STRUCTURE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a support structure, particularly for use in residential and leisure areas, comprising at least two side support elements, a plurality of cross support elements, a plurality of longitudinal support elements, and a plurality of tread elements. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such a support structure.

[0002] Typically, rust-like support structures are used as sidewalk surfaces or similar. In particular, the rust-like surface structure is intended to prevent slipping hazards for moving people or pedestrians, thus preventing accidents. Such a rust-like support structure is known, for example, from document EP 2 267 238 B1.

[0003] Further exemplary support structures are shown in the documents DE 10 2014 101 322 A1, WO 01 / 10196 A1, DE 24 12 151 A1, DE 27 19 857 B1, DE 38 21 722 A1, WO 00 / 03104 A1 and DE 16 09 611 A1.

[0004] Grating-like support structures are usually assembled by welding the individual parts, gluing, riveting, screwing, or similar methods. The production of such surface gratings therefore requires a comparatively large amount of labor.

[0005] Furthermore, people mostly move around barefoot, especially in residential and leisure areas. The use of rust-like supporting structures as floor surfaces is therefore not feasible due to the lack of comfort for pedestrians.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a supporting structure which can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and which provides a suitable surface design, in particular for persons or pedestrians who move barefoot.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved with regard to the supporting structure by the subject matter of claim 1 and with regard to the method for producing such a supporting structure by the subject matter of claim 7.

[0008] Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. Specifically, the object is achieved by a support structure, in particular for use in residential and leisure areas, with at least two side support elements for lateral support and delimitation of the support structure, a plurality of cross support elements, a plurality of longitudinal support elements, and a plurality of tread elements. Each of the cross support elements is connected to the two side support elements, the longitudinal support elements are connected to the cross support elements, and each tread element is connected to one of the longitudinal support elements, in particular exclusively to one of the longitudinal support elements. The tread elements form a tread plane. To form the support structure, the cross support elements, the longitudinal support elements, the side support elements, and the tread elements can each be fastened, fixed, or connected to one another solely by interlocking and / or clamping the elements.

[0009] The invention is based on the fundamental idea that the individual elements of the support structure can be conveniently fastened to one another without additional fastening elements and / or material connections. The individual elements of the support structure interlock, in particular, in an interlocking or clamping manner, thus providing a solid support structure. This ensures a simple and cost-effective construction of the support structure.

[0010] Furthermore, the support structure according to the invention forms a suitable surface structure or tread surface by means of the tread elements, so that the use of the support structure is also possible, for example, in residential and leisure areas, such as bathing areas, for pedestrians moving barefoot.

[0011] The side support elements form the lateral boundaries of the support structure and extend in the longitudinal direction of the support structure. The cross support elements preferably extend orthogonally to the side support elements and between the side support elements. The longitudinal support elements and the tread elements preferably extend parallel to the side support elements.

[0012] In particular, the invention provides for the formation of a treading surface by means of the tread elements. This allows a suitable walkway surface to be provided even for barefoot people, particularly independently of the other elements of the supporting structure.

[0013] Furthermore, the elements of the supporting structure can be secured to one another simply by interlocking and / or clamping. In particular, the interconnected elements, such as the longitudinal beam elements and the tread elements, can be firmly connected or secured to one another by interlocking and / or clamping.

[0014] This allows for a secure and stable support structure to be provided as a floor surface. Furthermore, no additional fasteners, welding, or adhesive joints are required to assemble the support structure. The support structure can be provided in a simple and efficient manner.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, longitudinal ends of the cross member elements can be passed through receiving openings of the side member elements, wherein a force-locking and / or form-locking interlocking of the longitudinal ends of the cross member elements with the side member elements can be provided by plastic deformation of the longitudinal ends.

[0016] In particular, the longitudinal ends of the cross-member elements can each engage in one of the receiving openings of the side support elements or extend through them. By plastically bending the longitudinal ends of the cross-member elements, a suitable interlocking with the side support elements for fixing or fastening can be achieved.

[0017] According to the invention, the cross member elements have plastically deformable interlocking elements for interlocking engagement with receiving openings of the longitudinal member elements.

