WO1996013152A1

WO1996013152A1 - Gratings for flooring

Info

Publication number: WO1996013152A1
Application number: PCT/DK1995/000423
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bjarne Kongsgaard
Original assignee: Ikadan System A/S
Priority date: 1994-10-27
Filing date: 1995-10-26
Publication date: 1996-05-09
Also published as: DK124694A; DK171262B1; AU3741895A

Abstract

A grating (1) for flooring, preferably for pigsties, said grating being provided with support ribs (21, 22, 23) which are displaced in a direction perpendicular to the support ribs (21, 22, 23) corresponding to half the width of the support ribs (21, 22, 23) relative to an equidistant arrangement for the support ribs (21, 22, 23). Such displacement enables division of the grating (1) into constituent elements (16, 18) by cutting along lines (14, 17) or into constituent elements (15, 16) along lines (13, 14). The constituent elements (15, 16 or 18) are all true modular measurements of half a grating width and one third of a grating width, respectively. Such division of the grating (1) makes it possible to readily combine the grating (1) with non-cut gratings during the cutting operation.

Description

Gratings for flooring

The present invention relates to a grating for flooring, preferably in pigsties, said grating comprising a substanti- ally planar support, a rectangular square frame, and suspen¬ sion means on two oppositely arranged sides of the frame, and a number of support ribs arranged mutually spaced along the frame and are connected to and extend substantially perpendi¬ cular to and between those sides of the frame on which the suspension means are provided.

It is known to produce gratings for floorings in stables, preferably pigsties. Essentially, such gratings are manufac¬ tured in standard lengths which equal the distance between support guides from which the gratings are usually suspended via the support ribs. By manufacturing the gratings in this manner it is possible to provide a flooring which has a substantially unbroken surface, and to form a flooring which is readily adapted to the livestock's needs. However, the width of such gratings has varied and depended on the individual producer and his production equipment.

However, this has given rise to several problems, since it has often been necessary to produce several moulds to ensure that the gratings could be adapted to largely all possible room configurations into which the flooring was to be fitted. Moreover, it has been necessary for the fitters who were to mount the flooring to bring along a disproportionately large amount of different gratings to ensure that they had enough material to ensure complete floor covering.

It is the object of the present invention to provide one grating having a standard width for flooring which permits a division into different gratings with different widths without influencing the strength of the grating and without wasting large parts of the standard grating in the dividing operation. This object is achieved with a grating for flooring of the type stated in the introductory part which is characterized in that at least one of the support ribs is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the support ribs at intervals corresponding to at least half the width of the support ribs relative to an equidistant arrangement for the relevant support rib(s) .

The standard width of the grating is determined by the manufacturer. A grating is shaped in such a way that it is possible to provide more gratings with different widths from said grating without influencing the strength of the grating. With such standard grating it is possible to adapt and cover substantially any floor configuration with only one type of gratings.

Furthermore, with such grating for flooring it is possible to use only one mould in the production, which results in reduced costs for moulds since the number of moulds, produc- tion and stock control are reduced. Such grating will also facilitate the fitters' work since it will be necessary for them to bring along only the standard grating because the final fitting of the gratings to the floor can be effected on the location where the flooring process is carried out.

The strength is maintained because the cutting of the grating into smaller parts will not result in the support ribs forming the support being halved or damaged in any other way. This can be obtained by carrying out the cutting immediately adjacently to at least one of the displaced support ribs. Due to the displaced position of the rib relative to an equi¬ distant position, it will be possible to form smaller gratings with a width which is exactly half, one third, one fourth, and two thirds of the width of the standard grating and with a rib located at either side of such a divided grating so that the strength is maintained. Furthermore, the possibility of converting the grating into constituent parts having true modulus measures will make it possible to combine the grating with corresponding gratings located adjacent to a grating, and which are also provided with tooth-shaped protruding means for engaging with the tooth-shaped protruding means on the grating. Hereby an uninterrupted support is formed, which may consist of a standard grating combined with parts cut off such standard grating. The division is readily performed on location by the fitter which makes the flooring.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment the grating is provided with five support ribs, the three centre support ribs being displaced half the width of a support rib relative to an equidistant position. In this embodiment it is noted that the two support ribs on either side of the central, displaced support rib each continues in a direction away from the central support rib. Such displacement of the support ribs permits the production of several gratings having several different widths from one standard grating with a fixed width.

