WO2008105012A1

WO2008105012A1 - Supporting system for raised floors

Info

Publication number: WO2008105012A1
Application number: PCT/IT2007/000575
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gabriele Favero
Original assignee: Eterno Ivica Srl
Priority date: 2007-03-01
Filing date: 2007-08-06
Publication date: 2008-09-04
Also published as: ITPD20070070A1

Abstract

This is a supporting system for raised floors comprising a plurality of pedestals, each with a threaded base element (B) for resting on the subfloor (I), one or more threaded upper elements (S, D), a head (A), and one or more cross members or profiles (T) resting on the flat upper surface (A1) of said head (A); each head (A) comprising one or more projections on said upper suface (A1) for positioning said boss member(s) or profile(s) (T) as well as a convex underside (A2) suitable for engaging, rotating and tilting in a corresponding concave seat (Sc) on the top part (S); and one or more joining and fixing elements (E) being attached to said cross members (T) to retain one or more planks (L) comprising the flooring.

Description

SUPPORTING SYSTEMFOR FLOATING FLOORS

DESCRIPTION

The present patent relates to floating floors, or raised floors, and to the related supporting elements, and particularly concerns a new system for supporting raised floors (generally consisting of boards or panels) by means of a tilting head and elements for joining and fixing adjacent boards. At present, before a raised floor can be placed on a subfloor, suitably-spaced supporting elements, or pedestals, are generally installed, on which cross members and/or the panels comprising the flooring are rested. There are known pedestals consisting of a base clement for resting on the subfloor, that support the four comers of four adjacent panels. The base element is generally cylindrical in shape and is fitted at the bottom with a flared supporting base, while the top end is flat, orthogonal to the cylindrical portion and suitable for supporting the raised flooring elements. In particular, each of said flat top parts supports the corners of adjacent panels installed to form the flooring.

To compensate for any differences in the gradient between the subfloor (which has to slope away to enable the run-off of rainwater) and the raised floor (which must be horizontal), there are known pedestals equipped, on said top supporting part, with four concave seats containing four caps with a spherical surface facing downwards and a flat upper surface. Each corner of the panels forming the raised flooring rests on said horizontal flat surfaces, that can come to be at a different height from one another. The resulting pedestals enable the realisation of raised floors that carry the drawback, however, when placed on a sloping surface, of having the raised flooring elements lying at different heights and, instead of achieving a continuous surface, they form steps between one flooring element and the next.

In the event of a marked difference in level between the subfloor and the raised floor, moreover, it becomes necessary to prepare protuberances or shims on which the bases of the pedestals are placed, and this is a time- consuming and labour-intensive process.

There are known floors comprising so-called planks, the longitudinal dimensions of which are much greater than their crosswise dimensions, that are cut to size as necessary. Using the known technique, the planks are installed by placing a plurality of cross members on the pedestals, side by side and parallel to one another so as to form a mesh or grid on which said planks are subsequently placed crosswise to said cross members.

Installing a raised floor made of planks involves finding solutions for the same drawbacks and problems as described above, especially as concerns the stability of the planks.

To overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, a new supporting system for raised floors made with planks, boards and panels in general has been studied and implemented comprising a tilting head and elements for joining and fixing adjacent planks to the cross members. The main technical aim of the present invention is to enable the realisation of raised floors with planks, boards or panels in general, ensuring that the surface of the flooring is perfectly horizontal and continuous even in the case of a marked gradient of the subfloor, without having to provide protuberances or shims under the pedestals. Another object of the present invention is to guarantee the continuity of the floorboards, which are kept stably in position by specific joining and fixing elements. Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the proper installation of the cross members or supporting profiles, which must be perfectly horizontal and stably attached to the top of the pedestal, even when the tilting type of head is used. Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the proper installation of the planks, which have to be aligned but separated so as to allow for the run-off of rainwater through gaps provided between two adjacent planks. These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new supporting system for raised floors, in which each pedestal comprises at least one genetically cylindrical base clement, one or more threaded cylindrical spacer elements, at least one threaded cylindrical top part with a spherical concave upper surface suitable for containing a tilting head with a flat upper surface shaped so as to support and retain at least one cross member or suitably-shaped profile to which the elements for joining and fixing adjacent planks, boards or panels arc attached.

In particular, the pedestals resting on the subiloor are distributed in rows to form a grid, where each row of said pedestals supports at least one of said cross members or profiles. Said cross members or profiles are substantially I- or H-shaped, i.e. with flanges suitable for engaging in seats or with shaped projections integrally attached to said flat top supporting surface of the fixed or tilting head of the pedestal.

Adjusting the height of the pedestals and the tilting angle of said heads thus enables the creation of at least one row of pedestals on which the cross member or profile can be placed so as to lie perfectly horizontal, irrespective of the gradient of the subfloor. The mesh of cross members or horizontal profiles can thus be used to attach the joining and fixing elements, on which adjacent planks are subsequently laid crosswise to said cross members and to which they are attached. Said joining and fixing elements ensure that the planks are positioned correctly and kept stably adjacent to one another, with an adequate gap between them both to enable the runoff of rainwater and to ensure a pleasing appearance.

