WO1999064694A1

WO1999064694A1 - Multi-web panel support module

Info

Publication number: WO1999064694A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/000432
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Ribaric
Original assignee: Anthony Ribaric
Priority date: 1998-06-05
Filing date: 1999-06-04
Publication date: 1999-12-16
Also published as: AUPP392898A0; SI20481A; KR20010071402A

Abstract

A framework which includes a plurality of interlinked support members (11) which members may be either of a fixed height, or be provided with means for adjustment of the member height (50), the arrangement being such that surface panels (20) may be attached to a side of the framework, said framework being attachable to or within a substrate.

Description

MULTI-WEB PANEL SUPPORT MODULE

Technical area

This invention relates to the area of construction and in

particular to the provision of support module system for use in

relation to buildings and floor and wall construction, the

invention also having applications in relation to the automotive industry, shipping construction and the like. Although the system of the invention has many applications, for the sake of

convenience it will be discussed here in relation to the area of

building construction.

Background to the invention

It is common practice within the building industry for wiring, piping and cabling for power and communication as well as piping

for heating and the like to be run either below flooring or

inside roofing and walls depending on the application required.

Such wiring or cabling is usually attached to joists or bearers

which support a floor. This system presents problems of access,

utilisation of concrete slabs or prefabricated walls and floors

and also necessitates the use of wooden joists and bearers in the building area while wood is becoming a rapidly depleted natural

resource.

It is an object of this invention to minimise these problems by

providing support panels which can be installed on concrete or

traditional brick wall constructions which panels act as spacers

and support units for flooring and walls . The result is that good

air circulation, and hence insulation, is provided by the resultant air gap through which any ducting or cabling required

can be run.

Outline of the Invention

The invention is a framework which includes a plurality of interlinked support members which members may be either of a

fixed height, or be provided with means for adjustment of the member height, the arrangement being such that surface panels may

be attached to a side of the framework, said framework being

attachable to or within a subsurface.

It is preferred that the framework consist of modular webs of

interlinked support members, said support members preferably

being frusto-conical in shape for maximal load bearing strength

although any desired shape of support member may be used. It is also preferred that the support member adjustment means be

provided by a screw device internal to the support member which

screw device may be rotated to adjust the height of its upper

surface to which a surface panel may be attached.

It is further preferred that the support members and interlinking

web members be injection moulded from a synthetic material such

as recycled plastic, polypropylene copolymer or the like however other materials including cast aluminium may be used.

The framework of the invention can also be made up of interlocking segments wherein each segment includes a support member integral with a web member.

It is also preferred that individual support members be able to be added to the framework wherever required for additional

support.

The framework may be attached to internal or external surfaces

such as walls, floors and ceilings and it is preferred that the

method of attachment be through the web members, the base of the

support members or both, while wall, floor and ceiling panelling

be attached directly to the support members . The method of attachment is preferably by power actuated nails although

conventional means may be used.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood we

shall describe by way of non limiting example embodiments

thereof, in relation to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a moulded panel of the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a cross-section through various

embodiments of the invention as applied to floors, walls and ceilings;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the moulded panel of Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of an interlocking segment of the

invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the invention as comprised of

the interlocked segments as shown in Figure 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the interlocked segments shown in

Figure 5;

Fig. 7 shows a support member with height adjustment means; Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Modularised panels 10 can be installed onto any type of concrete

or traditional brick wall or any other surface. These panels

comprise support members 11 connected by web members 12 with the

support members 11 being preferably frusto-conical in shape.

When the framework of the invention is used to support flooring 20 over a concrete slab the web members 12 lie flush with the

concrete, as do the bases 16 of the support members, and may be

fixed thereto by means of nails through lugs 15 provided around the bases of the support members and/or by means of nails through the web members. Any alternate means of affixing deemed appropriate may also be used.

Flooring panels may then be nailed to the support members 11 preferably through the upper surface 14 of each such member.

In another embodiment of the invention (Figure 7) the support

members 11 are provided with a height adjustment means by the

provision of an internal screw device 50 which can rotate within

a threaded portion 51 of the support member 11 thereby adjusting

the height of the upper surface 52 of device 50 and adjusting the

overall height of the support member 11. Surface panelling may then be fixed to the upper surface 52 as in the fixed height

embodiment of support member 11.