[0018] Thus, the cross member elements and the longitudinal member elements can be placed on top of one another and expediently interlocked with one another, in particular by plastic deformation of the interlocking elements in combination with the receiving openings of the longitudinal member elements.

[0019] According to the invention, the longitudinal support elements have clamping elements which are designed for interlocking engagement in clamping grooves of the tread elements.

[0020] In particular, the longitudinal beam elements can have a plurality of clamping elements in the longitudinal direction of two side surfaces. The tread elements can have corresponding clamping grooves on either side. This allows for a clamping engagement of the clamping elements in the clamping grooves on both sides.

[0021] A secure attachment of the tread elements to the longitudinal beam elements is possible. In particular, the clamping connection can be achieved by a temporary, elastic deformation of the tread elements and / or the longitudinal beam elements. According to a preferred embodiment, the tread plane is formed above at least the longitudinal beam elements and the cross beam elements.

[0022] Preferably, in the assembled, intended-use state of the support structure, the tread elements extend at least beyond the longitudinal beam elements and the cross beam elements, so that a suitable treading plane or surface can be formed. There are no sharp edges or the like, thus providing a suitable treading surface, particularly for people moving barefoot.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the tread elements each have a rectangular upper side to form the tread level.

[0024] Thus, a suitable tread surface can be provided by the plurality of tread elements, which is also suitable for barefoot pedestrians. In particular, the rectangular upper surfaces of the tread elements, which together form the tread plane, can cover a significant portion of the extension area or base area of ​​the supporting structure.

[0025] In one embodiment, the side support elements have an at least substantially C-shaped cross-section.

[0026] Thus, the longitudinal ends of the cross member elements protruding through the receiving openings can be concealed in the C-shaped side member elements, and sharp edges in the area of ​​the tread plane or tread surface can be avoided. According to a further embodiment, the longitudinal member elements have a substantially U-shaped cross-section, in particular for accommodating one tread element each.

[0027] Thus, the tread elements can be inserted into the longitudinal support elements from above and connected or clamped to them in a simple manner, particularly in terms of the intended use.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for producing a support structure according to the invention is provided, the method comprising the following steps: Arranging the cross member elements, preferably in or on a fixing table of a pressing machine; Arranging the longitudinal member elements on the cross member elements such that the interlocking elements of the cross member elements protrude through the receiving holes of the longitudinal member elements; Interlocking or clamping the interlocking elements of the cross member elements with the longitudinal member elements, preferably by plastically deforming the interlocking elements; Arranging the side member elements such that the longitudinal ends of the cross member elements protrude through the receiving holes of the side member elements; Interlocking or clamping the longitudinal ends of the cross member elements with the side member elements, preferably by plastically deforming the longitudinal ends up to an angle of approximately 45°, in particular of exactly 45°, with respect to a longitudinal direction of the side member elements; Arranging the tread elements on the longitudinal member elements; Interlocking orClamping of the tread elements to the longitudinal support elements by interlocking engagement of the clamping elements of the longitudinal support elements in the clamping grooves of the tread elements, preferably by at least temporary, elastic deformation of the longitudinal support elements.

[0029] The individual connections between the elements can be designed in the sense of the invention as a clamping or as an interlocking within the framework of a plastic or elastic deformation of at least one of the elements.

[0030] It is intended that the various types of elements, i.e., the cross member elements, the longitudinal member elements, the side member elements, and the tread elements, are arranged step by step or sequentially. For example, preferably, all cross member elements are connected to all longitudinal member elements first, before the side member elements are appropriately connected or interlaced with all cross member elements.

[0031] The supporting structure can essentially be manufactured or assembled in the form of a plug-in system.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the plastic deformation of all interlocking elements, the plastic deformation of all longitudinal ends of the cross member elements and the clamping of all tread elements are each carried out in a single process step or work process simultaneously, in particular by means of the pressing machine.

[0033] This ensures efficient and cost-effective production of the supporting structure. In particular, the supporting structure can be provided in any size without significantly impacting the labor required for assembly.

[0034] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached schematic drawings using an embodiment.

