GB2529840A - Flooring systems - Google Patents

Flooring systems Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2529840A
GB2529840A GB1415576.6A GB201415576A GB2529840A GB 2529840 A GB2529840 A GB 2529840A GB 201415576 A GB201415576 A GB 201415576A GB 2529840 A GB2529840 A GB 2529840A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
ground
tiles
ground anchor
aperture
tile
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1415576.6A
Other versions
GB201415576D0 (en
Inventor
Jonathan Robert Paul Vaughan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ECO TRACK & ACCESS Ltd
Original Assignee
ECO TRACK & ACCESS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ECO TRACK & ACCESS Ltd filed Critical ECO TRACK & ACCESS Ltd
Priority to GB1415576.6A priority Critical patent/GB2529840A/en
Publication of GB201415576D0 publication Critical patent/GB201415576D0/en
Publication of GB2529840A publication Critical patent/GB2529840A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C5/00—Pavings made of prefabricated single units
    • E01C5/20—Pavings made of prefabricated single units made of units of plastics, e.g. concrete with plastics, linoleum
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C5/00—Pavings made of prefabricated single units
    • E01C5/001—Pavings made of prefabricated single units on prefabricated supporting structures or prefabricated foundation elements except coverings made of layers of similar elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C9/00—Special pavings; Pavings for special parts of roads or airfields
    • E01C9/08—Temporary pavings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C9/00—Special pavings; Pavings for special parts of roads or airfields
    • E01C9/08—Temporary pavings
    • E01C9/086—Temporary pavings made of concrete, wood, bitumen, rubber or synthetic material or a combination thereof
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D5/00—Bulkheads, piles, or other structural elements specially adapted to foundation engineering
    • E02D5/74—Means for anchoring structural elements or bulkheads
    • E02D5/80—Ground anchors
    • E02D5/801—Ground anchors driven by screwing
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C2201/00—Paving elements
    • E01C2201/12—Paving elements vertically interlocking
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/02177—Floor elements for use at a specific location
    • E04F15/02183—Floor elements for use at a specific location for outdoor use, e.g. in decks, patios, terraces, verandas or the like
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/024—Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/02044—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer
    • E04F2015/02105—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer without load-supporting elongated furring elements between the flooring elements and the underlayer
    • E04F2015/02127—Separate elements for fastening to an underlayer without load-supporting elongated furring elements between the flooring elements and the underlayer adjustable perpendicular to the underlayer
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0107—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels substantially in their own plane, perpendicular to the abutting edges
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2203/00—Specially structured or shaped covering, lining or flooring elements not otherwise provided for
    • E04F2203/02—Specially structured or shaped covering, lining or flooring elements not otherwise provided for having particular shapes, other than square or rectangular, e.g. triangular, hexagonal, circular, irregular
    • E04F2203/026—Specially structured or shaped covering, lining or flooring elements not otherwise provided for having particular shapes, other than square or rectangular, e.g. triangular, hexagonal, circular, irregular having hexagonal shapes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/32—Parts, components, construction details, accessories, interior equipment, specially adapted for tents, e.g. guy-line equipment, skirts, thresholds
    • E04H15/56—Floors

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Road Paving Structures (AREA)
  • Floor Finish (AREA)

Abstract

A ground anchor 1 for use with a modular, interlocking floor system (20, figure 6) comprising multiple interconnecting tiles (10, Figure 4) connectable to define a planar structure, and at least one tile has an aperture for receiving the ground anchor, wherein the anchor has a helical ground penetrating part 8 and a flange part 4 for contacting to the upper surface of a tile when in use. The anchor is screwed into the ground through the recess to secure one or more tiles. The flange may be a circular disc 4 attached to a hollow box section 2 which is welded in position inside the spiral part 8. The anchor may have a recess 6 for receiving a driving tool e.g. a T-bar. Tiles may include a further recess so the flange may lie flush. The floor may be temporary e.g. a marquee base, road or walkway. The tiles may be hexagonal or rectangular.

