GB2420798A

GB2420798A - False floor with heating or insulation panels supported on saddles

Info

Publication number: GB2420798A
Application number: GB0524221A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Finlayson Danskin
Original assignee: Danskin Flooring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Danskin Flooring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-04
Filing date: 2005-11-29
Publication date: 2006-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-29
Also published as: GB0524221D0; GB0426651D0; GB2420798B

Abstract

A floor comprising floorboards or panels 16 supported on battens 48 in turn supported by saddles 12 has panels 20a, 20b supported on lands 48 of the saddles and being either heating panels, e.g. with hot water pipes 44 and heat spreaders 42 or insulation panels. Packing plates 32, 34, with locating nipples to fit apertures 46 may be used to level the floor and sound absorbent 26 may be sited under the saddle base 30.

Description

IMPROVED BUILDING COMPONENT

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved building system, and in particular, though not exclusively, to an improved flooring system. The invention further relates to a building component or flooring component for use in such a building system or flooring system. The invention also relates to a method of constructing a floor, or alternatively a wall or c e i 1 i ng.

BACKGROUIW OF INVENTION

In situations in which it is required to lay upon an uneven substrate a floor arrangement having a level upper surface, it is known to provide flooring devices which extend height-wise within a gap formed between the substrate and flooring supports therefor, the height of the flooring devices being selectable or adjustable according to the height of the gap at various appropriate locations.

Flooring members are thus arranged to provide said required level surface and may comprise floor-boards, panels or the like which may be supported by flooring supports such as battens or other support means laid in a regular pattern across the floor area. It is, therefore, P13629GE advantageous to provide a means for positioning the battens relative to the flooring devices, which is compatible with the necessity to make adjustments to the height of the flooring devices where appropriate to accommodate unevenness in the substrate.

Such prior arrangements are often referred to as floating flooring systems, and particularly as timber based pedestal, cradle or saddle flooring systems.

GB 2 321 070 A (DANSKIN) discloses a flooring component comprising a saddle member adapted to be positioned upon a support means provided between a substrate and a flooring member(s) to be supported above the substrate, said saddle member comprising a plate member or headcap, said plate member being provided with flange means extending substantially perpendicularly from marginal portions of a first surface of the plate member and adapted to engage said support means in use, and four L-shaped brackets extending outwardly of a second opposite surface of said plate member from positions extending inwardly of marginal portions of the plate member, each L-shaped member having a right-angled corner portion and being arranged so that said corners face each other in a spaced apart manner so as to define a cruciform channel therebetween.

GB 2 348 218 A (DANSKIN) discloses a building system providing at least one building component comprising a P13629GB saddle member and further providing at least one packing piece, the saddle member including a channel capable of receiving the at least one packing piece, wherein surfaces of the saddle member and packing piece which oppose one another, in use, are provided with interengaging means such that, in use, the interengaging means co-operate so as to locate the packing piece at a predetermined position relative to the saddle member.

Such a building system is particularly suitable as a flooring system.

The content of the aforementioned documents, also by the present Applicant, is incorporated herein by reference.

Conventional underfloor heating is generally in the form of electric cables or pipes carrying hot water laid in a screed of sand and cement.

It is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate, or at least mitigate, one or more Problems/disadvantages in

the prior art.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to seek to address a need which has developed or been identified in the art.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a P13629GB flooring system for quick and easy levelling of poor sub- floors.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a flooring system with an improved level of acoustic insulation, and particularly impact sound insulation.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a flooring system including underfloor heating means or panels. it is desirable so as to increase efficiency of thermal transfer from such panels to flooring members that the panels contact the flooring members.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a flooring system over a sub-floor such as a concrete sub- floor offering underfloor heating and/or heat insulation.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a flooring system enabling a timber floating floor to be installed economically directly over uneven subfloors, such as concrete sub-floors, without the need for levelling screeds or awkward packing procedures. Such a system can be used as a support structure for ground floors and as an acoustic flooring system for party floors.

P13629GB It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a building or flooring system having thermal insulation.

