GB2620127A

GB2620127A - Flooring support system

Info

Publication number: GB2620127A
Application number: GB2209445.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: White Anton
Original assignee: Ovaeda Ltd
Current assignee: Ovaeda Ltd
Priority date: 2022-06-28
Filing date: 2022-06-28
Publication date: 2024-01-03
Also published as: GB202209445D0

Abstract

A flooring support system has a beam and cross members such that when the cross members are supported on the flanges of the beam the tops of the hollow sections are level to provide an even support grid for flooring plates. The height of the cross members being shorter than the height of the beams. The beams and cross members may be supported on pedestals and edging members of L shape may be provided. Alternatively the beams and cross members may have a central section in place of the hollow section and the beams may be shorter in height than the cross members to achieve the same aligned upper edge. The flooring support structure (100) has a plurality of beams (104), each beam comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion and a first and second flange extending from respective sides thereof. The structure provides at least one cross-piece (106) comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion and a first and second flange extending from respective sides thereof. The at least one cross-piece extends between two of the plurality of beams, the at least one cross-piece being supported on one of the first and second flanges of each respective beam. The height of the cross-piece is such that a surface of the cross-piece is flush with the adjacent surface of each beam to provide a continuous support surface for flooring members.

Description

Flooring support system

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is concerned with a flooring support system. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a lattice-like support system for decking and paving.

Background Art

[0002] Prior art flooring systems comprise a plurality of parallel beams which are supported on pedestals. Flooring members are laid on top of the beams in order to provide an even, elevated floor surface for use e.g., in outdoor spaces.

[0003] In prior art systems, a plurality of parallel beams are positioned at a specific distance apart (e.g, 600mm). Sections of the same beam are used as cross-pieces between them, which attach normal to the main beams (at 90 degrees) with corner connector components. These L-shaped components need to be screwed into both the main beams and crosspieces, which is labour intensive.

[0004] It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved flowing support system. Summary of Invention [0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a flooring support structure comprising: a plurality of beams, each beam comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion and a first and second flange extending from respective sides thereof; at least one cross-piece comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion and a first and second flange extending from respective sides thereof; wherein the at least one cross-piece extends between two of the plurality of beams, the at least one cross-piece being supported on one of the first and second flanges of each respective beam; and, wherein the height of the cross-piece is such that a surface of the cross-piece is flush with the adjacent surface of each beam to provide a continuous support surface for flooring members.

L0006] Advantageously the present invention provides a very strong and stable structure, and is well suited to the provision of stable flooring surfaces due to the flush support surface. The cross-pieces and the main beam flanges overlap, meaning that a mechanical fastener such as a screw can be used to attach the flanges together, eliminating the need for additional connector brackets.

[0007] Preferably there is provided a plurality of pedestals supporting at least two beams and / or the cross-piece.

[0008] Preferably the beams and the cross-piece are configured to fit into a common pedestal shape.

[0009] Preferably the beams and the cross-piece are identical in width. [0010] Preferably the cross-piece is at 90 degrees to the beams.

[0011] The cross-piece may be at an angle to the beams between 0 and 90 degrees. In this case, the ends of the cross-beam are formed at an angle to the main cross-beam axis, which angle is between 0 and 90 degrees. Therefore the end of the cross-beam can abut the adjacent main beam with the flanges overlapping to fasten them together.

[0012] Preferably there is provided an edge piece, which edge piece has a generally "L" shaped portion having a base and an upright, which base is assembled with at least one beam with the base attached to the underside of least one flange of the beam.

[0013] According to a second aspect there is provided a flooring support structure comprising: a plurality of beams, each beam comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion defining a flooring support surface, and a first and second flange extending from respective sides of the hollow portion distal to the flooring support surface, the beams positioned in a spaced-apart parallel manner with the flooring support surfaces lying on a common flooring support plane; a connector profile having a base and an upright normal to the base; wherein the connector profile is attached to at least one ofthe the plurality of beams, with the base in face-to-face contact with at least one flange of the beam and fastened thereto; such that the upright is positioned with an upper edge on the flooring support plane.

[0014] Preferably the connector profile is parallel to the beam to which it is connected, and defines an edge of the support structure in use.

[0015] Preferably the connector profile is normal to, and attached to the flanges of, a plurality of beams to which it is connected, and defines an edge of the support structure in use.

