SLABS SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT OF FLOATING SLABS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slab support assembly for slabs laid floating on a water-permeable substrate, forming a walkable surface. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods for installing such a slab support assembly. Furthermore, the invention relates to a surface comprising walkable slabs and edge slabs laid floating on a water-permeable substrate, with such a slab support assembly.

[0002] With such walkable slabs laid floating on a permeable subsurface, such as patio slabs used to create a terrace, the problem is that the surface water that accumulates during rainfall and flows through the permeable subsurface undermines the edge slabs, causing them to loosen, migrate, and sink. This is especially true for the edge slabs of the walkable surface, which are also usually shortened to fit a given installation area and are therefore particularly susceptible to problems caused by undermining.

[0003] The publication AU 2007 200 829 B2 describes an outer edge profile for use on the outer ledge of balconies and terraces to protect the ledge. The outer edge profile is fixed to the substrate. The substrate contains a screed or a sand and cement bed on which the tiles are laid.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 298 18 915 U1 discloses a device for stair renovation with a curved metal part consisting of an L-shaped section and several perforated sheets. A bevel is attached to the upper edge of the L-shaped section to protect the front edge of the tile. The L-shaped section is attached to the stair step using screws in the area of ​​the perforated sheets.

[0005] An anti-slip profile for steps is known from the IT PD 970 146 A1 publication. The anti-slip profile consists of a plastic strip element with an anti-slip function and a profile with a main body and mounting brackets. The profile can be applied to existing floors by cutting and removing the tile edge exactly to the width of the profile, and then installing the profile.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a slab support arrangement and method as well as a surface of the aforementioned type, which enable a structurally simple and cost-effective support of edge slabs laid floating on a water-permeable substrate.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1, 12, 13, and 15, respectively. Further advantageous and claimed embodiments emerge from the respective subclaims, the description, and the drawings.

[0008] Accordingly, a slab support arrangement of slabs laid floating on a water-permeable substrate forming a walkable surface is proposed, wherein an edge of the walkable surface is formed, at least in sections, by edge slabs with adapted dimensions. To ensure structurally simple and cost-effective support of the edge slabs of the walkable surface, at least one elongated, rigid support element is provided for supporting an edge slab on a side of the edge slab adjacent to the side facing away from the edge.

[0009] In this way, the edge slab is securely supported by the rigid support element on the adjacent slab, which rests firmly on the subgrade with its uncut dimensions. This reliably prevents loosening and subsidence, particularly of the last edge slab, due to erosion, for example.

[0010] The rigid support element of the inventive panel support assembly exhibits high resistance to deformation due to the load from supporting the edge panel against the adjacent panel. An elongated support element is designed with a significantly greater length relative to its width, with the length of the support element being adapted to the panel dimensions.

[0011] The support element is preferably flat. Thanks to its flat design, with a low height and material thickness relative to its length and width, and a largely flat top, it can also be subsequently inserted beneath the slabs between them and the subfloor. This allows even previously installed slabs to be easily supported against loosening and subsidence due to erosion.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support element has a common support area for the panel and the adjacent edge panel, a fastening area for securing the support element to the panel, and a stop area for contact with a side of the edge panel facing the edge. This makes it particularly easy to support the edge panel against the adjacent panel and simultaneously secure both the panels and the support element against displacement.

[0013] It is advantageous if the support area of ​​the underlay element has a flat upper surface for contact with the undersides of the panel and the adjacent edge panel. This makes it easy to place the panels on the underlay element during installation, or to subsequently insert the underlay element particularly easily between the panels and the subfloor.

[0014] To increase the flexural rigidity of the support element, the present invention provides that the support area of ​​the support element has, at least in sections, an approximately U-shaped cross-sectional profile, with the U-legs protruding from the underside of the support element. Alternatively or additionally, one or more recesses, so-called beads, can be provided on the support element for stiffening purposes. These recesses are particularly easy to produce, in particular by bending. To ensure sufficient flexural rigidity of the support element, the angle α between the U-legs and the U-base should be approximately in a range of 80° to 100°.

[0015] Good stackability of the support elements for storage or in trade as so-called stackable goods is possible if the angle α between the U-legs and the U-base of the U-shaped cross-sectional profile is greater than 90°.

[0016] A simple fixing of the shim element to the penultimate panel adjacent to the edge panel is achievable if the fixing area of ​​the shim element has at least one recess for fixing a fixing pin, so that the fixing pin or the like fixed in the recess or hole rests in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner on the side of the panel facing away from the edge panel. The fixing pin can have a circular or angular, preferably square, cross-section. With a circular cross-section, the fixing pin can preferably have a diameter step. This allows, for example, the inner diameter of the recess to be kept as small as possible and at the same time the contact of the fixing pin with a larger contact-side outer diameter in the joint against the panel to be increased.In order to ensure particularly easy centering of the fixing pin in the recess of the support element, the end of the fixing element facing the support element can be pointed.

