Support for raised floors, with optimized shape

Abstract

A support (1) for raised floors comprising a base (2), an intermediate element (3), and a head (4) on which raised floor sections rest. The base (2) comprises a cylindrical cavity (5) having an internal thread (51). The intermediate element (3) has a cylindrical shape with an external thread (6) and comprises a cavity (70) having a concave upper surface (7) and, in the center, teeth (8), in which each tooth (8) projects outward, leaving a space below, in which the concave upper surface (7) consists of a curved portion (71) and a straight portion (72). The head (4) has a circular shape and comprises an upper portion (15) with a flat external upper surface (10), and a central compartment (40) comprising a central surface (16) with a central through hole (17). The head (4) further comprises a lower portion (12) with a curved surface. [Figure 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Support for raised floors, with optimized shape

[0001] The present invention relates to a support for raised floors, with an optimized shape.

[0002] The creation of raised floors is becoming increasingly widespread given that it is fast, involves easy installation, while being adaptable to heterogeneous support planes both in terms of orientation and material.

[0003] The quality of the work depends heavily on the supports on which the flat elements that form the raised floor rest.

[0004] Each support is known to be formed by at least one base element and by a head on which said flat elements rest. The support may have a non-tilting head simply rotating around an axis perpendicular to the ground on which the base rests or a different tilting head.

[0005] The prior art further includes supports with devices capable of changing a head from tilting to simply rotating about the axis perpendicular to the ground, without the tilting function. These supports are of the universal type, in the sense that they perform both functions: simple rotation about the axis perpendicular to the ground and the tilting function.

[0006] For example, document EP-3733994 describes a universal support for raised floors comprising a base, an intermediate element and a head on which raised floor parts rest. The base comprises a cylindrical cavity having an internal thread, and the intermediate element has a cylindrical shape with an external thread and comprises a curved upper surface and in the center, teeth. Each tooth comprises a portion which projects outwardly, leaving a space below. The head comprises an upper portion with an external upper surface which is flat, and a central compartment comprising a central surface with a central through hole. The head further comprises a lower portion with a curved surface. The through hole is provided with curved edges interrupted by loops which project outwardly to allow passage underneath the teeth through the through hole.The curved upper surface of the intermediate element can slidably couple with the curved surface of the lower part of the head.

[0007] The shape of the curved upper surface of the intermediate element and the shape of the curved surface of the lower part of the head play an essential role, since they must be complementary and at the same time allow sliding mutual optimal.

[0008] It is also important that the coupling between the head and the intermediate element allows for an optimal distribution of the weight of the floor on the support, i.e. that the dimensions and shape of the curved upper surface of the intermediate element and the curved head surface are suitable for uniformly unloading the weight of the floor even during normal passage following installation.

[0009] Document EP-1304426 describes a support for raised floors, in which a head has a lower part that can be housed in a cavity of an intermediate element.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to create a support for raised floors comprising a base, an intermediate element and a head on which the raised floor parts rest, in which the shape of the intermediate element and the shape of the head are suitable for distributing the weight of the floor on the support in an optimal manner.

[0011] Another object of the present invention lies in the fact that the shape of the intermediate element and the shape of the head allow effective sliding of the head on the intermediate element, both for a tilting movement and for a simple rotation movement around an axis perpendicular to the ground.

[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is that the shape of the intermediate element and the shape of the head allow the support of standard type floors.