[0016] Preferably the upright extends from the centre of the base to form an inverted "F' shape, wherein two beams are assembled with the connector such that their ends abut either side of the upright, and wherein the two beams are colinear.

[0017] Preferably the structure comprises a plurality of pedestals supporting at least two of the plurality of beams.

[0018] Preferably the structure comprises at least one cross-piece comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion and a first and second flange extending from respective sides thereof; wherein the at least one cross-piece extends between two of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one cross-piece being supported on one of the first and second flanges of each respective beam portion.

[0019] Preferably the height of the cross-piece is such that a surface of the cross-piece is flush with the adjacent surface of each beam portion to provide a continuous support surface for flooring members.

[0020] Preferably the beams and the cross-piece are configured to fit into a common pedestal shape.

[0021] Preferably the beams and the cross-piece are identical in width Brief Description of Drawings [0022] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figure in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first support structure in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the first support structure of Figure 1; FIGURES 3 8( 4 are section views of components of the support structure of Figure 1; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a second support structure in accordance with the present invention; and, FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the first support structure of Figure 6. Description of the first embodiment [0023] A flooring support structure 100 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4 Configuration [0024] Referring to Figure 1, a central area of the flooring support structure 100 is shown. The structure 100 comprises a plurality of pedestals 102, a plurality of beams 104a-d and a plurality of cross-pieces in the form of noggins 106a-e. In Figure 2, a corner of the support structure is shown with a pedestal 102, two beams 104e-f and a single cross piece / noggin 106f. Edge pieces 112, 113 is also shown.

[0025] The pedestals 102 are known in the art, and are configured for supporting the beams 104a-d above an underlying ground surface or substrate 108. Each pedestal has a support surface 109 and an upstanding beam receiving formation 110 opposite the support surface (Figure 2). An adjustable collar 111 is provided threaded to the formation 110 such that it can be moved up and down to adjust the beam support height above the supports surface 109.

[0026] The beams (or joists) 104 are constructed from an extruded metal material (aluminium in this embodiment) and comprise a cross section shown in Figure 3. The cross section defines a hollow box portion 114 having a top wall 116, side walls 118, 120 and a base 122. The base 122 extends either side of the sidewalls to define two edge flanges 124, 126 of thickness t1. The top wall 116 comprises an elongate channel 128. The beams 104 have a total height of hi.

[0027] The noggins 106 are almost identical in section to the beams 104. They are constructed from an extruded metal material (aluminium in this embodiment) and comprise a cross section shown in Figure 4. The cross section defines a hollow box portion 130 having a top wall 132, side walls 134, 136 and a base 138. The base 138 extends either side of the sidewalls to define two edge flanges 140, 142. The top wall 132 comprises an elongate channel 144. The noggins 106 have a total height of h2 = (h1-t1).

[0028] The edge pieces 112, 113 are L-shaped extrusions having a base portion 148 and an upright 150 at 90 degrees thereto.

Assembly [0029] The support structure 100 is assembled by aligning the beams 104 in a parallel, offset manner (see axis X in Figure 1). The noggins 106 are then used to join the beams. The noggins 106 are provided at 90 degrees to the beams 104 and their bases 138 are supported on one of the flanges 124, 126 of each beam. Screws 146 (or other mechanical fasteners) can then be used to fasten the flanges 140, 142 of the noggin to the flange 124 or 126 of the beam.

[0030] Referring to Figure 1, several noggin sections 106a-e are placed in a co-linear manner, although this is not strictly necessary.

[0031] Because the noggins 106 are t1 mm less tall than the beams 104, their top walls 116, 132 are flush, forming a continuous support surface for decking panels or paving members.

[0032] It will be noted that in some applications the noggins can be cut at an angle, meaning that they can be positioned at different non-zero angles to the beams 104. The way in which the noggins are attached to the beams does not change.

[0033] At the edges of the structure 100 the edge pieces 112, 113 are attached. The edge piece 112 is normal to the beams 104 and is attached with screws passing through the flanges 124, 126. The upright 150 abuts the ends of the beams 104. The edge piece 113 is parallel to the beams 104, and is attached in the same way. The edge pieces 113, 114 are cut to form a mitre joint at the corner (although they are not physically joined).

[0034] Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that because the width of the noggins 106 is equal to the width of the beams (across flanges), the noggins can be engaged with the pedestals to support the lattice-like structure.