This type of flooring installation allows for the location of

wiring looms, PVC pipes for liquids, vacuum pipe installations

and other such building requirements within the air gap below the

flooring.

The air gap created by the invention minimises the possibility of condensation occurring below a floor as there is free air flow

also, if ducted heating or cooling is installed there is no need for insulated ducts as tubes manufactured from heat resistant material which are perfect insulators may be used and are easily attached or removed even after construction of a building.

As shown in Figure 2, in another embodiment of the invention it

is envisaged that the framework of the invention may be sunk into

a concrete bed while still permitting direct attachment of

flooring panels to the upper surfaces 14 of the support members

11.

In these embodiments of the invention injection moulded panels

are provided which are dimensioned 940mm x 1170mm x 74mm while the preferred latter dimension is 37mm when used for walls. Each

such panel is the equivalent of 10 interlocking segments as shown

singly in Figure 4 and in the assembled form in Figures 5 and 6.

Each interlocking segment as shown in Figure 4 comprises a

support member 11 integral with a web member 30 connectable

through lugs 35. Use of these interconnected segments means that panels of any dimensions required can be provided.

In addition further individual support members 11 may be provided on the web wherever required for additional support.

Figure 2 also shows two embodiments of the invention as used in

a ceiling. In both embodiments the orientation of the panel of the invention is reversed from that of the floor. As can be seen, in one embodiment of the invention insulation is laid on the web

while the surfaces 14 of the support members are affixed to the

roof.

In the other embodiment of the invention used in relation to

roofing suspension members 40 are provided to connect to the

surface 14 of the support members to permit a ceiling to be

suspended from these. While it is preferred for these embodiments of the invention that the panel be oriented as shown in Figure

2, for other applications the orientation may be inversed.

The concept of the invention has many applications which are not

exclusive to the building industry for example a web of the

invention can be used as a floating blanket on the surface of reservoirs as, not only does the web minimise the surface area

of water open to evaporation but any evaporation which does occur under the "support members" can recondense inside them thereby

reducing fluid loss.

Additionally a vertical wall of such panels can be used for the

aeration of water.

While there are many applications for the framework of the

invention as previously discussed, its advantages in relation to

the building industry are clear. The product is designed to

reduce the use of timber, to provide for easy construction of

walls, floors and ceilings and to permit the easy running of

ducting and cabling and the like within such surfaces. It also

permits ventilation and insulation between the outer surface of

a wall, floor or ceiling and its support base. In addition the invention provides the possibility of easy access to the

resulting interior cavities created by the use of the invention.

Whilst we have described herein several specific embodiments of

the invention it is envisaged that further embodiments of the

invention will exhibit any of, and any combinations of, the features described and it is to be understood that variations and

modifications in this can be made without departing from the

scope thereof.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A framework which includes a plurality of interlinked

support members which members may be either of a fixed

height, or be provided with means for adjustment of the

member height, the arrangement being such that surface

panels may be attached to a side of the framework, said

framework being attachable to or within a subsurface.

2. A framework as claimed in claim 1 made up of segments, each segment including a support member integral with a web

member.

3. A framework as claimed in claim 2 in which additional individual support members may be located on the web

members .

4. A framework as claimed in claim 3 in which the support

member height adjustment means is provided by a screw

device internal to the support member such that rotation of

the device adjusts the height of the support member.

5. A framework as claimed in claim 3 in which a panel thereof

may be integrally moulded and include a multiplicity of

segments .

6. A framework as claimed in claim 3 in which a panel thereof

may be formed from interlocking segments.

7. A framework as claimed in claim 3 in which the support members are frusto-conical in shape.

8. A framework as claimed in claim 3 which when attached to a surface on one side thereof and having a surface attached on the other side thereof provides a cavity between said

surfaces.

9. A frame work as claimed in claim 8 wherein cabling and ducting can lie within the cavity space.

10. A framework substantially as herein described with

reference to the accompanying drawings .