[0035] In these show: Fig. 1 perspective view of an embodiment of a support structure according to the invention; Fig. 2 expanded view of the individual elements before assembly to form a support structure according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 further expanded representation before assembly into a supporting structure according to Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 4Representation of the supporting structure according to Fig. 1 before arranging the tread elements on the longitudinal beam elements.

[0036] In Fig. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a support structure 1 according to the invention is shown, in particular in a usage-appropriate orientation.

[0037] The supporting structure 1 has Fig. 1 two side support elements 10, a plurality of cross support elements 20, a total of five longitudinal support elements 30 and a corresponding number of step elements 40.

[0038] The tread elements 40 are arranged in the U-shaped longitudinal support elements 30.

[0039] The longitudinal support elements 30 are arranged on the cross-support elements 20 and are supported from below by the cross-support elements 20. The cross-support elements 20 have longitudinal ends 22, each of which extends through receiving openings 12 of the side support elements 10.

[0040] In particular, the longitudinal ends 22 of the cross member elements 20 are angled such that the cross member elements 20 are interlaced with the side member elements 10.

[0041] The two side support elements 10 represent a lateral boundary of the support structure 1. In particular, the side support elements 10, the longitudinal support elements 30 and the tread elements 40 extend parallel to one another and in the longitudinal direction of the support structure 1. The cross support elements 20 preferably extend in an orthogonal direction to the longitudinal extent of the support structure 1.

[0042] Furthermore, the side support elements 10 have a substantially C-shaped structure, the open side of which is directed outwards.

[0043] The tread elements 40 each have a rectangular surface or upper side to form a tread surface or tread plane 44. Thus, based on the support structure 1, a suitable tread surface 44 can be provided for residential and leisure areas or the like, in particular for pedestrians moving barefoot.

[0044] In Fig. 2 is an expanded representation of the individual elements 10; 20; 30; 40 before assembly into a supporting structure 1 according to Fig. 1 shown.

[0045] The side support elements 10 each have a plurality of preferably equally spaced receiving openings 12 for engagement by longitudinal ends 22 of the cross support elements 20.

[0046] The cross member elements 20 have several, in particular five, interlocking elements 24. The interlocking elements 24 are according to Fig. 2 corresponding to the shape of the longitudinal beam elements 30 in a U-shaped cutout and in the form of plastically deformable prongs 24. The interlocking elements or prongs 24 are designed to engage in receiving openings 32 of the longitudinal beam elements 30 (in Fig. 2 (not shown). Thus, the longitudinal beam elements 30 can be conveniently received, supported, and interlocked by the cross beam elements 20.

[0047] The longitudinal beam elements 30 have a plurality of clamping elements 34 on the vertical inner sides of their U-shaped structure, which are distributed in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beam elements 30. The tread elements 40 correspondingly have a clamping groove on each side, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the tread elements 40. Thus, the clamping elements 34 of the longitudinal beam elements 30 can expediently engage in the clamping grooves 42 of the tread elements 40 for the secure clamping of the tread elements 40 in the U-shaped longitudinal beam elements 30.

[0048] Over Fig. 2 beyond is in Fig. 3 Furthermore, the formation of the receiving openings 32 along the longitudinal beam elements 30 is shown. Thus, the interlocking elements 24 of the cross-beam elements 20 can be guided through the receiving openings 32 of the longitudinal beam elements 30 and subsequently plastically deformed to enable or provide a suitable interlocking between the cross-beam elements 20 and the longitudinal beam elements 30.

[0049] In Fig. 4 the supporting structure 1 is in accordance with Fig. 1 before arranging the tread elements 40 on or in the longitudinal beam elements 30.

[0050] Out of Fig. 4 It can be seen that the longitudinal ends 22 of the cross member elements 20 protrude through the receiving openings 12 of the side member elements 10 and are angled for expedient interlacing, preferably at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the longitudinal extent of the support structure 1. The angling of all longitudinal ends 22 of the cross member elements 20 can preferably be carried out in a single process step.

[0051] Furthermore, according to Fig. 4 The interlocking elements 24 of the cross member elements 20 are guided through the receiving openings 32 of the longitudinal member elements 30 and plastically deformed to provide an interlocking engagement for the fixing attachment of the longitudinal member elements 30 to the cross member elements 20. Preferably, the plastic deformation of the interlocking elements 24 of the cross member elements can also be carried out in a single process step.

