Laying member spacer for joists

Abstract

A lay-up spacer (50) for attachment to a support beam (10) or the like includes a first plate (52) having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface defines a cross-shaped arrangement of four upright tabs (56), at least some of which are attached to the plate by means of a breakable connector (58). The lower surface defines engagement means (82, 84) for attaching the lay-up spacer to the top of the support beam or the like, which preferably allows the lay-up spacer to slide along the support beam or the like. The lower surface preferably also defines a channel for receiving wall spacer elements. The lay-up spacer also includes at least one other plate (60) attached to the first plate by one or more breakable connectors (62), the other plate having a generally flat upper surface and a lower surface defining engagement means for attaching the lay-up spacer to the top of the support beam or the like.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2024901029 (filed on 12 April 2024), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a laying spacer for use with a support beam. Background Technology

[0004] Raised or raised floors, also known as pedestal floors, are known to provide raised or elevated flooring. Raised floors consist of multiple height-adjustable pedestals evenly distributed on a base surface / subfloor, such as a concrete floor, roof, terrace, or any other surface in a multi-story building where it is desirable to position the raised floor above that surface. Other non-exhaustive applications of pedestal floors include technical floors for laboratories, equipping older buildings, terraces, balconies, around swimming pools, and paving. The pedestals cooperate to support floor panels, such as flooring panels, or other floor surfaces that include joists.

[0005] When flooring, paving, or panels are supported on joists, gaps are required between the flooring, paving, or panels to allow water to drain between them and to allow the flooring panels to expand or contract. Minimum gaps are typically specified in building codes. Joists are usually made of aluminum because aluminum is light and strong and can be easily extruded into the relatively complex cross-sectional shapes required for joists. Paving spacers are used locally to ensure proper gaps between the paving pieces and also to raise the paving pieces above and away from the surface of the joists (which typically have flat tops), allowing water to flow through the gaps between them and then drain.

[0006] According to local regulations, the gaps between pavements may typically need to be from 2mm to 3mm to 15mm or greater, and it is also necessary to ensure that the pavements are spaced apart from any adjacent walls to prevent water from accumulating there. The object of this invention is to provide a pavement spacer that is flexible in use, provides support for the pavements, and ensures the correct spacing between pavements when needed.

[0007] Any discussion of documents, bills, materials, devices, articles, etc. included in this specification should not be construed as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art or are common general knowledge in the field relating to this invention that existed prior to the priority date of the appended claims. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, a laying spacer for attachment to a beam or the like is provided, the laying spacer comprising a first plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein

[0009] The upper surface defines a cross-shaped arrangement, typically consisting of four upright tabs, at least some of which are preferably attached to the plate by means of a breakable connector; wherein

[0010] The lower surface defines a connecting device for attaching the laying spacer to the top of a support beam, etc., the connecting device preferably allowing the laying spacer to slide along the support beam, etc.; and

[0011] The laying spacer also includes at least one additional plate attached to the first plate by one or more breakable connectors, the additional plate having a generally flat upper surface and a lower surface defining a coupling device for attaching the laying spacer to the top of a joist or the like.

[0012] In use, the spacer is attached to the top of the support beam and can be used to support the corners of four lay pieces arranged in a cross shape. Advantageously, for additional support, the second plate can be broken off from the first plate and positioned on the support beam to provide additional support for the lay pieces, etc.

[0013] Preferably, the lower surface of the wall spacer defines at least one, preferably two, intersecting channels for receiving wall spacer elements, the channels being oriented in a cross-shaped arrangement perpendicular to each other.

[0014] Preferably, the bottom side of the layup spacer defines a cantilever boss at the intersection of the two channels, which is located inside an elongated hole in the wall spacer element during use. The boss is located below the hole for securing the layup support to the support beam.

[0015] The boss helps prevent the laying spacer from deforming as the fastening screws are screwed down into the support beam, and also has an auxiliary function to help hold the wall spacer element in the channel and limit the range of movement.

[0016] The present invention also provides a combination of a layup spacer and a wall spacer element, the wall spacer element including an elongated arm having an elongated hole in the arm and a vertical head at one end of the arm.

[0017] Typically, the thickness of the head ranges from 6mm to 14mm, with approximately 10mm being the most preferred.

[0018] Typically, the head of a wall spacer element defines a central hole and includes two parallel walls connected by two curved end walls.