[0017] To enable particularly easy removal of the locating pin, the head area of ​​the locating pin can have a tool holder, allowing a suitable tool to be secured in the holder to remove the locating pin from the joint. For example, a bore with an internal thread or similar would be a particularly simple design for the tool holder.

[0018] It is also advantageous if the mounting area of ​​the support element has several recesses or holes as perforations. This allows for a mounting option that is adapted to different panel and edge panel dimensions. It would be conceivable for the recesses to be arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, preferably in several rows, diagonally offset from one another.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, adhesives can be used to secure the base element. This can eliminate the need for additional components and thus reduce manufacturing costs.

[0020] A particularly structurally simple embodiment of the invention can serve as the stop area of ​​the shim element, with an end of the shim element associated with the edge panel being angled at an angle φ of 80° to 90° toward the edge panel as a stop. The stop can also serve as an assembly stop during installation of the panels or during subsequent insertion of the shim element. This enables a structurally simple fastening between the edge panel and the adjacent panel by the shim element.

[0021] In particular, the insertion of the support element under the panels can be made easier if the support element is designed in an arrow-shaped manner at the end facing the panel when viewed from above.

[0022] The support element is preferably made of stainless metal or fiber-reinforced plastic. As a sheet steel strip, it can be easily and cost-effectively manufactured in large quantities using sheet metal processing methods, particularly bending and deep drawing.

[0023] The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for assembling the above-described panel support assembly, wherein, for supporting an edge panel against an adjacent panel, at least one elongated, rigid support element is arranged beneath an edge panel and an adjacent panel of a walkable surface during installation of the panels. This results in the advantages already described above and further advantages.

[0024] The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for assembling the above-described panel support assembly, wherein, to support an edge panel against an adjacent installed panel, at least one elongated, rigid support element is subsequently inserted beneath the installed panel, and the adjacent edge panel is subsequently laid onto the support element. This achieves the advantages already mentioned above.

[0025] In addition, by means of the aforementioned methods for assembling a plate support arrangement, the plate and the adjacent edge plate can be supported on the support element via a common support area and the plate can be fastened together to the support element via a fastening area and the adjacent edge plate via a contact area.

[0026] Within the scope of a further aspect of the present invention, a surface made of walkable slabs and edge slabs laid floating on a water-permeable substrate is supported by the slab support arrangement described above. This results in the advantages already described above and further advantages.

[0027] The present invention is further explained below with reference to the drawings.

[0028] They show: Figure 1 a schematic plan view of a surface according to the invention made of panels and edge panels laid floating on a water-permeable substrate with a panel support arrangement according to the invention; Figure 2 a schematic partially sectioned side view of an edge plate of the surface supported on a plate by the plate support arrangement; Figure 3 a schematic partially sectioned side view of an area designed as a roof terrace with the plate support arrangement; Figure 4 a detailed representation of a support element of the plate support arrangement in a plan view; Figure 5 a detailed representation of the support element of the plate support arrangement in a side view; Figure 6 a three-dimensional view of the pad element of the plate support assembly; Figure 7 a cross-sectional enlarged view of the pad element of the plate support assembly along section line AA according to Figure 5 ; Figure 8 a schematic detailed partial view of an alternatively designed fastening area of ​​the support element; and Figure 9 an enlarged detailed view of a recess as a fastening area of ​​the washer element with a fixing pin arranged in the recess.

[0029] The figures show various views and designs of a surface 1 consisting of walkable slabs 2 and edge slabs 3, laid floating on a water-permeable substrate 4, with a slab support arrangement in various exemplary embodiments. These illustrations also illustrate the method according to the invention.

[0030] Regardless of the respective designs, the surface 1 is formed from walkable slabs 2 laid floating on a water-permeable substrate 4, wherein an edge of the walkable surface 1 is formed, at least in sections, by edge slabs 3 adapted to the dimensions of the surface 1. At least one elongated, rigid support element 6 is provided to support each edge slab 3 on a slab 2 adjacent to the side of the edge slab 3 facing away from the edge.

[0031] In Figure 1A plan view of the surface 1 with several floating slabs 2 and edge slabs 3 is shown, with a joint 5 for filling with joint sand being provided between the slabs 2 and between the edge slabs 3 and the adjacent slabs 2. Figure 1 It is also apparent that the plate support arrangement is assigned, for example, two support elements 6 for supporting an edge plate 3 on the adjacent plate 2.

[0032] In the Figures 2 and 3 Side views of the surface 1 with the support elements 6 of the plate support arrangement are shown as examples, in which Figure 3 a roof terrace is shown as an example as area 1.