[0013] According to the invention, said objects as well as others are obtained by a support for raised floors comprising a base, an intermediate element and a head on which the raised floor parts rest, in which: the base comprises a cylindrical cavity having an internal thread, the intermediate element has a cylindrical shape with an external thread and comprises a cavity having a concave upper surface and in the center, teeth, each tooth projecting outwardly leaving a space below, wherein the concave upper surface consists of a curved portion and a straight portion, the head has a circular shape and comprises an upper portion with an outer upper surface which is flat, and a central compartment comprising a central surface with a central through hole, the head further comprises a lower part with a curved surface, the through hole is provided with curved edges interrupted by loops which project outwards to allow the teeth to pass underneath through the through hole, the curved upper surface of the intermediate element being able to slidably couple with the curved surface of the lower part of the head, in which: the head has an external diameter of 118 mm to 122 mm, and an internal diameter of 90 mm to 94 mm, wherein the height of the lower part is 12 mm to 15 mm, the intermediate member has an external diameter of 97 mm to 101 mm, wherein the curved part of the cavity has a radius of curvature of 63 mm to 67 mm, and the straight part of the cavity has a width of 14 mm to 17 mm, wherein the depth of the cavity is 9 mm to 11 mm, the maximum lateral dimensions of the head being 127 mm to 133 mm.

[0014] Advantageously, the above-mentioned sizes of the lower part of the head and of the cavity of the intermediate element are suitable to allow an optimal mutual sliding both in the case of a tilting movement as well as a simple rotation around an axis perpendicular to the fixed surface below, that is to say even in the case of a universal type support.

[0015] The shape of the cavity of the intermediate element and the shape of the lower part of the head make it possible to limit the maximum lateral dimensions of the head in order to benefit from the compactness of the support as a whole.

[0016] The lower part is well housed in the cavity without risk of tilting or involuntary friction in the event of mutual sliding, tilting or simple rotation around an axis perpendicular to the fixed surface.

[0017] Optionally, the head has an external diameter of 120 mm, and an internal diameter of 92 mm, the height of the lower part being 13.5 mm, the intermediate element has an external diameter of 99 mm, the curved part of the cavity having a radius of curvature of 65 mm, and the straight part of the cavity having a width of 15.5 mm, the depth of the cavity being 10 mm, the maximum lateral dimensions of the head being 130 mm.

[0018] Optionally, the intermediate element is provided, in the center, with a circular element which comprises a circular neck from which the teeth project outwardly.

[0019] Optionally, that the circular element has an outer diameter of 25 to 29 mm.

[0020] Optionally, the circular element has an outer diameter of 27 mm.

[0021] Optionally, said curved surface of the lower portion of the head comprises a plurality of curved edges and straight edges of respective ribs.

[0022] These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a practical embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of a support according to the present invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents an exploded perspective view of the support;

[0025] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a top plan view of the support;

[0026] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a sectional view taken on line IV-IV of [Fig.3];

[0027] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents an exploded sectional view of [Fig.4];

[0028] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents a side view of a head of the support;

[0029] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents a plan view from below of the head;

[0030] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents a perspective view from below of the head;

[0031] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] shows an exploded side view of the support with a extension.

[0032] A support 1 for raised floors comprises a base 2, an intermediate element 3 and a head 4 (figures 1 and 2).

[0033] The base 2 may rest on a fixed underlying surface and comprises a cylindrical cavity 5 having an internal thread 51 capable of engaging with an external thread 6 of the intermediate element 3.

[0034] The intermediate element 3 has a cylindrical shape with said external thread 6 and comprises a cavity 70 having a concave upper surface 7 and in the center, a circular element 80 which comprises a circular neck 81 and teeth 8 which project from said circular neck 81 towards the external edge of the concave upper surface 7. The teeth 8 are placed substantially on top of the circular neck 81, leaving a space below the teeth 8 themselves, that is to say between the teeth 8 and a central part of said concave upper surface 7. The circular element 80 comprises a transverse attachment 83 for an operating tool.

[0035] The concave upper surface 7 consists of a curved portion 71 and a straight portion 72, wherein the curved portion 71 is external to the straight portion 72.

[0036] The head 4 comprises an upper part 15 with an outer upper surface 10 which is substantially flat and with projections 11 which project upwards and a central compartment 40 having a central surface 16 with a central through hole 17. Said central surface 16 is preferably concave in order to facilitate the sliding of the teeth 8 which preferably have a convex lower surface.

[0037] The head 4 further comprises a lower part 12 with ribs 13 having a curved edge 131 and a straight edge 132 (generally forming a curved surface), the curved edge 131 being external to the straight edge 132 which converges towards said central through hole 17 (figures 6 to 8).

