Flooring support system

Abstract

A flooring support system has a beam and cross members such that when the cross members are supported on the flanges of the beam the tops of the hollow sections are level to provide an even support gr

Description

16 1224 Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is concerned with a flooring support system. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a latticedike support system for decking and paving. Background Art

[0002] Prior art flooring systems comprise a plurality of parallel beams which are supported on pedestals. Flooring members are laid on top of the beams in order to provide an even, elevated floor surface for use e.g., in outdoor spaces.

[0003] In prior art systems, a plurality of parallel beamsare positioned ata specific distance apart (e.g, 600mm). Sections of the same beam are used as cross-pieces between them, which attach normal to the main beams(at90 degrees) with cornerconnector components. These L-shaped components need to be screwed into both the main beams and crosspieces, which is labour intensive.

[0004] It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved flowing support system. Summary of Invention

[0005] According to the invention is provided a flooring support structure according to claim 1.

[0006] Preferably the structure comprises a plurality of pedestals supporting at least two of the plurality of beams.

[0007] Preferably the structure comprises at least one cross-piece comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion and a first and second flange extending from respective sides thereof; wherein the at least one cross-piece extends between two of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one cross-piece being supported on one of the first and second flanges of each respective beam portion. 16 1224

[0008] Preferably the height of the cross-piece is such that a surface of the cross-piece is flush with the adjacent surface of each beam portion to provide a continuous support surface for flooring members.

[0009] Preferably the beams and the cross-piece are configured to fit into a common pedestal shape.

[0010] Preferably the beams and the cross-piece are identical in width. [0011 ] Preferably the edge piece is L-shaped.

[0012] Preferably the structure comprises a further edge piece, the further edge piece being parallel to the plurality of beams and connected to a flange of one of the plurality of beams to define a further edge of the support structure in use.

[0013] Preferably the further edge piece is L-shaped. Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figure in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first support structure in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the first support structure of Figure 1; FIGURES 3 &4 are section views of components of the support structure of Figure 1; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a second support structure in accordance with the present invention; and, FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the first support structure of Figure 6. Description of the first embodiment

[0015] A flooring support structure 100 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4. 16 1224 Configuration [001 6] Referring to Figure 1, a central area of the flooring support structure 100 is shown. The structure 100 comprises a plurality of pedestals 102, a plurality of beams 104ad and a plurality of crosspieces in the form of noggins 106ae. In Figure 2, a corner of the support structure is shown with a pedestal 102, two beams 104e-f and a single cross piece / noggin 1 06f. Edge pieces 112, 11 3 is also shown.

[0017] The pedestals 102 are known in the art, and are configured for supporting the beams 104a-d above an underlying ground surface or substrate 108. Each pedestal has a support surface 109 and an upstanding beam receiving formation 110 opposite the support surface (Figure 2). An adjustable collar 111 is provided threaded to the formation 110 such that it can be moved up and down to adjust the beam support height above the supports surface 109.

[0018] The beams (or joists) 104 are constructed from an extruded metal material (aluminium in this embodiment) and comprise a cross section shown in Figure 3. The cross section defines a hollow box portion 114 having a top wall 116, side walls 118, 120 and a base 122. The base 122 extends either side of the sidewalls to define two edge flanges 124, 126 of thickness t1. The top wall 116 comprises an elongate channel 128. The beams 104 have a total height of hi.

[0019] The noggins 106 are almost identical in section to the beams 104. They are constructed from an extruded metal material (aluminium in this embodiment) and comprise a cross section shown in Figure 4. The cross section defines a hollow box portion 130 having a top wall 132, side walls 134, 136 and a base 138. The base 138 extends either side of the sidewalls to define two edge flanges 140, 142. The top wall 132 comprises an elongate channel 144. The noggins 106 have a total height of h2 = (h1-t1).

[0020] The edge pieces 112, 113 are L-shaped extrusions having a base portion 148 and an upright 150 at 90 degrees thereto. Assembly

[0021] The support structure 100 is assembled by aligning the beams 104 in a parallel, offset manner (see axis X in Figure 1). The noggins 106 are then used to join the beams. The noggins 106 are provided at 90 degrees to the beams 104 and their bases 138 are supported on one of the flanges 124, 126 of each beam. Screws 146 (or other mechanical 16 1224 fasteners) can then be used to fasten the flanges 140, 142 of the noggin to the flange 124 or 126 of the beam.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, several noggin sections 106a e are placed in a codinear manner, although this is not strictly necessary.