This is particularly beneficial for ground floors.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One or more of the aforementioned objectives are addressed or met by the general solution of providing a saddle type flooring system having underfloor heating means, and/or thermal insulation means.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a building system, such as a flooring system, comprising: at least one building component such as a flooring component; at least one building member (e.g. substantially planar building member) such as a flooring member; and at least one panel member, wherein, in use, at least a portion of the panel member is provided between at least a portion of the building component and the building member.

Preferably, the building system comprises a flooring system.

Preferably, the building system comprises a plurality of building components and at least a first portion of the panel member is provided between at least P13629GB a portion of one of the building components and the building member and at least a second portion of the panel member is provided between at least a portion of another of the building components and the building member.

The at least one portion of the panel member may comprise a peripheral portion thereof.

The first portion of the panel member may comprise a first longitudinal edge portion. The second portion of the panel member may comprise a second longitudinal edge portion. The first and second longitudinal edge portions may be substantially parallel.

The or each building component or flooring component may comprise a saddle member, cradle or pedestal.

Preferably, the at least one panel member may comprise an underfloor heating panel.

The underfloor heating panel may comprise an insulating body carrying at least one and possibly a plurality of heating means.

Alternatively or additionally the at least one panel member may comprise an insulation panel.

The building member may comprise a substantially planar building member or board.

Preferably each saddle member is adapted to be placed on or against a building or supporting structure P13629GB such as a sub-floor upon or against which the building system is to be provided.

Preferably the building system further comprises at least one batten capable of being received by the or at least one of the at least one saddle members.

In use, the/each at least one saddle member may be placed on or against the supporting structure, the/each at least one batten may be received by the/one of the saddle members, and the/each at least one batten may be fixed to the at least one building member, e.g. substantially planar building member, e.g. by nailing.

The building component may comprise a batten receiving portion and at least one panel receiving or supporting portion.

Preferably, there is provided a substantially linear boundary between the batten receiving portion and the or each panel receiving portion.

Preferably, the or each substantially linear boundary extends at least partially across the building component.

Preferably, there is provided a panel receiving portion on either side of the batten receiving portion.

Preferably, therefore there are provided two substantially parallel spaced linear boundaries.

The/each saddle member may comprise a plate member or headcap. The/each saddle member may also comprise a P1362 9GB support means upon which the plate member is provided.

The plate member may provide flange means extending substantially perpendicularly from marginal portions of a first surface of the plate member and adapted to engage the support means, in use.

In one implementation the at least a portion of the panel member is received and supported by the panel receiving portion of the saddle member which comprises part of an upper surface thereof.

In an alternative implementation, the building component comprises a saddle member having an upper surf ace and the building system further comprises elevation or packing means, the elevation means being mountable or receivable on the saddle member upper surface, the at least a portion of the panel member being received and supported by an upper surface of the elevation means.

The one implementation and the alternative implementation may be found in the same embodiment.

A length of the packing means may be less than or equal to a breadth of the building component. In such case, the packing means are contained upon an upper surface of the building component. Alternatively, the length of the packing means may be greater than a breadth of the building component. In such case, the packing P13629GB means may overlap or overhang at least one and preferably two longitudinal edges of the building component.

In a preferred implementation the at least one panel member and the/each batten are of substantially the same thickness.

Preferably, each saddle member has two panel receiving portions and two linear boundaries, the two linear boundaries being parallel. The two linear boundaries may define a channel therebetween, the channel being sized to receive a batten.

Preferably, the/each linear boundary is defined by at least one wall member extending from the upper surface of the saddle member. Preferably, the/each linear boundary is defined by two co-linear spaced wall portions.

Where there are two parallel linear boundaries defining a batten channel, each linear boundary may be defined by two wall portions, each pair of wall portions having a pair of opposing wall ends, the opposing wall ends of one linear boundary being aligned with the opposing wall ends of the other linear boundary to define a passage substantially perpendicular to the batten channel.

Conveniently, the passage may be adapted to receive the elevation means. The elevation means may comprise at least one packing piece, the/each packing piece P13629GB preferably being received in at least a portion of the passage so as to determine a depth to which a batten may be placed within the batten receiving portion.