[0038] It is essential that at least one curved (convex) surface of the lower part 12 is provided, which is capable of sliding on at least one concave part of the intermediate element 3 below. It is not necessary that said curved (convex) surface has partially or completely the shape of a set of edges 131, 132 of ribs 13 which stiffen, however advantageously, the lower part 12.

[0039] The central through hole 17 is provided with curved edges 171 ([Fig.2]) in interrupted by loops 172 which project outwards substantially up to a lower edge of the central compartment 40.

[0040] The central surface 16 comprises portions embedded between consecutive loops 172.

[0041] The projections 11 are secured to the head 4 by means of fragile connections, in order to easily remove the excess projections 11.

[0042] The head 4, of circular shape, has (figures 5 to 8) an external diameter DT of 118 mm (millimeters) to 122 mm, preferably 120 mm, and an internal diameter dT of 90 mm to 94 mm, preferably 92 mm. The internal diameter dT is substantially defined by the internal diameter of a ring 42 from which the ribs 13 originate, from the outside towards the inside, and substantially describes the width of the lower part 12 which can be coupled with the cavity 70 of the intermediate element 3. The external diameter DT is defined by the diameter of an internal edge of a step 41 of the head 4 which extends downwards.

[0043] The height HT of the lower part 12 is 12 mm to 15 mm, preferably 13.5 mm.

[0044] The intermediate element 3 has an external diameter DI of 97 mm to 101 mm, preferably 99 mm, the circular element 80 having an external diameter DC of 25 mm to 29 mm, preferably 27 mm.

[0045] The curved portion 71 of the cavity 70 has a radius of curvature RI of 63 mm to 67 mm, preferably 65 mm, while the straight portion 72 has a width LI of 14 mm to 17 mm, preferably 15.5 mm.

[0046] The depth PI of the cavity 70 is from 9 mm to 11 mm, preferably 10 mm.

[0047] The maximum lateral dimensions IT of the head 4 are 127 mm to 133 mm, preferably 130 mm.

[0048] The assembly of the support 1 described above is very simple.

[0049] The intermediate element 3 is screwed into the cavity 5 of the base 2 in order to obtain a desired height.

[0050] The head 4 is associated with the intermediate element 3 by passing the teeth 8 through the central through hole 17 using the loops 172, and then rotating it so that the lower surfaces of the teeth 8 come into sliding contact with the central surface 16.

[0051] The shape of the lower surface of the teeth 8 allows effective sliding of the head 4 on the intermediate element 3, without sticking or breaking of the teeth 8, the plurality of teeth 8 however avoiding accidental movements.

[0052] Observing the support 1 assembled in [Fig.4], it should be noted that the curved edge 131 of the ribs 13 has a radius of curvature corresponding substantially to that of the curved part 71 of the intermediate element 3 in order to couple with the latter in a complementary manner.

[0053] Similarly, the straight edge 132 has a length corresponding substantially to the straight part 72 of the intermediate element 3.

[0054] Overall, the internal diameter dT of the head 4 corresponds substantially to the width of the cavity 70, so that the lower part 12 of the head 4 is housed in the cavity 70 in order to promote optimal distribution of the weight of the floor over the entire concave upper surface 7.

[0055] The difference between the external diameter DT and the internal diameter dT of the head 4 is such that it limits the outward projection of the head 4 relative to the intermediate element 3 in order to further center the weight.

[0056] The above-mentioned sizes of the lower part 12 of the head 4 and of the cavity 70 of the intermediate element 3 are suitable to allow an optimal mutual sliding both in the case of a tilting movement as well as a simple rotation around an axis perpendicular to the fixed surface below, or even in the case of the support 1 of universal type.

[0057] The shape of the cavity 70 of the intermediate element 3 and the shape of the lower part 12 of the head 4 make it possible to limit the maximum lateral dimensions IT of the head 4, promoting the compactness of the support 1 as a whole.

