GB2625703A

GB2625703A - A loft leg device

Info

Publication number: GB2625703A
Application number: GB2214071.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gilhooley Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-09-27
Filing date: 2022-09-27
Publication date: 2024-07-03
Also published as: GB202214071D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a loft leg 99. The loft leg has a platform 1, a pillar 2, and a joist engaging foot 3. The pillar is located on an axis passing centrally through the platform and foot, and the platform is arranged to be engaged by flooring boards. The foot comprises a fixing guidance means 7 such that fixings will be guided to pass through the foot at an angle to the axis, and a joist locating mechanism 6. The locating mechanism locates the foot on the joist with the axis central to the joist.

Description

A LOFT LEG DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a loft leg device, in particular a device for use in a method of elevating a surface above joists; more particularly but not exclusively an easy to install device.

Backqround Many people find increasing demands on their available space, for example in commercial or domestic buildings.

In many cases this can lead to usage of underused storage space, such as 15 basements, wardrobes, and attics or lofts.

CO Given the increased awareness of environmental factors, climate change and energy efficiency, many such lofts will be insulated, typically with insulation fibre material placed between joists. Therefore any storage space will need to accommodate 20 and/or be provided above this insulation. This is typically provided by boarding between joists, accommodating the insulation below.

In order to maintain adequate ventilation in a loft, and prevent issues with the underlying ceilings, and the joists themselves, it is preferrable to leave an air circulation gap above the insulation or between the insulation and the boards.

It is known to provide stilts that sit between the joists and the boards, however these are difficult to install correctly, such that the stilt is provided squarely on the joist, and is not at an angle. Angled or improperly seated stilts may allow for failure of 30 boarding, causing danger and/or damage.

Prior Art

GB 2 505 155 (STEAD) roof joist saddle for elevating a storage means in a roof space comprising a) a first side plate and a second side plate; b) a seating block located between the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the first side plate, second side plate and seating block co-operate to form a joist receptacle; c) a support block located between the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the first side plate, second side plate and support block co-operate to form a platform support; and wherein the joist receptacle is adapted to accommodate joists of variable width.

WO 2012 083 971 (BONNEN) discloses an elevation device for an elevated support surface comprising a body; said body comprises -a first plate member and a second plate member, said plate members arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, -where said first plate member comprises a first lower edge, a first upper edge and two first sides connecting said first lower edge and said first upper edge; -and where said second plate member comprises a second lower edge, a second upper edge and two second sides connecting said second lower edge and said second upper edge,-and where said second lower edge of said second plate member extends to at least a section of the first lower edge of said first plate CO member.

EP 2 545 229 (FERGUSON) roof stilt for elevating flooring in a roof space 20 comprising: a joist receptacle; a platform for affixing flooring to the stilt; and a support column extending between the joist receptacle and the platform for supporting the weight of elevated flooring.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing 25 devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a loft leg device comprising: a platform, a pillar, and a joist engaging foot, wherein the pillar is located on an axis passing centrally through the platform and foot, and the platform is arranged to be engaged by flooring boards; wherein the foot comprises: a fixing guidance means such that fixings will be guided to pass through the foot at an angle to the axis; and a joist locating mechanism, such mechanism to locate the foot on the joist with the axis central the joist.

In this way the locating mechanism may be operable when a user is installing the device on a joist, or more particularly providing a storage floor over joists, with multiple devices as described herein.

According to a further aspect of the present invention therefore there is provided a method of installation of an elevated floor utilising devices substantially as described herein.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus 10 for providing an elevated flooring, comprising a plurality of devices substantially as described herein, and one or more boards of flooring.

In some embodiments of the device the fixing guidance mechanism comprises a plurality of fixing holes passing through the foot from a top face of the foot to a 15 bottom face of the foot, wherein each entrance of a fixing hole on the top face of the foot is axially displaced from each corresponding exit of the fixing hole in the bottom CO face, It may be envisaged that the exits of the holes are closer to the centre of the joist 20 than the entrances of the holes, such that in use the user is enabled to screw into the fixing holes, having sufficient space for an electric driver for example, enabling easier installation as well as pulling the foot towards the axial centre.

In some embodiments of the device the bottom face of the foot is provided with a 25 locating mechanism arranged to engage a joist during usage. The locating mechanism may be envisaged to automatically or progressively engage the joist, so as to urge the axial centre of the device towards the centre of the joist during usage.

In some embodiments for example the device comprises a plurality of depending 30 projections for engagement of the sides of the joist.

For example it may be envisaged that a user may place the device over the joist, and subsequently rotate the device about the axis such that the depending projections are brought into abutment with the sides of the joist. When this has been 35 accomplished the user may be therefore aware that the centre of the joist and the central axis of the device are substantially aligned, whereby the projections are to either side of both centres.

In some embodiments of the device therefore projections are regularly spaced about the foot so as to engage more than one side face of a joist at a time. For example the device may have four projections at corners of a notional square. It may be envisaged that the projections are spaced further apart than the width of a standard joist.

