EP1015711B1

EP1015711B1 - A floor element, a structure and a method for mounting a floor element

Info

Publication number: EP1015711B1
Application number: EP98944336A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Hoogendijk; Matheus Johannes Verburg
Original assignee: BRS Idee BV
Current assignee: BRS Idee BV
Priority date: 1997-09-17
Filing date: 1998-09-17
Publication date: 2002-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-17
Also published as: DE69810320D1; AU9189698A; WO1999014448A1; DE69810320T2; EP1015711A1; NL1007049C2

Description

The invention relates to a floor element, in particular a floor element which can be used for a floor on which persons walk or vehicles drive, or for a staircase. More in particular it concerns a floor element having a relatively great length, for example one metre or a few metres, and a relatively small width, for example 10 - 50 cm, preferably 20 - 35 cm. Such a floor element is disclosed in US-A-4,198,042 or US-A-3,999,346.

Preferably, such a floor element must meet various, sometimes contradictory requirements. Thus, the floor element will have to be comparatively stiff so as to be capable of bridging a larger span, that is, it must be possible for the floor element to be supported in a limited number of places. Preferably, the floor element will also have to be sound insulating, to which end such an element is often of heavy and massive construction.

When such a floor element is used in a span, for example a bridge, it is desirable that the self-weight of such an element is low. On the one hand this is desirable because the resonant frequency of the structure containing the floor element must not be too low, which might result in overloading when the people present on the structure force said structure into a resonant frequency. On the other hand this is desirable with a view to limiting the weight of the structure, which is of importance in particular when the floor element is present on a moving part of the structure, as is for example the case with a movable bridge, or when the floor element is intended for special applications, such as for aeroplanes.

The object of the invention is to provide a floor element, in particular for a floor on which persons walk or vehicles drive, which floor element can be used both outdoors and indoors, and which is light in weight, whilst nevertheless a relatively great stiffness is provided, which floor element possesses sound insulating properties, and which comprises a wear-resistant upper surface, which is capable of withstanding great loads, and which, in case of damage, can be repaired easily and nearly invisibly.

In order to accomplish that objective, the floor element according to the invention comprises an extruded section (which in this case means a section having a substantially similar cross-section along its length) provided with a trough-shaped part at its upper side, which trough-shaped part is filled with a flexible material, in particular a granular material consisting of bonded-together grains of a flexible material. The extruded section may be made of plastic material. It is preferably made of aluminium or another extrudable metal. The trough-shaped part preferably has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, with a bottom part whose width is more than ten times the height of the two upright wall parts.

The grains of the flexible material preferably consist of rubber or a plastic material which resembles rubber, which grains are bonded together and to the section by means of a polyurethane resin or other adhesive, possibly with the interposition of a primer, which is applied to the section in advance.

Such a floor element has a small self-weight, whilst it is nevertheless sufficiently stiff. This makes the floor element especially suitable for use in a movable passenger or vehicle deck, or for use in aeroplanes, for example. The flexible granular material provides a strong and wear-resistant upper surface, which is sound insulating and which feels comfortable to walk on. Since a granular material is used, repairing the upper surface is easy, and any repairs will be practically invisible. Part of the granular material can be cut away thereby and be replaced by new granular material. The grains give the material an irregular appearance, which makes such a repair practically invisible. Such a repair can for example be carried out in case of damage by fire, which may have been caused by a burning cigar or cigarette.

Preferably, the granular material extends to above the upper edge of the wall parts of the trough-shaped part, so that the presence of said wall parts will not be perceptible and said wall parts cannot be damaged when walking or driving on the floor element, whereby the granular material is slightly compressed.

Preferably, the granular material comprises a mixture of grains of different colours, which not only results in an attractive appearance, whereby the colour or the colour mixture can be adapted to the environment as desired. Moreover, since a mixture of colours is used, any repairs to the granular material will be less visible. An amount of the respective colour mixture of grains can be kept in stock for carrying out such repairs.

Preferably, the grains have a diameter which ranges substantially between 2 mm and 12 mm, in particular between 4 mm and 10 mm. The thickness of the granular material is preferably more than 6 mm, in particular about 8 - 10 mm.

The granular material may be provided in such a manner that interspaces are present between the grains, which makes the granular material porous. Such a spongy structure will result in a soft, springing surface.

The granular material may comprise an upper side with irregular bumps, which are made up of upwardly extending parts of the grains. This makes it possible not only to obtain a particular desired appearance, but, especially when the grains are only flexible to a limited degree, a rough surface is obtained, or at least a surface which is not very smooth. When grains which are relatively less flexible are used, such a surface feels softer than a smooth surface when walking thereon. A smooth surface can be obtained by sanding the granular material by means of a sanding machine.

