Modular flooring for supporting street furniture

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular platform for supporting street furniture (1), comprising a plurality of boards (2), each board (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X). This platform is particular in that it comprises: - at least one groove (3) extending along the longitudinal axis (X) between two boards (2), said groove (3) being configured to accommodate at least one anchoring means for an element of street furniture; - a plurality of feet (5) located directly above said groove (3), below said groove (3), the height of the lower end of said feet (5) relative to the rest of the platform (1) being adjustable, at least a portion of the height of each foot (5) being located between two adjacent boards (2). The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a modular platform according to the invention and an element of street furniture. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a modular platform according to the invention.Figure for the abridged version: Fig 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Modular flooring for supporting street furniture. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular platform for supporting street furniture. More particularly, it relates to a modular platform that is easily disassembled and reassembled, offering great flexibility for attaching one or more pieces of street furniture to it in numerous possible configurations. Previous technique

[0002] Urban planning is a constantly evolving sector. It is now common to propose developments that allow urban spaces to be used as recreational areas, promoting relaxation and active transportation. In this context, it is common to install street furniture designed for these uses. However, it is not always easy to make decisions about these developments, and in particular to reach a consensus among users and residents. To address this problem, temporary urban developments are proposed, allowing for the testing of one or more different layout configurations before proceeding with a permanent installation. Temporary urban developments are also useful for organizing one-off events, such as activities, festivals, etc.

[0003] Thus, an urban flooring system, marketed under the name "Parklets," was proposed. This modular flooring has adjustable feet and allows for the attachment of street furniture such as benches, chairs, etc. However, the available modules only allow for a limited number of possible floor dimensions. Furthermore, attaching street furniture requires drilling into the flooring, which is not suitable for dismantling and reassembling street furniture, particularly when changing the type and placement of these elements between uses. Description of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a modular floor for supporting street furniture, comprising a plurality of boards, each board extending along a longitudinal axis.

[0005] This floor is special in that it also comprises: - at least one groove extending along the longitudinal axis between two adjacent boards, said groove being configured to accommodate at least one means of anchoring an element of street furniture, - a plurality of feet located at the right of said groove, below said groove, the height of the lower end of said feet relative to the rest of the floor being adjustable, at least part of the height of each of the feet being located between two adjacent boards.

[0006] Thanks to these provisions, the floor according to the invention is simple to manufacture and allows great flexibility of use in terms of surface covered by the floor, and fixing of street furniture elements on this floor.

[0007] The groove may have a constant cross-section over its entire length, so as to be able to accommodate at least said anchoring means of the street furniture element in any position over its entire length, which allows for a great deal of freedom in positioning the street furniture elements on the floor.

[0008] Said at least one anchoring means may be hammer-head screws, which allows for a solid and reversible fixing, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly.

[0009] Said groove can be formed by two groove profiles, each groove profile being fixed to a board, which is a simple and effective embodiment of the invention.

[0010] Each of said groove profiles may have a Z-shaped section, which is a simple and effective embodiment of the invention, allowing a solid attachment to the boards.

[0011] Said floor may include at least one fixing device configured to fix together two adjacent boards offset along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, said fixing device being able to extend over at least part of the length of said two boards and comprising at least one means of fixing to a foot, which makes it possible to give satisfactory rigidity to the floor, while preserving the space necessary for the grooves between the boards.

[0012] Said at least one fixing device may include, over at least part of its length, a section comprising a central part having said at least one fixing means to a foot, and two lateral parts extending on each side of the central part under said boards, which is a simple and effective embodiment of the invention, allowing to obtain a solid floor.

[0013] Said at least one means of attachment to the foot may be a tapped hole, and the feet may each have a thread configured to cooperate with said tapped holes, which allows precise and easy adjustment of the height of the lower end of the feet.

[0014] At least one of said at least one fastening device may comprise a fastening profile and a reinforcing piece fixed to the fastening profile, said reinforcing piece being located at said central part and comprising said fastening means at the base, said fastening profile being fixed to said two adjacent boards, This ensures the solidity of the floor, while avoiding significant consumption of raw materials.

[0015] At least one of said fastening devices comprises a first module profile fixed to a first of said two adjacent boards, and a second module profile fixed to a second of said two adjacent boards. Thus, the floor according to the invention can be divided into floor modules, separated from each other along the axis perpendicular to the boards by module profiles. The module profiles can be easily fixed to each other, in particular from the top of the floor, which simplifies the on-site installation of the floor from the modules.

