GB2585840A - Adjustable support rail systems, adjustable pedestals and uses thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The adjustable support rail system 100, particularly for decking, includes at least one adjustable pedestal 3 and a rail 1 with at least one through-hole 9. The pedestal comprises a base (11, figure 2) with a first threaded portion (13, figure 3) and an adjustment member (15, figure 2) with a complementary second threaded portion (23, figure 2), a head (17, figure 2) locatable in the through-hole and a shoulder 21 configured to support the rail. The height is adjustable by rotating the head of the adjustment member, which may comprise a socket or projection 25 (e.g. a hex socket) and may be a waisted bolt with a shank smaller than the thread diameter. The shoulder portion may be a separate washer, and there may be a limit-stop. Also claimed are an adjustable pedestal comprising a collar with oppositely-handed screw threads on its interior and exterior surfaces, arranged to engage with a threaded base member and support head respectively; a system comprising this pedestal; and a method of adjusting the height of a rail.

Description

Adjustable support rail systems, adjustable pedestals and uses thereof Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an adjustable pedestal and adjustable support rail system and particularly, although not exclusively, to an adjustable pedestal for supporting a floor member such as a rail for supporting one or more decking panels.

Background

It is known to provide pedestals for supporting floors or for supporting individual component parts of a floor. For example, it is known to provide pedestals for supporting one or more floor components including floor slabs or rails (upon which other floor members such as decking panels can be supported). Where a floor is supported by one or more pedestals, it is typically referred to as an elevated floor. Elevated flooring typically comprises a plurality of pedestals uniformly distributed over a sub-floor surface (e.g. a roof, terrace, balcony etc. although a wide range of sub-floor surfaces may be suitable for installing an elevated floor).

Adjustable pedestals are known in the art. One typical design for an adjustable pedestal includes a base member having a plurality of reinforcing struts, and having an interior screw thread portion for receiving an adjustment member comprising a rod having a complementary exterior screw thread. The adjustment member is typically attached to a support head which is configured to support a floor component on an upper surface of the support head, with the adjustment mechanism (typically a handle portion of the adjustment member) being located below the support head. In such arrangements, the height of the pedestal is adjusted prior to supporting the floor components on the pedestal, by rotation of the adjusting member via the adjustment mechanism to thereby change the height of the pedestal. In some known arrangements, the base member of the adjustable pedestal may be further increased or decreased in height by addition or removal of one or more height extension collar portions which attach to the base member to change the pedestal in height by a discrete height increment.

However such adjustable pedestals suffer a number of problems. Firstly, many known adjustable pedestals may not be specifically adapted for supporting specific floor members such as rails for supporting decking boards. Furthermore another issue is that they are difficult to adjust once other component parts of the floor are in place (e.g. rails, decking boards etc.). With existing constructions, it is commonly necessary to remove the component parts of the floor being supported by the pedestal in order to access an adjustment mechanism to change the height of the pedestal. This is not convenient, particularly for large areas of flooring. Finally, such pedestals may take a long time to adjust, depending on the size of the screw thread. A whole rotation of the adjusting member is required to increase the height of the pedestal by the lead distance of the screw thread (the pitch distance for a single-start thread form).

The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an adjustable support rail system for supporting one or more decking panels, the adjustable support rail system comprising at least one adjustable pedestal, and a rail having at least one through hole, wherein the adjustable pedestal comprises: a base member comprising a first threaded screw portion; an adjustment member comprising a head portion configured for location in the through-hole of the rail, a shoulder portion configured to support the rail, and a second threaded screw portion complementary to and configured to engage with the first threaded screw portion of the base member; wherein the height of the adjustable pedestal is adjustable by rotation of the head portion of the adjustment member.

By providing an adjustable support rail system in which the rail has a through-hole, and wherein the head portion of the adjustment member is configured for location in this through-hole, the railing system allows for the height of the pedestal to be adjusted without the need to remove the rail from the adjustable pedestal. In particular, this is because the height of the adjustable pedestal is adjustable by rotation of the head portion of the adjustment member via the through-hole. In some embodiments it may be possible to adjust the height of the adjustable pedestal without also removing further floor components being supported by the rail, for example, one or more decking panels. The height of the adjustable pedestal is best defined as the effective height -i.e. the height at which the rail is supported relative to the base of the pedestal. Accordingly the height of the pedestal is defined between the bottom of the base member and the top of the shoulder portion upon which the rail is supported.

