Floor panel for a hollow floor system

Abstract

A floor panel for a raised floor system comprises a support frame (1), an absorber insert (3), and a back panel (4). The support frame (1) includes a perforated support plate (10), outer walls (14, 14') surrounding the support plate (10), and reinforcing elements (11). The absorber insert (3) is arranged on the support frame (10). The back panel (4) covers the absorber insert (3) and is attached to the support frame (1). Fastening elements (12) are arranged on the support frame (1), and the back panel (4) can be connected to these fastening elements (12) for attachment to the support frame (1). The floor panel is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, while ensuring optimal sound absorption.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a base plate for a raised floor system. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Raised floor systems are used in interior construction. A second floor is constructed at a distance above a subfloor, such as a concrete slab. This second floor consists of numerous individual, abutting floor panels, whose corners rest on support pedestals. Preferably, four floor panels meet at their corners at a single bearing plate of a support pedestal.

[0003] This creates a continuous cavity between the subfloor and the top floor, which can be used for a variety of installations. For example, heating and ventilation ducts, electrical wiring, and data cables can be laid flexibly and invisibly within the respective building space. Individual floor panels can be fitted with features such as electrical outlets, ventilation openings, or viewing windows.

[0004] Raised access floor systems designed to absorb sound are known in the art as acoustic raised access floors. These systems serve as absorption surfaces to reduce reverberation time in buildings. This is particularly relevant in modern architecture, as such buildings often contain a high proportion of sound-reflecting materials, such as exposed concrete and glass. These acoustic raised access floors are primarily, but not exclusively, used in office, commercial, and administrative buildings, as well as in lecture halls.

[0005] Such acoustic raised access floors are described in EP 1 662 059 A1. In one embodiment, the floor panel comprises a metal frame with a perforated support plate and a sound-absorbing insert that is placed into the metal frame. The perforated surface of the support plate serves as a base for a floor covering, such as a carpet. A sheet metal plate is glued or screwed to the opposite side of the support plate on crossbeams of the metal frame. This back panel secures the insert and also serves as the back of a resonator. Thanks to this resonator, sound waves are reflected multiple times between the support plate and the back panel and absorbed by the insert. This floor panel has proven effective in practice. However, it is relatively complex to assemble. Replacing the sound-absorbing insert is also difficult.

[0006] US 3,942,964 A discloses a base plate whose underside is a grid. The grid has hooks that engage in stepped corner areas of the frame. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, one of the aims of the invention is to create a base plate that is easier and more cost-effective to manufacture.

[0008] This problem is solved by a base plate with the features of claim 1.

[0009] The floor panel according to the invention for a raised floor system comprises a support frame, an absorber insert, and a back panel. The support frame includes a perforated support plate, outer walls surrounding the support plate, and reinforcing elements. The absorber insert is arranged within the support frame. The back panel covers the absorber insert and is attached to the support frame. Fastening elements are arranged on the support frame, and the back panel can be operatively connected to the fastening elements already arranged on the support frame for attachment purposes.

[0010] Preferably, the back panel can be attached to the support frame without tools using the fastening elements. For insertion and / or removal, the back panel can be grasped, for example, by hand or with a suction cup and inserted or removed.

[0011] Preferably, the back panel is held in a fixed position. The functional connection is achieved, for example, by sliding the back panel under the fastening elements, by clicking or snapping it into place, or by means of other form-fit or force-fit connections.

[0012] Since the back panel does not need to be screwed to the support frame as is usually the case, it can be installed more quickly and easily. Furthermore, the use of adhesive can be avoided.

[0013] Furthermore, the number of protruding parts can be minimized. This is advantageous because these parts can hinder or complicate the insertion of the absorber insert into the support frame, and voids can also form in this area that are not filled with the absorber insert. This negatively affects the reverberation time.

[0014] The rear wall forms an essentially or completely uniform surface, which optimizes the reflection behavior of the sound waves and thus reduces reverberation times in the building space to a minimum.

[0015] The fastening elements, also called fixing elements, are preferably welded to the support frame. These fastening elements are preferably simple receiving or retaining devices. They preferably do not have any clamping or spring elements. This allows them to be manufactured cost-effectively and attached to the rest of the support frame, in particular by welding.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening elements are protruding elements arranged on the outer walls and projecting inwards. Preferably, they project inwards parallel to the support plate. The rear wall is inserted under these protruding elements for fastening or fixing. The protruding elements are, for example, arranged centrally or at the edges of the outer walls, or distributed along the length of the outer walls.