Further, surfaces of the saddle member and a packing piece which oppose one another, in use, may be provided with interengaging means such that, in use, the interengaging means co-operate so as to locate the packing piece at a predetermined position relative to the saddle member.

The interengaging means may comprise at least one recess or hole formed in the saddle member and at least one corresponding nipple or other suitably shaped protrusion carried on the packing piece.

Advantageously, the at least one recess or hole, and the at least one nipple or other suitably shaped protrusion are arranged substantially symmetrically upon the saddle and the packing piece respectively.

Advantageously, the headcap and/or each packing piece may be formed from a substantially rigid material, e.g. a plastics material such as ABS or polypropylene.

The at least one packing piece may extend beyond at least one edge and possibly two opposing the edges of the saddle member, e.g. in said alternative embodiment mentioned hereinbefore.

Preferably, the wall members are lesser in height than the batten(s) and/or the panel member(s) P13629GB Preferably, the batten(s) and the panel member(s) are of substantially the same height.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a flooring system comprising: at least one saddle member; at least one flooring member; and at least one panel member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a building component when used in, or adapted for use in, a building system according to either of the first or second aspects of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a building component, such as a flooring component, comprising a batten receiving channel and a panel receiving or Supporting portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a floor construction comprising or including a building system according to the first or second aspects of the present invention, or a building component according to the third or fourth aspects of the present invention.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a building structure comprising or including a building system according to the first or second aspects of the present invention, a building component according to the third or fourth aspects of the P13 62 9G present invention, or a floor construction according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of constructing a floor, such as an acoustic insulating and/or underfloor heating floor, comprising the steps of: providing a flooring system according to either of the first or second aspects of the present invention; positioning a plurality of flooring components in a plurality of spaced rows over a surface of a building structure; spacing flooring components within each of the rows and aligning the flooring components of each row; receiving and supporting panels on panel receiving portions of the plurality of flooring components; and receiving flooring members on the flooring components.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of receiving battens in batten receiving portions of the plurality of flooring components prior to receiving the flooring components, and preferably prior to receiving and supporting the panels.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a packing piece or elevation means for use in the building system of the first or second aspects, wherein the packing piece is adapted to P13 62 9GB extend beyond at least one edge, and preferably two opposing edges, of a building component of the building system.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention there is provided a building component comprising: a batten receiving portion; and at least one panel receiving or supporting portion; wherein the batten receiving portion and each panel receiving portion are separated by a substantially linear boundary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are: Figure 1 a side view of a part of a floating floor system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 an exploded perspective view of the part of the floating floor system of Figure 1; and Figure 3 a planar view of the floating floor system of Figure 1 with some of the battens and panel members shown in broken outline, prior to installation of flooring members.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a side view of a building system comprising a floating floor system, generally designated by reference numeral 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flooring system 10 comprises a flooring component 12, a flooring member 14 in the form of floorboard or flooring panel 16, and panel members 18 in the form of underfloor heating panels 20a, 20b. In a modified embodiment the panels 20a, 20b may comprise thermal insulation panels. A portion 22a, 22b of the underfloor heating panels 20a, 20b is provided between a portion 24a, 24b of the flooring component 12 and the floorboard 16.

The flooring component 12 comprises a saddle member and includes a resilient sound absorbing layer 26 which, in use, rests on a concrete or timber sub floor 28 and a headcap 30. The resilient sound absorbing layer 26 can be adhered to the headcap 30 of the flooring component 12. Alternatively, the resilient sound absorbing layer 26 can be adhered to a timber block (not shown) which can in turn be adhered to the flooring component 12.

Selection of the height of the timber block provides coarse height adjustment of the flooring component 12.

The flooring system 10 further comprises a number of packing pieces, in this case first and second packing P13629GB pieces 32, 34. The purpose of the first and second packing pieces 32, 34 is to provide fine height adjustment so that the flooring member 14 is at the desired height from the sub floor 28.