[0016] Said floor may comprise at least two boards offset along the longitudinal axis, and at least one plate fixed on one side to a fixing device fixed to the first of said two boards, and on the other side to a fixing device fixed to the second of said two boards, which makes it possible to obtain a floor extending over a length greater than the length of one board.

[0017] The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a modular floor according to the invention, and an element of street furniture comprising an anchoring means, the anchoring means of said element of street furniture being disposed in the groove so as to fix said element of street furniture to said floor.

[0018] Thanks to these provisions, the floor according to the invention is simple to manufacture and allows great flexibility of use in terms of surface covered by the floor, and fixing of street furniture elements on this floor.

[0019] The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing and using a modular floor according to the invention, comprising the following steps: - fixing the feet to the fixing devices, - fixing the fixing devices and the groove profiles on the boards, - fixing the plates to the fixing devices - installing the floor on site, - adjusting the heights of the feet, so that at least most of the feet are in contact with the ground and each take up part of the weight of the floor, - fixing at least one piece of street furniture to the floor.

[0020] Thanks to these provisions, the floor according to the invention is simple to manufacture and allows great flexibility of use in terms of surface covered by the floor, and fixing of street furniture elements on this floor.

[0021] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing and using a modular floor according to the invention, comprising the following steps: - manufacturing a plurality of floor modules, each module being manufactured according to the above process in a workshop, each module comprising at least one module profile, - transport of the plurality of floor modules to a floor installation site, - fixing the modules together, via the module profiles, to form the floor. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The present invention and its advantages will become more apparent from the following description of several embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a modular floor according to a mode preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the floor of [Fig.1],

[0025] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view of a detail of [Fig.1],

[0026] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view of a detail of [Fig.1], one board having been removed,

[0027] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a detail view of [Fig. 1], a board and two profiles of grooves having been removed,

[0028] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view of a detail of [Fig.1], two boards and a profile of grooves having been removed, [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of the floor of [Fig.1], at the intersection between two modules. Description of the implementation methods

[0029] In the illustrated embodiments, identical elements or parts bear the same reference numbers. Furthermore, terms with a relative meaning, such as vertical, horizontal, right, left, front, back, above, below, etc., should be interpreted under normal conditions of use of the invention, and as shown in the figures. Moreover, the geometric positions indicated in the description and the claims, such as "perpendicular," "parallel," and "symmetrical," are not limited to the strict sense defined in geometry, but extend to geometric positions that are close, that is, that allow a certain tolerance within the technical field considered, without affecting the result obtained. This tolerance is notably introduced by the adverb "substantially," without this term necessarily being repeated before each adjective.

[0030] With reference to the figures, the modular floor 1 according to the invention comprises planks 2. The planks are for example made of wood, metal or plastic, and extend along a longitudinal axis X, that is to say that their largest dimension is parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0031] The boards 2 preferably have an upper face, configured to form the upper face of the floor 1 on which users can walk.

[0032] The boards 2 can take the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, or any other suitable shape, for example with certain rounded edges and / or faces, it being understood that the upper face is preferably flat, for ease of use, and the lower face is preferably flat, for ease of installation.

[0033] The boards 2 composing the modular floor 1 are preferably all of identical dimensions. However, it is possible that some boards 2 may have different dimensions without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0034] As will be explained later, the length of the boards 2 is the largest dimension among all the elements constituting the floor 1. The boards 2 can have a length between 1.00 and 1.40 m, for example 1.20 m, which allows for easy transport of the elements constituting the floor 1.

[0035] The boards 2 can have a width between 12 and 16 cm, for example 14 cm, which allows for significant modularity in the dimensions of the floor and great flexibility in the placement of street furniture elements, as will be explained later. This width also allows for good distribution of the feet supporting the floor 1, as will be described below, and therefore better stability of the floor 1.

[0036] The boards 2 can have a width of between 20 and 30 cm, for example 25 cm, which gives satisfactory strength to the floor 1, without it being too bulky and heavy for transport and storage.

[0037] The modular floor 1 is preferably rectangular in shape, formed by planks 2 all having identical dimensions. However, other shapes are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, particularly for aesthetic reasons or to adapt to a specific installation location.