The characteristics of the new supporting system for raised floors made of planks or panels will become more apparent from the following description, with reference to the drawings, which are attached as a non-limiting example.

Figure 1 shows the main components of the new supporting system, while figure 2 shows the same elements assembled in the case of subfioor (I) tilting at an angle of α degrees, as shown schematically in figure 3. Figures 4a-d show only the top element (S). Figures 5 and 6 respectively show three-dimensional views from above and below of the tilting head (A) with the upper flat surface (Al) for supporting the cross member or profile (T), while figure 7 shows a detail of one of the L-shaped projections (A3) for engaging with a lower flange (Tl) of the cross member or profile (T). Figures 8 and 9 show the upper surface (Al) and a side view of the tilting head.

Figure 10 shows said tilting head (A) with a cross member (T) attached to it, and with a joining and fixing element (E) attached to the cross member. Figure 11 shows a three-dimensional view of the joining and fixing element (E) attached to a cross member (T), while figures 12, 13 and 14 show a view from above and two side views. Figure 15 shows a side view of the joining and fixing element (E) with adjacent planks (L) resting on it.

Figure 16 shows a detail of the L-shaped projection (El) for engaging the element (E) with the upper flange (T2) of the cross member or profile (T). Figures 17, 18 and 19 show three details of embodiments of the joining and fixing element (E) alone.

The base element (B) consists of a cylindrical portion (Bc) with a threaded internal surface (Bf), complete with a base plate (Bp) for resting on the subfloor (I). The spacer element (D) has a cylindrical shape and the upper portion of its inner surface is threaded (Dfs), while the upper portion of its outer surface variously roughened in order to facilitate its gripping during its rotation/adj ustment.

The bottom end of said spacer element (D) is threaded (Dfi) on the lower portion of the outer wall so that it can be screwed into the internal thread (Bf) of the base element (B).

The top element (S) is cylindrical in shape and is threaded (Sf) on the outer surface. Its upper end forms a substantially spherical concave seat (Sc). The outer threaded surface (Sf) of the top element (S) is designed so that it can be screwed either into the spacer element (D) or into the cylindrical portion (Bc) of the base element (B).

In the centre of said seat (Sc) in the top element (S) there is a linear groove (Sci) sufficient to contain the tip of a tool, typically a flat blade screwdriver, to facilitate the rotation and consequent screwing down or unscrewing of said top element (S) on the spacer element (D) or on the base element (B). The tilting head (A) comprises a substantially convex underside (A2), suitable for engaging in said corresponding concave seat (Sc) on the top element (S). Said tilting head (A) is axially perforated (A21) to enable the passage of tools to reach the groove (Sci) in the top element (S), which can be rotated without necessarily having to remove the cap (C).

The upper surface (Al) of said head (A) is flat and wider in order to support at least one cross member or profile (T), as shown in figure 10.

Said wider, flat upper surface (Al) includes one or more L-shaped projections (A3) for engaging with the lower flanges (Tl) of said cross member (T).

In particular, said flat upper surface (Al) of the tilting head (A) comprises one or more pairs of said L-shaped projections (A3), arranged opposite one another, so that said cross member (T) can be positioned and retained between them.

Said tilting head (A) can thus be tilted with respect to the subfloor so that the cross member or profile (T) resting on the head remains perfectly horizontal.

Said cross member or profile (T) is designed to support planks (L) or panels forming the raised floor, with said planks (L) lying crosswise to the cross member or profile (T).

It is consequently possible to place a plurality of elements (E) for joining and fixing adjacent planks (L) and/or other types of flooring panel on said perfectly horizontal cross member or profile (T).

Said joining and fixing elements (E) comprise a substantially flat underside

(E2) for resting on the upper surface of said cross member or profile (T) and one or more upside-down L-shaped lateral projections (El) suitable for engaging with the upper flanges (T2) of the cross member (T) in order to keep the element (E) attached to the cross member (T).

In particular, said flat underside (E2) comprises one or more flat extensions (E21) with holes (E22) for the insertion of means, such as self-tapping screws or the like, for fixing the element to the cross member (T). Said joining and fixing element (E) also comprises at least one central cross wall (E3) orthogonal to said flat extensions (E21) suitable for inserting between two adjacent planks (L) or panels to create a gap between them in order to enable the runoff of rainwater.

Said central cross wall (E3) comprises two adjacent parallel walls (E31, E32) with a space between them to assure a good degree of mobility for the element (E), so that it can adapt to any differences in the angle of inclination of the planks (L).