The underficor heating panels 20a, 20b comprise a channel 36 with a channel surface 38. Covering the channel surface 38 and spreading either side of the channel 36 along a top surface 40 of the underfloor heating panels 20a, 20b is a heat spreader plate 42. The panels 20a, 20b may be made from extruded or expanded Polystyrene or similar insulating material. The same or similar materials can be used where the panels 20a, 20b are thermal insulation panels.

Contained within the channel 36 is a pipe 44 which carries hot water (not shown) . Heat from the hot water is carried by conduction across the spreader plate 42 and through the flooring member 14. The heat spreader plate 42 is provided to spread the heat from the hot water across an area. This prevents localised heating in the region immediately surrounding the hot water pipe 44, which could contribute to the warping of the flooring member 14.

The flooring member 14 is nailed by nail 46 to a batten 48, or alternatively or additionally the flooring member 14 could be screwed or glued to the batten 48.

P13629GB The arrangement of flooring component 12 can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, showing an exploded perspective view of the flooring system 10 of Figure 1.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the headcap 30 has an upper surface 48. Upstanding from the upper surface 48 of the headcap 30 is a first pair of wall members 52 and a second pair of wall members 54. The first and second pairs of wall members 52, 54 are parallel and define a batten receiving channel 49.

The Opposing ends 56 of the first pair of wall members 52 and the Opposing ends 58 of the second pair of wall members 54 define a passage so for receiving the first and second packing pieces 32, 34. The passage 50 is perpendicular to the channel 49.

The upper surface 48 of the headcap 30 is provided with engaging means 46, which engage with complementary engaging means (not shown) on an underside 60 of the first packing piece 32, such that the first packing piece 32 can be located at a predetermined Position relative to the headcap 30. An upper surface 62 of the first packing piece 32 is also provided with engaging means (not shown) , which engage with complementary engaging means (not shown) on an underside 64 of the second packing piece 34, for the same reason. In this case, the engaging means are recesses which engage complementary nipples (not shown).

P13629GB An upper surface 66 of the second packing piece 34 receives a portion 22a, 22b of each underfloor heating panel 20a, 20b and the batten 48. Referring back to Figure 1, the underfloor heating panels 20a, 20b are of similar or substantially the same depth as the batten 48, which seeks to ensure the spreader plate 42, is adjacent or preferably intimately contacts an underside 68 of the flooring member 14. This is a desirable position for providing efficient heat transfer through the flooring member 14.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a planar view of the floating floor system 10 of Figure 1 prior to the installation of the flooring members 14, with some of the battens 48 and underfloor heating or insulation panels 20 shown in broken outline. In this example, flooring components 12a-12i are laid out in a grid pattern. For clarity only the surface detail of flooring component "12g" is shown, showing wall members 52g, 54g and packing pieces 32g,34g. Each flooring component 12a- 12i optionally receives one or more packing pieces 32, 34, and also receives a batten 48a-48c. The packing pieces 32, 34, or where not provided the upper surface 48 of the saddle member 30, supports a longitudinal edge of an underfloor heating or insulation panel 20a-20i.

It will be understood that the foregoing embodiments of the present invention are given for illustrative P13629GB purposes only, and that various modifications and improvements may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the panel members 18, in this case underfloor heating panels 20, could be insulation panels.

Further, the flooring system io with underfloor heating panels 20 or insulation panels could be adapted for use as an insulated or heated wall or ceiling system. Yet further, the hot water pipe 44 could be replaced with electric heating elements. it is also noted (see Figure 1) that in the embodiment an air gap 70 is provided between the sub floor 28 and each panel 20a, 20b.

It will also be appreciated that the present invention provides a product which can be used to create a floating floor with flooring members mounted directly to battens which are supported by elevated saddles or cradles and which also provides insulating panels or underfloor heating panels as required under at least part of the floating floor.

It will further be appreciated that existing saddle members, such as those described in GB 2 321 070A by the present Applicant, could be used in the present invention. In such case, the panel receiving portion could be a corner of the headcap on the inside of an IILTF shaped bracket or wall member.