Description

TITLE
Flooring systems
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
The present invention relates flooring systems, and in particular to interlocking, modular flooring systems that can he used to provide temporary flooring for indoor or outdoor usc.
Background Art
Interlocking modular flooring systems are well known. They consist of tiles, typically made of a robust plastics material, which can he connectcd togcthcr to form a planar structure that can be used as a temporary floor, walkway or roadway for pedestrians or vehicular access. Each tile includes at least one male coupling part and at least one cooperating female coupling part. Typically at least one coupling part is provided on each side of the tile. A phirality of identical tiles can be assembled together using the coupling parts to form a planar structure having the desired size and shape. Examples of such modifiar flooring systems are ECO Gridmat and ECO Terra-Tech supphed by Eco Track & Access Limited of Bridgemere Mills, Mowsley Lane, Nr Walton, Lciccstcrshirc. Thcsc are lightweight, vcrsatilc systems that arc quick and casy to install. The ECO Gridmat system uses rectangular tiles where one short side includes a male coupUng part and the other short side includes a female coupling part. One long side includes three male coupling parts and the other long side includes three female coupling parts. The ECO Terra-Tech system uses hexagonal tiles where three non-adjacent sides include male coupling parts and other sides include female couph ug parts.
Engagement between the male and female coupling parts of adjacent tiles connects the adjacent tiles together in a secure manner. Adjacent tiles can be released by puffing them apart when the planar structure needs to he taken up.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a ground anchor adapted for use with an interlocking modular flooring system comprising a plurality of tiles having male and female coupling parts, the tiles being connectable together by the male and female coupling parts to define a planar structure, and at least one of the tiles having an aperture for receiving the ground anchor, the ground anchor comprising: a helical ground-penetrating part; and a flange part that is in contact with thc upper surface of thc at least onc tilc when the ground anchor is received through the aperture in use.
The ground-penetrating part can he of any suitable length and will typically he in the form of a pointed metal helix.
The flange part will typically be in the foim of a flat metal plate of suitable shape and can extend outwards from a hollow-section part (e.g., a metal box-section). The hollow-section part can be positioned within a proximal end of the ground-penetrating part. The hollow-section part can he welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the proximal end of the ground-penetrating part and the flange part to form the ground anchor.
The ground anchor can include a driving recess for receiving a driver tool for rotating the ground anchor. The driving recess can be positioned at a centre of the flange part and can optionally he defined by the hollow-section part. A driver tool (e.g., a T-har) can be inserted into the driving recess and used to rotate the ground anchor.
The aperture will typically be at the centre of the tile, but can optionally be provided at any suitable position. The aperture must be large enough to receive the ground-penetrating part of the pound anchor, optionally with a predetermined clearance.
The present invention further provides an interlocking modular flooring system (or kit) comprising; a ground anchor as dcscrihcd ahovc: and a plurality of tiles having mak and female coupling parts. the tiles being connectable together by the male and female coupling parts to define a planar structure, at least onc of thc tiles including an aperture for receiving the ground anchor.
The present invention further provides an assembly comprising: a ground anchor as described above; and a planar structure being dcfincd by a plurality of intcrconnectcd tiles having male and fenmle coupling parts. at least one of the tiles including an apermre, the ground anchor being received through the aperture with its liange part in contact with the upper surface of the at least one tile and its ground-penetrating part extending into the underlying ground to secure the at least one tile to the ground.
lii use, the tiles can be interconnected to form the planar structure that can be used as a temporary floor, walkway or roadway for pedestrians or vehicular access. The ground anchor can be positioned such that the distal end of the ground-penetrating part extends through the aperture in the tile and rests on the ground or is driven a short distance into the ground. The driver toot can he inserted into the driver recess and used to rotate the ground anchor so that the ground-penetrating part is driven further into the ground. The ground anchor is rotated until the flange part comes into contact with the upper surface of the tUe. The driver tool can then he removed from the driver recess. The ground anchor can be rotated in the opposite direction using the driver tool to remove it from the ground.
Tn one arrangement, the tUe can be provided with a shallow annular cut-out or recess that surrounds the aperture and which is shaped to receive the flange part so that the upper surface of the flange part is substantially flush with the upper surface of the tile.