Each of said walls (E31, E32) forming the central cross wall (E3) preferably comprises at least one slot or hole (E33) for inserting fixing means, such as self-tapping screws, to integrally attach the planks (L) to the element (E). In the preferred embodiment, shown in figures 11-15, one or more vertical flanges (E34) are integrally attached to one or both of said walls (E31, E32) forming said cross wall (E3), lying on planes substantially parallel and adjacent to said walls (E31, E32), designed to engage in correspondingly- shaped lateral recesses (Ll) in the planks (L) being installed. Said flanges (E34), by engaging in said lateral recesses (Ll) in the planks, ensure the proper alignment and positioning of the planks (L), also preventing any relative vertical displacement ofthe planks (L). Each of said flanges (E34) also preferably comprises at least one slot or hole (E35) for inserting further means for fixing the plank to the element (E). To prevent any relative horizontal displacement of the planks (L), said horizontal extensions (E21) of the joining and fixing element (E) also comprise an upward-facing projection or ribbing (E23) suitable for engaging with a corresponding seat or groove (L2) provided on the underside of each plank (L).

According to the alternative embodiment illustrated in figures 17 and 18, said flanges (E34) have the same shape and size as the lateral recesses (Ll) in the planks (L). Figure 19 shows an embodiment of the joining and fixing element (E) for use with planks (L) that have no such lateral recesses. In fact, the walls (E31, E32) forming the central cross wall (E3) are flat and designed to abut against the smooth lateral surface of adjacent planks (L). The supporting system described herein offers considerable advantages and overcomes all the above-mentioned problems relating to the known state of the art.

More than one spacer element (D) can be used when a raised floor is installed on a considerable gradient and with a marked difference in level with respect to the subfloor. The edges of the planks (L) forming the raised floor have no steps or differences in level in relation to one another because they all rest on the same flat surface (Al) of the head (A), which rotates integrally in relation to the pedestal underneath in order to keep said cross members (T) horizontal and consequently make said raised floor planks (L) form an even surface.

Thus, with reference to the above description and the drawings, the following claims are advanced.

Claims

1. A supporting system for raised floors comprising a plurality of pedestals, each comprising a threaded base element (B) resting on the subfloor (I), one or more threaded top elements (S) and a head (A), characterised in that it comprises one or more cross members or profiles

(T) resting on the substantially flat upper surface (Al) of one or more of said heads (A), each head (A) in turn comprising: said upper surface (Al) with one or more projections or walls for positioning one or more of said cross members (T); » a substantially convex cap-shaped underside (A2) suitable for engaging, rotating and tilting in a corresponding concave scat (Sc) on said top part (S) of said pedestal, wherein one or more joining and fixing elements (E) are connected to said cross members (T) for retaining one or more planks, boards or panels in general (L) comprising the raised floor.

2. A supporting system for raised floors according to claim 1, characterised in that said head (A) comprises one or more pairs of upside- down L-shaped projections (A3), arranged symmetrically and opposite one another, for engaging with the specifically I- or H-shaped lower flanges (Tl) of said cross members (T).

3. A supporting system for raised floors according to claims 1, 2, characterised in that it comprises a threaded spacer element (D) suitable for inserting between said base element (B) and said top part (S).

4. A supporting system for raised floors according to claim 3, characterised in that the lower portions of the inner or outer surfaces (DfI) of the spacer element (D) are threaded to enable it to be screwed into said base element (B), and the upper portions of the inner or outer surfaces (Dfs) are threaded so that it can be screwed onto said top part (S).

5. A supporting system for raised floors according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that said top part (S) has a concave seat (Sc) at its centre, with at least one notch (Sci) suitable for receiving the tip of a tool and enabling said top part (S) to be screwed down or unscrewed.

6. A supporting system for raised floors according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterised in that said head (A) has a corresponding vertical through hole (Cf) at its centre to enable the passage of a tool so that it can reach said notch (Sci) in the top part (S).

7. A supporting system for raised floors according to the previous claims, characterised in that each of said elements (E) for joining and fixing the planks (L) comprises: at least one flat underside (E2) for resting on the upper surface of said cross member or profile (T), with at least one through hole (E22) for inserting screws or other means for fixing it to said cross member (T), on which opposite edges of two adjacent planks (L) are laid; one or more upside-down L-shapcd projections (El) for engaging with the upper flanges (T2) of said cross member or profile (T); - at least one central cross wall (E3) consisting of two adjacent parallel walls (E31, E32) with a space between them, lying orthogonal to said flat underside (E2) and designed to fit in between two adjacent planks (L), and wherein: - said flat underside (E2) comprises ribbing or projections (E23) suitable for engaging in corresponding peripheral seats or grooves (L2) on the underside of the planks (L) to prevent any relative horizontal displacement of said planks (L); said central cross wall (E3) comprises at least one through slot or hole (E33) for inserting means for fixing said element (E) to one or both of said adjacent planks (L).

8. A supporting system for raised floors according to claim 7, characterised in that each of said walls (E31, E32) is integrally connected to one or more flanges (E34) lying on parallel planes adjacent to said walls (E31, E32), and wherein each of said flanges (E34), the shape and size of which coincides with the shape and size of the lateral recesses or seats (Ll) in said adjacent planks (L), is suitable for engaging in the corresponding recesses (Ll) to prevent any vertical displacement of the planks (L).

9. A supporting system for raised floors according to claim 8, characterised in that on one or more of said flanges (E34) contains at least one through slot or hole (E35) for the insertion of means for fixing it to said planks (L).