[0033] In the area 1 designed as a roof terrace, the water-permeable substrate 4 is arranged on a concrete slab 7. A cover plate 8 is assigned to the edge of the area 1 and is attached to the concrete slab 7. A gutter 9 is provided to drain surface water. The gutter 9 and the cover plate 8 are attached to the outside of the concrete slab 7.

[0034] The end plate 8 defines the edge slab 3 with a free, bent end of the roof terrace. Rainwater accumulating on the roof terrace can drain through the water-permeable subsurface 4 via the drainage 18 into the gutter 9. The support of the edge slab 3 by the base element 6 prevents the last edge slab 3 from sinking in the event of undercutting by rainwater running into the subsurface 4, resulting in the bending of the end plate 8 and the flushing of the sand bed of the subsurface 7 into the gutter 9.

[0035] In the Figures 4 to 6Individual parts views of the support element 6 are shown. The support element 6 has a common support area 10 for the plate 2 and the adjacent edge plate 3 and a fastening area 11 for fixing the support element 6 to the plate 2 as well as a stop area 12 for contact with a side of the edge plate 3 facing the edge. The support area 10 of the support element 6 is designed as a flat upper side for contact with the undersides of the plate 2 and the adjacent edge plate 3. The support area 10 has a U-shaped cross-sectional profile in sections to increase the flexural rigidity, with the U-legs 13, 14 protruding from the underside of the support element 6. The angle α between the U-legs 13, 14 and the U-base 15 of the U-shaped cross-sectional profile is preferably greater than 90°, as can be seen in particular from the exemplary cross-sectional representation of the support element 6 according to Figure 7.

[0036] The fastening area 11 of the support element 6 comprises at least one recess or bore 16 for fastening a fixing pin 17, so that the fixing pin 17 fastened in the recess 16 rests against the side of the plate 2 facing away from the edge plate 3 in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner. As can be seen in particular from Figure 6As is clear, the fixing pin 17 has a diameter step, wherein the larger diameter is adapted to the width of the joint 5 and the smaller diameter to the diameter of the recess 16. The end of the fixing pin 17 facing the substrate 4 can preferably be designed as a point for centering purposes, so that the force and / or form fit to the recess 16 is ensured. Furthermore, the fixing pin 17 has a tool holder 19 on its head on the upper side for easy assembly and disassembly. In the embodiment of the fixing pin 17 shown, the tool holder 19 is designed as a bore with an internal thread section.

[0037] As can be seen from the Figures 5 and 6As can be seen, the stop area 12 of the support element 6 is designed as a stop at the end of the support element 6 associated with the edge plate 3. The stop is arranged at an angle φ of 80° to 90° with respect to the upper side of the support element 6.

[0038] From the Figures 4 to 6 It becomes clear that the support element 6 is arrow-shaped at the end facing the plate 2 in a plan view.

[0039] In Figure 8 An alternative embodiment of the fastening area 11 of the support element 6 is shown, in which several recesses 16 are arranged one behind the other on the upper side in the longitudinal direction of the support element 6, essentially as perforations. This allows for a continuously adjustable fastening of the fixing pin 17 to the panel dimensions.

[0040] The rigid support element 6 has a high resistance to deformation due to the load from the support of the edge plate 3 on the plate 2 adjacent to it. It is elongated, i.e. with a significantly greater length L in relation to its width B. It is also flat, i.e. with a small height or material thickness S in relation to its length L and width B and is flat at least on the upper side. In particular, the length L of the support element 6 is adapted to the dimensions of the plates 2 and the edge plates 3. For example, the support element 6 for plates 2 with standard dimensions of 0.4 m x 0.4 m and edge plates 3 with dimensions 0.4 m x 0.15 m has a length L of at least 0.58 m, a width B of approximately 16 to 30 mm and a height or material thickness S of at least 1 mm.

[0041] Within the scope of one of the claimed methods, the slab support arrangement can be mounted during laying of the surface 1 by arranging one or more elongated, rigid support elements 6 under the edge slabs 3 and the adjacent slabs 2 of the walkable surface 1 during laying in order to support the edge slabs 3 on adjacent slabs 2.

[0042] Due to the flat design of the support element 6, it is also possible that, within the scope of the further claimed method, the panel support arrangement can be mounted after the surface 1 has been laid by subsequently inserting one or more elongated, rigid support elements 6 under the already laid panel 2 to support the edge panels 3 on the adjacent laid panels 2 and then laying the adjacent edge panels 3 on the associated support element 6.