But it is normally acceptable for the flange part to sit slightly proud of the upper surface of the tile, particulady if the tUe includes raised non-slip features on its upper surface, which non-slip features can optionally be absent in the region that would be covered by the flange part of the ground anchor.
The tile is secured against lateral and upward movement because it is held firmly between the ground and the flange of the ground anchor. The flange part is in contact with the upper surface of the tile and provides an additional technical advantage of reinforcing the tile. In practice, the flange part forms part of the upper surface of the tile and increases the amount of loading that can be applied to the tile. The size and thickness of the flange part can he adjusted to provide the required strength and rigidity to thc tilc. Thc flange part can cover a substantial proportion of the upper surface of the tile, and in particular more of the upper surface than would otherwise be needed just to secure the tile against movement.
A plurality of tiles within the planar stmcture will typically include an aperture so that the planar structure can be secured by a plurality of ground anchors. In one arrangement, all of the tiles can include an aperture that can be closed by a suitable cover if it is not receiving a ground anchor. This allows the planar structure to be assembled using just one type of tile. But in another arrangement, the planar structure can be assembled using two (or more) types of tile, e.g., tiles with an aperture and tiles without an aperture. The tiles with an aperture for receiving a ground anchor are then assembled into the planar structure at appropriate positions.
A section of the planar structure can be selectively reinforced using the ground anchors. For example, ii the tiles are used to define a planar structure that is predominantly to be used as a temporary floor for pedestrians, but which includes a section that is to he used intermittently for vehicular access, the strength and rigidity of at least some of the tiles in that particular section can be increased by inserting ground anchors. Tins has the clfcct of reinforcing that section oF the planar structure and avoids the need to use heavy-duty tiles that are more difficult to install. Not all of the tiles in the particular section need to receive a ground anchor. The number of positioning of the ground anchors can be selected to provide the necessary amount of reinforcement.
Thc tiles can be rectangular tiles or hexagonal tiles, e.g., thc ECO Gridmat or ECO telTa-tech tiles supplied by Eco Track & Access Limited.
Drawings Figure 1 shows a side view of a ground anchor according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows an upper perspective view of the ground anchor of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a lower perspective view of the ground anchor of Figures 1 and 2: Figure 4 shows a hexagonal tile of an interlocking modular flooring system according to the present invention that can be used to construct a planar surface; Figure 5 shows the ground anchor of Figures 1 to 3 received through the hexagonal tile of Figure 4; and Figure 6 shows part of a planar structure constructed using a plurality of the hexagonal tiles shown in Figure 4.
With reference to Figures 1 to 3 a ground anchor 1 includes a metal box-section part 2. A metal circular flange part 4 is welded to an end of the box-section part 2 and extends outwardly to define a flat plate. The box-section part 2 defines an opening 6 in the centre of the flange part 4 that is a driver recess for receiving a driver tool (not shown). A ground-penetrating part 8 of the ground anchor is a pointed metal helix with a distal end 8a and a proximal end 8b that is welded to the box-section part 2 and the flange plate 4.
A hexagonal tile 10 is shown in Figure 4. The hexagonal tile 10 can be an ECO terra-tech tile supplied by Eco Track & Access Limited, for example. Alternate edges of the hexagonal tile 10 are provided with hooks 12 and channels 14 which cooperate to releasably secure tile hexagonal tiles together iii a quick arid easy manner. The hexagonal tile 10 includes an aperture 16 at its centre. The aperture 16 is large enough to receive the ground-penetrating part 8 of the ground anchor 1, optionally with a predetermined clearance.
Figure 5 shows the hexagonal tile 10 with a ground anchor 1 received through the aperture 16.
hi use, the hexagonal tiles 10 can be interconnected to form a planar structure 20 (Figure 6) that can be used as a temporary floor, walkway or roadway for pedestrians or vehicifiar access. Each ground anchor I can he positioned such that the dista' end Sa of the ground-penetrating partS extends through the aperture 16 in the hexagonal tile 10 and rests on the ground or is driven a short distance into the ground. The driver tool (not shown) can he inserted into the driver recess 6 defined by the box-section part 2 and used to rotate the ground anchor 1 so that the ground-penetrating part S is driven further into the ground. The ground anchor 1 is rotated until the flange part 4 comes into contact with the upper surface of the hexagonal tile 10. The driver tool (not shown) can then be removed from the driver recess 6.
A section 22 of the planar structure 20 is selectively reinforced using the ground anchors 1.