[0038] The modular floor 1 has at least one groove 3, extending along the longitudinal axis X between two adjacent boards 2, i.e. the larger dimension of the groove 3 is parallel to the larger dimension of the boards 2.

[0039] The groove 3 is configured to accommodate at least one anchoring means for an item of street furniture. Preferably, the groove 3 has a constant cross-section along its entire length, so that it can accommodate at least one of these anchoring means for the street furniture item at any position along its entire length. Thus, the street furniture item can be placed anywhere along the longitudinal axis X of the floor 1.

[0040] The groove 3, in cooperation with an anchoring means for an element of street furniture, allows for removable attachment. This attachment is sufficiently strong to prevent any unintentional separation of the street furniture element from the floor, particularly under outdoor conditions, i.e., with significant temperature variations, rain, wind, and also in conditions of use in public space. This fixing is removable, which allows the street furniture element to be removed from floor 1, then to be fixed again, for example in another location on floor 1, or after transport of floor 1, or to fix another street furniture element in its place.

[0041] Removable fixing is made possible, for example, by the use of anchoring means consisting of a hammer-head screw. Anchoring an element of street furniture in a groove 3 then involves the following steps: - fixing at least one hammer-head screw to an item of street furniture, by the end of the screw opposite the head, - rotation of the hammer head screw so that the longer side of the head is parallel to groove 3, - Insert the screw head into groove 3, - rotation of the screw head, so that its longest length is transverse to groove 3 and can no longer be extracted from groove 3 by lifting, - tightening of the screw, in order to achieve the fixing.

[0042] The use of hammer screws allows for a reversible fixing, that is to say that no operation undergone by one of the elements of the floor 1 is irreversible, unlike for example drilling one of these elements.

[0043] Groove 3 therefore corresponds to a gap between the floorboards. This gap preferably has a width of less than 20 mm to prevent accidents during floor use. However, the width of groove 3 must be sufficient to accommodate the anchoring device. The width of groove 3 is, for example, between 8 and 13 mm.

[0044] The groove 3 can be formed by two groove profiles 4, for example metal profiles, each groove profile 4 being fixed to a board 2, the groove 3 being located between these two boards 2.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the groove profiles 4 have a Z-shaped cross-section, comprising three parts, an example of which is illustrated in [Fig. 2]. A first part 4a, preferably horizontal, is located under the board 3 to which the groove profile 4 is attached. The groove profile 4 is preferably attached to the board 2 at this first part 4a, for example by means of screws. A second part 4b, preferably vertical, extends from the end of the first part 4a and runs up the side of the board 2, preferably against that side. A third part 4c, preferably horizontal, extends from the end of the second part 4b towards the other groove profile 4 with which this groove profile forms the groove.The groove 3 is formed by the space between the free ends of the third parts 4c of the two boards 2. .

[0046] The board 1 also includes feet 5, located at the right of the groove 3, below the groove 3, so that at least part of the height of the feet 5 is located between the adjacent boards 2 between which the groove 3 is located, but that the upper end of the feet 5 is located below the upper face of the boards 2, to prevent them from being a source of discomfort or accident for users of the floor 1.

[0047] The height of the lower end of the feet 5 is adjustable, between a high end position, in which the lower ends of the feet 5 are at the same level, or just below, the other lowest elements of the floor 1, and a low end position, in which the lower ends of the feet 5 protrude downwards from the rest of the floor 1, so as to locally take up the irregularities of the site on which the floor is installed.

[0048] To ensure this adjustment, the feet 5 can have a variable height, or as in the embodiment described later, it is the fixing of the feet 5 to the rest of the floor 1 that can allow this adjustment.

[0049] The floor 1 may also include a fastening device 6, configured to fix together two adjacent boards 2, offset along a horizontal axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The fastening device extends over at least part of the length of the two boards 2, preferably over their entire length, in order to obtain a mechanically resistant floor 1.

[0050] The fastening device 6 comprises, along at least part of its length, a section having a central portion 6a and two lateral portions 6b, situated on either side of the central portion 6a. The central portion 6a comprises at least one fastening means 7 for attaching to a foot 5. The central portion 6a is preferably located between the grooved profiles 4 fixed to the two adjacent boards 2, and advantageously it forms an inverted U whose legs are wedged between the second portions 4a of these grooved profiles 4. The two lateral portions 6b each extend under one of the adjacent boards 2, for example, under the first portions 4a of the grooved profiles 4 fixed to each of the two adjacent boards 2. The section formed by the central portion 6a and the lateral portions 6b can therefore form an omega shape, as shown in [Fig. 2].