Additionally, because the head portion of the adjustment member is configured for location in the through-hole of the rail, it is further possible to prevent displacement of the rail relative to the adjustable pedestal which may block access to the adjustment member. By configured for location, it is meant that the head is suitably sized and shaped for location in the through-hole of the rail. Preferably, the head portion has a similar size and shape to the shape of the through-hole. In this way, there may be a close fit between the head portion and the through-hole which can help to prevent misalignment of the rail with the adjustable pedestal. In some arrangements, the head portion may be positioned to be located in the through-hole, but slightly recessed from a top surface of the rail. In other arrangements, at least a part of the head portion may project through the through-hole such that it projects above a top surface of the rail. In preferred arrangements, the head portion may lie substantially flush with a top surface of the rail.

The term 'rail' is used herein to describe a generally longitudinally extending support member. The terms beam', or 'joist' may be used interchangeably with the term 'rail'. The rail may have at least a part which is an inverted 'U' shape in cross-section, comprising a central portion and two leg portions, whereby the adjustable pedestal may be at least partially accommodated in the space defined between central portion and two leg portions (sometimes referred to as a 'recess' or 'channel' of the rail). In some arrangements, the rail may additionally have one or more flanges extending from each of the two leg portions. However, the invention is not limited to rails of this shape and may be usefully applied to rails having other shapes (for example, box rails, flat rails) provided that the rail has a through-hole configured for location of a head portion of an adjustment member of an adjustable pedestal.

Preferably, the through-hole is formed in a portion of the rail which is intended to be an upwards-facing portion of the rail in use. In this way, the head portion of the adjustment member may be more easily accessible from above for adjustment of the adjustable pedestal. For example, where there rail comprises at least a part which is an inverted tf shape in cross-section, the through-hole may be formed in the central portion of the rail, which is an upwards-facing or top portion of the rail when the rail is in use.

The rail may comprise a plurality of through-holes configured to receive a head portion of an adjustable pedestal as described herein. In this way, a single adjustable pedestal can be positioned at a plurality of locations along the length of the rail. Alternatively, a plurality of adjustable pedestals can be positioned in respective through-holes of the rail.

The system may comprise a plurality of adjustable pedestals (e.g. 2 or more pedestals), and the rail may comprise a corresponding or greater number of through-holes. By providing a corresponding number of through-holes in the rail to the number of pedestals it can be ensured that each adjustable pedestal can be located in a respective through-hole of the rail. By providing a greater number of through-holes than the number of adjustable pedestals provided in the system it is possible to provide a system having greater flexibility with respect to the location of placement of pedestals relative to the rail.

The total number of adjustable pedestals provided in the adjustable support rail system is not particularly limited, and a suitable number can be selected based on factors such as e.g. the length of the rail to be supported. For example, it may be beneficial to provide a fixed number of pedestals per length of rail to be supported. The suitable number of pedestals per length of rail will depend on the mechanical characteristics of the rail and the proposed maximum span length. Accordingly the number of pedestals provided in the system may be a whole number greater than or equal to the total rail length / maximum recommended span for the rail. E.g. for a rail of 2.4 m with a maximum recommended span of 1.2 m, two or more pedestals may be provided, or for a rail of 2.4 m with a maximum recommended span of 0.9 m, three or more pedestals may be provided.

Furthermore, the number of rails in the adjustable support rail system is also not particularly limited. The adjustable support rail system may comprise a single rail, or it may comprise a plurality of rails (for example 2 or more rails), each of which comprises at least one through-hole configured to receive a head portion of an adjustment member of an adjustable pedestal described herein.