[0019] The wall spacer element can be arranged coaxially with the support beam in one channel or perpendicularly to the support beam in another channel, depending on whether it is used to space the layup from the sidewall or the endwall.

[0020] The invention also includes a raised floor comprising an array of bases supporting beams and lay members supported on the beams by one or more lay member spacers, wherein at least some of the lay members are...

[0021] The invention also includes a raised floor comprising an array of bases supporting beams and lay elements supported on the beams by one or more lay element spacers, wherein at least some of the lay elements positioned adjacent to the edge of the raised floor support wall spacer elements disposed in a channel, the heads of the wall spacer elements being disposed between the edge of the floor and the side of the lay elements.

[0022] Throughout this specification, the word “comprising” or variations thereof, such as “including”, shall be understood to imply inclusion of the said element, whole or step, or group of elements, whole or steps, but does not exclude any other element, whole or step, or group of elements, whole or steps. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This shows an end view of a support beam that embodies one aspect of the invention; Figure 2 Is with Figure 1 Isometric views of the laying spacers used together with the support beams; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A top view of the laying components and spacers; Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An isometric view of the laying components and spacers from below; Figure 5 yes Figure 2 End view of the laying component spacer; Figure 6 It indicates that it is attached to the beam. Figure 2 End view of the laying component spacer; Figure 7 It is an isometric view of the laying components, spacers, and cover pads; Figure 8 This is an isometric view of the gasket; Figure 9 This is an isometric view of the gasket taken from below; Figure 10 Is with Figure 2 Isometric view of wall spacers used together with the laying spacers; Figure 11 yes Figure 7 A top view of the wall partition; Figure 12 It is an isometric view of the spacers and wall spacers attached to the top of the joists; and Figure 13 It is an isometric view of a portion of a raised floor using joists, paving spacers, and wall spacers, where the paving is shown as transparent. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Refer to the attached diagram. Figure 1 The image shows a support beam 10. The support beam is formed from extruded aluminum and has a constant cross-section. The cross-sectional shape of the support beam is similar to that of the existing “VersiFrame®” support beam supplied by Elmich Pte Ltd (15 Joan Road 298899, Singapore), and has sidewalls configured for connection with a connector used to vertically connect the support beam to the support beam 10. However, the upper surface 20 differs from the existing VersiFrame® support beam because it defines a generally T-shaped recess 22. The upper surface of either side of the recess 22 has ribs with a triangular wavy structure. The recess has a wider upper portion and a narrower lower portion, the narrower lower portion being connected to the upper portion via a neck portion that is narrower than the lower portion.

[0025] A roughly T-shaped nitrile rubber strip 30 is pushed into the recess 22, and a narrower neck portion helps hold the strip within the recess. The upper surface of the nitrile rubber strip also has ribs. While the dark / black, non-reflective rubber strip has the advantage of reducing the visibility of the aluminum joists, it should be noted that the layup spacers described below can also be used with existing VersiFrame® joists and joist 10 shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown in the best embodiment, the outer edge 32 of the top surface 20 of the support beam protrudes slightly outward on either side beyond the top of the side wall 34 of the support beam, so as to define the protruding flange or overhang 36.

[0027] Figures 2 to 5 This indicates a layup spacer 50, which can be used with a support beam when the layup is used to support it. The layup spacer 50 is typically injection molded, and most preferably injection molded from recycled plastic material.

[0028] like Figure 2 and 3As best shown in the diagram, the spacer 50 is generally rectangular in plan view. It defines a main section in the form of a central rectangular plate 52. At the center of the plate is a hole 54 for receiving fasteners (e.g., screws). The top of the hole is chamfered to receive the tapered head of the screw. In use, the spacer tabs can be secured to a support or base using fasteners passing through the hole 54. Four upright tabs 56 are arranged in a cross pattern around the hole 54. The tabs are typically about 5mm to 6mm wide, corresponding to the desired gap between the sides of the flooring. Each tab is connected by a breakable connector 58 (in... Figure 4 (best visible in the middle) and attached to the plate so that the connector can be cut or disconnected in order to remove the tab from the layup support.

[0029] See again Figure 3 Extension plates 60 are attached to each end of the center plate 52. The extension plates are attached to the center plate by four breakable connectors 62. Each extension plate has a hole 64 at its center. The top of the hole 64 is chamfered to receive the tapered head of a screw used to secure the extension plate in place on a support beam or base.