Thus, a grating with the above-mentioned characteristics wherein the number of support ribs is five makes it possible with a grating having a standard width to produce two gratings which are both 1/3 of the standard width, or to produce two gratings, one having a width half of the standard width, the other a width 1/3 of the standard width.

The invention will be further explained in the following with reference to the appended drawings wherein

Fig. 1 is a top view of a grating 1 according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 shows a sectional view through a grating 1 along the line II-II shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side view of the width of the grating 1 shown in Fig. 1 along the line III-III shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a side view of the length of the grating 1 shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional side view through the length of the grating 1 shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 1 shows a grating 1 for flooring, preferably in pigsties. However, the grating 1 may also be used for other coating purposes. The grating 1 consists of a support 2, a rectangular square frame 3 having four sides 4, 5, 6 and 7. These sides form two largely identical pairs 4,5 and 6,7. The distance between the sides 4 and 5 constitutes the width of the frame 2, whereas the distance between the sides 6 and 7 constitutes the length of the frame 2.

The sides 6 and 7 are provided with suspension means 8. On one side 6 of the frame 3 six complete suspension means 8 are provided whereas on the opposite side 7 four complete suspension means 8 and two half-width suspension means 9 are provided.

In the shown embodiment the suspension means 8 and 9 form protruding teeth 8, 9. However, it is not necessary that the suspension means 8 and 9 are shaped like protruding teeth. It is merely important that the suspension means 8 and 9 form an approximately horizontal surface on which the grating 1 can rest when the grating 1 is fitted.

The protruding teeth or suspension means 8 and 9 are intended for fitting above and around the flat bars (not shown) . The width sides 6, 7 together with the suspension means 8, 9 are adapted to the width which is given by the distance between the suspension surfaces (not shown) , which will normally most often be flat bars (not shown) . Therefore, this distance will be given and will normally be a standard measure. The length of the longitudinal sides 4, 5 is dependent on the production equipment used to manufacture the grating 1.

As will appear, the protruding teeth 8 and 9 on either side of the grating 1 is displaced by half a width. This ensures that, when laid out, the gratings have a large locking effect on each other whereby a stable flooring is obtained.

In order to impart to the support 2 an adequate carrying strength, the support 2 is provided with five support ribs 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 which all have the same dimensions. Alternatively, different dimensions of the ribs may be used. As appears from Fig. 1 the support 2 is provided with intersecting longitudinal and transversal ribs 11, 12.

Figs. 2-4 show the advantageous embodiment shown in Fig 1. of a grating 1 for pigsties.

Fig. 2 shows a sectional view along the line II-II shown in Fig. 1. As appears from Fig. 2 the support ribs 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 are arranged at largely equal distances over the width of the frame 2.

It clearly appears from the Figure that the central support rib 22 is displaced with half the width of a support rib in the direction towards the left side of the Figure. The two support ribs 21, 23 adjacent to the central support rib 22 are each displaced by half the width of a support rib in the direction away from the central support rib 22.

With the above-mentioned displacement of the support ribs 21, 22 and 23 it is possible to divide the grating into several useful parts without depriving the constituent elements of any of their strength. It is possible to cut the grating 1 along the lines 13 and 14 and hereby form two gratings 15 and 16. The first grating 15 has a width corresponding to half of the standard width of the grating 1, and the other grating 16 has a width corresponding to 1/3 of the standard width of the grating 1.

Furthermore, the grating 1 may be cut along a line 17 and the line 14 to form two identical gratings 16 and 18. When the grating 1 is cut along these lines 14 and 17, two gratings 16 and 18 are formed, each having a width corresponding to 1/3 of the standard width of a grating 1.

At the support 2, the displaced support ribs 21, 22 and 23 are provided with a collar 10 which has been formed by displacing the longitudinal ribs 11 relative to a symmetrical position above the corersponding support ribs 21, 22, 23. The collar 10 is oriented in a direction opposite the displace¬ ment of the support ribs 21, 22 and 23. This means that the collar will always be provided in the area/on the side where the cutting is performed. With such collar 10 it is possible to construct a flooring by combining the gratings 1 having widths of one third, one half with undivided gratings 1 which are displaced relative to each other without displacing the longitudinal ribs 11 relative to each other. Thus, the longitudinal ribs 11 acros a flooring form an unbroken line which yields a visually grand flooring. Thus, such a collar 10 permits the construction of a flooring with the gratings 1, whether they are cut or not, without changing the appe¬ arance of the flooring.