The term 'adjustable pedestal' is used generally herein to describe a supporting member which is adjustable in at least one aspect, typically in respect of its height. In some arrangements the pedestal may be further adjustable to thereby adjust e.g. the angle by which the pedestal supports a floor component (e.g. rail) with respect to a sub-floor surface. Further features of the adjustable pedestal will now be described.

In some arrangements, the first threaded screw portion of the adjustable pedestal is an internally threaded screw portion and the second threaded screw portion is an externally threaded screw portion.

For example, the adjustment member having the second threaded screw portion may conveniently comprise a bolt or screw having an externally threaded screw portion, and the base member may comprise an internally threaded hole or sleeve with which the adjustment member engages.

Alternatively, the first threaded screw portion may be an externally threaded screw portion, and the second threaded screw portion may be an internally threaded screw portion. For example, the base member may comprise an upstanding rod having an external screw thread which engages with an intemal screw thread formed on a sleeve portion of the adjustment member.

The adjustment member may be formed as a single, integral member. Alternatively, the adjustment member may comprise a plurality of component parts. In one particularly convenient arrangement, the adjustment member may comprise a waisted bolt or screw having an externally threaded screw portion, and a shank with a smaller diameter than the thread diameter. In another convenient arrangement, the adjustment member may comprise a bolt or screw having a stepped shank portion.

The specific shape of the head portion of the adjustment member is not particularly limited, although should be selected to allow for location and rotation of the head portion of the adjustment member in the through-hole of the rail. It may conveniently have an approximately circular shape in cross-section. The head portion may comprise a keying socket or projection, optionally a hex socket or a hex projection. A keying socket or projection is a socket or projection which keys with a complementary key member (for example, a hex socket keys with a hex (alien) key to thereby allow keying engagement of the socket or projection with the key member. The specific shape of the keying socket/projection is not limited, and various other shapes in addition to hex sockets/projections can be readily contemplated, including e.g. a cross-shaped socket or projection, or a square or splined socket or projection. Providing a keying socket or projection may allow for easier rotational driving of the head portion of the adjustment member than arrangements where a keying socket or projection is not provided. Providing a keying socket may allow the head portion of the adjustment member to have a lower profile.

A retaining member may be provided to retain the head portion of the adjustment member in the through-hole of the rail. The retaining member may be e.g. a retaining ring or circlip.

The shoulder portion of the adjustment member may conveniently formed by a thread runout portion of the adjustment member or a stepped shank portion of the adjustment member. In this way, fewer components may be needed. Alternatively, the shoulder portion of the adjustment member may be provided by a washer supported on a thread runout portion of the adjustment member or a stepped shank portion of the adjustment member. This may be advantageous as the washer can easily be replaced or exchanged with another washer of a different size, whereby the shoulder portion can be better configured to support rails of different shapes and sizes.

The specific shape of the base member of the adjustable pedestal is not particularly limited. Preferably, the base member comprises a foot plate portion, wherein the foot plate portion is configured for attachment to a sub-floor surface. For example, the foot plate may have one or more attachment points (e.g. through-holes or slots) in which an attaching member (a fixing screw or bolt etc.) can be located for attachment of the foot plate to a sub-floor surface. In some arrangements, the foot plate portion may be approximately circular in shape. In other arrangements, the foot plate portion may have one or more radiused corners (corners rounded to a selected radius). Both of these arrangements may prevent unnecessary point loading on delicate surfaces (such as flat roof waterproofing layers). The total area of the foot plate portion is not particularly limited, however providing a larger area foot plate may be advantageous to spread the load on the footplate. For example, the foot plate portion may have a dimension of between about 120 and 200 mm across.