[0051] As shown in [Fig. 5], the central part 6a may be present only at certain intervals along the length of the fastening device 6, in order to save material. These intervals correspond to the arrangement of the feet 5.

[0052] The groove profiles 4 and the fixing device 6 can be fixed to the boards 2 by means of common fixing means, for example screws passing through the groove profile 4, the fixing device 6, and penetrating the boards 2.

[0053] The fixing means 7 is preferably a tapped hole, suitable for cooperating with a thread of the foot 5. The thread of the foot 5 is for example located on its circumference, on a certain section of its height, this section allowing to determine the two limit positions of the foot 5 with respect to the floor 1 described above;

[0054] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the fastening device 6 comprises a fastening profile, for example metallic, having, for example, the omega cross-section as described above, and a reinforcing piece 8 located at the central part 6a, preferably under the central part 6a, and comprising the fastening means. The reinforcing piece 8 increases the thickness of the fastening device 6 at the point where it is attached to the feet 5, in order to improve the strength of this attachment, and thus the stability and strength of the floor 1. The reinforcing piece 8 is attached to the fastening profile, for example by means of screws.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 7], one or more fastening devices 6 for the floor 1 comprise a first module profile fixed to one of two adjacent boards 2, and a second module profile fixed to a second of two adjacent boards 2. Together, these two module profiles form a section equivalent to the fastening profile described above, and are fixed to the boards and optionally to the legs as for the single fastening profile described above. The central portion 6a of the fastening device 6 may then comprise a portion of each of the module profiles, these two portions being superimposed so that the two module profiles can be fixed to each other at this central portion 6a.

[0056] This pair of module profiles makes it possible to define the boundaries of floor modules, which are sub-parts of the floor 1 according to the invention. Indeed, each element of this pair is fixed to a board 2, the two boards 2 belonging to two distinct modules, adjacent when the modules are assembled.

[0057] The modules can therefore comprise a plurality of boards 2, linked together by fastening devices 6, the modules being edged on their sides parallel to the longitudinal axis X by module profiles. The dimension of the modules along the longitudinal axis X can correspond to a single board, and the modules can be assembled along the longitudinal axis X by plates 8, and along the transverse axis Y by the module profiles.

[0058] The modules may comprise all the elements of the floor 1 described above and below. Thus, the floor 1 can be manufactured in two stages: in a first stage, only modules are assembled, and then in a second stage, the modules are assembled together to form the floor 1. This assembly is done by fixing the module profiles together, and possibly by installing plates 8 to obtain a floor comprising several modules along the longitudinal axis X. The first step, which is longer and requires more expertise, can therefore be carried out in a workshop staffed by more qualified operators, and the second step, which is simpler and faster, can be performed directly on the installation site.

[0059] Between these two steps, the modules, which are less bulky than the entire floor, can be transported. To make transporting the modules as simple as possible, and feasible without the use of a truck, for example in a van, the largest dimension of the modules can be defined as being less than or equal to 1.20 m.

[0060] The floor 1 preferably comprises at least two boards 2 offset along the longitudinal axis X, but aligned along the transverse axis Y, i.e., the length of the floor 1 along the longitudinal axis X is preferably not limited to the length of one board 2. However, the elements described above, such as the groove profile 4 and the fastening device 6, preferably extend at most over the length of one board 2. The floor 1 therefore preferably comprises a joining means, such as a plate 9, fixed on one side to a fastening device 6 of the first of the two boards 2 offset along the longitudinal axis X, and on the other side to a fastening device 6 of the second of the two boards 2.Alternatively, the floor may include a joining means fixed on one side to a groove profile 4 of the first of the two boards 2 offset along the longitudinal axis X, and on the other side to a groove profile 4 of the second of the two boards 2. One can also imagine a joining means fixed on one side to a groove profile 4, and on the other side to a fixing device 6.

[0061] As shown in [Fig.6], the plate 9 can be fixed at the central part 6a of the fixing devices 6, for example by means of bolts.