Description of the second embodiment

[0035] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, a second embodiment of a flooring support structure 200 is shown.

Configuration [0036] Referring to Figures 5 & 6, the structure 200 comprises a plurality of pedestals 102, a plurality of beams 204a-d, a T-section 205, as well as noggins 206a-b.

[0037] The beams 204a-d are the same as the beams 104a-d of the first embodiment, with the exception thatthey are split into two portions (i.e., 204a1, 204a2; 204b1, 204b2). These portions may be provided separately (for example due to manufacturing / transport size limitations) and thus need to be joined in a stable and secure manner.

[0038] The noggins 206a-b are the same as for the first embodiment, and connect the beams 204a, 204b in the same way as shown in Figure 6.

[0039] The T-section comprises a base 252 and a central spine 254 extending normal to the base at the centre thereof. The spine is of a height h1.

Assembly [0040] The T-section 205 is the means by which the beam sections 204a1, 204a2; 204b1, 204b2 are connected. The beam sections 204a1 & 204a2 (by way of example) are aligned and abutted on either side of the spine 254. They are attached by mechanical fasteners 256 through the flanges 242, 246 into the base 252.

Variations [0041] The drawings show cradle-type pedestals, but it will be noted that the present invention may be used with clip-in type pedestals, in which case the flanges 124, 126; 140, 142 may clip into the pedestal tops.

Claims

Claims 1. A flooring support structure comprising: a plurality of beams, each beam comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion and a first and second flange extending from respective sides thereof; at least one cross-piece comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion and a first and second flange extending from respective sides thereof; wherein the at least one cross-piece extends between two of the plurality of beams, the at least one cross-piece being supported on one of the first and second flanges of each respective beam; and, wherein the height of the cross-piece is such that a surface of the cross-piece is flush with the adjacent surface of each beam to provide a continuous support surface for flooring members.
2. A flooring support structure according to claim 1, comprising: a plurality of pedestals supporting at least two beams and / or the cross-piece.
3. A flooring support structure according to claim 2, wherein the beams and the crosspiece are configured to fit into a common pedestal shape.
4. A flooring support structure according to claim 3, wherein the beams and the crosspiece are identical in width.
5. A flooring support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the crosspiece is at 90 degrees to the beams.
6. A flooring support structure according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the crosspiece is at an angle to the beams between 0 and 90 degrees.
7. A flooring support structure according to any preceding claim, comprising an edge piece, which edge piece has a generally "L" shaped portion having a base and an upright, which base is assembled with at least one beam with the base attached to the underside of least one flange of the beam.
8. A flooring support structure comprising: a plurality of beams, each beam comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion defining a flooring support surface, and a first and second flange extending from respective sides of the hollow portion distal to the flooring support surface, the beams positioned in a spaced-apart parallel manner with the flooring support surfaces lying on a common flooring support plane; a connector profile having a base and an upright normal to the base; wherein the connector profile is attached to at least one of the the plurality of beams, with the base in face-to-face contact with at least one flange of the beam and fastened thereto; such that the upright is positioned with an upper edge on the flooring support plane.
9. A flooring support structure according to claim 8, wherein the connector profile is parallel to the beam to which it is connected, and defines an edge of the support structure in use.
A flooring support structure according to claim 8, wherein the connector profile is normal to, and attached to the flanges of, a plurality of beams to which it is connected, and defines an edge of the support structure in use.
11. A flooring support structure according to claim 8, wherein the upright extends from the centre of the base to form an inverted "T" shape, wherein two beams are assembled with the connector such that their ends abut either side of the upright, and wherein the two beams are colinear.
12. A flooring support structure according to any of claims 8 to 11, comprising: a plurality of pedestals supporting at least two of the plurality of beams.
13. A flooring support structure according to any of claims 8 to 12, comprising at least one cross-piece comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion and a first and second flange extending from respective sides thereof; wherein the at least one cross-piece extends between two of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one cross-piece being supported on one of the first and second flanges of each respective beam portion.
14. A flooring support structure according to claim 12, wherein the height of the crosspiece is such that a surface of the cross-piece is flush with the adjacent surface of each beam portion to provide a continuous support surface for flooring members.
15. A flooring support structure according to claim 14, wherein the beams and the cross-piece are configured to fit into a common pedestal shape.
16. A flooring support structure according to claim 15, wherein the beams and the cross-piece are identical in width.