[0030] An array of eight small circular holes 66 is also shown on the top of the spacer 50. Two such holes 66 are also present in the extension plate 60. Their function is to receive the overhanging protrusions of the gasket, which... Figure 8 and 9 The text states, and elaborates further below, that the gaskets, which can be placed on top of the layup and are made of plastic or elastomeric materials such as rubber, provide cushioning and clamping between the layup and the layup spacers. They also raise the height of the layup, although this is not their primary function.

[0031] Figure 4 and 5 The sides and bottom of the laying spacer are shown. The bottom defines two channels or recesses 70 and 72. The first channel 70 extends along the central axis of the laying spacer from one longitudinal end of the laying spacer to the opposite end. The second channel 72 extends from one side edge to the opposite side edge, passes through the center of the laying spacer, and is perpendicular to the channel 70. At the center of the bottom of the laying spacer (where the two channels intersect), there is a cylindrical overhanging boss 74 with an annular cross-section. A similar cylindrical boss 76 is defined in the longitudinal channel 70 and at a position where the longitudinal channel 70 passes below each extension plate 60.

[0032] The bottom side of the laying spacer also defines a suspended rigid leg 80 that engages with the side 34 of the support beam 10. The leg defines a recess, and inside the rigid leg is a suspended flexible leg 82, which defines a triangular protrusion 84 at its base. In use, as... Figure 6 As shown in the best embodiment, when the layup spacer 50 is attached to the top of the support beam 10 and the protrusion 84 is located below the flange / overhang, the support leg can be bent to secure the layup spacer to the top of the support beam 10.

[0033] Figures 7 to 9 This illustrates a gasket 90 that can be positioned on top of the layup spacer 50. In the plan view, the gasket has the same shape as the layup spacer (on which the gasket is located), and has a central portion 92 and an extension 93 attached via a fragile portion 94. At the center of the central portion is a hole 95 that coincides with the central hole 54 of the layup spacer, and rectangular holes 96 arranged in a cross-shaped array. These rectangular holes 96 overlap with tabs 56 and allow tabs 56 to pass through the gasket 90. Figure 9 As best seen, the bottom side of the gasket defines an array of overhanging circular bosses, which are arranged and configured to reside in holes 66 in the top of the layup spacer 50 when the gasket is correctly positioned on top of the layup spacer, as shown in the image. Figure 7 As shown.

[0034] Figure 10 and 11 The diagram shows a wall spacer 100. The wall spacer has a head portion 102, from which an elongated planar arm element 104 extends. The arm is generally rectangular, but defines an elongated hole 106 extending through the center of the arm element.

[0035] The head portion 102 includes two parallel walls 110 and 112 connected by two curved end walls 114 and 116, and defines a central hole 102A. The outer surfaces of walls 110 and 112 are spaced approximately 10 mm apart, allowing them to be positioned between the side edges of the installer and adjacent walls during use, as described below, to ensure a minimum clearance of 10 mm between the edge of the installer and the wall. The head size can be configured to allow for larger or smaller clearances depending on building codes and requirements of the jurisdiction where the installer is installed.

[0036] Figure 12 This shows the pavement spacer and wall spacer mounted on the support beam. The wall spacer is installed in a transverse channel 72 in the bottom side of the pavement spacer. Holes are arranged around a boss 74, allowing the wall spacer to move along the channel, but the boss 74 prevents the wall spacer from being completely removed.

[0037] Figure 13A portion of floor 140 assembled using the aforementioned components is shown, wherein the flooring pieces 150 are shown as transparent to show aspects of the system that would otherwise be covered by the flooring pieces. The floor portion is located near a corner of a room or floor area, on the left side of the figure, but walls and / or boundaries are not shown. The joists are shown mounted on a VersiJack® base using Elmich's proprietary installation system. The figure shows that the extension plate 60 has been removed from the center plate 52 of the flooring spacer, which is located above the intersection of the base and the joists. The extension plate 60 is mounted on the joists between the center flooring spacers such that the flooring pieces 150 are supported in the middle between their edges, rather than just at their edges. Figure 13 It also indicates that, in the case where no lay spacers are used at the intersections of the four lays, one or more tabs 56 on the lay spacer 50 have been removed. Specifically, the lay spacer 50A located near the corner is arranged on a base supporting the corner of the lay, and all its tabs 56 have been removed. Two wall spacers 100 are mounted to the underside of the lay spacer, one wall spacer in a channel 70, 72. The head 102 of the wall spacer 100 is located between the side edge of the lay and the wall / boundary (not shown). Figure 13 As shown, the two channels 70 and 72 allow the wall spacers to be installed along the longitudinal axis of the support beam and transversely to that axis.