The adjustable support rail system may comprise a limit-stop to thereby provide a limit on the extent of relative movement between the rail and the base member. This may provide improved function by preventing over-extension of the adjustable pedestal. The limit-stop may comprise cooperating slots and projections formed on the rail and the adjustable pedestal. Preferably the cooperating slots and projections are formed on the rail and the base member of the adjustable pedestal. In one arrangement, the base member of the adjustable pedestal comprises one or more projections configured to engage with one or more respective slots formed in the rail. In another arrangement, the rail comprises one or more projections configured to engage with one or more respective slots formed in the base member of the adjustable pedestal. In a further arrangement, each of the rail and the base member of the adjustable pedestal comprise one or more slots and one or more projections, each slot or projection configured to engage with a corresponding slot or projection on the other of the rail and the base member of the adjustable pedestal.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an adjustable pedestal configured for supporting a decking beam or support rail, the adjustable pedestal comprising: a base member comprising an externally threaded screw portion; an adjustment member comprising a collar having a first screw thread formed on the inner surface of the collar and configured to engage with the threaded screw portion of the base member, and a second screw thread formed on the exterior surface of the collar; and a support head comprising a sleeve portion with an interior screw thread configured to engage with the second screw thread of the adjustment member; wherein the first and second screw threads of the adjustment member are oppositely-handed such that rotation of the adjustment member drives the base member and the support head in opposite directions.

Because the first and second screw threads of the adjustment member are concentrically arranged and oppositely-handed such that rotation of the adjustment member drives the base member and the support head in opposite directions, the adjustable pedestal may offer improved performance over known arrangements. This is because for a whole rotation of the adjusting member, the height of the pedestal will be increased or decreased (depending on the direction of rotation) by the sum of the lead distances of the first and second screw threads (the sum of the pitch distances where each of the screw threads is a single-start thread form). Accordingly, for a given length of thread of the adjustment member, a greater overall extension is achievable by use of the concentric thread arrangement according to this aspect of the invention (in other words, there may be e.g. twice the travel housed within the same space, for a concentric thread arrangement where the first and second thread portions have identical thread pitch, as compared with a known single thread arrangement). Furthermore, for a given speed of rotation of the adjustment member, a given height adjustment may be more quickly achieved.

The support head may comprise one or more rail support members. For example, flanges or projections arranged to support a rail on the adjustable pedestal. Such rail support members may be disposed below the top of the support head such that, in use, a rail can be supported with the adjustable pedestal being at least partially disposed within a recess or channel of the rail.

The adjustment member may comprise a handle portion extending outwardly from the collar. This may allow for easier gripping of the adjustment member. The handle portion may extend circumferentially around the collar portion. This many provide a larger area for gripping. The handle portion may comprise one or more lobes (projections). A particular convenient form for the handle is a lobed ring, which extends circumferentially around the collar portion but which provides lobes for improved grip. Preferably, the handle portion is disposed at an end of the collar distal to the support head. This can prevent the support head from impinging on the handle, and can further provide a limit-stop for the support head.

The base member may comprise a foot plate portion. The foot plate portion of the base member may be substantially flat (plate-like). This can allow the rail to be moved closer to the foot plate portion of the base member as compared with arrangements where the foot plate portion of the base member comprises one or more projections (for example, one or more strengthening ribs) which may impinge on a rail supported by the adjustable pedestal if the height of the adjustable pedestal is too low. The externally threaded screw portion of the base member may extend to meet the foot plate portion. In this way it is possible to adjust the adjustment member to be disposed directly adjacent the foot plate portion, thereby allowing a large range of movement of the adjustable pedestal compared to alternative arrangements.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides an adjustable support rail system comprising at least one adjustable pedestal according to the second aspect, and at least one rail. Features discussed in relation to the adjustable support rail system of the first aspect, in particular features relating to the rail and to the interrelationship between the rail and the adjustable pedestal (number of through-holes, number of adjustable pedestal etc.), are also applicable to this aspect of the invention.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of adjusting a rail in the adjustable support rail system of the first or third aspects of the invention. The method includes the steps of: disposing the adjustable pedestal on a sub-floor surface; supporting the rail on the adjustable pedestal; and rotating the adjustment member of the adjustable pedestal to thereby adjust the position of the rail.

In this way, the position of a rail of the adjustable support rail system can be easily adjusted e.g. whilst in position as part of a floor.

In some embodiments, the adjustable pedestal(s) may be supplied pre-attached to the rail. Accordingly the step of 'supporting the rail on the adjustable pedestal' may occur at the same time as the step of disposing the adjustable pedestal on a sub-floor surface, where the adjustable pedestal(s) are pre-attached to the rail.