[0043] A reduction in the resistance of the support element 6 during insertion is achieved by the U-legs 13, 14 of the cross-sectional profile, which are beveled at the support area 10 of the support element 6 in the longitudinal or insertion direction of the support element 6. Furthermore, stress peaks at the front and rear edges of the U-legs 13, 14 can be avoided.

[0044] In Figure 9 In a detailed view, the recess 16 is shown enlarged as the fastening area 11 of the support element 6 with the fixing pin 17 arranged in the recess 16 with its diameter step and its centering point. This once again illustrates the previously described support of the edge plate 3 via the support element 6 and the fixing pin 17 arranged in the recess 16 and in the joint 5 on the side of the plate 2 facing away from the edge plate 3, which is already apparent from the Figures 1 to 8 results. List of reference symbols

[0045] 1Area or terrace or roof terrace 2Slab 3Edge slab 4Water-permeable subsurface or gravel or sand layer 5Joint 6Underlay 7Concrete ceiling 8End plate 9Gutter 10Support area 11Fastening area 12Stop area 13U-leg 14U-leg 15U-base 16Recess 17Fixing pin 18Drainage 19Tool holder BWidth of the underlay LLength of the underlay SHeight, material thickness of the underlay αAngle between the U-leg and the U-base φAngle by which the end of the underlay is angled

Claims

1. A slab support arrangement of slabs (2) forming a walk-on surface (1) and laid in a floating manner on a water-permeable subgrade (4), wherein an edge of the walk-on surface (1) is at least partially formed by edge slabs (3) adapted with respect to the dimensions of the surface (1), wherein the slab support arrangement comprises said slabs (2), edge slabs (3) and at least one shim element (6), characterised in that, for supporting an edge slab (3), at least one elongated flexurally rigid shim element (6) is provided on a slab (2) adjacent to the side of the edge slab (3) facing away from the edge, wherein the elongated shim element is configured with a width which is significantly greater relative to its length, and wherein the length (L) of the shim element (6) is adapted to the slab dimensions such that the shim element (6) extends from a side of the edge slab (3) facing the edge at least to a side of the adjacent slab (2) facing away from the edge.

2. The slab support arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the shim element (6) has a common support area (10) for the slab (2) and the adjacent edge slab (3), a fastening area (11) for fixing the shim element (6) to the slab (2), and an abutment area (12) to rest on a side of the edge slab (3) facing the edge.

3. The slab support arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the support area (10) of the shim element (6) has a planar upper side to rest on the lower sides of the slab (2) and the adjacent edge slab (3).

4. The slab support arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the support area (10) of the shim element (6) at least partially has a U-shaped cross-sectional profile to increase the flexural rigidity, wherein the U-legs (13, 14) project from the lower side of the shim element (6), wherein an angle (α) between a U-leg (13, 14) and a U-base (15) is about 80° to 100°.

5. The slab support arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that the angle (α) between each U-leg (13, 14) and the U-base (15) of the U-shaped cross-sectional profile is greater than 90°.

6. The slab support arrangement according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the fastening area (11) of the shim element (6) has at least one recess (16) for fastening a fixing pin (17) so that the fixing pin (17) fastened in the recess (16) rests on the side of the slab (2) facing away from the edge slab (3) in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner.

7. The slab support arrangement according to claim 6, characterised in that the fastening area (11) of the shim element (6) has a plurality of recesses (16) as perforations.

8. The slab support arrangement according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that adhesives are provided as the fastening area (11) of the shim element (6).

9. The slab support arrangement according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterised in that, as the abutment area (12) of the shim element (6), an end of the shim element (6) associated with the edge slab (3) is angled by an angle (φ) of about 80° to 90° in the direction of the edge slab (2) as an abutment.

10. The slab support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shim element (6) on the end facing the slab (2) is configured in the shape of an arrow with respect to a plan view.

11. The slab support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shim element (6) is made of metal or fibre-reinforced plastic.

12. A method for mounting a slab support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, for supporting an edge slab (3) on an adjacent slab (2), at least one elongated flexurally rigid shim element (6) is arranged underneath an edge slab (3) and an adjacent slab (2) of a walk-on surface (1) when laying the slabs (2).

13. A method for mounting a slab support arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, for supporting an edge slab (3) on an adjacent laid slab (2), at least one elongated flexurally rigid shim element (6) is subsequently inserted underneath the laid slab (2), and in that the adjacent edge slab (3) is then laid on the shim element (6).

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the slab (2) and the adjacent edge slab (3) are supported on the shim element (6) via a common support area (10), and in that the slab (2) and the adjacent edge slab (3) are fastened to the shim element (6) together via a fastening area (11) or via an abutment area (12), respectively.

15. A surface (3) comprised of walk-on slabs (2) and edge slabs (3) laid in a floating manner on a water-permeable subgrade (4) with a slab support arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 11.