Claims (10)

  1. CLAIMS1. A ground anchor adapted for use with an interlocking modular floorng system comprising a plurality of tiles having male and female coupling parts, the tiles being connectahle together by the male and female coupling parts to define a planar structure, and at least one of the tiles having an aperture for receiving the ground anchor, the ground anchor comprising: a helical ground-penetrating part; and a flange part that is in contact with the upper surface of the at least one tile when the ground anchor is received through the aperture in use.
  2. 2. A ground anchor according to claim 1. wherein the flange part extends outwards from a hollow-section part.
  3. 3. A ground anchor according to claim 2, wherein the hollow-section part is positioned within an end of the ground-penetrating part.
  4. 4. A ground anchor according to any preceding claim, further comprising a driving recess for receiving a driver tool for rotating the ground anchor.
  5. 5. An interlocking modular flooring system comprising; a ground anchor according to any preceding claim; and a plurality of tfles having male and female coupling parts, the tfles being connectable together by the male and female coupling parts to define a planar structure, at least one of the tiles including an aperture for receiving the ground anchor.
  6. 6. An assembly comprising: a ground anchor according to any of claims 1 to 4; and a planar structure being defined by a plurality of interconnected tiles having male and female coupling parts, at least one of the tiles including an aperture, the ground anchor being received through the aperture with its flange part in contact with the upper surface of the at least one tile and its ground-penetrating part extending into the underlying ground to secure the at least one tile to the ground.
  7. 7. An assembly according to claim 6, comprising a plura'ity of ground anchors according to any of claims I to 4, wherein a plurality of tiles indude an aperture, each ground anchor being received through a respective aperture with its flange part in contact with the upper surface of the respective tile and its ground-penetrating part cxtending into the underlying ground to secure the respective tile to the ground.
  8. 8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of tiles that receive a ground anchor define part of a reinforced section of the planar structure.
  9. 9. An interlocking modular flooring system according to claim 5 or an assembly according to any of claims 6 to 8. wherein the tiles are rectangular tiles or hexagonal tiles.
  10. 10. A ground anchor substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.
GB1415576.6A 2014-09-03 2014-09-03 Flooring systems Withdrawn GB2529840A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1415576.6A GB2529840A (en) 2014-09-03 2014-09-03 Flooring systems

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1415576.6A GB2529840A (en) 2014-09-03 2014-09-03 Flooring systems

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201415576D0 GB201415576D0 (en) 2014-10-15
GB2529840A true GB2529840A (en) 2016-03-09

Family

ID=51752538

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1415576.6A Withdrawn GB2529840A (en) 2014-09-03 2014-09-03 Flooring systems

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2529840A (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB581171A (en) * 1942-07-09 1946-10-03 Vassal Charles Steer Webster Improved temporary roadway, pavement or like supporting surface
DE19954121A1 (en) * 1999-11-11 2001-05-17 Mediasol Gmbh & Co Kg Flexible mat as temporary ground cover over earth or sand for outdoor events is a number of braided strips with distributed anchor points to be laid as and where required
WO2002014611A1 (en) * 2000-08-15 2002-02-21 Gluck Lyle E Protective system for airport runway and taxiway light fixtures
GB2414973A (en) * 2004-11-05 2005-12-14 Vaughans Of Leicester Ltd Helicopter landing pads
GB2415441A (en) * 2004-06-24 2005-12-28 Access To Design Ltd Support, e.g. for post
WO2009075595A2 (en) * 2007-12-12 2009-06-18 Neil Evans Limited Fencing arrangements
EP2505718A1 (en) * 2011-03-30 2012-10-03 BTC Participation Device for maintaining lining sheets in green spaces

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB581171A (en) * 1942-07-09 1946-10-03 Vassal Charles Steer Webster Improved temporary roadway, pavement or like supporting surface
DE19954121A1 (en) * 1999-11-11 2001-05-17 Mediasol Gmbh & Co Kg Flexible mat as temporary ground cover over earth or sand for outdoor events is a number of braided strips with distributed anchor points to be laid as and where required
WO2002014611A1 (en) * 2000-08-15 2002-02-21 Gluck Lyle E Protective system for airport runway and taxiway light fixtures
GB2415441A (en) * 2004-06-24 2005-12-28 Access To Design Ltd Support, e.g. for post
GB2414973A (en) * 2004-11-05 2005-12-14 Vaughans Of Leicester Ltd Helicopter landing pads
WO2009075595A2 (en) * 2007-12-12 2009-06-18 Neil Evans Limited Fencing arrangements
EP2505718A1 (en) * 2011-03-30 2012-10-03 BTC Participation Device for maintaining lining sheets in green spaces

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201415576D0 (en) 2014-10-15

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