Where the adjustable support rail system comprises a plurality of adjustable pedestals, the method may include the step of rotating the adjustment member of some or all of the adjustable pedestals to thereby adjust the position of the rail. It may not be necessary to adjust each pedestals of the plurality of pedestals.

The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred or optional features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

Summary of the Figures

Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of an adjustable support rail system according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of an adjustable pedestal as used in the adjustable support rail system shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional image through the adjustable support rail system shown in Fig. 1 Figure 4 is an isometric view of part of an adjustable pedestal according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view through the part of the adjustable pedestal shown in Fig. 4.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

Figs. 1-3 show various views of an adjustable support rail system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The railing system comprises a rail 1 supported on an adjustable pedestal 3. The rail has a part having an inverted U-shape, comprising a central portion 5 and two leg portions 7a,b. Each of the leg portions 7a, 7b is flanged. The rail 1 comprises a number of through-holes 9 formed in the central portion 5 of the rail.

The adjustable pedestal 3 comprises a base member 11 comprising a first threaded screw portion 13.

The first threaded screw portion 13 is here conveniently formed as a threaded hole (i.e. an interior threaded screw portion) provided in an upstanding portion of the base member (the thread not being depicted in the figures), although other arrangements are possible. The base member further comprises a foot plate portion 12 which has a number of through-holes which act as attachment points for attaching the foot plate portion to a sub-floor surface. The foot plate portion is substantially flat. Here the base member is conveniently formed from a single piece of metal, shaped by cutting and bending.

The adjustable pedestal further comprises an adjustment member 15 comprising a head portion 17 configured for location in one of the plurality of through-holes 9 formed in the rail 1. Configured for location here means that the head portion is appropriately sized to fit within the through-hole and allow rotation of the head portion within the through-hole. The head portion 17 of the adjustment member comprises a keying socket 25, here conveniently formed as a hex socket. The head portion of the adjustment member is retained in the through-hole 9 by a retaining ring 27.

The adjustment member further comprises a shoulder portion 21 configured to support the rail. In the present case, as shown in Fig. 1, the shoulder portion is provided as a washer supported on a stepped shank portion 19 of the adjustment member, although in some arrangement it may be possible to support the rail directly on such a stepped shank portion (i.e. a stepped shank portion may itself act as a shoulder portion for supporting the rail).

The adjustment member 15 further comprises a second threaded screw portion 23 which is complementary to and configured to engage with the first threaded screw portion 13 of the base member 3. Here, the second threaded screw portion 23 is an external threaded screw portion of a bolt. During use, rotation of the adjustment member with respect to the base member results in a change of position of the adjustment member relative to the base member due to the screw engagement of the first and second threaded screw portions. Accordingly, the height of the adjustable pedestal 3 (defined between the bottom of the base member 5 and the top of the shoulder portion 21 upon which the rail is supported) is adjustable by rotation of the head portion of the adjustment member. As the rail 1 is supported on the shoulder portion of the adjustment member, the height of the rail relative to the base member of the adjustable pedestal can therefore be adjusted by rotation of the adjustment member.

The adjustable support rail system 100 comprises limit-stop, to thereby provide a limit on the extent of relative movement between the rail and the base member. The limit-stop is conveniently provided by a pair of cooperating projections and slots. Here, the base member of the adjustable pedestal comprises a pair of projections 29a,b disposed on opposite sides of the base member, each projection being configured to engage with a respective slot 31a,b formed in the rail. Here, the slots 31a, 31 b are formed in respective leg portions 7a, 7b of the rail. The maximum possible relative movement of the rail and the adjustable pedestal is therefore defined by the length of the slots and the size of the projections. The rail is moveable between a first (low) position, in which the projections 29a,b respectively abut the top of slots 31a, b, and a second (high) position in which in which the projections 29a,b respectively abut the bottom of slots 31a, b. In use, the rail may be positioned at any intermediate position between these first and second positions.