[0052] In a further and final step, following Fig. 4 , the tread elements 40 are arranged and clamped on or in the longitudinal beam elements 30, in particular such that the clamping elements 34 engage in the clamping grooves 42 in a clamping manner. For this purpose, a preferably temporary, elastic deformation of the longitudinal beam elements 30 can take place.

[0053] In summary, by means of the present invention, a support structure 1 which can be produced simply and inexpensively can be provided, which makes a suitable step level or step surface 44 available, in particular also for residential and leisure areas or the like.

[0054] The supporting structure can be assembled in the form of a plug-in system. The individual elements 10; 20; 30; 40 can be arranged next to one another and connected, interlocked, or clamped together, in particular without additional fastening elements, welding, gluing, or the like. List of reference symbols

[0055] 1Supporting structure 10Side support element 12Receiving opening 20Cross support element 22Longitudinal end 24Interlocking element 30Longitudinal support element 32Receiving opening 34Clamping element 40Tread element 42Clamping groove

Claims

1. Supporting structure (1), in particular for use in residential and leisure areas, comprising at least two side beam elements (10) for laterally supporting and delimiting the supporting structure (1), a plurality of crossbeam elements (20), a plurality of longitudinal beam elements (30) and a plurality of step elements (40), wherein each of the crossbeam elements (20) is connected to the two side beam elements (10), wherein the longitudinal beam elements (30) are connected to the crossbeam elements (20), wherein each step element (40) is connected to one of the longitudinal beam elements (30), in particular exclusively to one of the longitudinal beam elements (30), and the step elements (40) form a step plane (44), wherein the crossbeam elements (20), the longitudinal beam elements (30), the side beam elements (10) and the step elements (40) for forming the supporting structure (1) are each connectable to one another solely by interlocking and / or clamping the elements (10; 20; 30; 40), wherein the longitudinal beam elements (30) have clamping elements (34) which are designed for interlocking engagement in clamping grooves (42) of the step elements (40), wherein the crossbeam elements (20) have plastically deformable interlocking elements (24) for interlocking engagement with receiving openings (32) of the longitudinal beam elements (30).

2. Supporting structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that longitudinal ends (22) of the crossbeam elements (20) can be passed through receiving openings (12) of the side beam elements (10), wherein a force-locking and / or form-locking interlocking of the longitudinal ends (22) of the crossbeam elements (20) with the side beam elements (10) can be provided by plastic deformation of the longitudinal ends (22).

3. Supporting structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the step plane (44) is formed above at least the longitudinal beam elements (30) and the crossbeam elements (20).

4. Supporting structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step elements (40) each have a rectangular upper side for forming the step plane (44).

5. Supporting structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side beam elements (10) have a substantially C-shaped cross-section.

6. Supporting structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal beam elements (30) have a substantially U-shaped cross-section, in particular for receiving in each case a step element (40).

7. Method for producing a supporting structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps of: - arranging the crossbeam elements (20); - arranging the longitudinal beam elements (30) on the crossbeam elements (20), so that the interlocking elements (24) of the crossbeam elements (20) project through the receiving holes (32) of the longitudinal beam elements (30); - interlocking the interlocking elements (24) of the crossbeam elements (20) with the longitudinal beam elements (30); - arranging the side beam elements (10) so that the longitudinal ends (22) of the crossbeam elements (20) project through the receiving holes (12) of the side beam elements (10); - interlocking the longitudinal ends (22) of the crossbeam elements (20) with the side beam elements (10); - arranging the step elements (40) on the longitudinal beam elements (30); and - interlocking the step elements (40) with the longitudinal beam elements (30) by interlocking engagement of the clamping elements (34) of the longitudinal beam elements (30) in the clamping grooves (42) of the step elements (40).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the plastic deformation of all the interlocking elements (24), the plastic deformation of all the longitudinal ends (22) of the crossbeam elements (20) and the clamping of all the step elements (40) each take place simultaneously in a single method step.