Especially when it is used for farrowing sows the grating 1 may be provided with protruding areas (not shown) on the longitudinal ribs 11 and all of or some of the transversal ribs 12. The protruding areas may be interrupted across the longitudinal and transversal ribs 11, 12 as well as uninter- rupted. The protrusions contribute to providing a safer surface. Figs. 3 and 4 show a grating 1 according to the present invention, seen from the side of the transversal and longitu¬ dinal direction, respectively, of the grating 1. Figs. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of suspension means 8 and 9 shaped like protruding teeth. Moreover, Figs. 2 and 3 show the relation¬ ship between the frame 2 and the support ribs 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 in the shown embodiment of a grating 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a grating 1 accor- ding to the present invention. This Fig. 1, seen in combi¬ nation with Fig. 2, shows how the relationship and the construction between the transversal and longitudinal ribs 11 and 12 and the support ribs 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 may be.

It is noted that the number of support ribs may vary from embodiment to embodiment, but it will preferably be uneven in order provide the option of forming a grating with half a standard width by cutting.

In view of production costs involved the grating 1 according to the present invention will be prepared by moulding. Therefore, the grating 1 will preferably be made of cast iron, steel or alloys thereof, but most preferably the grating 1 according to the present invention will be made of a plastics material, such as for example polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. By preparing the grating 1 of a plastics material, improved and more expedient working conditions are provided for the fitter when he lays out and fits the gratings 1 to the particular floor and its con- figuration.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. Grating (1) for flooring, preferably in pigsties, said grating comprising a substantially planar support (2) , a rectangular, square frame (4,5,6,7), suspension means (8,9) arranged on two opposite sides (6,7) of the frame, and a number of support ribs (20,21,22,23,24) arranged to be mutually spaced along the frame (4,5,6,7) and which are connected to and extend substantially perpendicular to and between those sides (6,7) of the frame (4,5,6,7) on which the suspension means (8 and 9) are provided, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d in that at least one of the support ribs (20,21,- 22,23 or 24) is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the support ribs (20,21,22,23,24) at intervals corresponding to at least half the width of the support ribs (20,21,22,23 or 24) relative to an equidistant arrangement for the relevant support rib(s) (20,21,22,23,24).

2. Grating (1) for flooring according to claim ^ c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d in that the number of support ribs (20,21,22,23,24) is uneven, preferably five, and that the three central support ribs (21,22,23) are displaced in a direction perpendicular to the support rib (22) at intervals corresponding to at least half the width of the support rib (20,21,22,23 or 24) relative to an equidistant arrangement of the relevant support ribs (21,22,23).

3. Grating (1) for flooring according to claims 1 and 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the central support rib (22) and the one neighbouring support rib (21) is displaced in one direction, and the other neighboring rib (23) is dis¬ placed in an opposite direction relative to the central support rib (22) .

4. Grating (1) for flooring according to claims 1 through 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the grating (1) for 9 the flooring is rectangular, and that the suspension means (8 and 9) are provided on each of the longest sides (6 and 7) of the frame.

5. Grating (1) for flooring according to claims 1 through 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the suspension means (8,9) of the frame (4,5,6,7) are provided in the form of teeth protruding from the frame side, or in the form of substantially horizontal planes protruding from the frame side.

6. Grating (1) for flooring according to claim 5, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d in that the protruding teeth (8,9) form a symmetrical teething which is displaced half a teeth width relative to each other on each side (6,7) of the frame.

7. Grating (1) for flooring according to claims 1 through 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that six protruding, mutually spaced teeth (8) are provided on the one of the frame sides (6 and 7) , and that two protruding, half teeth are provided on the other of the long sides of the frame at either end of that long side, and four equidistantly arranged protruding teeth (8) between the two protruding half teeth

(9).

8. Grating (1) for flooring according to claims 1 through 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the longitudinal ribs (11) above the displaced support ribs (21,22,23) are dis¬ placed in a direction perpendicular to the support ribs (22) at intervals corresponding to half the width of the support ribs (21,22,23) relative to the support ribs (21,22,23) in a direction opposite the displacement of the support ribs (21,22,23) whereby an equidistant arrangement of the longitu¬ dinal ribs (11) is obtained.

9. Grating (1) for flooring according to claims 1 through 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the grating (1) for the flooring is in the form of an integral body and is made of a plastics material, such as polypropylene or polyethyle¬ ne.

10. Grating (1) for flooring according to claims 1 through 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the grating (1) is made of iron.