[0023] Because the noggins 106 are t1 mm less tall than the beams 104, their top walls 116, 132 are flush, forming a continuous support surface for decking panels or paving members.

[0024] It will be noted that in some applications the noggins can be cut at an angle, meaning that they can be positioned at different non-zero angles to the beams 104. The way in which the noggins are attached to the beams does not change.

[0025] At the edges of the structure 100 the edge pieces 112, 113 are attached. The edge piece 112 is normal to the beams 104 and is attached with screws passing through the flanges 124, 126. The upright 150 abuts the ends of the beams 104. The edge piece 113 is parallel to the beams 104, and is attached in the same way. The edge pieces 113, 114 are cut to form a mitre joint at the corner (although they are not physically joined).

[0026] Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that because the width of the noggins 106 is equal to the width of the beams (across flanges), the noggins can be engaged with the pedestals to support the lattice-like structure. Description of the second embodiment

[0027] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, a second embodiment of a flooring support structure 200 is shown. Configuration

[0028] Referring to Figures 5 &6, the structure 200 comprises a plurality of pedestals 102, a plurality of beams 204a-d, a T-section 205, as well as noggins 206a-b.

[0029] The beams 204a-d are the same as the beams 104a-d of the first embodiment, with the exception that they are split into two portions (i.e., 204a1,204a2; 204b1,204b2). These portions may be provided separately (for example due to manufacturing / transport size limitations) and thus need to be joined in a stable and secure manner. 16 1224

[0030] The noggins 206a-b are the same as for the first embodiment, and connect the beams 204a, 204b in the same way as shown in Figure 6.

[0031] The T section comprises a base 252 and a central spine 254 extending normal to the base at the centre thereof. The spine is of a height hi. Assembly

[0032] The T-section 205 is the means by which the beam sections 204a1, 204a2; 204b1, 204b2 are connected. The beam sections 204a1 &204a2 (by way of example) are aligned and abutted on either side of the spine 254. They are attached by mechanical fasteners 256 through the flanges 242, 246 into the base 252. Variations

[0033] The drawings show cradle-type pedestals, but it will be noted that the present invention may be used with clip-in type pedestals, in which case the flanges 124, 126; 140, 142 may clip into the pedestal tops.

Claims

16 12241. A flooring support structure comprising:a plurality of beams, each beam comprising a constant cross section having a hollow portion defining a flooring support surface, and a first and second flange extending from respective sides of the hollow portion distal to the flooring support surface, the beams positioned in a spaced-apart parallel manner with the flooring support surfaces lying on a common flooring support plane;an edge piece having a base and an upright normal to the base, the upright having an upper edge;wherein the edge piece:is attached to the plurality of beams, normal thereto, with the base in face-to-face contact with at least one flange of each of the plurality of beams and fastened thereto;is positioned such that the upright defines an edge of the flooring support structure in use; and,is positioned with the upper edge of the upright on the flooring support plane.

2. A flooring support structure according to claim 1, comprising:a plurality of pedestals supporting at least two of the plurality of beams.

3. A flooring support structure according to any of claims 1 to 2, comprising at least one cross-piece comprising a constant cross-section having a hollow portion and a firstand second flange extending from respective sides thereof;wherein the at least one cross-piece extends between two of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one cross-piece being supported on one of the first and second flanges of each respective beam portion.

4. A flooring support structure according to claim 3, wherein the height of the crosspiece is such that a surface of the cross-piece is flush with the adjacent surface of each beam portion to provide a continuous support surface for flooring members.

5. A flooring support structure according to claim 4, wherein the beams and the crosspiece are configured to fit into a common pedestal shape.

6. A flooring support structure according to claim 5, wherein the beams and the crosspiece are identical in width.

7. A flooring support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the edge piece is L-shaped.

8. A flooring support structure according to any preceding claim, comprising a further edge piece having a further base and a further upright normal to the further base, the further edge piece being parallel to the plurality of beams, and connected to a flange of one of the plurality of beams to such that the further upright defines a further edge of the support structure in use.

9. A flooring support structure according to claim 8, wherein the further edge piece is L-shaped.16 1224

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