The trough-shaped part of the section may be provided with upright ribs, which extend in longitudinal direction and which are less high than the wall parts of the trough-shaped part. On the one hand, such ribs can add to the stiffness of the floor element, whilst on the other a larger bonding surface between the extruded section and the granular material is provided. If the ribs extend transversely to the direction in which persons walk on the floor element, in which direction the largest forces are exerted on the granular material, said ribs add to the strength of the bond between the granular material and the section. Preferably, the height of the ribs is less than half the height of the wall parts of the trough-shaped part.

In one preferred embodiment, said section comprises plate-shaped parts extending in longitudinal direction, substantially in a vertical plane, which are connected to said trough-shaped part on the underside thereof. Said plate-shaped parts add to the stiffness of the floor element, so that a higher local load is permissible. Preferably, at least two of said plate-shaped parts comprise a widened portion on the underside, which portion can rest on a support for the floor element. Said widened portion on the one hand functions to strengthen the section at the location of said support, whilst on the other hand it may have a shape which enables engagement by fastening means by which the floor element is secured to said support.

The invention furthermore relates to a structure comprising a floor on which persons can walk or vehicles can drive, or a staircase, wherein said floor or said staircase is provided with floor elements as described above. Said floor elements may extend in transverse direction with respect to the direction in which said persons will mainly walk, or in longitudinal direction. The floor elements can thereby rest on a support which extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the floor elements, which support is provided with an upwardly extending stud under the floor element, on which stud a yoke is secured by means of a nut, whereby one end of said yoke clamps an edge of the section that faces towards said stud down on said support. Preferably, the yoke has two ends, which each clamp down respective edges of the section, on either side of said stud. Preferably, a piece of a flexible material, for example rubber or a plastic material having similar properties, is provided between said edge and said yoke.

The yoke may be a section, for example of aluminium, having an upside-down U-shaped cross-section.

Preferably, said support consists of a strip of a flexible material, which rests on a metal frame, to which frame said stud is secured. The yoke thereby clamps the floor element down on said strip of flexible material.

The above-described floor element is in particular suitable for use in a bridge, for example a footbridge, which bridge may be movable. Furthermore, floor elements are in particular suitable for use in a platform which must be mobile, for example a platform via which foot passengers or vehicles can board a ferry.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for building a structure in which or on which persons can walk or vehicles can drive, in which structure floor elements as described above can be provided, which floor elements are mounted on a support which extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the floor elements.

Further aspects of the invention, which may be used both separately and in combination with each other, are described hereafter with reference to the figures and defined in the claims.

In order to provide a better understanding of the invention, a few embodiments of a floor element will be described hereafter with reference to the drawing.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a floor element present on a support;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along line II-II in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment.

The figures are merely schematic representations of two embodiments of a floor element.

Figure 1 shows an extruded aluminium section 1 comprising a trough-shaped part, which is open at the upper side, with upright wall parts 2 (side walls) and a bottom part 3. Granular material 4 has been provided in the space made up by trough-

shaped part

2, 3, possibly after applying a primer to the aluminium surface for the purpose of providing a better bond. Said granular material 4 consist of rubber granulate, with the grains being bonded together and to section 1 by means of a polyurethane resin.

The provision of such granular material 4 may present problems when said material is to be provided at the location of an existing floor, or when the surface comprises complicated angles. With the floor element according to the invention, the provision of the granular material 4 can take place in advance at a workshop which is equipped for that purpose, whilst said provision is relatively simple, because the trough-shaped part does not comprise any angles.

The upper surface of the granular material 4 may be sanded after being provided, so that a substantially smooth upper surface is obtained, as is shown in Figure 1. If desired, it is also possible to obtain an irregular, bumpy upper surface, wherein the bumps are made up of the grains of granular material 4.

According to Figure 1, aluminium section 1 comprises plate-shaped parts 5 extending in longitudinal direction, in a substantially vertical plane, which plate-shaped parts add to the stiffness of the floor element. Said plate-shaped parts 5 comprise a widened portion 6 at their lower edge, which can rest on a support 7. According to this embodiment, said support 7 consists of a strip of a flexible material, for example a rubbery material, which rests on a metal frame 8. Said metal frame 8 is made up of a section, part of which is shown in cross-sectional view in Figure 2.

A stud 9 is secured to metal frame 8, for example by welding, which stud 9 is preferably made of stainless steel. A nut 10 is screwed on stud 9, which nut exerts a downward force on an aluminium yoke 11. As is apparent from Figure 2, said yoke has an upside-down U-shaped cross-section. Each of the ends of yoke 11 exerts a pressure force, with the interposition of a piece of a flexible material 12, on an edge 13 of widened portion 6 of section 1 which faces towards said stud 13.

