and second wedges 14, 20 as previously described herein.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein, which may be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A levelling system comprising a base member having a sloped surface, and a first wedge having a base member—engaging surface of complimentary slope to the sloped surface of the base member; the first wedge being further provided with a load bearing surface which is substantially horizontal in use when the base member—engaging surface engages the base member, and wherein lateral movement of the first wedge relative to the base member enables substantially infinite adjustment of the height of the load bearing surface.

2. A levelling system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the base member comprises a substantially cuboid block and a second wedge releasably engaged therewith, such that a first surface of the second wedge forms the sloped surface, and wherein lateral movement of the first wedge relative to the second wedge provides for the substantially infinite adjustment of the load bearing surface.

3. A levelling system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the block comprises a plurality of interlocking modular elements each of which elements is stackable so as to form a block of adjustable height.

4. A levelling system as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the block includes a groove adapted to receive the second wedge.

5. A kit comprising one or more stackable modular elements, a first wedge and a second wedge, said wedges having complimentary sloped surfaces arranged to, in use, slide relative to each other, the first wedge being further provided with a load—bearing surface which is substantially horizontal in use, and the second wedge being arranged to be located on a modular element, and wherein movement of the first wedge relative to the second wedge enables substantially infinite adjustment of the height of the load bearing surface relative to the modular element.