P13629GB It will finally be appreciated that the embodiments (including the disclosed embodiment) of the invention may include any of the features recited in the Summary of Invention.

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Claims

1. A building system, such as a flooring system, comprising: at least one building component such as a flooring component; at least one building member such as a flooring member; and at least one panel member, wherein, in use, at least a portion of the panel member is provided between at least a portion of the building component and the building member.

2. A building system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the building system comprises a flooring system, the at least one building component comprises a flooring component and the at least one building member comprises a flooring member.

3. A building system as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the building system comprises a plurality of building components and at least a first portion of the panel member is provided between at least a portion of one of the building components and the building member and at least a second portion of the panel member is P13 62 9GB provided between at least a portion of another of the building components and the building member.

4. A building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one portion of the panel member comprises a peripheral portion thereof.

5. A building system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first portion of the panel member comprises a first longitudinal edge portion, the second portion of the panel member comprises a second longitudinal edge portion, and the first and second longitudinal edge portions are substantially parallel.

6. A building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each building component comprises a flooring component comprising a saddle member, cradle or pedestal.

7. A building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one panel member comprises an underfloor heating panel.

8. A building system as claimed in any of claims i to 7, wherein the underfloor heating panel comprises an insulating body carrying at least one heating means.

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9. A building system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one panel member comprises an insulation panel.

10. A building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the building member comprises a substantially planar building member or board.

11. A building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein each saddle member is adapted to be placed on or against a building or supporting structure such as a sub-floor upon or against which the building system is to be provided.

12. A building system as claimed in claim 6 or any of claims 7 to 9 when dependent upon claim 6, wherein the building system further comprises at least one batten capable of being received by the or at least one of the at least one saddle members.

13. A building system as claimed in claim 12, wherein in use, the/each at least one saddle member is placed on or against the supporting structure, the/each at least one batten is received by the/one of the saddle members, and the/each at least one batten is fixed to the at least one building member.

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14. A building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the building component comprises a batten receiving portion and at least one panel receiving or S supporting portion.

15. A building system as claimed in claim 14, wherein there is provided a substantially linear boundary between the batten receiving portion and the or each panel receiving portion.

16. A building system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the or each substantially linear boundary extends at least Partially across the building component.

17. A building system as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, wherein there is provided a panel receiving portion on either side of the batten receiving portion.

18. A building system as claimed in claim 17 when dependent upon claim 16, wherein there are provided two substantially parallel spaced linear boundaries.

19. A building system as claimed in claim 6 or any of claims 7 to 18 when dependent upon claim 6, wherein the/each saddle member comprises a plate member or P13 62 9GB headcap a support means upon which the plate member is provided, the plate member being provided with a flange means extending substantially perpendicularly from marginal portions of a first surface of the plate member and adapted to engage the support means, in use.

20. A building system as claimed in claim 14 or any of claims 15 to 19 when dependent upon claim 14, wherein the at least a portion of the panel member is received and supported by the panel receiving portion of the saddle member which comprises part of an upper surface thereof.

21. A building system as claimed in claim 14 or any of clams 15 to 20 when dependent upon claim 14, wherein the building component comprises a saddle member having an upper surface and the building system further comprises elevation or packing means, the elevation means being mountable or receivable on the saddle member upper surface, the at least a portion of the panel member being received and supported by an upper surface of the elevation means.

22. A building system as claimed in claim 21, wherein a length of the packing means is less than or equal to a breadth of the building component.

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23. A building system as claimed in claim 21, wherein a length of the packing means is greater than a breadth of the building component.

24. A building system as claimed in claim 12 or any of claims 13 to 23 when dependent upon claim 12, wherein the at least one panel member and the/each batten are of substantially the same thickness.

25. A building system as claimed in claim 6 or any of claims 7 to 24 when dependent upon claim 6, wherein each saddle member has two panel receiving portions and two linear boundaries the two linear boundaries being substantially parallel.

26. A building system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the two linear boundaries define a channel therebetween, the channel being sized to receive a batten.