In some embodiments of the device projections have rounded side faces and the plurality of projections are spaced apart such that rotating the device about the axis leads two or more projections to abut the joist and thereby locate the axis above the centre of the joist.

In some embodiments the device has a circular foot. In this way the user of the device may be dissuaded from incorrectly positioning the device, and is prompted to CO rotate the device until correctly aligned.

In some embodiments of the device has a circular platform. This may enable the 20 flooring to be equally supported in any direction.

In some embodiments of the device the platform provides a locator for a line. This line may thereby be located onto the platform, and extended correctly to another device, thereby providing a guide to horizontal for the user.

In some such embodiments of the device the locator is T-shaped, so as to allow for the line to be entered into the locator and wound around the arms.

In some such embodiments of the device the locator is arranged parallel the axis, 30 such that the line may be guided towards another device.

In some such embodiments of the device the platform edge includes an axially orthogonal rebate for receipt of a line extending laterally from the locator.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 11 Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 3; CO Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5; and Figures 7 show diagrammatic side views, and plan view respectively of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown embodiments of the loft leg device generally comprising a platform 1, a pillar 2, and a joist engaging foot 3, wherein the pillar defines an axis, the platform is arranged to be engaged by flooring boards, and the foot comprises a plurality of depending projections 6.

The projecfions6 have rounded side faces, being substantially or wholly cylindrical, and the embodiment comprises four of such projections. The projections are 10cm long.

The projections spaced apart by a greater distance than the width of a standard joist, such that rotating the device about the axis causes a plurality of projections to abut the joist.

After rotation when two projections are engaged with the joist sides the user will be 10 made aware that the centre of the joist and the central axis of the device are substantially aligned, and the user may thereafter act to fix the device to the joist, using fixing holes 7 and screws or nails.

The fixing holes 7 are angled in relation to the axis, whereby the entrance of the hole 15 on a top face of the foot 3 is further radially away from a central axis of the embodiment than the exit of the hole on the lower face of the foot, so as to provide CO more operative space for the user and their tool, for example electric driver.

In particular reference to the first pictured embodiment 99 the foot 3 is a circular plate 20 and has four fixing holes 7, which are arranged in a notional square.

The pillar comprises a central core, and four wings 4 which enlarge radially away from the foot, providing more support to a larger circular plate forming the platform 1, parallel with the foot 3 and spaced along the axis, the axis defined by the core of the 25 pillar.

In all embodiments pictured the fixing holes 7 are equally spaced between the wings 4,14,24 of the pillar.

The platform may have a textured or raised and lowered upper surface to aid in solid engagement of the flooring.

The whole embodiment may be envisaged to formed as a unitary moulding in thermoplastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar.

Three different embodiments are shown wherein the first has the dimensions shown in Figures 7, and the second embodiment 199 and third embodiment 299 differ solely in overall length, namely being 190mm and 320mm respectively.

All three embodiments include line locators 8. These locators are T-shaped, two extending inwards radially from opposed positions on the circumference of the platform. In this way the line may be wound around.

The edge of the platform 3 has a rebate 11 running around the circumference, into 10 which rebate the line may sit in order to ensure equivalence with the platform.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

CO C icr

Claims

Claims 1 A loft leg device comprising: a platform, a pillar, and a joist engaging foot, wherein the pillar is located on an axis passing centrally through the platform and foot, and the platform is arranged to be engaged by flooring boards; wherein the foot comprises: a fixing guidance means such that fixings will be guided to pass through the foot at an angle to the axis; and a joist locating mechanism, such mechanism to locate the foot on the joist with the axis central the joist.
2. A loft leg device according to claim 1 wherein the fixing guidance mechanism comprises a plurality of fixing holes passing through the foot from a top face of the foot to a bottom face of the foot, wherein each entrance of a fixing hole on the top face of the foot is axially displaced from each corresponding exit of the fixing hole in the bottom face, CO
3. A loft leg device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the bottom face of the foot is provided with a locating means arranged to engage a joist.
4. A loft leg device according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of depending projections for engagement of the sides of the joist.
5. A loft leg device according to claim 4 wherein the projections are spaced about the foot so as to engage more than one side face of a joist.
6. A loft leg device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the projections are spaced further apart than the width of a standard joist.
7. A loft leg device according to claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein the projections have rounded side faces and the plurality of projections are spaced apart such that rotating the device about the axis leads two or more projections to abut the joist and thereby locate the axis above the centre of the joist.
8. A loft leg device according to any preceding claim comprising a circular foot.
9. A loft leg device according to any preceding claim comprising a circular platform.
10. A loft leg device according to any preceding claim wherein the platform provides a locator for a line.
11. A loft leg device according to claim 10 comprising a T-shaped locator.
12. A loft leg device according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the locator is arranged parallel the axis.
13. A loft leg device according to any of preceding claims 10, 11 or 12 comprising an axially orthogonal rebate for receipt of a line extending laterally from the locator.
14. Apparatus for providing an elevated flooring, comprising a plurality of devices according to any of the and one or more boards of flooring.
15. A method of installation of an elevated floor utilising apparatus according to CO claim 14.