[0017] Preferably, the fastening elements are corner pieces arranged in the corners of the support frame, with corners of the back panel being inserted under the corner pieces. Preferably, the corner pieces are plate-shaped and / or triangular.

[0018] The back panel is designed to be flexible and can be slid under the fastening elements, preferably with its corners, for the purpose of assembling the base plate.

[0019] The sound-absorbing mat can be replaced easily and quickly if the back panel is connected to the support frame in a way that allows for non-destructive removal.

[0020] Preferably, only the outer walls are fitted with the fastening elements.

[0021] The reinforcing elements serve to stabilize the supporting frame. They can be designed in various ways. For example, they are struts or load-bearing bars. Preferably, they are interior walls that extend parallel to and between two exterior walls.

[0022] In preferred embodiments, chambers formed between two adjacent reinforcing elements, particularly between two inner walls, are unobstructed with respect to the insertion of the absorber insert. This ensures that these chambers can be easily filled. If the fastening elements are plate-shaped, particularly corner pieces, filling the remaining chambers is also facilitated.

[0023] In preferred embodiments, the reinforcing elements, in particular the inner walls, are welded to the outer walls and / or the support plate. Preferably, the entire support frame of the base plate consists of welded components. This also minimizes protruding parts and simplifies manufacturing.

[0024] In preferred embodiments, the support frame has two parallel outer walls, forming a first and a second pair of parallel outer walls. The inner walls of the support frame run parallel to the first pair of parallel outer walls, with the inner walls and the first pair of parallel outer walls dividing the support frame into cuboid chambers. Each chamber has one side facing away from the support plate, and this side is completely accessible, except for the chambers formed by the first pair of parallel outer walls. This greatly facilitates the insertion of the absorber insert.

[0025] Preferably, the absorber insert consists of separate cuboid sections that can be individually inserted into the support frame. This allows the aforementioned chambers to be filled with the insert sections one after the other or simultaneously.

[0026] The floor panel according to the invention enables sound absorption within the panel body. Installations in the cavity of the raised floor are not affected, and any ventilation through the cavity is also not restricted. Furthermore, the floor panels according to the invention can be easily laid on a subfloor, and individual floor panels can be easily replaced at any time after installation.

[0027] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings, which serve only for illustration and are not to be interpreted restrictively. The drawings show: Figure 1 shows a base plate according to the invention in a top view; Figure 2 shows the base plate according to the invention. Figure 1in a view from below; Figure 3 a longitudinal section through the base plate according to Figure 1 Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the base plate according to Figure 3 Figure 5 shows an enlarged section of a supporting frame of the base plate according to Figure 4 Figure 6 shows an enlarged section of the base plate according to Figure 4 and Figure 7 an enlarged section of the base plate according to Figure 2 . DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0029] The Figures 1 and 2Figure 1 shows a base plate according to the invention from above and from below. The base plate has a support frame 1, which is preferably made of metal, for example, steel. The support frame 1 preferably consists of welded components. It comprises a support plate 10, outer walls 14, 14', and reinforcing elements 11 in the form of inner walls. The cross-section of the support frame 1 is preferably square or rectangular. However, other shapes, for example, rhombuses, are also possible, provided that several plates can be joined together to form a closed surface.

[0030] The support plate 10 has through-openings 100 into an interior of the base plate. It is preferably perforated. The holes preferably have a diameter of approximately 3 to 15 mm. Diameters of 10 to 15 mm are preferred because they simplify manufacturing without impairing the sound absorption properties of the base plate.

[0031] The outer walls 14, 14' and the reinforcing elements 11 are welded to the support plate 10. The weld points are indicated by reference numeral 13 in the figures. The outer walls 14, 14' are, as shown in the Figures 3 to 6 It is evident that the interior walls are higher than the interior walls.

[0032] The inner walls extend parallel to a first pair of parallel outer walls 14 and perpendicular to a second pair of parallel outer walls 14'. The inner walls 11 extend at both ends to the second pair of outer walls 14'. Cuboid chambers 15 are formed between the reinforcing elements 11 and the outer walls 14, 14'. The sides of the chambers 15 opposite the supporting plate 10 are open. This is shown in Figure 4 recognizable.

[0033] The chambers 15 form the free interior space of the base plate, which is preferably completely filled with an absorber insert 3, also called an acoustic insert. The absorber insert 3 is preferably an open-pored material, for example, mineral wool. The absorber insert 3 consists of several cuboid sections 30, which are adapted in shape and size to the chambers 15 and can be inserted into them. This is shown in the Figures 3 and 4 clearly visible.