In use, to adjust a rail in the adjustable support rail system 100, the adjustable pedestal is disposed on a sub-floor surface (and, preferably, is fixed to the sub-floor surface by some attachment means, for example a fastener, an adhesive etc.). The rail 1 is supported on the adjustable pedestal by locating the head portion 17 of the adjustable pedestal in a through-hole 9 formed in the rail. The adjustment member 15 of the adjustable pedestal is then rotated via its head portion, for example, by inserting a hex key into the hex socket 25 in the head portion of the adjustment member, and rotating the hex key to thereby drive rotation of the adjustment member. As discussed above, this rotation results in a change in the height of the adjustable pedestal, and a resulting change in the position of the rail.

Whilst the adjustable support rail system is here shown with a single adjustable pedestal, often multiple adjustable pedestals (typically at least 2) will be provided in an adjustable support rail system. Where there are multiple adjustable pedestals provided, the rail 1 is supported on the adjustable pedestals by locating the head portion 17 of each of the adjustable pedestals in respective through-holes 9 formed in the rail. If necessary, the adjustment member 15 of each adjustable pedestal is then rotated via its head portion, for example, by inserting a hex key into the hex socket 25 in the head portion of the adjustment member, and rotating the hex key to thereby drive rotation of the adjustment member. As discussed above, this rotation results in a change in the height of the adjustable pedestal, and a resulting change in the position of the rail. Some or all of the adjustable pedestals may be adjusted in this manner to thereby adjust the position of the rail.

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of part of an adjustable pedestal 103 according to another embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view through the part of the adjustable pedestal shown in Fig. 4. Features of this pedestal will now be described with reference to these figures.

The adjustable pedestal 103 comprises a base member 111 comprising a first threaded screw portion 113, here conveniently formed as a threaded rod, although other arrangements are possible. The base member further comprises a foot plate portion 112 upon which the pedestal can be supported on a sub-floor surface. The foot plate portion is substantially flat, and the threaded rod is upstanding from the foot plate portion. The first threaded screw portion 113 extends along the entire length of the threaded rod to meet the foot plate portion.

The adjustable pedestal 103 further comprises an adjustment member 115 comprising a collar 116 having a first screw thread 123 formed on the inner surface of the collar and configured to engage with the threaded screw portion 113 of the base member. The adjustment member further comprises a second screw thread 124 (oppositely-handed to the first screw thread 113) formed on the exterior surface of the collar 116, which is configured to engage with an interior screw thread 128 formed on a sleeve portion 121 of a support head of the adjustable pedestals. The first and second screw threads are concentrically arranged. Only the sleeve portion of the support head is shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. In practice, although not shown in these figures, the support head would have a portion configured for supporting a rail, for example on one or more rail support members.

The adjustment member 115 includes a lobed handle portion 129 comprising a ring having a plurality of lobes. This handle portion extends laterally out from the collar 116, and the adjustment member 115 is rotatable by means of this handle. The handle portion is disposed at an end of the collar distal to the support head, to prevent the sleeve of the support head from prematurely impinging on the handle. The handle acts as a limit-stop for the support head In use, the adjustment member is rotatable to thereby change the height of the adjustable pedestal.

Because the first and second screw threads 113, 123 of the adjustment member 115 are oppositely-handed, the rotation of the adjustment member drives the base member and the support head in opposite directions, thereby allowing the height of the pedestal to be increased or decreased by the sum of the lead distances of the first and second screw threads (depending on the direction of rotation). The position of a rail supported by the adjustable pedestal (in particular the height of the rail relative to the base member of the adjustable pedestal) can therefore be adjusted in this manner, by rotation of the adjustment member.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and "include", and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +/-10%.