In this manner, the floor element is fixed in position by being clamped down between flexible support 7 and flexible material 12. No mechanical operations, such as the drilling of holes in frame 8, need to be carried out at the location of the structure thereby, which is a major advantage, especially when the floor element is mounted outdoors. Mechanical operations may well lead to rust formation.

In Figure 2, which is a sectional view along line II-II of Figure 1, the various parts are indicated by the same numerals that are used in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment corresponding with the embodiment of Figure 1. In Figure 3, aluminium section 1 is provided with ribs 14, which extend upwards from bottom part 3. Said ribs 14 function to stiffen section 1 and to enlarge the contact area between section 1 and granular material 4, so that a stronger bond between the two is possible.

Figure 3 moreover shows additional plate-shaped parts 15 extending in a vertical plane, which plate-shaped parts can add to the stiffness of the floor element.

The surface of the aluminium section may be provided with a coating so as to make the aluminium look more attractive and/or provide protection.

The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of implementations of the invention, a great many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

The following embondiments are preferred.

A floor element whereby said section is made of aluminium.

A floor element whereby said granular material extends to above the upper edge of the wall parts of the trough-shaped part.

A floor element whereby said granular material comprises a mixture of grains of different colours.

A floor element whereby said granular material is thicker than 6 mm, preferably thicker than 10 mm.

A floor element whereby said flexible material comprises an upper side with irregular bumps, which are made up of upwardly extending parts of the grains.

A floor element whereby at least two of said plate-shaped parts comprise a widened portion on the underside, which portion can rest on a support for the floor element.

A structure whereby said floor elements extend in transverse direction with respect to the direction in which said persons will mainly walk.

A structure whereby said floor elements rest on a support which extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the floor elements, which support is provided with an upwardly extending stud under the floor element, on which stud a yoke is secured by means of a nut, whereby one end of said yoke clamps an edge of the section that faces towards said stud down on said support.

A structure whereby said stud is disposed practically centrally under said floor element, and in that said yoke has two ends, which each clamp down respective edges of the section.

A structure whereby a piece of a flexible material is provided between said edge(s) and said yoke.

A structure whereby said yoke is a section, preferably of aluminium, which has an upside-down U-shaped cross-section.

A structure whereby said support consists of a strip of a flexible material, which rests on a metal frame, to which frame said stud is secured.

A structure whereby said structure is a bridge.

A method whereby said floor elements are mounted on said support by fixing a yoke to a stud which is secured to said support, and clamping an edge of said section down on said support with one or two ends of said yoke.

A method whereby said yoke is fixed to a stud which is secured to a metal frame, and in that a strip of a flexible material forming said support is provided between said floor element and said frame.

Claims

A floor element comprising an extruded section (1) provided with a trough-shaped part (1,2) at its upper side, which trough-shaped part (1,2) is filled with a flexible material (4).
A floor element according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible material (4) is a granular material consisting of bonded-together grains of a flexible material.
A floor element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said trough-shaped part (1,2) has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, with a bottom part (3) whose width is more than ten times the height of the two upright wall parts (2).
A floor element according to any one of the claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the grains of a flexible material (4) consist substantially of rubber or a plastic material which resembles rubber, which grains are bonded together by means of a polyurethane resin.
A floor element according to any one of the claims 2-4, characterized in that said grains have a diameter which ranges substantially between 2 mm and 12 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 10 mm.
A floor element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said granular material (4) is porous, with interspaces being present between the grains.
A floor element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said trough-shaped part (1,2) is provided with upright ribs (14), which extend in longitudinal direction and which are less high than the wall parts (2) of the trough-shaped part (1,2), whereby preferably said wall parts (2) are twice as high as said ribs (14).
A floor element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said section (1) comprises plate-shaped parts (15) extending in longitudinal direction, substantially in a vertical plane, which are connected to said trough-shaped part (1,2) on the underside thereof.
A structure comprising a floor on which persons can walk or vehicles can drive, or a staircase, wherein said floor or said staircase is provided with floor elements comprising an extruded section (1) provided with a trough-shaped part (1,2) at its upper side, which trough-shaped part (1,2) is filled with a flexible material (4).
A method for building a structure in which or on which persons can walk or vehicles can drive, characterized in that floor elements, comprising an extruded section (1) provided with a trough-shaped part (1,2) at its upper side, which trough-shaped part (1,2) is filled with a flexible material (4), are provided in said structure, which floor elements are mounted on a support (8) which extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the floor elements.