[0034] Adjacent outer walls 14, 14' form corners in which fastening elements 12 in the form of corner pieces are arranged. Preferably, they are welded on. Each corner piece is plate-shaped and preferably has the form of a right-angled triangle. This is shown in Figure 7 As shown. Preferably, their surfaces are flush with the free end of the outer walls 14, 14'. They project in front of the reinforcing elements 11, as shown in the Figures 5 and 6 is clearly visible.

[0035] Since, with the exception of the two outer chambers 15, the remaining chambers 15 are completely freely accessible on one side, the cuboid sections 30 of the absorber insert 3 can be inserted into the chambers 15 without being compressed, pressed down, or shifted. The corner pieces 12 only minimally impede the insertion of the sections 30 into the outer chambers 15. These outer chambers 15 can also be completely filled with the absorber insert 3 without any voids forming.

[0036] If all the chambers 15 are the same size, identical sections 30 can be filled into the chambers 15. This simplifies the production of the sections 30 and the assembly of the base plate.

[0037] To complete the sound absorber, a back panel 4 is provided, which covers the absorber insert 3 and is attached or fixed to the support frame 1 by means of the corner pieces 12. The back panel 4 can be easily bent and its corners slid under the corner pieces. This is in the Figures 3 and 6 Clearly visible. The rear wall 4 is preferably made of metal, preferably sheet metal. Other materials that reflect sound and thus enable a resonator in the base plate can also be used.

[0038] For transport, the support plate 10 is preferably covered with a protective film 2 to close the passage openings 100. This film is removed when the individual floor panels are fitted with the planned floor covering. Floor coverings include, for example, carpet, laminate, or parquet. Each floor panel can be fitted with its own section of covering, so that it can be removed individually even after the flooring has been installed.

[0039] The floor panels can be laid at a distance from the subfloor, for example by placing them on support feet, as described in EP 1 662 059 A1 or as they have been used by the applicant for years.

[0040] The inventive base plate can be manufactured cost-effectively and easily, while ensuring optimal sound absorption. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0041] 1 support frame 10 support plate 2 Protective film 100 Passage opening 11 Reinforcing element 3 Absorbent insert 12 Fasteners 30 Section 13 weld 14 exterior wall 4 back panel 15 chamber

Claims

1. Sound-absorbing floor panel for a hollow floor system, wherein the floor panel has a supporting frame (1), has an absorber insert (3) and has a sound-reflecting rear wall (4), wherein the rear wall (4) forms a substantially or completely uniform surface and makes it possible for there to be a resonator in the floor panel, wherein the supporting frame (1) has a perforated supporting plate (10), outer walls (14, 14') surrounding the supporting plate (10) and reinforcement elements (11), wherein the absorber insert (3) is arranged in the supporting frame (10), and wherein the rear wall (4) covers the absorber insert (3) and is fastened to the supporting frame (1), characterized in that fastening elements (12) are arranged on the supporting frame (1), and in that, for the purpose of fastening to the supporting frame (1), the rear wall (4) is able to be brought into operative connection with the fastening elements (12) already arranged on the supporting frame (1), and in that the rear wall (4) is of flexible form and, for the purpose of assembly of the floor panel, is insertable below the fastening elements (12).

2. Floor panel according to Claim 1, wherein the fastening elements (12) are retention means.

3. Floor panel according to either of Claims 1 and 2, wherein the fastening elements (12) are projecting elements arranged on the outer walls (14, 14') and protruding inwards, and wherein the rear wall (4) is inserted below the projecting elements.

4. Floor panel according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastening elements (12) are corner pieces arranged in corners of the supporting frame (1), and wherein corners of the rear wall (4) are inserted below the corner pieces.

5. Floor panel according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the rear wall (4) is connected in a non-destructively releasable manner to the supporting frame (1).

6. Floor panel according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein exclusively the outer walls (14, 14') are provided with fastening elements (12), and wherein chambers (15) formed between two adjacent reinforcement elements (11) are free of obstructions with regard to insertion of the absorber insert (3).

7. Floor panel according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the fastening elements (12) are welded to the supporting frame (1).

8. Floor panel according to one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the reinforcement elements (11) are welded to the outer walls (14, 14') and / or to the supporting plate (10).

9. Floor panel according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the absorber insert (3) consists of separate cuboidal portions (30) which are individually insertable into the supporting frame (1).

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