[0058] The lower part 12 is well housed in the cavity 70 without the risk of tilting or involuntary friction in the case of mutual sliding, tilting or simple rotation around an axis perpendicular to the fixed surface.

[0059] As shown in [Fig.9], an extension 60 can be mounted between the base 2 and the intermediate element 3, which makes it possible to extend the height of the support 1.

[0060] The extension comprises a nut portion 61 which couples with the external thread 6 of the intermediate element 3 and a screw portion 62, under the nut portion 61, which couples with the internal thread 51 of the base 2.

[0061] The extension 60 has a height of 123 mm to 127 mm, preferably 125 mm.

[0062] The nut portion 61 has a height of 79 mm to 81 mm, preferably 80 mm.

[0063] Therefore, the screw portion 62 has a height of 44 mm to 46 mm, preferably 45 mm.

[0064] It should be noted that even the base 2, although it does not affect the coupling between the head 4 and the intermediate element 3, which is the main object of the present invention, can have different sizes. In particular, the height of the base 2 varies from 20 mm to 80 mm, the width of the cavity 5 is from 110 mm to 115 mm, preferably 113 mm, while the width of the base 2 (dimensions of the support on the underlying fixed surface) is from 203 mm to 208 mm, preferably 205 mm.

[0065] Even the height of the intermediate element 3 which, like the sizes of the base 2, does not affect the coupling between the head 4 and the intermediate element 3, is 16 mm at 75 mm.

Claims

Claims

1. Support (1) for raised floors comprising a base (2), an intermediate element (3) and a head (4) on which the raised floor parts rest, in which: the base (2) comprises a cylindrical cavity (5) having an internal thread (51), the intermediate element (3) has a cylindrical shape with an external thread (6) and comprises a cavity (70) having a concave upper surface (7) and in the center, teeth (8), each tooth (8) projecting outwards leaving a space below, in which the concave upper surface (7) consists of a curved part (71) and a straight part (72), the head (4) has a circular shape and comprises an upper part (15) with an external upper surface (10) which is flat, and a central compartment (40) comprising a central surface (16) with a central through hole (17), the head (4) further comprises a lower part (12) with a curved surface, the through hole (17) is provided with curved edges (171) interrupted by loops (172) which project outwards to allow the teeth (8) to pass from below through the through hole (17), the curved upper surface (7) of the intermediate element (3) being able to be coupled, in a sliding manner, with the curved surface of the lower part (12) of the head (4), characterized in that: the head (4) has an external diameter (DT) of 118 mm to 122 mm, and an internal diameter (dT) of 90 mm to 94 mm, wherein the height (HT) of the lower part (12) is 12 mm to 15 mm, the intermediate element (3) has an external diameter (DI) of 97 mm to 101 mm, wherein the curved part (71) of the cavity (70) has a radius of curvature (RI) of 63 mm to 67 mm, and the straight part (72) of the cavity (70) has a width (LI) of 14 mm to 17 mm, wherein the depth (PI) of the cavity (70) is 9 mm to 11 mm, the maximum lateral dimensions (IT) of the head (4) being 127 mm to 133 mm.

2. Support (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: the head (4) has an external diameter (DT) of 120 mm, and an internal diameter (dT) of 92 mm, the height (HT) of the lower part (12) being 13.5 mm, the intermediate element (3) has an external diameter (DI) of 99 mm, the curved part (71) of the cavity (70) having a radius of curvature (RI) of 65 mm, and the straight part (72) of the cavity (70) having a width (LI) of 15.5 mm, the depth (PI) of the cavity (70) being 10 mm, the maximum lateral dimensions (IT) of the head (4) being 130 mm.

3. Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate element (3) is provided, in the center, with a circular element (80) which comprises a circular neck (81) from which the teeth (8) project outwards.

4. Support (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the circular element (80) has an external diameter (DC) of 25 to 29 mm.

5. Support (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the circular element (80) has an external diameter (DC) of 27 mm.

6. Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said curved surface of the lower part (12) of the head (4) comprises a plurality of curved edges (131) and straight edges (132) of respective ribs (13).

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