Claims (24)

1. Claims: 1. An adjustable support rail system for supporting one or more decking panels, the adjustable support rail system comprising at least one adjustable pedestal, and a rail having at least one through hole, wherein the adjustable pedestal comprises: a base member comprising a first threaded screw portion; an adjustment member comprising a head portion configured for location in the through-hole of the rail, a shoulder portion configured to support the rail, and a second threaded screw portion complementary to and configured to engage with the first threaded screw portion of the base member; wherein the height of the adjustable pedestal is adjustable by rotation of the head portion of the adjustment member.
2. 2. An adjustable support rail system according to claim 1 wherein the first threaded screw portion is an internally threaded screw portion and the second threaded screw portion is an externally threaded screw portion.
3. 3. An adjustable support rail system according to claim 1 wherein the first threaded screw portion is an externally threaded screw portion, and the second threaded screw portion is an internally threaded screw portion.
4. 4. An adjustable support rail system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rail has a part having an inverted U-shape, comprising a central portion and two leg portions.
5. 5. An adjustable support rail system according to claim 4 wherein the through-hole is formed in a central portion of the rail
6. 6. An adjustable support rail system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the head portion of the adjustment member comprises a keying socket or projection, optionally a hex socket or a hex projection.
7. 7. An adjustable support rail system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustment member comprises a waisted bolt having a shank with a smaller diameter than the thread diameter.
8. 8. An adjustable support rail system according to claim 7 wherein the shoulder portion of the adjustment member is formed by the thread runout portion of the waisted bolt, or by a washer supported on the thread runout portion of the waisted bolt.
9. 9. An adjustable support rail system according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a limit-stop, to thereby provide a limit on the extent of relative movement between the rail and the base member.
10. 10. An adjustable support rail system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base member of the adjustable pedestal comprises a foot plate portion, wherein the foot plate portion is approximately circular in shape, or wherein the foot plate portion has one or more radiused corners.
11. 11. An adjustable support rail system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rail comprises a plurality of through-holes configured to receive the head portion of the adjustable pedestal, whereby the adjustable pedestal is positionable at a plurality of locations along the length of the rail.
12. 12. An adjustable support rail system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the system comprises a plurality of adjustable pedestals, and the rail comprises a corresponding or greater number of through-holes.
13. 13. An adjustable pedestal configured for supporting a decking beam or rail, the adjustable pedestal comprising: a base member comprising an externally threaded screw portion; an adjustment member comprising a collar having a first screw thread formed on the inner surface of the collar and configured to engage with the threaded screw portion of the base member, and a second screw thread formed on the exterior surface of the collar; and a support head comprising a sleeve portion with an interior screw thread configured to engage with the second screw thread of the adjustment member; wherein the first and second screw threads of the adjustment member are oppositely-handed such that rotation of the adjustment member drives the base member and the support head in opposite directions.
14. 14. The adjustable pedestal according to claim 13 wherein the support head comprises one or more rail support members.
15. 15. The adjustable pedestal according to claim 14 wherein the one or more rail support members are disposed below the top of the support head such that, in use, a decking rail is supported with the adjustable pedestal being at least partially disposed within a recess or channel of the rail.
16. 16. The adjustable pedestal according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the adjustment member comprises a handle portion extending outwardly from the collar.
17. 17. The adjustable pedestal according to claim 16 wherein the handle portion extends circumferentially around the collar portion.
18. 18. The adjustable pedestal according to claim 17 wherein the handle portion comprises one or more lobes.
19. 19. The adjustable pedestal according to any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein the handle portion is disposed at an end of the collar distal to the support head.
20. 20. The adjustable pedestal according to any one of claims 13 to 19 wherein the base member comprises a foot plate portion and the externally threaded screw portion of the base member extends to meet the foot plate
21. 21. The adjustable pedestal according to claim 20 wherein the foot plate portion of the base member is substantially flat.
22. 22. An adjustable support rail system comprising at least one adjustable pedestal according to any one of claims 13 to 21, and at least one rail.
23. 23. A method of adjusting a rail in the adjustable support rail system of claims 1 to 12 or claim 22 including steps of: disposing the adjustable pedestal on a sub-floor surface; supporting the rail on the adjustable pedestal; and rotating the adjustment member of the adjustable pedestal to thereby adjust the position of the rail.
24. 24. A method of adjusting a rail according to claim 23 wherein the adjustable support rail system comprises a plurality of adjustable pedestals, and wherein the method comprises rotating the adjustment member of some or all of the adjustable pedestals to thereby adjust the position of the rail.