27. A building system as claimed in either of claims 25 or 26, wherein the/each linear boundary is defined by at least one wall member extending from the upper surface of the saddle member.

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28. A building system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the/each linear boundary is defined by two co-linear spaced wall portions.

29. A building system as claimed in claim 6 or any of claims 7 to 24 when dependent upon claim 6, wherein there are provided two parallel linear boundaries defining a batten channel, each linear boundary being defined by two wall portions, each pair of wall portions having a pair of opposing wall ends, the opposing wall ends of one linear boundary being aligned with the opposing wall ends of the other linear boundary to define a passage substantially perpendicular to the batten channel.

30. A building system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the passage is adapted to receive the elevation means, the elevation means comprising at least one packing piece, the/each packing piece being receivable in at least a portion of the passage so as to determine a depth to which a batten is placed within the batten receiving portion.

31. A building system as claimed in claim 30, wherein surfaces of the saddle member and a packing piece which oppose one another, in use, are provided with interengaging means such that, in use, the interengaging P13 62 9GB means co-operate so as to locate the packing piece at a predetermined position relative to the saddle member.

32. A building system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the interengaging means comprise at least one recess or hole formed in the saddle member and at least one corresponding nipple or other suitably shaped protrusion carried on the packing piece.

33. A building system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the at least one recess or hole, and the at least one nipple or other suitably shaped protrusion are arranged substantially symmetrically upon the saddle and the packing piece respectively.

34. A building system as claimed in claim 19 or claim 30, wherein the headcap and/or each packing piece are formed from a substantially rigid plastics material such as ABS or polypropylene.

35. A building system as claimed in claim 30 when dependent upon claim 6, wherein the at least one packing piece extends beyond one edge or two opposing edges of the saddle member.

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36. A building system as claimed in either of claims 27 or 28, wherein the wall members are lesser in height than the batten(s) and/or the panel member(s)

37. A building system as claimed in claim 12 or any of claims 13 to 36 when dependent upon claim 12, wherein the batten(s) and the panel member(s) are of substantially the same height.

38. A flooring system comprising: at least one saddle member; at least one flooring member; and at least one panel member.

39. A building component when used in, or adapted for use in, a building system according to any of claims 1 to 37 or claim 38.

40. A building component, such as a flooring component, comprising a batten receiving channel and a panel receiving or supporting portion.

41. A floor construction comprising a building system according to any of claims 1 to 37 or claim 38, or a building component according to either claim 39 or claim 40.

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42. A building structure comprising a building system according to any of claims 1 to 37 or claim 38, a building component according to either claim 39 or claim 40, or a floor construction according to claim 41.

43. A method of constructing a floor, such as an acoustic insulating and/or underfloor heating floor, comprising the steps of: providing a flooring system comprising a building system according to any of claims 1 to 37 or claim 38 Positioning a plurality of flooring components in a Plurality of spaced rows over a surface of a building structure; spacing flooring components within each of the rows and aligning the flooring components of each row; receiving and supporting panels on panel receiving portions of the Plurality of flooring components; and receiving flooring members on the flooring components.

44. A method as claimed in claim 43, wherein the method further comprises the step of receiving battens in batten receiving portions of the Plurality of flooring components prior to receiving the flooring components, and Optionally prior to receiving and supporting the panels.

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45. A packing piece or elevation means for use in a building system according to any of claims 1 to 37 or claim 38, wherein the packing piece is adapted to extend beyond at least one edge, or two opposing edges, of a building component of the building system.

46. A building component comprising: a batten receiving portion; and at least one panel receiving or supporting portion; wherein the batten receiving portion and each panel receiving portion are separated by a substantially linear boundary.

47. A saddle type flooring system having underfloor heating means, and/or thermal insulation means.

48. A building system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

49. A flooring system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

50. A building component when used in or adapted for use in a building system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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51. A building component as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

52. A floor construction including or comprising a building system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

53. A building structure including or comprising a building system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

54. A method of constructing a floor comprising a building system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

55. A packing piece or elevation means adapted for use in a building system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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