[0062] The floor 1 according to the invention can be manufactured and used according to a process comprising the following steps: - fixing the feet 5 to the fixing devices 6, for example via tapped holes present on the fixing devices 6, and threads present on the feet 5, - fixing the fixing devices 6 and the groove profiles 4 onto the boards 3, preferably using common fixing means, - fixing the plates 9 to the fixing devices 6, or to the groove profiles 4, - installation of the floor 1 on site, - adjusting the heights of the feet, 5 so that the feet 5 are in contact with the ground and each bears part of the weight of the floor 1, - fixing at least one piece of street furniture to floor 1, for example using one or more hammer-head screws.

[0063] The invention therefore allows for easy fixing of one or more street furniture elements to a floor, this fixing being both flexible in terms of positioning of the street furniture element on the floor 1, and removable, in order to be able to reuse the floor 1 in a multitude of configurations.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art, within the limits of the appended claims. Furthermore, the technical features of the various embodiments and variants mentioned above may be combined, in whole or in part.

Claims

Demands

1. Modular flooring for supporting street furniture (1) or modular flooring module for supporting street furniture, comprising a plurality of boards (2), each board (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), characterized in that it further comprises: - at least one groove (3) extending along the longitudinal axis (X) between two adjacent boards (2), said groove (3) being configured to accommodate at least one anchoring means for an element of street furniture, - a plurality of feet (5) located at the level of said groove (3), below said groove (3), the height of the lower end of said feet (5) relative to the rest of the flooring (1) or flooring module being adjustable, at least a portion of the height of each of the feet (5) being located between two adjacent boards (2).

2. Modular floor (1) or floor module according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove (3) has a constant cross-section over its entire length, so as to be able to accommodate at least said anchoring means of the street furniture element in any position over its entire length.

3. Modular floor (1) or floor module according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one anchoring means are hammer-head screws.

4. Modular floor (1) or floor module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said groove (3) is formed by two groove profiles (4), each groove profile (4) being fixed to a board (2).

5. Modular floor (1) or floor module according to claim 4, characterized in that each of said groove profiles (4) has a Z-shaped section.

6. Modular floor (1) or floor module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one fastening device (6) configured to fix together two adjacent boards (2) offset along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, said fastening device (6) extending over at least a part of the length of said two boards (2) and comprising at least one means of fixing to a foot (5).

7. Modular floor (1) or floor module according to claim 6, wherein said at least one fastening device (6) comprises, over at least part of its length, a section including a central part (6a) comprising said at least one fastening means to a foot (5), and two lateral parts (6b) extending on each side of the central part (6a) under said boards (2).

8. Modular floor (1) or floor module according to claim 7, wherein said at least one means of attachment to the foot (5) is a tapped hole, and the feet (5) each have a thread configured to cooperate with said tapped holes.

9. Modular floor (1) or floor module according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein at least one of said at least one fastening device (6) comprises a fastening profile and a reinforcing piece (8) fixed to the fastening profile, said reinforcing piece (8) being located at said central part (6a) and comprising said fastening means at the foot, said fastening profile being fixed to said two adjacent boards (2).

10. Modular floor (1) or floor module according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein at least one of said at least one fastening device (6) comprises a first module profile fixed to a first of said two adjacent boards (2), and a second module profile fixed to a second of said two adjacent boards (2).

11. Modular floor (1) or floor module according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising at least two boards (2) offset along the longitudinal axis (X), and at least one plate (9) fixed on one side to a fixing device (6) fixed to the first of said two boards (2), and on the other side to a fixing device (6) fixed to the second of said two boards (2).

12. Assembly comprising a modular floor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and an element of street furniture comprising an anchoring means, the anchoring means of said element of street furniture being disposed in the groove (3) so as to fix said element of street furniture to said floor (1).

13. A method for manufacturing and using a modular floor (1) according to claims 1, 4 and 11, comprising the following steps: - fixing the feet (5) to the fixing devices (6), - fixing the fixing devices (6) and the groove profiles (4) on the boards (2), - fixing the plates (9) to the fixing devices (6), - installation of the floor (1) on site, - adjustment of the heights of the feet (5), so that at least most of the feet (5) are in contact with the ground and each take up part of the weight of the floor (1), - fixing at least one piece of street furniture on the floor (1).

14. A method for manufacturing and using a modular floor (1) according to claims 1, 4, 6 and 10, comprising the following steps: - manufacturing a plurality of floor modules (1) according to claims 1, 4, 6 and 10, each module being manufactured in a workshop, each module comprising at least one module profile, - transporting the plurality of floor modules to a floor installation location (1), - fixing the modules together, via the module profiles, to form the floor (1).

Images