[0038] The lay spacer 50B is positioned on the base between the sides of two lay pieces, with two tabs 56 removed and supporting a single wall spacer 100. Lay piece 50C is located on the base where all four lay pieces meet, thus using all four tabs 56 to maintain proper spacing between the lay pieces. The lay spacer can also be used with attached extension plates, as in the case of the lay spacer designated 50.

[0039] like Figure 13 As shown, the layup spacer 50 and the extension plate 60 are covered by corresponding portions of a gasket that raises the height of the layup spacer and cushions the layup spacer and the layup.

[0040] Advantageously, the ply spacers are easy to install on the support beams and are flexible in use, allowing the tabs to be removed when needed, and providing additional support away from the ply spacers when the extension plates are separated from them. Together, the wall spacers and ply spacers ensure that the minimum required clearance between the ply and the adjacent wall is maintained.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will understand that many variations and / or modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the broad overall scope of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention are to be considered illustrative in all respects, and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A laying spacer for attachment to a beam, etc., comprising a first plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein, The upper surface defines a cross-shaped arrangement of upright tabs, preferably four, and at least some of the upright tabs are preferably attached to the plate by means of a breakable connector; in The lower surface defines a coupling device for attaching the laying spacer to the top of a support beam, etc., which preferably allows the laying spacer to slide along the support beam, etc. as well as The laying spacer also includes at least one additional plate attached to the first plate by one or more breakable connectors. The additional plate has a generally flat upper surface and a lower surface defining a coupling device for attaching the laying spacer to the top of a support beam or the like.

2. The laying member spacer according to claim 1, wherein: The lower surface defines a channel for receiving wall spacer elements.

3. The laying member spacer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The lower surface of the laying spacer defines two intersecting channels for receiving wall spacer elements, the channels being oriented in a cross-shaped arrangement perpendicular to each other.

4. The layup spacer according to claim 3, wherein: the bottom side of the layup spacer defines a hanging boss at the intersection of two channels, the hanging boss being located in an elongated hole in the wall spacer element during use.

5. The laying member spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The top surface of the spacer defines an array of holes or protrusions for engagement with the gasket.

6. The laying member spacer according to claim 5, further comprising: A gasket made of an elastomer or plastic material, which defines a corresponding device for engaging with an array on top of a spacer in a layup.

7. The laying member spacer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The connection device includes a flexible overhang leg located below a step in the side wall of the support beam to hold the lay spacer on the support beam while allowing the lay spacer to move along the support beam.

8. The laying member spacer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The other plate or the other plates define holes for receiving fasteners for securing the other plate to the support beam.

9. The laying member spacer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The upper surface of the other plate is not limited to upright protrusions, etc.

10. The laying member spacer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first plate defines a hole for receiving a fastener used to secure the other plate to the support beam.

11. The laying spacer according to claim 2 or any claim dependent to claim 2, further comprising: A wall spacer element comprising an elongated arm and a head, the elongated arm having an elongated hole therein, the head being at one end of the arm and extending substantially perpendicular to the arm, the head having a thickness of approximately 6 mm to 14 mm, and the elongated arm of the wall spacer element being located in one of the channels in the lower surface.

12. The laying member spacer according to claim 11, wherein: The head is approximately 10mm thick.

13. The laying member spacer according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The head of the wall spacer element defines a central hole and includes two parallel walls connected by two curved end walls.

14. A raised floor comprising an array of bases supporting beams and a laying element supported on the beams by one or more laying element spacers according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least some of the laying elements are supported by multiple other plates that are separate from the first plate.

15. A raised floor comprising an array of bases supporting beams and a laying element supported on the beams by one or more laying element spacers according to claim 11, wherein, At least some of the fixtures positioned adjacent to the edge of the raised floor support wall spacer elements arranged in one of the channels, wherein the heads of the wall spacer elements are arranged between the edge of the floor and the side of the fixtures.

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